The tallest Lenin statue in Central Asia, located in Kyrgyzstan, has finally been taken down after standing proudly for 50 years. This monumental figure, standing at 23 meters tall in the city of Osh, was erected when Kyrgyzstan was still part of the Soviet Union. Recent photos capture the moment it was removed, leaving the revolutionary icon lying on its back after being lowered by crane.
As countries in the region begin to embrace their own identities, Kyrgyzstan's decision to dismantle this statue reflects a broader movement across several former Soviet republics to minimize their historical connections to Russia. Although local officials have tried to downplay the significance of the statue's removal, they remain vigilant about potential backlash from their ally, Russia, especially after Moscow recently unveiled a new statue of Josef Stalin.
Osh's City Hall described the removal as part of their effort to enhance urban aesthetics, citing previous instances where Lenin statues were relocated in Russia. The former statue's site will be replaced by a flagpole, mimicking another recent transition where a Lenin statue was removed in the capital, Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan, which gained independence in 1991, still carries echoes of its Soviet past. For instance, the nation's second-highest mountain boasts the name Lenin Peak, a reminder of the historical figure's lingering presence in the country's memory.
As countries in the region begin to embrace their own identities, Kyrgyzstan's decision to dismantle this statue reflects a broader movement across several former Soviet republics to minimize their historical connections to Russia. Although local officials have tried to downplay the significance of the statue's removal, they remain vigilant about potential backlash from their ally, Russia, especially after Moscow recently unveiled a new statue of Josef Stalin.
Osh's City Hall described the removal as part of their effort to enhance urban aesthetics, citing previous instances where Lenin statues were relocated in Russia. The former statue's site will be replaced by a flagpole, mimicking another recent transition where a Lenin statue was removed in the capital, Bishkek.
Kyrgyzstan, which gained independence in 1991, still carries echoes of its Soviet past. For instance, the nation's second-highest mountain boasts the name Lenin Peak, a reminder of the historical figure's lingering presence in the country's memory.
