Kazakhskiy University – Almaty – Socialist bas reliefs

Posted on 06/07/2025 by Michael

Kazakhskiy University – Almaty

Kazakhskiy University – Almaty – Socialist bas reliefs

This is a (relatively) unique example of Soviet art in Kazakhstan for a number of unrelated reasons;

this was the only such example that I came across in my travels in the summer of 2025, not just in Kazakhstan but in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan;

it has obviously been looked after and any repainting and renovation has been carried out with care and consideration;

it is unusual that in the images on both sides of the entrance to the building it is the women who are playing the leading role – it’s normally shared by the genders;

the Hammer and Sickle is in a central and therefore important location but it is depicted in a form that is unusual (although not, I think, unique as I am sure I’ve seen such a representation but – unfortunately – can’t remember where). Here, in place of the shaft of the hammer crossing the blade of the sickle, the back edge of the sickle rests on the head of the hammer and its shaft touches the tip of the sickle’s blade. I cannot think of a reason for this inversion of the hammer, especially as this is at the entrance of an educational establishment. However, the laurel leaves (representing achievement and success) cradle the symbol of the agricultural and industrial workers;

both the women are striving high in their respective endeavours. The one holding the flaming torch (the flame of which is painted red) is promoting – and striving for – technology, knowledge and civilisation, but here a civilisation based on a newer and finer ethic, that of Socialism and internationalism. The woman stretching to her utmost so that her book is as high as possible represents learning, literacy (an always primary goal of any society with a Socialist aspiration) and the acquisition of knowledge in general.

These images are now at the edge of a much bigger educational complex than it would have been in the immediate pre-Great Patriotic War period but it is good to see that there are some people in a position of authority to ensure that this important aspect of Kazakh history and culture is preserved and respected.

The black plaque notes that this was the Kazakh State Institute of Foreign Languages, 1938-1940. I assume that was the period it took to build the complex as the Soviet Union always – even in its revisionist manifestation – placed great importance on the country having people with an excellent understanding of many of the world’s languages.

The gold plaque states that the building was completed and opened on 1st September 1941.

This is now quite a large complex but the learning, and teaching, of foreign languages does not seem to have the same importance in capitalist Kazakhstan as it did in the Soviet Union. Presently the building is used for a whole variety of subjects – including the ubiquitous business/management’ courses (which will lead students into debt and then into a dead end ‘start-up’, in the vast majority of circumstances).

Location;

Tole Bi Street 84, Almaty

GPS;

43.253986 N

76.936108 E

VI Lenin in Moscow

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Michael

VI Lenin in party mode

VI Lenin in Moscow

Here is a selection of the statues, busts and bas reliefs of VI Lenin to be found in Moscow. All of the below are accessible to the public (although on one or two occasions a little bit of imagination might be required to get close). There are more. Of those some are in locations which are difficult to enter, e.g. military or other government buildings or property.

To the best of out knowledge all the location details are correct. Apologies for any errors. If there are errors please let us know so they can be corrected.

You will see there is scarce information about all of those listed. If anyone can fill in the gaps or direct us to a source which will allow that to happen it would be appreciated.

It is hoped that, at some time in the future, this list will be augmented. There are supposed to be close to 100 examples in the Moscow area but many are under threat if the locations where they are found undergo demolition or development.

VI Ulyanov (Lenin) – as a student

Lenin as a student

Location; Ogarodnaya Sloboda Lane

GPS; 55.76535 N 37.64162 E

Sculptors; V.E. Tsigal, P.I. Skokan

Year; 1970

Notes; In July 2008, the monument was overturned by a strong gust of wind and broke into several pieces. In 2009 the monument was restored and installed in its original place.

VI Lenin next to war memorial

Location; Perevedenovskaya Lane 13c6

GPS; 55.78009 N 37.64162 E

Sculptor/s; Sergey Dmitriyevich Merkurov

VI Lenin near Rimskaya and Ploschad Ilyich Metro stations

Location; Rogozhskaya Zastava Square

GPS; 55.74731 N 37.68190 E

Sculptor; G.A.Iokubonis

Architects; V.A.Chekanauskas, B. Belozersky

Year; 1967

VI Lenin being carried shoulder high by workers

Location; 1st Karacharovskaya Street 8c3

GPS; 55.73610 N 37,75598 E

VI Lenin in the garden at workers’ apartments

Location; Aviamotornaya Street 28/4

GPS; 55.74570 N 37.71874 E

A bust of VI Lenin in a small pedestrian square

Location; Alexandra Lukyanova Street 7

GPS; 55.76828 N 37.66438

VI Lenin in a residential street

Location; Burakova Street 8c10

GPS; 55.76178 N 37.73039 E

VI Lenin at school

Location; Perovskaya St 44a, School Building No 796

GPS; 55.75311 N 37.78205 E

Sculptors; I.I. Kozlovsky, A.R.Markin

Year; 1983

VI Lenin in a building site (at the time of the visit)

Location; Rabochaya Street 84c7

GPS; 55.73919 N 37.69611 E

Notes; The factory is in the process of being turned in offices/apartments. VI Lenin has survived (just) so far but whether his luck will continue to run is uncertain.

A bust of VI Lenin in the garden of a residential home for veterans

Location; Entuziastov Highway 88, Yablochkina House of Veterans

GPS; 55.76544 N 37.79635

Statue of VI Lenin at the VDNKh

VI Lenin at VDNKh

Location; In front of the main pavilion at the VDNKh park

GPS; 55.83109 N 37.62981 E

Sculptor; P.P.Yatsyno

Year; 1954

Blog post; Statue of VI Lenin at the VDNKh

Lenin and October Revolution Monument in the Kaluga Square

Lenin and October Revolution Monument

Location; In Kaluga Square (formerly October Square), at the junction of Lenin Prospekt and Krymsky Val, opposite the main entrance to Oktyabrskaya Metro station

GPS; 55.729466°N 37.613176°E

Sculptors; . E. Kerbel, V. A. Fedorov

Architects; G. V. Makarevich, B. A. Samsonov.

Year; 1985

Blog post; Lenin and October Revolution Monument in the Kaluga Square

Monument to VI Lenin on Tverskaya Square

VI Lenin – Tverskaya Square

Location; Tverskaya square

GPS; 55.76233°N 37.61146°E

Sculptor; Sergey Dmitriyevich Merkurov

Architect; I.A. Frantsuz

Year; 1938

Blog post; Monument to VI Lenin on Tverskaya Square

VI Lenin statue – Dekabrskaya Vosstanya Park

Location; At the far end of Dekabrskaya Vosstanya Park from the Ulitsa 1905 Goda Metro station.

GPS; 55.759523º N 37.558902º E

Sculptors; B.I. Dyuzhev, Yu.I. Goltsev

Year; 1963

Blog post; VI Lenin statue – Dekabrskaya Vosstanya Park

VI Lenin statue and assassination attempt memorial stone

Lenin – Ulitsa Pavlovskaya – 01

Location; In a small park at the junction of Ulitsa Pavlovskaya and Ulitsa Pavla Andreyeva.

GPS; 55.72087º N 37.62862º E

Sculptors; V.B.Topuridze, K.T.Topuridze

Year; 1967

Blog post; VI Lenin statue and assassination attempt memorial stone

Marble bust of VI Lenin

Bust of VI Lenin in Muzeon Park

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73416 N 37.60677 E

Sculptor; A.A. Bichukov

Year; 1951

Blog post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

Standing, sandstone VI Lenin

Standing VI Lenin at Museon Park

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73417 N 37.60683 E

Sculptor; V.D. Chazov

Blog post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

Young VI Ulyanov (Lenin)

Young VI Lenin at Muzeon Park

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73417 N 37.60677 E

Sculptor; A.I.Toropygin

Blog Post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

VI Lenin standing, resting hand on pillar

VI Lenin – hand on pillar – Muzeon Park

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73422 N 37.60671 E

Sculptor; I.A. Mendelevich

Blog Post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

Black, granite bust of VI Lenin

Black, granite bust of VI Lenin – Muzeon Park

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73420 N 37.60681 E

Sculptor; Sergey Dmitriyevich Merkurov

Notes; Until the early 1990s, the bust stood near the building of the Belorussky railway station.

Blog post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

Small, marble bust of VI Lenin

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Location; Muzeon Park

GPS; 55.73422 N 37.60680 E

Sculptor; Z.M. Vilensky

Year; 1982

Blog post; Park of the Fallen/Muzeon Art Park

VI Lenin amongst the fir trees

Location; Avtozavodskaya Street, 23

GPS; 55.70402 N 37.63534 E

Sculptors; Yu.P.Pommer, A.A.Stempkovsky

Year; 1956

Bust of VI Lenin in residential park

Location; Gruzinsky Val Street, 26

GPS; 55.77416 N 37.58310 E

VI Lenin, standing with hand in his pocket

Location; Klimashkina Street, 22

GPS; 55.76838 N 37.56725 E

Notes; On June 7, 2016, the monument was thrown down from its pedestal and broken. Probable causes are vandalism or the action of squally winds. In November 2017, it was restored in its original form.

Large bas relief of VI Lenin

VI Lenin at the CPRF Headquarters

Location: Maly Sukharevskaya Lane 7, Headquarters of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation

GPS; 55.77052 N 37.62409 E

Bust of VI Lenin in small residential square

Location; Palikha Street 7-9k6

GPS; 55.78513 N 37.59835 E

VI Lenin at the Central Armed Forces Museum

Location; Sovetskaya Armii str., 2, facing you, up the first flight of stairs, on entering the Central Armed Forces Museum

GPS; 55.78496 N 37.61721 E

Plaques and bas reliefs

There will be many more throughout the city but here are just a few in central Moscow

Moscow City Hall

Moscow City Hall – 03

Moscow City Hall – 02

Moscow City Hall – 01

Location; Moscow City Hall, Ulitsa Tverskaya 13

GPS; 55.76171 N 37.60905 E

Kievskaya Railway Station

Kievskaya Railway Station – 01

Kievskaya Railway Station – 02

Location; By the main entrance of Kievskaya mainline railway station.

GPS; 55.74366 N 37.56786 E

Museum of Architecture

Museum of Architecture – 01

Museum of Architecture – 02

Location; On the wall at the end of the building on the Museum of Architecture on Vozdvizhenka Street, 5/25

GPS; 55.75263 N 37.60724 E

Hotel Metropol

Hotel Metropol – 01

Hotel Metropol – 02

Location; On the wall to the left of upper entrance of the Hotel Metropol on Teatralnaya Proyezti 2.

GPS; 55.75914 N 37.62194 E

Tverskaya Square

Tverskaya Square – 01

Tverskaya Square – 02

Location; On the top corner of the square, close to the main road

GPS; 55.76147 N 37.60997 E

Tverskaya Square – 03

The Monument of the Heroes of the Fight for the Freedom ….

Posted on 06/04/2025 by Michael

Monument of the Heroes of the Fight for the Freedom

The Monument of the Heroes of the Fight for the Freedom of the People and the Homeland, for Socialism

This is a monument situated on a high point, Filaret Hill, in Carol I park, (called Liberty Park during Romania’s attempt to construct Socialism). The park can be found to the south west of the centre of Bucharest (the Old Town).

The site was formerly the location of the Palace of Arts which later housed a military museum but this was damaged first by fire in 1938 and then by an earthquake in 1940. The structure was demolished in 1943 but it wasn’t until 1959 that work began on the monument – which was finally inaugurated in 1963. The structure follows the plans laid out by architects Horia Maicu and Nicolae Cucu. ‘The monument consists of a massive round base, with five slender arches clad in red granite, which reach a height of 48 meters’.

The necropolis is constructed of black and red granite from Sweden and consists of a central mausoleum with a semi-circle of crypts for the burial Heroes of the working class. Inside the central structure were placed the bodies of three, early, prominent Communist leaders – Gheorghe Gheorghiu-De (First Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1944-1965), Constantin Ion Parhon (the first Head of State of the Romanian People’s Republic from 1947 to 1952) and Petru Groza (the country’s first Prime Minister). Their bodies were removed from the mausoleum after the counter-revolution in 1991 and reburied in the city’s cemetery.

There are no names on the tombstones, which are placed outside the semi-circular cloister, so I don’t know if any bodies interred there are still in place or whether they were also removed to other cemeteries.

Now, inside the central structure, in place of the Communist leaders stands a statue of Ferdinand Viktor Albert Meinrad (1865-1927) – the monarch of Romania during the First World War – and the Goddess Nike (representing Victory or the expensive trainers – I don’t know which). The mausoleum is open to the public on Heroes Day, celebrated on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) and on Army Day, the 25th of October. This seems like a modern version of the ‘extirpation of idolatry’ practised by the Spanish in Peru.

For many years there was a discussion about destroying the monument but in 2006 the decision was taken to keep the structure but it was rebranded as the Memorial to the Heroes of the Nation.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the work of the Romanian sculptor Emil Wilhelm Becker, was placed in front of the original building and inaugurated on 17 May 1923. This commemorates those Romanians who died in the First World War. This was retained with the construction of the present structure of the late 1950s and is located on a platform in front of, and slightly lower, to that structure. Alongside it is an Eternal Flame which burns to this day. This tomb has a single Honour Guard which I assume, but don’t know for certain, is 24 hours a day. There’s a barracks underneath the whole structure with the entrance towards the back of the cloister.

Placed on the platform of the principal monument are various artillery pieces, ‘guarding’ the monument. They look like 76mm canons produced in the Soviet Union at the time of the Great Patriotic War in the 1940s.

Condition of the monument;

The principal structure looks in good condition but the general environment could be cared for better. There are tacky plastic strips to indicate that people shouldn’t enter the platform around the mausoleum and the cloister is dirty and used to store all kinds of building materials.

Location;

At the bottom end of the park just above a small lake with fountains, approached via a wide tree lined avenue and then a large flight of steps. The monument dominates the park.

GPS;

44.41151 N

26.09683 E

How to get there;

The northern end of the park is about a 20 minute walk from Unirii Park in the centre of Bucharest. Metro station Tineretului is the closest to the southern end of the park and the monument. It’s a walk, uphill west, of about 500m from the station entrance to the memorial.

Opening times;

The Monument is accessible 24 hours a day.