Novokuznetsk mayor encourages ‘public discussion’ on design of Stalin’s monument

The mayor of Novokuznetsk, Sergei Kuznetsov, has demanded to find a location for the future monument to Joseph Stalin. He believes that the memory of the Soviet General Secretary must be immortalized because Novokuznetsk was previously named Stalinsk, and the city has 'an invisible connection to the leader.' Kuznetsov wants the residents to decide whether Stalin should be depicted alone or alongside ordinary people.

"We need to make sure not to offend anyone. From the historical dialectics point of view, Stalin causes a lot of controversy. There are people whom he hurt, destroyed. But still, many things in the country were accomplished thanks to him," expressed the mayor.

The 'Mozhem Obyasnit' ('We Can Explain') media outlet counted at least 95 monuments to Joseph Stalin installed since Vladimir Putin was elected as Russia's president. In Tver Oblast, Stalin’s bust was erected at the shooting ground used for executions of repressed individuals. Stalin Centers were also opened in Barnaul and Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.

In Pskov Oblast, an 8-meter tall statue of Stalin was placed near a factory entrance. Before that, authorities of three regions refused to install the monument. Local residents and deputies demanded its removal; however, the statue’s installation was considered legal.

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