MOSCOW (AP) – A series of busts of the nation’s Soviet-era leaders, including Josef Stalin, were unveiled Friday by a Russian government-sponsored association, in a move that has drawn criticism from those who see it as part of efforts to whitewash his crimes.
The Russian Military-Historic Society, an organization founded by President Vladimir Putin and led by his culture minister, unveiled the sculptures in order to expand its “alley of rulers” at a Moscow park, which until now had featured busts of Russian monarchs. It described the new display as part of efforts to preserve Russian history.
The Kremlin has distanced itself from the move with Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying he was unaware of it and referring all questions to the organizers.
Putin, a former KGB officer, has avoided open public praise or criticism of Stalin, but he has restored Soviet-era symbols and focused on the nation’s Soviet-era achievements rather than Stalinist crimes.
Over recent years, many in Russia have been dismayed by government-sponsored school textbooks that paint Stalin in a largely positive light and by the reconstruction of a Moscow subway station that restored old Soviet national anthem lyrics praising Stalin, as part of its interior decoration.