Chasing Stalin’s remembrance in provinces of Georgia
MEPs were pleased to learn that the Stalin monument in Telavi was immediately removed after ameding the law.
“I.B. Stalin” written in Georgian, Russian and English on the stand of the statue three days earlier before it was removed on December 31. Photo by N. Alavidze
The dictator, surrounded by three other statues of Soviet-era men, was part of a World War II memorial until recently when it was removed. Photo by N. Alavidze
After someone splashed the dictator's statue in orange, it was re-colored in dark brown but his eyes stood orange.
‘Zuzumbo’ was an abandoned but extremely calm area added more mystery to the whole experience. Photo by N. Alavidze
Shota Lazarishvili, head of the Stalinist Association in Telavi claims many people were supportive of preserving Stalin’s statue in the town. Photo by N. Alavidze
“Why is the removal of the statue so important when we are struggling with this rubbish problem, which is never solved?” Lazarishvili asked. The outskirt of Telavi where Lazarishvili lives looked neglected. Photo by N. Alavidze
The bottle, emblazed with Stalin’s image, Mr. Lazarishvili bought at the local market for five Laris ($2.83). Photo by N. Alavidze
Upon arrival in the small village of Akura, about 15 kilometers from Telavi, were another statue of Stalin had to be staying, it was found out that the statue had disappeared. Photo by N. Alavidze
Just the old signboard on the background of the empty memorial site stated “Nobody and nothing is forgotten” and locals seemed to be angry at the fact. Photo by N. Alavidze
At the empty memorial site, local man Vakhtang Churgulashvili said he was angry at the situation. “I am very disappointed that the government is fighting with his statues,” he said. Photo by N. Alavidze
Other people, mostly pensioners who had gathered around the empty stand, also seemed angry. They said 80 percent of the village’s inhabitants wanted the statue to stay in the square. Photo by N. Alavidze
Since the statue had disappeared, Agenda.ge decided to focus search on other Soviet-era memorabilia. Local man Mr. Omari showed us his small statue of Stalin. Photo by N. Alavidze
He only allowed photographs to be taken from outside his home. Photo by N. Alavidze
“The statue has been here 30 years and everybody knows that if it is standing facing towards the window it means that I am at home and if vice versa, I am not, Mr. Omari said. Photo by N. Alavidze
Another local man from Akura, happy to see guests in his house where he lives alone tried his best to find everything connected to Stalin at his home. 'I.B. Stalin; Chapter 7; 1925' reads the writing on a very old aged book. Photo by N. Alavidze
Works about Stalin are collected in these books. Photo by N. Alavidze
'He was a great person in the history, that's why I keep these books at home' the host said. Photo by N. Alavidze
Local man from Vejini village, Mr. Merabi, 65, had painted a portrait of Stalin when he was in his youth and has hung proudly outside a property since then. Photo by N. Alavidze
When asked why he keeps the portrait displayed outside his house so many years he answered that he simply wanted to. Photo by N. Alavidze