Russia split over Lenin’s legacy
Published 22 April, 2008, 05:53
He was born Vladimir Ulyanov but the world knows him simply as Lenin. The 138th anniversary of his birth on April 22, 1870 has sparked fresh debate, and possibly a referendum, about his legacy.
His home city of Simbirsk changed its name to Ulyanovsk to honour him in 1924. Now some want to change it back.
“Lenin was an unprecedented villain. There were incessant repressions during his active years. The city and streets shouldn’t bear his name because it’s a criminal’s name. He smeared himself in blood from head to toe,” says Dmitry Tochenny, history professor at Ulyanovsk University.
Others say the name should stay and dismiss the criticism of Lenin out of hand.
“Under Lenin there were no repressions. No churches were destroyed and no priests were shot. All that started in the late 1920s, under Stalin. The first thing Lenin did was pulling us out of the WWI, saving millions of lives,” rejects Zhores Trofimov, Lenin biographer.
The inhabitants also appear divided over whether the town should remain named after the controversial figure.
“I think Ulyanovsk should return to the name of Simbirsk. It was the city’s name before Lenin and it shouldn’t be forgotten,” a local resident says.
“Lenin was a hero and should remain one. It seems to me it would be better to leave the name of the city as it is,” says another.
Residents may have a chance to decide as a referendum is expected within the next 12 months.
