'Breathing' Lenin Exhibit Causes a Stir

A Moscow exhibit has caused controversy by displaying a statue of the Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin that breathes. Jeanne Yurman reports.

Published

3 months ago

Categories

World, Arts & Society

Topics

Europe, Arts & Culture

People

Vladimir Lenin

Places

Russia, Moscow

Transcript

At Moscow's exhibition centre visitors expect to see statues and paintings. Or even a life-size statue of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union. But not one that breathes. Displayed in a dark room meant to replicate Lenin's famous Mausoleum in Moscow's Red Square, the mildly animated model made of wax is causing quite a stir among visitors. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MUSEUM VISITOR NIKOLAY, SAYING: "The museum is great. It brings out nostalgia. So this is all great but they have overdone it with this (Lenin's display)." The breathing Lenin replica is the centerpiece of this private museum, drawing curious, and says museum administrator, Elena Klemnisheva, sometimes reluctant visitors. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ELENA KLEMNISHEVA, MUSEUM ADMINISTRATOR, SAYING: "Tastes differ. Some like it, some are afraid to enter at first but then enter and leave with a smile." Like this woman, Yulia. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MUSEUM VISITOR YULIA, SAYING: "If it needs to lie there let it lie. If not, it doesn't make any difference to me." The Mausoleum in Red Square, where the real embalmed body of the Soviet dictator lies, was recently closed for repairs. It is expected to be reopened at the end of April.