LONDON (AP) — Authorities in Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, have recently removed a towering statue of Vladimir Lenin. This monument was believed to be the tallest statue of the revolutionary Soviet leader in Central Asia, standing at 23 meters (75 feet) high. Erected in 1975 during the era when Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet Union, the statue has been a significant piece of the city’s historical landscape.
Photographic evidence shared on social media platforms over the weekend showcases the statue laid flat on the ground, following its removal by a crane. The act of dismantling such a notable representation of Soviet history attracted attention, yet the removal was conducted with minimal public engagement. Officials in Osh framed the operation within the context of routine city planning, emphasizing the administrative and logistical aspects of the decision.
In a public statement, Osh City Hall described the statue's removal as “common practice,” intended to enhance the “architectural and aesthetic appearance” of the area. This framing suggests a broader trend among countries that formerly belonged to the Soviet Union, as they seek to redefine national identity and diminish visible relics of their Soviet past.
In their justification, city officials pointed out that Lenin statues are also being dismantled or relocated in various Russian cities, including St. Petersburg and Belgorod. They stressed that the issue of removing Lenin’s statue should not become politicized, indicating a desire to avoid potential controversies surrounding the legacy of Soviet figures.
As part of the city's planning improvements, the Lenin monument will be replaced by a flagpole — mirroring the actions taken in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, where another Lenin statue was similarly relocated. This approach underlines a shift in priorities towards symbols that reflect contemporary national values rather than those tied to a contested historical narrative.
The statue's removal coincided with the recent unveiling of a monument to Josef Stalin, another notorious figure from the Soviet era, in Moscow. This indicates a complex and often contradictory relationship with Soviet history in the post-Soviet states. While Kyrgyzstan takes steps to distance itself from its Soviet past, Russia appears to celebrate it by honoring historical leaders whose legacies are fraught with episodes of oppression and brutality.
The juxtaposition of these actions highlights the ongoing debate over how former Soviet states engage with their shared history. As Kyrgyzstan and its neighbors navigate this discourse, the removal of Lenin’s statue in Osh represents a significant local development, reflecting broader regional trends as countries strive to reshape their identities in the wake of a complex and often painful history.
