That’s what some used to call Ukraine. With his 5,500 statues spread throughout the country, at the end of the Soviet era, Lenin’s ubiquitous presence perhaps justified such dismissive sarcasm.
Since then 4,700 Lenins have been toppled. Many towns have sold the Lenins for the bronze. Town budgets have needed augmentation, new streetlights, wages owed, ambulances etc.
The city of Kharkiv, owner of one of the largest Lenins in the country tried to auction it off online, after it had been dismembered. One ear alone weighed 80 pounds. The organizers were hoping to raise money for military equipment for volunteers fighting Russian-controlled separatists in eastern Ukraine. But after rejecting a $2000 bid for the ear, it’s said they never received another bid.
Cities, towns (a whopping 910 of them) and streets have also been targeted for a purge. The schedule for change does not leave time for a leisurely period of choosing a new identity. City councils have until November 21 to submit their choice or be handed a new name by February 21 with a one determined by Parliament. Many municipalities have established websites through which residents can make their choices be known. (Pikemalt Eesti Elu 6. nov paberlehes)
