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Lenin monument to need reconstructive surgery
2 July, 21:36
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Oleksiy Boyko
Nationalists vandalize the Vladimir Lenin monument in downtown Kyiv, justify cause by citing presidential decree
Nationalists vandalized the monument to Vladimir Lenin, leader of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, on Taras Shevchenko Boulevard in Kyiv. A part of his nose and left hand were broken off early on June 30. Five suspects between ages 20 and 38 were arrested, including two with prior vandalism convictions. They were released against promises to not leave the jurisdiction. In a video of the incident posted on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64msTrmvkhY), one of them said: “This way we’re executing the president’s decree on demolition of monuments to the totalitarian regime.” They also sought to honor 20th century independence movement leaders Roman Shukhevych and Stepan Bandera. The monument was erected in the 1950s.
Nationalists vandalized the monument to Vladimir Lenin, leader of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, on Taras Shevchenko Boulevard in Kyiv. A part of his nose and left hand were broken off early on June 30. Five suspects between ages 20 and 38 were arrested, including two with prior vandalism convictions. They were released against promises to not leave the jurisdiction. In a video of the incident posted on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64msTrmvkhY), one of them said: “This way we’re executing the president’s decree on demolition of monuments to the totalitarian regime.” They also sought to honor 20th century independence movement leaders Roman Shukhevych and Stepan Bandera. The monument was erected in the 1950s.
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Ukraine United , CA | 07.07.2009, 22:15
make no mistake about it this is a criminal act of vandalism. Yushchenko must uphold his oath and condemn those responsible to account for their actions and pay the costs for full restoration . Failure to do so would only incite lawlessness and further acts of vandalism.
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Prenin | 03.07.2009, 13:47
Just to clarify a couple of points, the statue of Lenin, being made of stone, would be difficult to melt down. As one of the better guide-books (published in Kyiv) says, one of the reasons for the statue\'s survival is its \"clear artistic value\". True, it would be hard to object to a statue of Shevchenko but it is worth remembering that there is one further down the same street in a park which bears his name, (and close to the university that also bears his name).
There is, however, a more serious point here. Tempting as it may be to destroy the symbols of the past, that does nothing to change it. All too soon, a generation grows up with no direct memory of the past and which begins to regard it as irrelevant. Forget the past and you have no perspective with which to judge the future. Destruction, whether by fires, sledgehammers or whatever, also destroys the necessary means by which future generations remember.
There is, however, a more serious point here. Tempting as it may be to destroy the symbols of the past, that does nothing to change it. All too soon, a generation grows up with no direct memory of the past and which begins to regard it as irrelevant. Forget the past and you have no perspective with which to judge the future. Destruction, whether by fires, sledgehammers or whatever, also destroys the necessary means by which future generations remember.
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jerryko | 03.07.2009, 05:24
this statue is damaged-okay-so what? Lenin is not a Ukrainian hero-he was an occupier of Ukrainian lands and a murderer of millions of Ukrainians. This lump of metal instead should be torn down and melted into scrap metal, so why bother fixing it. This would just be a waste of the state\'s money. Actually I have a better idea, take this metal and make a monument to Taras Shevchenko.
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Ukraine United , CA | 02.07.2009, 23:42
What\'s next burning of books? Will Odessa pull down statues of Katarina? Do you pull down the main central monument in Poltava? Should Taras S. be removed because he spoke Russian?
In Kharkow Lenin welcomes visitors and shows the way to the public toilet. Taras is considered to be masturbating behind his double coat as he looks out at building opposite. Both statues are apart of and add to the diversity of the Cities history and culture. The same in other cities in Ukraine.
Those responsible for such acts of vandalism should be brought to account and forced to pay the costs of restoration . Those political parties and politicians who incite and encourage such crimes should also be condemned for their lawless actions.
In Kharkow Lenin welcomes visitors and shows the way to the public toilet. Taras is considered to be masturbating behind his double coat as he looks out at building opposite. Both statues are apart of and add to the diversity of the Cities history and culture. The same in other cities in Ukraine.
Those responsible for such acts of vandalism should be brought to account and forced to pay the costs of restoration . Those political parties and politicians who incite and encourage such crimes should also be condemned for their lawless actions.
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