Stalin World, Lithuania

Photo © Kukas Vulgaris

When I first heard of what has been nicknamed ‘Stalin World’ in the Lithuanian countryside, I imagined some crazed Soviet apologist celebrating the good ol’ days of Stalin. I could not have been more wrong.

Gruto Parkas, aka Stalin World, is a huge park, set up by a Lithuanian millionaire after the fall of the Soviet Union with what seems to be the quite explicit aim of making fun of the Soviets.

Guards in old Soviet uniforms stumble around drunk with wooden guns, peasant women make passes at male visitors and all number of quirky activities – singing, wood sawing, pole climbing – take place in and around hundreds of statues of Lenin, Stalin and other top leaders.

Comrades are not welcome.

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