The Georgian government attempted to erase one of the its more unpleasant national memories when it toppled the bronze statue of Gori's hometown boy who made it big, Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili, aka Joseph Stalin.The statue was removed under cover of night.
Here's a photo of the statue I took in October 2008. The statue was located in Gori's town square. It is to be replaced by a memorial to vistims of the 2008 war with Russia.
Here is another statue of Stalin, near his house (on whose porch I sit) that I took on the same visit. This one was not torn down - 
it's certainly less visible than the other one. Rumor has it that the big bronze stsute will be placed near his home and musuem.
It should be noted that some residents of Gori are still proud of Stalin. After all, he was one of the most brutal dictators the world has ever seen. How many towns can lay claim to that?
"So, I see you're still a whore." -- Stalin to his mother, upon returning to Gori
Good riddance to the devil incarnate. One of the 'great' tyrants of all time.
Posted by: Vasily | Monday, 28 June 2010 at 07:56 AM