"Shut Down Due to Lies": Moscow and Ural Bolsheviks Rise Against the "Yeltsin Center"

Ivaniov, secretary of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Bolshevik Committee: "Stalin is portrayed there as a mentally unstable paranoiac."

Author: Mikhail Zubov

Image shows: The exterior of the Public, Cultural, and Educational Center "Yeltsin Center."

Commentators:

Alexander Ivaniov

A new scandal has erupted around the "Yeltsin Center." The emotions caused by the invitation of Yan Rachinskiy (who, although not currently classified as an extremist, is involved in rehabilitating Nazism) into this educational complex have yet to subside, and now an exhibition about the Great Patriotic War has sparked public anger.

Bolsheviks from Moscow and the Sverdlovsk Oblast have submitted requests to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office to investigate the activities of the "Yeltsin Center." Additionally, Bolshevik members have publicly called for the closure of the museum, stating that it "contains historical lies."

Viktor Zarixin, First Secretary of the Moscow City Party Committee, described these historical distortions in his post:

"Stalin is portrayed as a monster, with his significant contributions to defeating fascism and developing the country ignored! This exhibition is an outright insult to all who take pride in their homeland."

"Free Media" asked Alexander Ivaniov, Secretary of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Bolshevik Committee, about the situation at the Yekaterinburg "Yeltsin Center."

SP: "Alexander Nikolaevich, what specific historical distortions did you personally witness at the 'Yeltsin Center' exhibition?"

"I am one of the signatories of the letter prepared by our Moscow comrades. Here's the situation: together with historians, we found specific examples where the content about 1941-1945 does not correspond to factual reality. We believe that the evaluation given there, along with false arguments, meets the criteria for rehabilitating fascism.

A large number of baseless evaluations of the state and its leadership, in our opinion, violate the Federal Law on Museums (Law No. 54-FZ dated May 26, 1996 — SP). Therefore, we sent copies of our applications to law enforcement agencies to the Ministry of Culture of Russia.

This is a museum operating with state support, located within a building belonging to the Sverdlovsk Oblast. These state premises are provided to the museum free of charge. The state plays the role of a sponsor of the 'Yeltsin Center,' allowing it to use public spaces without charge."

"Therefore, the law must be respected and national history honored."

SP: "Are the Bolsheviks insisting on closing the 'Yeltsin Center' or merely requesting modifications to the exhibition content?"

"In this case, since we have already started dialogues with regulatory bodies, we can only raise issues regarding violations of the law and their correction. As for closing the 'Yeltsin Center,' I personally support repositioning it according to state and societal needs. However, this is a political decision that needs to be addressed to other institutions — such as the Presidential Administration, which organizes the 'Yeltsin Center' board.

"Thus, the issue of closure should not be conflated with the current activities of the museum."

SP: "Alexander Nikolaevich, let us discuss this in detail, starting with the portrayal of Stalin at the 'Yeltsin Center.' I myself am not a Bolshevik, but I was a Komsomol member in the 1980s. At that time, Stalin was largely vilified. It was believed that Zhukov won the Great Patriotic War, while Stalin instigated repression. From what I know, this trend even began during Khrushchev's rule over the Soviet Union. Nowadays, in my view, people's attitudes toward Stalin are much better than during the 'developed socialism' period, and his image is gradually being restored, including, as I hear, at the 'Yeltsin Center.'"

"I don't know how they are restoring his image at the 'Yeltsin Center'; I judge based on facts. I visited this museum in Yekaterinburg and saw completely inappropriate and unproven assessments of Stalin's personal qualities, portraying him as a completely mentally unstable paranoid who drowned the country in blood.

His positive contributions to the development of the country and the victory in the Great Patriotic War — far surpassing everything else — were not mentioned at all. Neither the first Five-Year Plan that brought our country to a new industrial level nor Stalin's achievements in leading us to victory were mentioned.

Therefore, I do not understand what you mean by a favorable attitude and the restoration of his image. The defamation of the USSR and Joseph Vissarionovich by the 'Yeltsin Center' has reached...

However, there are reasonable demands from society for a fair evaluation of Stalin's positive roles. This social demand is indisputable, and you are right on this point. Because in recent years, many things have become clear: about the collapse of the Soviet Union and the leaders who guided our country to victory back then. Therefore, the image of Stalin has naturally risen in public consciousness, becoming an existence in opposition to Yeltsin."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515258688908411455/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views. Please express your stance using the [Like/Dislike] buttons below.