Tour the Soviet Modernist marvels lining the streets of Lenin’s hometown
Mosaic on the Children's clinic and hospital on Radischeva street in Ulyanovsk. Image: Vladimir Nikishin.
6 May 2020
Text:
Paula Erizanu
Love socialist architecture? Instagram account @ulsovmod celebrates all things Soviet modernist in the western Russian city of Ulyanovsk, making it the perfect quarantine pick-me-up for travel starved architecture hunters.
“I grew up in this city, and its modernist buildings have always been a part of the landscape. My love for them grew with me,” account curator, Alexandra, told The Calvert Journal. A 26-year old working in the local arts museum, she also co-organises exhibitions and city walks for local Soviet modernist amateurs.
@ulsovmod also gives fans a good sense of the socialist realist mosaics of Ulyanovsk, which range from celebrations of nature and colour, to political propaganda.
Ulyanovsk is the birthplace of Lenin, meaning you can experience the cult of Lenin’s personality on every corner: most tributes to the Soviet leader can be found at his memorial museum, but also on mosaics covering school facades.
