August 07, 2024

One Hundred Years of Lenin's Tomb


One Hundred Years of Lenin's Tomb
Visit your mummy in the Red Square.  Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On August 1, 1924, the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin was placed in a temporary wooden mausoleum in the Red Square. The mausoleum, which would be replaced by the stone version that still stands today in 1930, was open to the public so the masses could say goodbye to the "Leader of the Revolution." A century later, the mausoleum is still open to the public, despite the fact that more than half of Russians believe Lenin should be buried in a cemetery. 

The idea to preserve Lenin's body and allow the public to pay their respects likely can be traced to Stalin, who was cementing his image in Soviet society as Lenin's desired and rightful successor. Others in Lenin's circle, including his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, argued against his embalming and preservation.

Public discourse about Lenin's mausoleum has continued since then. In 1989, film and stage director Mark Zakharov became the first to publicly declare that Lenin should be removed and buried. Current Russian president Vladimir Putin has stated several times that under his presidency Lenin will remain on Red Square. 

The body of the revolutionary requires daily upkeep by a team of scientists, including injections with preservatives and baths in chemical formulations. 

You Might Also Like

Stalin: The Red Tsar
  • January 16, 2008

Stalin: The Red Tsar

Joseph Stalin was born December 21, 1879, in Gori, which is now in the Republic of Georgia. His birth name was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Around 1910, he took on the name Stalin which means man of steel. Iosif is a common Eastern European and Russian spelling for Joseph. Stalin's parents were peasants who, hoping for a better life for their son, sent him to the Gori church run school {1888-1894}.
Bukharin: Rise and Fall
  • September 26, 2013

Bukharin: Rise and Fall

Nikolai Bukharin, the Moscow revolutionary, was on the rise throughout the early twentieth century – but as we all know, what goes up must come down. Turns out you come down especially fast if you meet Stalin at the top.
Trotsky on Trotskyites
  • January 15, 2015

Trotsky on Trotskyites

How can you be accused of wanting to restore the bourgeoisie when all you've said is that the current policy isn't anti-bourgeoisie enough? Leon Trotsky responds to the nonsense dominating Soviet courtrooms in the 1930's.  
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955