Nine decades later, Lenin’s legacy lives on amongst Russians and tourists alike

Jacob Icia, reporting from Moscow, Russia

The most celebrated leader in Russian history Vladimir Lenin was called to be with fore-fathers in 1924, but still talks to millions of local and international tourists who visit his home at the Red Square in Moscow.

Yes, 94 years later, his body, preserved by the Wall of Kremlin, in the Red Square, looks fresh, you would think he is taking a siesta, before rising to address Moscow.

It is summer here in Moscow, and therefore I find quite a long queue of people waiting to be inspected before getting in to view the remains of the great Lenin. Few people tour during winter, hence the considerably high number being a summer, and a World Cup season.

Because of the time limit to rush for the main duty at the FIFA Fan Fest in Moscow, I can’t wait for long to enter and ‘talk’ to Lenin, so I ask my guide a few questions about what I must return and see before my days are over in the Russian capital.

“You will think he is just sleeping. People say when you look at him you feel like he is talking to you, especially if you know the history of the Soviet Union.

“He has been revered like a god for long. He drew much respect when he led leftist revolutionaries on November 7, 1917 to topple the regime of Emperor Nicholas II… those days of the Julian calendar,” he explained.

Being the architect of the Russian’s political turning point, Lenin has been kept alive while dead and his statues are seen in many streets of Moscow.

In fact, reading though his history, he is so important to the Russians so much so that during the 1941 German invasion of the Soviet Union, his body was transferred to Russian-Asia part of Siberia (extremely cold where few people live) just to ensure the sleeping legend would not be ‘captured’ in the worst happened.

He was however brought back to his place after the war. I will tell you more when I see him, and what he will ‘say to me’ if he will.