The Unkindness of History: Lenin in a Theme Park

This podcast episode explores the story of the Fountain of the Future, a controversial statue of Vladimir Lenin urinating, and its journey from being a symbol of communism in Poland to becoming a quirky decoration in a Swedish theme park. The episode discusses the historical context of the Soviet Union's influence in Poland during the communist regime and the locals' strong dislike for it. It also highlights the fate of the statue after its removal and how it ended up in a museum in an American-themed park. Overall, the episode examines the evolution of historical heroes and the changing perception of commemorative statues. Takeaways • The Fountain of the Future statue was a fluorescent green representation of Vladimir Lenin urinating and stood in the same spot where the original statue of Lenin had once been in Poland. • The statue sparked controversy and acts of vandalism due to the locals' intense dislike for the Soviet Union's power over Poland. • It was eventually removed on December 10th, 1989, and ended up in a high chaparral theme park in Sweden as a decorative piece. • The park, themed around the American Wild West, showcases the stories and folklore of cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws. • The statue's transformation from a symbol of communism to a kitschy decoration reflects the changing perception of historical figures over time. • Commemorative statues can lose their significance and become mere decorations.