The Potemkin Villages: Illusions of Prosperity and Power in Russian History

In the late 18th century, Catherine the Great had planned a tour of the Crimea, which had been conquered a few years earlier by her court favorite, Count Grigory Potemkin. However, although Potemkin had succeeded in wresting the agriculturally fertile peninsula from the Ottoman Empire, the promised colonization was never achieved.

To save the reputation, Potemkin ordered the construction of a series of painted cardboard facades along the river along which the empress would ride, and to enhance the illusion, jubilant villagers and herds of healthy livestock were also placed on the banks. There was no prosperity, it just looked like it.

“Potemkin sagas” have been present in Russian history since the end of time. During the Soviet era, the illusion that communism made life better for everyone overshadowed systematic violence and repression. Even today, the Kremlin works tirelessly to create the impression that Russia is a symbol of stability and strength, and that a grateful nation is fervently loyal to its leader, Vladimir Putin; but behind this facade lies frustration, despair, fear and anger.

2024-02-07 22:00:00
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