| A Georgian man carries a huge portrait of Premier and Dictator Joseph Stalin (December 18, 1878 – March 5, 1953), who ruled the former Soviet Union during the “Great Patriotic War” as World War II is known in former Communist countries. Georgia has a complex relationship with Russia since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Gori, Georgia, is the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, and there is a movement within Russia and Georgia and other former Soviet Republics to reestablish positive recognition of a regime that killed some 30,000,000 people during its 30 years of rule. 300,000 Georgians were killed during the Great Patriotic War, out of 700,000 serving. 30,000 served with the Nazi Germans, including the Georgian Legion of the Schutzstaffel SS. 1996 marked the 1st time since 1991 that formal, organized Victory Day celebrations were held in Moscow; Great Patriotic War veterans had held informal parades in former Soviet Republics until Russian President Boris Yeltsin (February 1, 1931 – April 23, 2007) reinstated government-sponsored ceremonies. Because of the complex relationship between Georgia and Russia, both sides reinterpret the Great Patriotic War to suit their political narratives. There are many Georgians with varied political interests that both condemn and absolve Stalin of his crimes against humanity, depending on their objectives. Because Stalin was a Georgian, he commands significant support among some of the people of Georgia, especially the older generations, who see him as a decisive leader. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0795.jpg |
| Image Size | 90.73 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 569 x 1000 |
| Photographer | Shakh Aivazov |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 9, 1996 |
| Location | |
| City | Tbilisi |
| State or Province | Tbilisi |
| Country | Georgia |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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