In the wake of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, most of the Lenin statues and busts scattered across Tajikistan have been dismantled, a testament to the shifting tides of history. Yet, one of the few remaining and truly unique Lenin monuments can still be found in the city of Istaravshan. Not only is this statue among the largest Lenin busts in Tajikistan, but it also stands as one of the most imposing in the world.
This colossal monument portrays Lenin with an extended arm, a gesture symbolizing guidance toward a luminous future. Crafted in the mid-1960s, the statue is the work of a Lithuanian sculptor who was residing in Khujand at that time. The bust was unveiled in 1965 to celebrate the inauguration of the Kattasay Reservoir, which remains a crucial source of fresh water for the region.
Perched atop a prominent hill overlooking Istaravshan, the monument commands attention from its vantage point above the city. Istaravshan itself is situated at an altitude of 1,178 meters above sea level, and the monument is strategically placed on an elevated platform. To reach this imposing sculpture, visitors must ascend a staircase consisting of 365 steps, each step providing an increasingly breathtaking view of the city and its surrounding landscape.
