Thousands Flock to Kremlin Mausoleum Amid Lenin's Possible Removal Rumors

In recent days, a large number of individuals have been lining up to visit Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow, following rumors that the Russian government might remove the embalmed body of the Bolshevik leader. This speculation arises as the mausoleum undergoes restoration coinciding with its 100th anniversary. "There is a chance it might never open again. You know the authorities we have," lamented Igor, a young Muscovite sporting a Lenin badge, in a statement to the EFE news agency.

Although officials assert that the tomb will reopen in 2027, local media and social networks are rife with anxiety, especially amid the resurgence of Joseph Stalin's public image. Currently, Lenin's mausoleum operates only three hours a day, from Tuesday to Thursday. Visitor access is restricted, with only seconds allowed to view the preserved leader. Stopping or taking photos is strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, crowds, including many young people and tourists, wait in line, hoping for entry.

"It's astonishing to see so many Russians here. For us, it's just a tourist attraction," commented a visitor from New Delhi. The renovation project is budgeted at 20 million rubles—around $250,000—aimed at repairing the deteriorating walls and exterior lining. However, it will not involve relocating Lenin's body, which will remain inside throughout the process. Lenin was only moved once, during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), when he was evacuated to Siberia.

The Debate Over Lenin's Legacy

Polls indicate that a mere third of Russians support keeping the mummy there. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has avoided public debate on the issue, fearing it might "divide society and cause humiliation for many born in the USSR." Nonetheless, some citizens express their views. "I believe the mummy should be removed and buried. The body deserves a Christian burial," stated Natalia from the Tula region to EFE. Igor disagrees: "Lenin is closer to Christianity than our Church."

The Russian Orthodox Church, alongside liberal groups, human rights advocates, and ultranationalists, has called for Lenin's final removal. They recall that both Lenin's wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya, and his lover, Inessa Armand, opposed his embalming.

Historical Insights on Lenin's Mausoleum

The mausoleum, marking its centennial on August 1, 2024, holds not just a body but a tale steeped in symbolism, power, and controversy.

1. Stalin's Vision: While the proposal to embalm Lenin was officially made in 1924, historians concur that Stalin had advocated for it since 1923. Trotsky and Bukharin opposed it, considering it a betrayal of Marxism. Lenin's widow also resisted, but Stalin, on his path to absolute power, used alleged popular letters to justify the decision.

2. From Wood to Granite: The initial mausoleum, crafted by architect Alexei Shchusev within just three days, was small and wooden. By 1930, the current granite structure was completed, designed to embody the grandeur of the Soviet Union.

3. Shared Space with Stalin: After his death in 1953, Stalin's body was placed beside Lenin's. However, due to criticisms of the personality cult, it was removed in 1961 and interred by the Kremlin wall. The inscription "LENIN STALIN" was erased, though rain occasionally revealed the original letters.

4. Incidents and Attacks: The mausoleum served as a sacred site for the Soviet regime. In 1945, captured Nazi flags were thrown at its entrance. The site has faced multiple attacks, prompting the installation of bulletproof glass in the 1970s.

5. Lenin's Remains: Since the 1990s, funding for the lab preserving Lenin's body has dwindled. Some documentaries claim only 23% of the original body remains, with the rest replaced by artificial components. Today, the mausoleum remains a top tourist destination in Russia, boasting over a four-star rating on Google Maps and TripAdvisor. Outside Russia, embalmed leaders' bodies are preserved only in communist regimes in East and Southeast Asia: Mao Zedong (China), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-il (North Korea).