17 June 2011, 14:00
Zemo Alvani village in Georgia protests against dismantling Stalin's bust
The bust of Joseph Stalin was demolished in the village of Zemo Alvani, Akhmet District (Eastern Georgia) because of the start of rehabilitation works in the park. However, even the temporary removal of the monument caused protests.
Municipality officials have promised that after the cultural centre of the municipality finished its works, the bust of Stalin would be returned to the old place.
"The bust of Stalin as such is in such condition that it needs restoration.
Therefore, in parallel to rehabilitation of the park, the bust will be also repaired," said Koba Maisuradze, the head of the municipality.
On June 16, some 200 persons came to hold protest against dismantling, the "News-Georgia" reports.
The dismantling was made at night; and residents of Kakheti demanded explanations why the authorities had done it. Local residents say that World War II veterans live in the village, who wanted to lay flowers at the monument on June 22, on the 70th anniversary of the start of the war, the "InterPressNews" Agency reports.
