Thursday, November 28, 2013

Don't you know the tomb of the murderous scum V. I. Lenin is sacred. Wonder what Lenin would think of Russia's current rule by Oligarchy?

Vuitton trunk booted from Red Square





Careful, that’s a Louis Vuitton!
A giant pavilion modeled after the luxury luggage line was hauled out of Moscow’s Red Square Wednesday after outraged Russian lawmakers branded it a bourgeois “obscenity.”
The two-story, temporary structure — built to resemble a steamer trunk covered with the brand’s trademark pattern — was supposed to house a display of historical suitcases from the famed French fashion designer.
But the “Soul of Travel” charity exhibit was sent packing after Russians voiced horror over its placement across from the tomb of Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution.
“This is a sacred place for the Russian state,” said Sergei Obukhov, a member of the Communist Party Central Committee.
“There are some symbols that cannot be trivialized or denigrated.”
Russian actor Maksim Vitorgan also blasted Vuitton on his Facebook page, calling the display “a symbol of vulgarity.”
The outdoor installation was one of a series of exhibits commemorating the 120th anniversary of Moscow’s landmark GUM department store, which once held a secret clothing area on its top floor that was open only to high-level Communist Party officials.
But a GUM spokesman said the huge Vuitton structure — which stood 30 feet tall and 100 feet long — was deemed excess baggage in the wake of the criticism.
A government source also told reporters the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin never approved the building’s construction, according to the news agency RIA Novosti.
Putin spokesman Dimitry Peskov insisted, however, that the Kremlin didn’t demand its destruction — even though the designers “obviously lacked a sense of proportion.”
Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova — whose Naked Heart Foundation was to benefit from the 200-ruble admission price — was hopeful the Vuitton could be relocated in time for the planned opening on Monday.
“If the exhibition doesn’t take place, not only will we be deprived of an exciting journey into history and beauty, but the charitable funds from ticket sales . . . won’t be generated,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Additional reporting by Nora Bara

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