**Kyrgyzstan Removes Central Asia’s Tallest Lenin Statue**

The removal of the statue reflects an ongoing transformation in how former Soviet republics engage with their historical narratives.

Kyrgyzstan has officially removed a massive 23-meter statue of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, believed to be the tallest in Central Asia. Erected during the Soviet era, this statue has dominated the skyline of Osh, Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city, for five decades before it was discreetly taken down earlier this week. Images surfaced on Saturday capturing the iconic figure of Lenin lying on the ground, having been lowered by a crane. While many post-Soviet republics are endeavoring to reshape their national identities away from past Russian influences, local officials in Kyrgyzstan attempted to minimize the significance of the statue’s removal.

Authorities are cautious, especially given the sensitive nature of relations with Moscow. This caution is particularly poignant following Russia's recent unveiling of a new statue honoring Josef Stalin in the capital city of Moscow. In a statement released by the City Hall in Osh, officials described the statue's relocation as a standard practice intended to enhance the city's "architectural and aesthetic appearance." They referenced similar incidents in Russia where Lenin statues were also taken down or relocated. The former site of the statue will see the installation of a flagpole, mirroring actions taken in the capital Bishkek when another Lenin statue was removed.

As Kyrgyzstan celebrates 34 years of independence from the Soviet Union, traces of its communist past remain evident, notably in the form of monuments and place names, such as Lenin Peak, the country’s second-largest mountain.