World peace, a photo from Saint Petersburg, Northwest

Photographer's Note

It is something that I can't understand. When I was in Saint Peterburg, I heard from the guides about heroic defenders of the city during the siege of Leningrad. They suffered so much.

Known as the 900-day siege, the siege of Leningrad by Axis forces in World War II was one of the longest and most destructive blockades in world history, with some historians even classifying it as a genocide. In total, roughly 1.5 million people were killed during the siege of Leningrad while some 1.4 million were evacuated. On Hitler's orders, the Soviet city suffered a daily barrage of artillery attacks from the German and Finnish forces that encircled it. The city's water and food supply were cut off and extreme famine soon set in. Desperation during the siege of Leningrad brought many residents to do the unthinkable. By some accounts, as many as 2,000 cases of cannibalism were recorded. Those caught in this act, however, were sentenced to immediate death.[https://allthatsinteresting.com/siege-of-leningrad]

So, why does Putin act just like Hitler? Why the whole cities are destroyed, the children in hospitals and schools are killed. Putin deserves the end like the Nazis had. After Russia started its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, over 3.7 million refugees left their homes in Ukraine and headed toward other countries as of March 24, 2022. Most of them fled to Poland.

Here is the mosaic in the metro station Avtovo in St Petersburg. The theme of the station is the defence of Leningrad during the Siege of the Second World War. At the end of the platform, there is a large mosaic mural depicting a woman holding a child
. . It is written - Miru mir. In Russian, mir means the world and also the peace - so the meaning is peace for the world. In the lower part - the cause is just we won.
Now the cuase is unjust - Russians cannot win.

pierrefonds, Silvio1953, PaulVDV, ikeharel, holmertz, Royaldevon, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, CMJC, aliabazari, adramad, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221781) 2022-03-27 4:57

Ciao cara Malgo, fantastic artwork, fine details, splendid sharpness and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (63024) 2022-03-27 5:16

Hello Malgo,
I noticed that people in general seem to learn very few lessons from history. Even from their own history.
It is also the case that in various places in the world people who do not care at all about their fellow citizens (not even about their own compatriots) are still successful in politics and can become president of their country.
Actually, this war is made possible with the money that has gone to Russia from the west for the purchase of natural gas and oil.
The big lesson we can draw is that we should never fund dictatorships, if we don't want innocents to lose their lives in a war.
I realise this is easy to say, but it must become an absolute pursuit of democratic countries. Even after this war is over.
Best regards, Paul

holmertz (102846) 2022-03-27 5:58

Hello Malgo,
The mosaic is impressive but sends a grotesque message these days. Putin is obsessed with the Soviet struggle against the Nazis, of which there were a number also in Ukraine during WW2, so to him every Ukrainian is a Nazi (except probably Yanukovych and a few others). The overwhelming majority of Russians who only know the world through state controlled and heavily censored media seem to believe every word (including a former TE moderator).
Kind regards,
Gert

jmdias (115342) 2022-03-27 9:04

malgo

the upper part of the woman looks more like a strong man. I didn't see this mural, in fact I was disappointed with the subway in russia, I was waiting something much more special.
russians are used with authoritarianism and it was using it putin got some order, power and respect from the russians, and I can understand this. this is exactly the same that occurred with hitler, whose pride, arrogance and madness destroyed everything he had built. I hope this same history doesn't go ahead as the other. Hitler never thought he would be defeated by the russians as napoleon was. can the new blind czar to understand the old lessons ? arrogance is the name of the game.

take care

jorge

pierrefonds (114608) 2022-03-27 9:17

Hi Malgo,

The mosaic is impressive. The point of view is showing the details of the beautiful mosaic. Hitler caused a lot of suffering to many countries and their citizen during WWII. Today Poutine is doing the same thing to the Ukranian. It is so sad. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Royaldevon (85932) 2022-03-27 9:36

Hello Malgo,

I suspect that if most of the Russian people knew the truth, the war would end quickly!
The war has been built on fake news and a desire by Putin to reestablish the USSR.

The bombing of hospitals and schools is horrendous - true war crimes! (Putin says they were hiding weapons! more fake news!)

I constantly hope, each day, that a cease fire will be reported and the continued devastation will cease.

Peace is what we must all strive for!

I hope the Polish people will be able to continue their support.

I have seen scenes from the border regions; two people from our village are there helping. They report back and send videos of how 20,000 meals will be served in the makeshift tents. They confirm how desperate the situation is! I hope we will all be able to continue to add extra support to all that is being done by you, the Poles!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

worldcitizen (16108) 2022-03-27 11:00

Hello Malgo,
The words "world peace" on a Russian mosaic are ironic at the moment. I will never understand evil, and how some people feel nothing while so many are dying and suffering. The mosaic itself is a lovely work of art, and I hope there will be peace very soon. As Paul wrote, it seems that the lessons from the past are never fully learned, and evil rears it head again. Take care, and thanks to Poland for all they are doing to support the refugees.

lousat (139362) 2022-03-27 12:47

Ciao Malgo,the photo is beautiful and it is an excellent opportunity to talk again about the terrible moment that Ukraine is experiencing because of Putin. In fact, Mariupol seems to be experiencing the same siege of St. Petersburg many years ago, many dead and no humanitarian corridor to let the remaining inhabitants out of the city. Bad story, I hope it ends soon. Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

mcmtanyel (68707) 2022-03-27 20:32

Hello Malgo,
Whys does Putin act like Hitler? Because he is human and he has power. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Regards,
MT

ifege (48253) 2022-03-27 20:41

Hi Malgo
If I remember correctly you were rather naughty taking this photos as photos in the metro are banned (or was that just Moscow). A good photo and good discussion.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116674) 2022-03-27 22:52

Hello my dearest Malgorzata and have
a nice day and a happy evening
original version
thanks for your useful notes
my dearest friend and your information
about Leningrad s war so many years ago
your question...why does Putin act just
like Hilter????no more comments
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147300) 2022-03-27 23:32

Hi Malgo,
Nice artwork well taken, good rendering in particular for the golden tones, interesting message with your note about Putin and this town ...

aliabazari (22347) 2022-03-28 8:07

Hello Malgorzata
Beautiful view of this painting with a sad history. Clarity and exposure done well. Beautiful shot.

Tue (92548) 2022-03-28 10:28

Hello Malgo,
It is completely incomprehensible why and how someone could cause ordinary people so much suffering, especially since there are so many examples from history which should be able to teach anyone why it should at all times be avoided. This is an excellent photo of the beautiful mosaic. The colours are very well saturated and vibrant.
Lars

adramad (73030) 2022-04-01 9:05

Hi Malgo.
A very good note as an introduction to this magnificent photograph, there is a lot of talk about peace, but those who have a lot of power always want to have more, the mosaic is magnificent and the Russians could exemplify it with its content.
A magnificent range of colors, good management of brightness, and sharpness.
A good job, I like it.
Have a great day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

ChrisJ (171888) 2022-04-10 8:14

Hi Malgo

My sentiments exactly. A beautiful tile mosaic with a poignant message. Good sharpness and let's hope Putin has one tap on the shoulder (it's time for you to step down), or two taps to the back of the head. I am normally not so blunt but when missiles with 'for the children' hit civilians in Ukraine, it annoys me. Tfs.