Stalin Statue in Gori

The removal of the Stalin statue from the central square in Gori represents a top-down policy implementation approach to a contested historical monument. Such implementations of Georgia’s Freedom Charter illustrate the legal framework under which symbols, monuments and names of sites related to the Soviet past become reconfigured. However, positions differ on the fate of Soviet-era statues in Georgia. Stalin remains a controversial figure in modern Georgia, being regarded as a dictator, a great leader or simply part of Georgia’s history. Additionally, it is important to consider the statue’s significance for Gori’s tourism and the local economy. Currently, the future of the Stalin statue in Gori remains uncertain.