Visiting Lenin 

Examining Transnistria reveals a complex interplay of political, cultural, and histori-

cal dynamics that extend far beyond its geographical boundaries. As an internatio-

nally unrecognized republic, Transnistria exemplifies the fragility and transformati-

on of state identity.

Transnistria‘s genesis is marked by the tumult of the Soviet Union‘s collapse in 1991.

In 1992, the region declared its independence from the Republic of Moldova, spar-

king an armed conflict deeply rooted in ethnic, linguistic, and political tensions. The

intervention of the Russian army and the subsequent ceasefire agreement left an

ambivalent Russian footprint, bringing both stability and uncertainty to the region.

Established institutionally, with its own parliament, currency, army, and border

controls, Transnistria faces the paradoxical reality of its existence: operating as an

autonomous entity while persisting in a state of perpetual non-recognition on the

international stage. This ambivalence permeates the social fabric of the region,

where the strong presence of the Russian language and culture reflects a longing

for a seemingly lost Soviet identity, alongside a Romanian-speaking minority. It

is important to consider that the region is also influenced by current geopolitical

developments, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Beneath this apparent stability lies a multitude of unresolved questions. Political

and economic uncertainty remain a constant theme, casting Transnistria‘s future in

an uncertain light. Ultimately, the fundamental question arises: What price do the

inhabitants of Transnistria pay for their current state?

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„Visiting Lenin“ paints a portrait of a region trapped between past and future, auto-

nomy and recognition, navigating the tensions of its existence.