Eternal Flame

The biggest attraction on the Independence Square of Toshkent is in my view the eternal flame at just opposite to the Turkistan-palace at the right corner of the square. I don’t really know about the west, but eternal flames had been a big hit and a necessity in most of the Eastern-European capitals.

The biggest attraction on the Independence Square of Toshkent is in my view the eternal flame at just opposite to the Turkistan-palace at the right corner of the square. I don’t really know about the west, but eternal flames had been a big hit and a necessity in most of the Eastern-European capitals.

They are always built to commemorate the loss of the soldiers during one or the other world war. Back in the days there had been regular changes of the guards, which had always a very festive and glamorous touch to it.

The flame never vanishes and is fueled by gas. As Uzbekistan has a lot of gas I am quite sure that it will really last until eternity. Of course, the flame was a pleasant and impressive propaganda tool as well. In my point of view the Soviet Union only lasted 70 years, because they defeated the Nazis, which is quite a good argument for the existence of the Union. Uzbekistan had seen many wars, but World War II didn’t reach there. But I suppose that a lot of soldiers came from Central Asia to fuel the red army.

Even though SSSR is gone by now, the new countries still continue the flames, probably because of various reasons, propaganda certainly being one of them. I like the flames and the one in Tashkent I like the most. Maybe because I could go so close to it and I could do a lot of pictures.

Especially if you do longtime exposures you see the flames wave, which I like very much. There are no lights beside the flame, but it is enough to illuminate the Cyrillic writings in the round monument opposite the flame. I imagine this monument in 50 years time and would be very curious, if it will remain the way it is. You reach the flame by walking on the grand Independence Square to the right. But again, you shouldn’t behave suspiciously as there are loads of guards walking around. I know it is hard being a Lomographer qualifies you for awkward behavior.

http://www.stantours.com/uz_rg_ta_tc.html

geschrieben von wil6ka am 2008-05-09 in #Orte #art #culture #analog #location #tashkent