Cuba, 1974: Leonid Brezhnev (1906 – 1982), general secretary of the Communist Party and Chariman of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, and Fidel Castro, prime minister of Cuba. In this picture, Brezhnev has just arived at Havana airport for his official visit to Cuba of 28th January – 3rd February. (photo: URSS 75 yearbook © 1975 Novosti news agency, Moscow – personal collection)
Ezzelino, «pitiful scraps of nefarious tyranny»
Usually, commemorative plaques are pretentious and celebratory about the historic personalities whose they are dedicated: this one, spelling «pitiful scraps of nefrious tyranny», is a masterpiece of brevity. It is walled on the medieval tower known as “Torre di Ezzelino” in Padua (Italy) and refers to Ezzelino III da Romano aka “The Tyrant” (1194 – 1259), Ghibellin party politician and warlord, allied with Frederick II and Lord of the …
Three Graces fountain in Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijian and the country’s main harbour. This 1975 picture shows the “Three Graces” fountain, named after the sculpture of the goddesses of greek–roman mythology, in the Khagani garden (also known locally as “Molokan”). At that time the population of the city was 1 383 000 and Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union. Baku is full of sculptures, representing crafts, street performers, movie character ecc… You could find them in every …
Yerevan, Republic Square in 1975
Yerevan, capital of Armenia, during the soviet era. In this 1975 picture one can see a view of “Lenin Sqaure”, now called “Republic Square”. There are many government buildings and ministries in the square, which is considered the most important point of the city. The Lenin statue on the left was dismantled in 1990, shortly before Armenia regained independence. The former hotel …
Biškek, “Kirghizistan Hotel” in 1975
Biškek: girls in traditional clothings in 1975, when Kirghizistan whas part of the Soviet Union. The building you see on the background is the former hotel “Kirghizistan” (“Кыргызстан” мейманканасы, as the sign says), built in 1971 by architect E. G. Pisarskii. At that time the city was known as “Frunze” and its population was 486 000. After refurbishment, the building became the current “Hyatt Regency Bishkek …
Vilnius in 1975
Vilnius, capital of the Lithuania, in 1975 during the Soviet Era: at that time population was 433 000. “Gedimino prospektas” is the main avenue of the city (prospektas → avenue) named after the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas aka Hedzimin (1275 – 1341). The old town centre of Vilnius, that includes several Baroque buildings, is an UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. (photo: © 1975 Novosti news agency, Moscow – personal collection) Gedimino …
Old town centre of Riga in 1975
Riga, former Hanseatic League member and capital of the Latvia, in a 1975 picture throughout soviet era. Back then popolation was 796 000 (source: Novosti agency) but the result of 2011 census was 669 203; even so Riga is still the largest city of the Baltic states. In this picture one can see the Brīvības bulvāris, that is “Freedom boulevard”, with the 42-metre (138 ft) tall …
