Bolsheviks Celebrate Lenin's 50th Birthday

The Bolsheviks organized a large celebration to mark Lenin's 50th birthday, an event that took place in April 1920. This celebration was not only significant within the party but also resonated throughout Russia, where widespread festivities occurred. The event included the publication of numerous poems and biographies that honored Lenin, reflecting his central role in the Bolshevik movement and the establishment of Soviet power. The celebration was extensive, with various forms of media and public gatherings dedicated to commemorating Lenin's contributions to the revolution and the state. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the event, Lenin himself felt embarrassed and horrified by the attention and the scale of the celebrations, which he did not seek. This reaction highlights the complex relationship he had with his public persona and the cult of personality that was beginning to form around him. In the years following the celebration, the Bolshevik regime continued to promote Lenin's legacy through the publication of his works. Between 1920 and 1926, twenty volumes of Lenin's Collected Works were released, although some content was omitted, indicating a selective approach to his legacy. The celebration of Lenin's birthday and the subsequent publications played a crucial role in solidifying his image as a revolutionary leader and a key figure in Soviet ideology. The event also served to unify the party and the populace under a common figure, reinforcing the narrative of Lenin as the architect of the new socialist state. This period marked the beginning of a more pronounced effort to create a lasting legacy for Lenin, which would influence Soviet culture and politics for decades to come.