From Sovietic utopic dream: Komsomolsk

Komsomolsk, Monday March 16th 2009.

Komsomolsk na Amure is the symbol of Sovietic utopic dream and systematic planning. Its name comes from "komsomol" (communist youth) that litteraly built this city out of nothing on an existing swamp in 1932.

The objective was to populate the Far East and help develop and defend this region. It brought steel, aeronautic and naval industries with itself, and corresponds to the first quinquenal plan (1929-1933). Alone at the commands since the eviction of Trotsky, Staline decides the massive and fast industrialization of the country, starting with basic heavy industry and following on selected tractors, cars and planes ones.

The city of Komsomolsk impresses by its architecture and urbanism, typical of Sovietic times: large avenues 90grads crossing, big block houses all similar and usually situated around a small garden and playground.

The square at Amur is again the best place in the city, but here the wind is blowing strongly and hurting faces. We do not stay long and head to a warm place: the eternal flame of local war memorial.

In the afternoon, i have the chance to try local movie theatre. The movie is terrible (American ridiculous happy end comedy), but the room is as i expected it and has this Sovietic style as the rest of the city: big, very big especially for the only 6 clients: the 4 of us and a couple), cold, but comfortable.

The evening comes and it is time to catch my next train taking me 1500km further west to Tinda in 37 hours: departure from Komsomolsk Monday 20:25, arrival Tinda Wednesday 8:35 local time (Moscow + 6hrs: my first time change :-)