Moscow's Gorky Park
Published 13 September 2012
Ever since it was opened in 1928, Gorky Park has been a central part of Moscow life. Although it became somewhat decrepit in the years after the collapse of communism, it has enjoyed a facelift since being taken over by new management in March 2011.
1 An aerial view of Gorky Park in 1979. For decades, the 300-acre park has provided Muscovites with a swath of tranquil greenery in the heart of the Russian capital.
2 The park was a major center of "leisure and culture" during the Soviet era.
3 Muscovites attend an exhibition of military equipment seized during World War II in 1946.
4 A special reading area in the park in 1955
5 Gorky Park was also home to many carnival rides for the amusement of socialist workers.
6 These rides remained for decades after the fall of communism.
7 Although the park and its attractions remained popular with Muscovites, they were starting to suffer from neglect by the turn of this century.
8 A number of cheap stalls and cafes were also blamed for lowering the tone of the park.
9 The park's reputation was not helped by the fact that it became the focal point of celebrations for ex-servicemen celebrating various military anniversaries.
12 Since it came under new management last year, however, the park has enjoyed something of a resurgence and has become popular with many of the city's affluent young hipsters.
13 It is also being used as a venue for various creative performances and innovative art installations, such as this mural made completely out of coffee beans.
14 A dance performance in Gorky Park earlier this year