DUSHANBE, December 14, 2015, Asia-Plus – A monumental column which was one of Dushanbe’s last major symbols of Tajikistan’s Soviet past was removed on Saturday night (December 12).

The stele with the emblem of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) has reportedly been handed over to Tajikistan’s Art Foundation s a monument of the country’s Soviet past.

“The stele with the emblem of the Tajik SSR was erected in the center of Dushanbe on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Tajik SSR,” said historian Ghafour Shermatov.  “The erection of the column was initiated by Bobojon Ghafourov who was the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan that time.”

According to him, the stele was designed by prominent Soviet sculptor Yelena Tatarinova. 

“Any stele in itself is a very complex construction.  However, the stele with the emblem of the Tajik SSR was built in 1949 for ever,” Shermatov said.

Meanwhile an official source at the Dushanbe mayor’s office says the stele was torn down as part of the municipal redevelopment plan that includes the construction of modern buildings in the Tajik capital.  “Besides, a 45-meter pedestal with the national emblem of Tajikistan was officially opened in Dushanbe in August 2011,” he added.