The tradition to place portraits of prominent leaders on the walls in Russia comes from the depths of the centuries. In the houses there was always a so-called red corner, in which Orthodox icons were placed. Along with them, there were charms, protecting the inhabitants from evil and misfortune. And it was an honour to put pictures of powerful leaders in that special corner.
In the 20th century, the portraits of the leaders of the Communist Party, headed by Vladimir Lenin replaced pictures of Tsars.
In modern Russia, portraits of Vladimir Putin took the place of ancient charms and they remind inhabitants of his role in politics and society. The President of Russia has become a part of the personal life of Russians — their new unifying image.
