Communist Lawmaker Slams Culture Ministry Over Lenin Library Rave

Communist lawmaker Nina Ostanina has complained to Russia’s Culture Ministry about a Halloween rave held at Moscow’s Lenin Library, arguing that entertainment events do not belong in a historic library. The dispute has prompted questions about how the ministry approves commercial events in historically significant government buildings.

More than 3,000 people attended the literary-themed event, organised by the Russian State Library and publishing group Eksmo-AST. Organisers said alcohol and tobacco were banned and no property was damaged; they said the rave aimed to engage young people with literature. Ostanina has also said she is working with the Justice Ministry on a bill defining “what is good and what is bad”, while Deputy Speaker Vladislav Davankov defended the event and urged critics not to seek reasons to ban creative ideas.