Commercial ad with Lenin in it causes large scandal in Poland

A commercial ad of Polish mobile operator Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa S.A., which featured Lenin, triggered a wave of discontent in the country. The animation video shows the leader of the revolution sweeping the red banner in his hands, saying to the Poles: "Keep talking." The flag depicts tariff rates: "60 minutes to all networks." According to the director of the ad, the image of Lenin is supposed to make people think about socialism and cheap prices.

However, Polish public organizations believed that the advertisement offends the memory of the Soviet leader and Polish history. Representatives of an organization that which deals with the struggle against unethical advertising, offered the creators of the ad a course of lectures on "red terror" and "war communism." The director of the Institute of National Remembrance considered that the ad vulgarized  "mass crimes of the Soviet era," which could adversely affect the youth.

"This is irresponsible vulgarization of mass crimes and their victims. The results of these activities can be even more dangerous to the society because they target young people, who may have positive associations with Lenin," an official said.

As a result, the operator had to wrap up the campaign and present public apologies.