The Socialist Kiss

This is one of the most well-known images painted on the section of the Berlin Wall left standing in 1990. This is on the East side gallery section of the a Wall which runs alongside the river Spree on the east side of the city. The painting had to be renewed a few years ago as the original had so much graffiti on it. It is a painting taken from a photo of the Russian leader Brezhnev greeting the East German leader Honecker whom he apparently described as a poor politician but a very good kisser.

Apparently this was a Socialist ritual which originated in the Russian Orthodox Church.

The painting is called "the Kiss".

The caption is something like "God help me survive this deadly kiss."

Food for thought on Thoughtful Thursday?