Illusions of Larionov

My great-grandfather, Alexey Larionov, was a Soviet political leader and first secretary of the Ryazan Regional Committee of the Communist Party from 1948 to 1960. He played a central role in the «Meat Scandal» of 1959, following Nikita Khrushchev’s directive to increase meat prod-uction. To meet the impossible target, Larionov ordered the mass slaughter of livestock, leaving farms unable to sustain future output. Official reports were also falsified to meet quotas. While Khrushchev awarded him the Hero of Socialist Labor medal, the following year brought even higher demands.

Overwhelmed by pressure and failure, Larionov resigned from the Party and took his own life in 1960.

This personal and historical trauma inspired my artistic practice. Using archival research and photography, I’ve created surreal works exploring the cultural and personal impact of these events, drawing on childhood imaginings of my great-grandfather’s final days and shattered dreams.

2024 — ...

In 1948, Stalin referred to the Ryazan region as a «black hole near Moscow» and appointed Alexey Larionov as the first secretary of the regional com-mittee to correct the situation.

During his 12 years of work, Larionov made significant strides in the development of the Ryazan region, both industrially and agriculturally.

In 1953, after Stalin’s death, Nikita Khru-shchev came to power. His method of agricultural development was «voluntarism»*.

* Command method, making arbitrary decisions contrary to objective conditions and circumstances.

In 1958, during a Plenary Session of the CPSU Central Committee in Moscow, Nikita Khrushchev set the ambitious objective of catching up with the United States in meat production within a short period.

Larionov interpreted this new task from the leadership as an order. He confidently agreed to double the meat procurement plan, viewing it as a challenging yet feasible undertaking.

However, Khrushchev’s close associate, Comrade Mylarshchikov, known adventurer, insisted on increasing the plan threefold, which was entirely unrealistic.

Despite this, Larionov held onto the hope that the Party would support him in these trying circumstances and consented to the escalated target.

Nikita Khrushchev placed his personal hopes on Larionov and the Ryazan region. «The exploit of the Ryazan people» was intended to serve as an example, inspiring all republics and regions to strive for higher rates of meat production.

Following the official announcement of the tripled commitment, Larionov and his region became the focal point for Soviet journalists and the entire nation.

Larionov’s personal relationship with Khrushchev turned into a trap from which there was no escape without incurring substantial losses.

In 1959, a triple plan was implemented in Ryazan. Despite the immense effort involved, the management resorted to the dubious practice of «additions». The reports included meat that collective farms had not yet delivered to the state, which was still «growing» and would only be available in the future. Meat was also sourced from neighboring regions. The region’s «meat base» was depleted, with everything being slaughtered to meet the demands of the triple plan.

Khrushchev rewarded Larionov with the Golden Star of Hero of Socialist Labor. This was a significant honor, and it seemed as though the challenges had come to an end. However, in the following year, 1960, Larionov was expected to take an even bigger commitment to the meat supply.

Alexey found himself under immense pressure once again, which he sought to relieve through alcohol.

Larionov sent a telegram to Khrushchev, requesting a meeting, but his request was denied. He was left to face the looming disaster alone.

Not long before his passing, Alexey confided to his friends that he hardly ever ate, instead only taking a shot of alcohol and nibbling on a solitary berry.

Alexey, who embraced Communism at the tender age of 13, was genuinely devoted to the Party and believed that his contributions would help realise its objectives.

However, the daunting challenges he faced ulti-mately took a toll on both his health and his self-confidence as a Party member.

On 22nd September 1960, a meeting of the regional party committee was convened, during which Larionov’s dismissal was to be announced.

On 22nd September, Larionov reached out to a colleague who had repeatedly warned him about the looming disaster. Alexey wished him well, expressing hopes for his success, health, and longevity, describing him as a man of merit.

Later that same evening, at 9:50 p.m., Alexey Larionov passed away.

Alexey passed away in his study at home. Prior to his passing, he had been playing with his three-month-old grandson, my father, who shared his name, Alexey.

He was survived by his wife, Alexandra, their two sons, Valeriy and Vladimir, and his grandson.

The death of Alexey Larionov shocked not only his family but the entire Ryazan region.

The circumstances surrounding Alexey Larionov’s death remain shrouded in mystery. The official account states that he died from heart failure, a narrative that his wife upheld until the end of her life.

However, there were persistent rumors in Ryazan that Larionov had committed suicide with a gun. Nevertheless, it is more plausible that he succumbed to accidental or intentional poisoning with sleeping pills.

The funeral was very crowded, the whole city and the whole region were burying Alexey. They had to stop transportation. More than three hundred wreaths were carried. Larionov’s name is still important for Ryazan. There are those who remember him with a kind word. There are those who remember him with a bad word.

Alexey’s heart remained in Ryazan forever. He is buried in the Skorbyashchenskoye cemetery.

This project will culminate in a book composed of seven chapters. Each chapter uncovers a layer of Alexey Larionov — his life, personality, our extended family, the impact he has left on the history of our country and the void in my own life.