Buzz
Across the globe, governments have employed public relations strategies to boost their influence. While many methods are simple and conventional, some have ventured into the realm of the bizarre. We explore some of the most unconventional publicity stunts staged by leaders.
10. The Making of 'Mongol'
Before Borat Sagdiyev brought Kazakhstan into the spotlight with his controversial portrayal, the country had largely remained under the radar. However, this sparked a wave of national pride among Kazakhs, prompting them to produce ‘Mongol’, an Oscar-nominated film chronicling the life of Genghis Khan. By embracing Khan as a national hero, Kazakhstan aimed to counterbalance the less-than-flattering image that Borat had painted of the country. The only issue? Sacha Baron Cohen’s film received far more attention than ‘Mongol’. Much more.
9. The Taepodong Spectacle
During a high-profile visit to Pyongyang, Madeline Albright found herself part of a massive publicity stunt. As she emerged alongside Kim Jong Il at a stadium event, tens of thousands of North Koreans raised placards to recreate the testing of the Taepodong missile. Kim allegedly told the then Secretary of State that the show was a gesture of goodwill to reassure the U.S. that the 1998 test would be the last. Despite the grand spectacle, this promise was quickly broken as the secretive leader returned to his old ways.
8. Boigany’s Metropolis
Dissatisfied with Abidjan as the capital, Felix Boigany decided to move the government seat of the Ivory Coast to Yamoussoukro. He constructed the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace at a staggering cost of 300 million dollars, hoping to leave a lasting legacy. To ensure his place in history, Felix ordered a stained glass window of his own likeness to be placed beside a gallery of stained glass windows featuring Jesus and the apostles. Unfortunately, his people were far from impressed, especially as the country’s foreign debt doubled due to this extravagant expenditure.
7. Evita Peron’s República de los Niños
When Evita Peron passed away from cancer at the age of 33, she had already cemented her place in Argentine folklore. Among her many titles were Vice President of Argentina, First Lady, Spiritual Leader of the Nation, and founder of the Children’s Republic. What was the Children’s Republic? The República de los Niños was a miniature city where all the buildings were built to scale for ten-year-olds. It featured a Parliament, Palace of Justice, Government House, and army buildings, all in child-sized proportions, so young citizens could experience a 'real republic.' While the project was well-intentioned, it seems Evita overlooked the fact that children, especially ten-year-olds, are more interested in football than in the workings of political life.
6. Bahrain Welcomes Michael Jackson
After being acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005, Michael Jackson sought a respite. His solution? He boarded a plane to the Kingdom of Bahrain, where he was warmly welcomed by Abdullah Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince. The prince showered him with lavish attention and extravagant gifts, even referring to the pop legend as 'his brother.' However, after just two months, Jackson, true to his unpredictable nature, decided his Middle Eastern getaway had run its course. A few years later, the prince filed a lawsuit against him for seven million dollars, and the details of their 'close personal relationship' came to light.
5. Beijing’s Spitting Crackdown
In preparation for the 2008 Olympics, Beijing officials launched a campaign to elevate the city’s 'cultural and ethical standards,' targeting the widespread public habit of spitting. The Beijing Capital Ethics Development Office declared spitting the city's top bad habit and began issuing fines to violators. To enforce the ban, hundreds of uniformed 'mucus monitors' were deployed on the streets, handing out free spitting bags to those who struggled to control the urge. The Chinese government went to great lengths to ensure a 'phlegm-free' experience for foreign visitors, aiming to present a pristine image for the Games. It's remarkable what a country can achieve when it sets its sights on perfection, isn't it?
4. Enver Hoxha’s Fortress of Bunkers
In addition to his close ties with Joseph Stalin, Enver Hoxha constructed between 750,000 and 1 million bunkers across Albania, all designed to convince his fellow citizens that the country could ward off foreign invasions. For a nation with a population of only around one million people, these pillboxes were strategically placed to serve as psychological fortifications against perceived threats. When Communism was overthrown and Albania opened up to the world, it became apparent that the country was not as developed as its leader had portrayed. As for the bunkers, it was discovered that the cost to build two of them was equivalent to constructing a two-bedroom apartment. Now, that’s one way to keep people in the dark.
3. Tina Turner’s White Transformation
Thanks to the South African government, Tina Turner briefly became a 'white' person. Well, almost. When the apartheid regime realized the significance of Black musicians performing for Black audiences, they invited a number of African American artists, including Clarence Carter, Curtis Mayfield, Millie Jackson, and Tina Turner, to perform at open-air stadiums. Their intention was to reinforce their stance on racial segregation by declaring these artists as 'Honorary Whites.' This gave them access to hotels, restaurants, and other facilities that were otherwise off-limits to regular Black people. In the end, it became clear that this publicity stunt was merely an attempt to appease Black South Africans, but it remains a reminder of the lengths to which politicians will go to maintain control.
2. Idi Amin Adopts His Many Titles
Idi Amin Dada was a figure like no other. His size and eccentricities made him a favorite subject for cartoonists, and he never hesitated to provide them with more material during his reign. His controversial actions, including the expulsion of Asians and the nationalization of 85 British-owned companies, led to the breakdown of diplomatic ties with Britain. But losing was never an option for Amin. In response, he crowned himself with a long list of titles: 'His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshall Al Hadji Doctor, Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, CBE, MC.' He might have imagined himself as the conqueror of the British Empire, but some speculated that the 'MC' stood for 'Mental Case.'
1. The Chess City of Kalmykia
Kalmykia, a remote republic in the southwest of Russia, would likely have gone unnoticed if not for its ambitious president, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. His passion for chess and exceptional public relations skills transformed the republic into an unsettling example of post-Soviet nostalgia. As president of the World Chess Federation, Ilyumzhinov undertook the task of promoting chess by creating a city entirely dedicated to the game. With a California-style housing project rising from the dry brown steppes of the capital city, Elista, and a massive dome-like monument where chess masters hone their skills, the president certainly met his obligations to the Chess governing body. However, there’s one issue: three hundred thousand Kalmykians live in poverty, and the source of funding for the Chess city remains undisclosed.
