Propaganda & The Cult of Yuri Gagarin

Back from an extended hiatus, we take a look at the cult that developed around Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. Topics covered include: - Gagarin's folk tale-worthy landing and the subsequent cover-up - Gagarin's father being demoted to his uncle by state propaganda - Yuri's unlikely role as the first Soviet sex symbol - How the Kremlin exploited (and continues to exploit) Gagarin's legacy Show Notes Suggestion & Question Email: [email protected] Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/launch_failure Episode Notes Source for Gagarin Cult History: The Cosmonaut Who Couldn't Stop Smiling: The Life and Legend of Yuri Gagarin by Andrew L. Jenks, 2012   Source for Propaganda Posters: https://russiatrek.org/blog/art/propaganda-posters-of-soviet-space-program-1958-1963/ Source for Putin Quotes: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/68180