Only in Russia - suicidal metro station

Although Fyodor Dostoevsky is usually associated with St. Petersburg, the city where he spent most of his life working, the writer was born and spent his childhood in Moscow.  Therefore, it is not surprising that the new metro station in Moscow is called Dostoevskaya, in honor of world-famous Russian writer. 

It was opened this summer and contains several ominous murals by artist Ivan Nikolaev, which accurately depict violent plots of “Crime and Punishment” and “Demons,” as well as other gloomy novels by the famous author. 

One controversial image depicts Kirillov from the “Demons” novel holding a pistol to his temple.

Another mural depicts a scene from the "Crime and Punishment," in which Rodion Raskolnikov murders an elderly pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna and her sister.  Although this particular mural is not the focal point of the station, it has been raising concerns among the mental health professionals and bloggers, who  have decided to nick name the metro station the “station of suicides.”

Although no suicides have yet been committed at Dostoevskaya, the decor of the station is appropriately depressing gray, perpetuating the idea that this subway station could become a place that encourages suicidal behavior.  


According to Mikhail Vinogradov, head of the center for urgent psychological aid, the art of Dostoevskaya metro station “is a direct call for suicide. It can’t be ruled out that people will also commit murders and assault others.” 

Madelyn Gould, an American psychiatrist at Columbia University, agrees that it is not desirable "to do anything that might in any way contribute to someone's motivation to die by suicide." 

Ivan Nikolayev, the 69 year old artist who created the murals disagrees: "My task was to draw out the meaning, creativity and entire life of Dostoevsky."  His artwork is definitely designed to transport travelers directly into the world of Dostoevsky as soon as they exit the train.

Only time will show if these images will encourage or deter destructive behavior among commuters.