The Stream

Birthday bashing Putin

Memes, videos, celebrations, praises and insults abound on Russian president’s 62nd birthday.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated his 62nd birthday in the Siberian taiga, the Internet responded with a mixture of humour and critique. Art exhibitions, graffiti, patriotic t-shirts and musical tributes were just a few ways Russians marked the occasion.

A group calling themselves “The Vladimir Putin Support Network” organised an art exhibition depicting Putin as Greek mythical hero, Hercules.