Cross-posted from James Bloodworth at Obliged to Offend
Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) has released a Stalinist boardgame called “Kolejka,” or “Queue”, to remind young people of the daily hardships under Soviet imperialism.
Players get a list of ten goods which they then have to buy. Getting hold of the products however, such as toilet paper, toothpaste, shoes, coffee or furniture, is a difficult task – just as it was during the days of repressive Stalinism (and is today in a certain fashionable ‘third world’ holiday destination).
Players move around the board trying to buy basic goods but food supplies run out before they reach the counter. If a bed is needed, they are offered stools instead. Players needing the last pair of shoes in the shop are beaten to it by someone with connections or a bribe to pay.
The game goes on sale in Poland on Feb. 5.
The question is, will you be the tattered shoe, or the ripped boot?
