Query: Moscow -- "Port piati morei"

[Erika Wolf]

Greetings,

I am attempting to track the original appearance of the reference to
Moscow as "port piati morei." This term has its origins in the 1930s,
during the canal building of the OGPU/NKVD. I have found plentiful popular
references that attribute it to Stalin -- but that is a common trope in
the culture of the period (either credit or blame him with everything).

Any suggestions or leads would be most appreciated.

Best regards,

--
Dr. Erika Wolf
Senior Lecturer
Art History & Theory Programme
Department of History
University of Otago
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

Phone: 64 3 479 9012
FAX:   64 3 479 8429

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