An unusual welcome was prepared in the village of Ivanovka in Russia's Orenburg Oblast ahead of a visit by regional governor Yevgeny Solntsev. Instead of a red carpet leading to an event hall or government building, the ceremonial runner was photographed leading directly to portable chemical toilets set up in an open area.
The striking image, showing a red carpet ending at toilet stalls, drew amused reactions on social media and quickly went viral. Many could not ignore the gap between the royal-style reception and the destination to which the carpet led.
But local authorities were quick to offer an explanation for the photograph. According to Denis Ovsyanikov, head of the local council, on November 5 the village held its annual inspection of emergency services' readiness for the autumn and winter season, with around 100 people attending, and this time the regional governor also came to participate in the event.
The chemical toilets had been placed on site back in September, but preparation of the area and arrangement of access paths to them were not completed in time. On the day of the event, heavy rains fell and the area turned muddy. So that participants would not have to walk through mud on their way to the toilets, the organizers decided to lay down a carpet.
The head of the local council also emphasized that the carpet was not purchased specially for the event and no public funds were used for this purpose. According to him, it was a carpet that had been in use previously and was being reused.
Ovsyanikov also promised that the improvised solution would not remain long-term, and that in May 2027 a permanent concrete path is planned to be paved leading to the toilets.
