Posadism is a political movement that originated in Argentina and was named after its founder, J. Posadas (1912–1981). The movement traces its origins to the revolutionary thinking of Soviet politician Lev Trotsky (1879−1940). Trotsky opposed Joseph Stalin, the newly assumed leader of the Soviet Union, and was forced into exile in the late 1920s. He was granted temporary asylum in Europe, first in France and later in Norway. Together with his followers, he founded a new international communist organisation, the Fourth International, in 1938. After Trotsky relocated further to safety in Mexico, Stalin eventually had him assassinated there in 1940, but the Trotskyist movement continued to exist. Trotskyism is known for striving for a global working-class revolution through which the true spirit of communism could be realised so all individuals could live equal and free. The Trotskyist movement was opposed not only by Stalinists but also by other socialists and supporters of capitalism. As a result, the movement often operated in secret, relying on code names and infiltration tactics.

J. Posadas, born Homero Cristalli, was an Argentine Trotskyist activist. He grew up in poverty in Buenos Aires, in a large Italian immigrant family. Posadas began his political activity in a local socialist youth organisation after the interruption of his budding football career. He worked in construction and home renovations. Charismatic and effective in his organisational and trade union work, he was invited to join the Trotskyist movement. In the early 1950s, he ended up leading the Latin American section of the Fourth International. When the International disbanded due to internal disagreements, Posadas and his followers split into their own faction, eventually founding a Posadist version of the Fourth International in 1962. Posadas was inspired by leftist forces who fought in the Spanish Civil War and by the achievements of the Cuban Revolution.

The Posadist movement developed into a personality cult centred around J. Posadas. Most Posadists operated in Latin America, but organised groups also existed in Europe. The movement became known for its distinctive combination of Trotskyist thought and ufology. Building on these ideas, J. Posadas envisioned support from extraterrestrial beings for the socialist revolution. For him, an essential part of socialism was understanding that all forms of life are part of the same cosmos. He painted a utopian picture of a technologically and socially advanced society determined by peace and abundance. At the same time, however, Posadas was sympathetic towards violent dictatorships and believed that the destruction caused by nuclear war would advance the realisation of the revolution. Posadas spent his final decade in Italy. He grew increasingly paranoid towards his followers and expelled numerous members of the movement. As a result, the movement became detached from the political reality of its time and lost its influence. After Posadas’s death, the movement continued to operate in an even more marginal form but has retained its reputation to this day.

The texts that Straschnoy has hand-painted on large canvases are quotations from a speech delivered by J. Posadas, published in 1968. In the speech, Posadas declares the existence of communist extraterrestrial beings and envisions the technological and social leaps that could be achieved with the help of comrades from outer space. The speech was originally intended to resolve Posadists’ internal discussion on contemporary UFO sightings, but it came to be published internationally by the movement’s own publishing house. Removed from its original context, the text attracted exceptional attention and became known as one of the movement’s central theses.

The videos in the exhibition feature four interviewees, who bring their own perspectives into Straschnoy’s exploration of Posadist ideas. Dr. Ximena Abrevaya is an astrobiologist with a PhD in biological sciences and Senior Research Scientist at CONICET, the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Argentina. Dr. Hernán Camarero is Associate Professor of Argentine History at the University of Buenos Aires and Director of CEHTI (Centro de Estudios Históricos de los Trabajadores y las Izquierdas), a research centre dedicated to the history of the workers’ movement and the left. He also works as Senior Researcher at CONICET. Dr. Jaakko Närvä is a UFO researcher who holds a PhD in religious studies. Carlos Suárez is a veteran socialist activist, journalist, and a member of the editorial board of the leftist Sin Permiso magazine.

Communism refers to a political and economic system in which all key means of production, such as factories and farms, are collectively owned. There is no private property or class division based on wealth. Everyone is given according to their needs, not according to how much they own or earn. Communism is based on the idea of complete equality and shared responsibility.

Socialism lacks a precise, universally accepted definition. It has been interpreted both as a synonym for communism and as a distinct societal model in which the means of production are controlled by society or the state, with some private ownership potentially remaining. In Marxist thought, socialism is often viewed as a transitional stage on the path towards communism.

Marxism is a political, economic and social theory developed by Karl Marx (1818–83) and Friedrich Engels (1820–95). According to the theory, the history of society has been a struggle between the owning class and the workers. In Marxist thought, the capitalist economy is seen as a system in which workers perform the labour while owners gain the greatest benefit. The aim of Marxism is a society in which people work for the common good and receive their share according to their needs.

Stalinism refers to the political doctrine practiced in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin (1878–1953). It is a branch of Marxism that emphasised totalitarian state control, central planning and political persecution. Stalin focused on strengthening the internal system of the Soviet Union instead of supporting the global workers’ revolution. During his rule, many political opponents were imprisoned or executed, and rapid industrialisation and the forced restructuring of agriculture caused famine and the deaths of millions.

Trotskyism is a political movement and subcategory of Marxism developed by Lev Trotsky (1879–1940). It is based on the idea that the socialist revolution must spread internationally, and only then can a communist society be achieved. Trotsky emphasised democratic participation in the workers’ revolution and opposed Joseph Stalin’s dictatorial rule in the Soviet Union. Trotskyism criticises the concentration of power in the hands of a few and stresses permanent revolution, in which people retain their rights and ability to influence their society.

An International is a transnational communist organisation whose aim is to advance the global workers’ movement. The First International, also known as the International Workingmen’s Association (IWA), was founded in 1864 according to the vision of Karl Marx. The Second International was founded in 1889 to replace the first, and key political theorists included Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg. The Third International, or Comintern (Communist International), was established on Lenin’s initiative in the newly founded Soviet Union in 1919 after the Russian Revolution. Lev Trotsky founded the Fourth International after being forced into exile from the Soviet Union. In 1962, J. Posadas founded the Fourth International Posadist.

Curator: Nella Aarne 

Project management: Nella Aarne, Ingrid Orman 

Graphic design: Kuudes 

Technical design and construction: Antrea Kantakoski, Miika Kyyrö, Lasse Lindfors, Lasse Naukkarinen, Kari Siltala, Samppa Törmälehto

Lighting: Lasse Lindfors, Jenni Salovaara

Conservation: Saara Peisa  

Exhibition texts: Nella Aarne, Nanne Raivio 

Mobile guide: Nella Aarne, Nanne Raivio, Ilari Strandberg 

Audience engagement and events program: Reetta Kalajo, Nanne Raivio 

Guided tour design: Riikka Alanko 

Customer service design: Maija Eränen, Pekka Muinonen 

Marketing and Communications: Iris Suomi, Helmi Tolonen 

Photography and documentation: Ari Karttunen

Service sales, visitor surveys: Essi Huhtanen 

EMMA Shop: Mira Alanko, Salla Engström 

EMMA customer service and guides  

Translations: Theresa Norrmén (svenska), Simo Vassinen (English) 

The exhibition has received a state grant from the Finnish Heritage Agency