Some families bond over charades, others prefer a deep dive into the opulent lairs of dictators. If you fall into the latter camp, then Sky History has a Christmas treat for you. On December 25th, starting at 9:00 PM, they’re airing a double bill of “Dictators’ Hideouts,” featuring hour-long explorations of the extravagant and often secretive homes of two notorious figures: Romania’s Nicolae Ceausescu and Ukraine’s Viktor Yanukovych.
First up, at 9:00 PM, “Ceausescu’s Delusions of Grandeur” takes us inside Bucharest’s colossal Palace of the Parliament, better known as the People’s Palace. This architectural behemoth, commissioned by Ceausescu as a testament to his own…let’s say, unique vision, is reportedly sinking six millimeters into the ground each year. The episode also explores the rumors of a massive anti-atomic bunker beneath the palace, because apparently, megalomania and paranoia go hand in hand.
At 10:00 PM, “Yanukovych’s Hidden Palace” shifts the focus to Ukraine, where Viktor Yanukovych’s 150-acre Mezhyhirya estate offered a different kind of excess. Think 18-hole golf course, private zoo, a car museum stocked with vintage vehicles, and a mansion complete with a secret tunnel, presumably for quick escapes when the people finally came knocking. Both episodes aim to offer a look at the lavish lifestyles and secretive measures these dictators employed, contrasting their opulent surroundings with the realities faced by their citizens.
It’s a decidedly less festive offering than singing elves or dancing Santas, but it’s certainly a compelling way to spend a couple of hours on Christmas night. Tune in to Sky History on December 25th at 9:00 PM for “Ceausescu’s Delusions of Grandeur,” followed by “Yanukovych’s Hidden Palace” at 10:00 PM.
