Which Countries Display Leader's Banners On Buildings

Countries with Leader Images on Buildings

Several countries, primarily those with authoritarian or strongly centralized regimes routinely display large banners or portraits of their national leaders on public buildings and in prominent city spaces. This practice serves as a visual assertion of authority, often tying state identity to the leader’s image. Here are some key examples:

North Korea

Portraits and banners of the Kim family (Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un) are displayed on government buildings, in public squares, on billboards, and even within homes. This is core to the country’s personality cult; images are carefully maintained and omnipresent.

Link: msnbc+1

China

A massive portrait of Mao Zedong has hung in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square since 1949, and his image, as well as portraits of subsequent leaders, have decorated government buildings and public spaces, especially during national celebrations or anniversaries.

Link: msnbc+2

Russia

Large banners and portraits of Vladimir Putin are sometimes displayed during major events, and many public buildings feature his image, especially during rallies or diplomatic visits—such as the prominent banners in North Korea during Putin’s state visit.

Link: newsweek+1

Iran

Portraits of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (and previously Ruhollah Khomeini) are found on mosques, public buildings, street banners, and billboards throughout Iranian cities.

Link: instagram+1

Egypt

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s image is displayed on billboards, buildings, and banners—especially during election campaigns and official holidays.

Link: msnbc

United States (Recent Exception)

Although not historically common for current officials, in 2025 the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Labor in Washington, D.C., displayed giant banners featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, a move that drew domestic and international comparisons to similar displays in authoritarian regimes.

Link:yahoo+2

Other Countries (Historical and Contemporary)

Soviet Union: Stalin’s image dominated public spaces throughout the USSR. wikipedia+2

Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, Gaddafi’s Libya, and Fidel Castro’s Cuba: Leader portraits and monuments were common.

Turkmenistan: Saparmurat Niyazov erected golden statues of himself. newsweek

Tajikistan: Posters of President Emomali Rahmon are still common on public buildings. newsweek

Venezuela: Images of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro are displayed on government buildings. yahoo

Notes and Context

In many democracies, it is rare or often discouraged to hang prominent banners of current leaders on buildings, though official portraits inside government offices (like in the UK, Canada, and Kenya) are more common. archive.caymannewsservice+1

The practice is closely associated with regimes fostering a "cult of personality," but context and intent matter—sometimes it is attached to national celebrations or government campaigns. harmonellen.wordpress+1

In summary, the prominent external display of leaders’ portraits is most common in authoritarian states or those with a tradition of personality cult, but occasional examples occur elsewhere, sometimes sparking controversy. 

newrepublic+5 youtube
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https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/united-nations-building-flags?page=2
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