It said that among young people, no Soviet leader, not even Gorbachev or Yeltsin, were popular among young people, but Nicholas II was more popular. What are they teaching in Russian schools nowadays?

When I visited, some blatantly denied anything in their history that may be perceived as "weakness".

At the risk of necro-ing this thread, it reminds me of the old joke.

Kruschev was holding his first Cabinet meeting after taking power, and was saying how his leadership would encourage the Soviet Union to move forward after so many years of stifling repression under Stalin. A voice piped up "So why didn't you say anything at the time to change Stalin's mind?". Kruschev shot to his feet, slammed his fist on the table, and roared "Who said that?". In the ensuing deathly silence he glared from face to face around the room, with each minister desperately trying to become part of the furniture to avoid being singled out for the new leader's wrath. After an uncomfortably long silence he sat back down, broke into a grin, and said...

"See? That's why I never said anything!"

Nostalgia rewriting history as the memory fades. All the czars are seeing an uptick in popularity.

Besides poor Nickie comes across in all his correspondence as a likable fellow with a beautiful family totally out of his element as the leader of Russia. Doomed and tragic and pathetic as one sees him floundering away in politics and leadership until when forced to abdicate he breaks down into tears and runs into the arms of his wife. Can't help but feel sorry for him as a victim of events he wasn't able to control or even comprehend.

That's how he's popular. Besides the movies about him and Alexandra are such great romantic tragedy! We Russians love a good romantic tragedy. Look at Tolstoy.