So, there is a well-known saying — “Potemkin villages.” This means when something is done only for show, to impress someone, to hide the true state of affairs. The origin of this saying is associated with Grigory Potemkin, a favorite of the Russian Empress Catherine II.
According to legend, when Catherine II was traveling to inspect the newly acquired territories of Crimea, Potemkin wanted to show her how wonderful everything was there. He supposedly ordered the construction of fake villages along her route — beautiful, with painted facades, but completely empty and uninhabitable. The goal was simple: to create the impression that prosperity reigned in all the regions governed by Potemkin.
In practice, “Potemkin villages” can still be used today, when, for example, roads or building facades are quickly repaired before important visits to show guests a “pretty picture,” although in reality the situation may be quite different.
This myth has remained in our culture as a fitting metaphor for any form of embellishing reality. That is, when you see “Potemkin villages” somewhere, know that it is just an illusion, a facade behind which what you expect to see may be completely different.