Russia’s westernmost region – an enclave in Eastern Europe – has unveiled a monument commemorating the First World War as part of its efforts to mark the Centenary.
Russia’s Culture Minister, Vladimir Medina and Kaliningrad’s regional governor, Nikolai Cukanov, attended the unveiling ceremony alongside the sculptor, Salavat Scherbakov, on the 30th May 2014.
The three figures, which are each five metres tall, make up the memorial. They are designed to be “representatives of the different classes”: an officer, a young man and a peasant. They “personify a single contribution to the protection of the people of Russia”.
On the front of the stone base of the monument is a nurse leaning over a wounded soldier.
Governor Cukanov acknowledged that a monument of such a scale dedicated to the First World War was unusual in Russia.
The monument took two years to construct. The Culture Minister said that due to the “fierce fighting” that took place in Kaliningrad, it was appropriate that the Russian Federation’s westernmost region had such a monument.
Minister Medina continued that he was sure the monument would fast become “the jewel of the city”.
It was funded entirely by donations from Russian organisations and individuals.
Source: Russian Culture Ministry
Images courtesy of the Russian Culture Ministry
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News