An 8-ton monument "Polotsk – the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood" was installed in Polotsk

On the day of the meeting of the national organizing committee for the celebration of the Belarusian Written Language Day in Polotsk, the installation of the commemorative sign "Polotsk – the Cradle of Belarusian Statehood" began. It is located on the bank of the Western Dvina River near the Saint Sophia Cathedral.

According to the Minister of Culture Boris Svetlov, the work of sculptor Vladimir Pipin was approved by the republican expert council on the eve of the event, receiving high praise.

The composition features a bundle of shields depicting the faces of famous historical figures – from the legendary Polotsk prince Rogvolod and his daughter Rogneda to Vseslav the Sorcerer and Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The reverse side captures the milestones of state formation.

The author explained that this is a multifaceted image that everyone can interpret in their own way. Some may see a chalice or a crescent moon, while others may see a cradle, from which life begins, or a boat sailing on the river of eternity from the past to the future.

– This is a collective effort, – emphasized Vladimir Pipin, – for which I want to express great gratitude to a wide range of people. First and foremost, to the author of the architectural part, Armen Sardarov. It was his global spatial vision that helped find the exact location for the sign, uniting the sky, water, and earth into a single complex. Significant assistance was provided by Doctor of Historical Sciences Olga Levko, a specialist in chronicles Vyacheslav Chemeritsky, and writer Vladimir Orlov. The special font for the inscriptions on the monument was developed by artist Vladimir Lukashev. And how the casters of the Minsk sculptural combine worked! By the way, the casting turned out perfect from the first attempt – it seemed like God himself was helping us in this work.

Only bronze for the sculptural composition amounted to 1.7 tons, and the total weight of the commemorative sign is 8 tons, with a height of over 5 meters. The grand opening is scheduled for September 2.

Larisa MALASHENYA, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".