A metal figure of a gunsmith holding an AK-47 in his hands. The author of the sculpture was Salavat Shcherbakov (author of the monument to Prince Vladimir the Great near the Kremlin). The RVIO website reports that the organization is proposing to name this square after Kalashnikov.
Video: Konstantin Iv / YouTube
During the opening ceremony of the monument, police, an RBC correspondent reported.
Detainee Andrei Kiselev stood with a poster “Weapon designer = death designer” - the inscription on the poster can be seen on broadcasts Life (approximately 18.29). Kiselyov was taken to the Ministry of Internal Affairs “for a conversation,” as police officers explained to him. He told the police that he considers himself an anti-militarist and opposes propaganda " military power in Russia". “After the first arrest, they released me after half an hour, they offered me to roll my fingers - I refused, I also refused to sign any documents,” Kiselyov said in a conversation with RBC.
However, after this, the activist decided to return to the monument, where he was. According to him, this time he did not unfold the poster, but left it in the poster and decided to chat with friends when they “tied him up” and “tried to drag him in a rather rude manner into the car,” and ultimately took him to the Tverskoy police station. “They say that I will be charged with Article 19.3 (disobedience to a lawful order of a police officer),” he told RBC.
The press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Moscow told RBC that information about the arrest of a man at the opening of a monument to Kalashnikov “has not yet been received by the press service.”
Executive Director of the Russian Historical Society Vladislav Kononov at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the monument that the sculptor was chosen in a closed competition with a single participant, Salavat Shcherbakov, since CEO Rostec Sergei Chemezov personally wanted to work with him. “It happens that a customer wants to work with a certain architect. We had a closed competition. Chemezov wanted Salavat. There were no other participants,” Kononov said then.
Shcherbakov himself noted that many do not understand why the Kalashnikov monument is of such “modest” size. “Kalashnikov is a man of the people, like Platon Karataev. I didn’t want to make a pretentious monument to a modest person,” the sculptor explained then.
The developer of the Kalashnikov automatic small arms system died in Izhevsk in 2013. The designer was buried on December 27 at the Federal Military memorial cemetery in Mytishchi near Moscow, where a monument was erected. There are also monuments to him at the arms factory in Izhevsk, on the campus of the Izhevsk State Technical University. Kalashnikov and at the Russian military base in Armenia.
On September 19, Russian Gunsmith's Day, a monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov will be unveiled in Moscow. The monument will appear in the very center of the capital - at the intersection of Sadovaya-Karetnaya and Dolgorukovskaya streets. The basis of the artistic composition is represented by Kalashnikov himself, who is holding in his hands his invention - the AK-47. In addition, the sculpture includes a globe and the image of St. George the Victorious.
Photo: RIA Novosti / Grigory Sysoev
On Tuesday, September 19, a monument to designer Mikhail Kalashnikov will be unveiled in Moscow. It will be located at the intersection of Sadovaya-Karetnaya and Dolgorukovskaya streets, its sculptor said, folk artist Russia Salavat Shcherbakov.
The monument, more than seven meters in size, represents the figure of Kalashnikov holding an AK-47 in his hands. IN artistic composition also includes a globe and an image of St. George the Victorious. This, according to the sculptor’s idea, symbolizes the preservation of peace and victory “over the forces of evil.” “At first this figure was conceived without a machine gun, but then it turns out that a person stands, like a writer, people will not understand who it is. That’s why we finally dared to use a machine gun,” Shcherbakov explained.
At the same time, Kalashnikov himself, at the end of his life, reconsidered his attitude towards his own invention. According to some reports, nine months before his death he wrote a letter to Patriarch Kirill. In it, he repents that his machine gun took people’s lives. Moreover, Kalashnikov wondered whether because of this he could be guilty of someone else’s death.
The opening of the monument was supposed to take place in January, but it was postponed to May 8. As a result, they decided to coincide with Gunsmith’s Day, which will take place on September 19. They also decided to change the location of the monument - from Oruzheyny Lane to the intersection of Sadovo-Karetnaya and Dolgorukovskaya streets. This way, the Kalashnikov sculpture will be more visible to Muscovites, Shcherbakov believes.
This is the second monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov. The first was installed in 2015 at the memorial cemetery in Mytishchi, where the gunsmith himself is buried. The Russian Military Historical Society proposed installing a monument in the center of the capital.
“This is the very essence of Kalashnikov”
The presence of a machine gun on the sculpture is quite natural, says historian Oleg Khlobustov. “This is our outstanding and absolutely recognized designer with a worldwide reputation. This is his signature product, which is also recognized all over the world,” he said in an interview with 360. Other elements of the sculpture are nothing more than the artist’s imagination. The Kalashnikov monument symbolizes the talents and achievements of the state.
This is the very essence of Kalashnikov both as an engineering genius, and as an organizer of production, and as a laureate state prize. This was precisely the creation of small arms, which everyone needs not only as a sporting weapon, but also as a defensive weapon. No one has given up on this and will not give up in the next decade
Oleg Khloboustov.
Honored Architect of Russia Nikolai Shumakov has a different opinion. “It is fundamentally wrong to erect such aggressive monuments in the center of Moscow,” he said in an interview with 360. It would be more logical to install such a monument in Kalashnikov’s homeland - in Izhevsk.
This is an automatic machine that millions of people have “put away” from, and here with such love the greatest designer looks at this automatic machine and, obviously, nurses it like a child. Any manifestation of aggression unacceptable . <...>Moreover, the monument is turned so that along the outer side of the Garden Ring you are driving towards the back of its head. It is oriented incorrectly. And most importantly, there should be no aggression in the city center
Nikolay Shumakov.
Muscovites will not like such a monument categorically, Shumakov believes. “I’m almost sure that after the opening there will be a wave and a storm of indignation,” he emphasized. The city center should bring joy to people, but this monument does not have it.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle has been a symbol of Russia for half a century and liberation movements, historian Boris Yulin told 360. “Weapons would be all the same. Not a Kalashnikov assault rifle, but something else,” he noted. It was the Kalashnikov assault rifle that became a symbol of Vietnam’s independence during the war.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle did not increase the number of victims, but changed its balance. That is, he allowed people not to die, but to defeat their opponents
Boris Yulin.
In August, in Oruzheyny Square - a recently expanded green space separating Sadovaya-Karetnaya from Oruzheyny Lane - in the middle of the deposits paving slabs a two-meter pedestal appeared. Locals We found out that the pedestal is intended for a monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of the assault rifle of the same name. However, these plans became known much earlier, in May 2016, when the Moscow City Duma adopted further amendments to the “List of proposals for the construction of works of monumental and decorative art of urban significance.” Minister of Culture Medinsky presented the winning project in a closed competition to Putin during the latter’s visit to the Kalashnikov concern in Izhevsk in September of the same year. The opening of the monument was then planned for January 2017.
The initiator of the construction of the monument to Kalashnikov was the Russian Military Historical Society, also known as an “all-Russian public-state organization”, created in 2012 by the President and considering itself the successor to the Imperial Military Historical Society, which appeared in 1907 with the approval of Nicholas II. The chairman of the society since 2013 is Minister Medinsky. RVIO is funded by the state and private donors.
In the resolution of the Moscow City Duma, the budget for the construction of the monument is estimated at 35 million rubles. - financing from RVIO. The competition was won by the project of the sculptor Salavat Shcherbakov, the author of a couple of dozen monuments in Moscow and other cities, including Pyotr Stolypin, Alexander I, Sergei Korolev, Heydar Aliyev and, over which there was so much controversy in 2015–2016. The amount of funds donated by them is also posted on the RVIO website, which amounts to about 25 thousand rubles. In the absence of other information, it remains to be assumed that the missing funds were or will be provided from federal budget subsidies, which is directly provided for by the presidential decree on RVIO.
The height of the monument including the pedestal will be 7.5 meters. Here is how the author wrote his project: “Since Mikhail Kalashnikov was a very modest man, the pedestal will be small - two meters. The basis of the composition is a five-meter figure of Kalashnikov, who is holding a machine gun. Behind her is a silhouette globe, as his invention is used all over the world. Nearby, Saint George on horseback strikes a dragon with a spear - some forces of evil. The saint’s spear will be a symbol of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, conceived as a weapon of good.”
I am 45 years old, I was born and have lived all my life in Moscow. And it seems to me that the appearance of this monument in this place, at this time and in this form, to put it mildly, is inappropriate. Perhaps I am biased because I live a hundred meters from him and I get to see him every day. Not being an art critic, I will refrain from discussing the artistic merits of the project (although I really want to). Not being an arms historian, I will refrain from discussing whether Mikhail Kalashnikov deserves a monument - he certainly does, if only because the word Kalashnikov is known throughout the world no less, but rather more than the words sputnik and pogrom. There are even incendiary songs about him. But I really would not like to see this monument here, now and in this form.
Kalashnikov, immortalized by Bregovich
I am against him here - because Kalashnikov was in no way connected either with these places or with Moscow in general. It is, of course, the capital of Russia, but there are places historically associated with the glory of Russian weapons, where this (or better yet another) monument would be much more appropriate - from Red Square to Poklonnaya Gora. Erecting a monument to the weapons designer in Oruzheyny Lane, which has been called that way since the 17th century, is the same as erecting a monument to Anastas Mikoyan on Myasnitskaya.
I am against it now and in this form - because the Shcherbakov monument can be clearly read as a symbol of imperial complexes and aggression, Soviet and post-Soviet, especially together with the “silhouette of the globe” and St. George, defeating “certain forces of evil.” This looks especially nice against the backdrop of the “My Street” program, which seems to be aimed at humanizing Moscow - and that’s all. It’s a pity that at the presentation of the project they didn’t depict peaceful mothers with their children rushing to Moscow foreign tourists in the shadow of a huge Kalashnikov assault rifle.
In general, it is as if the Trump administration erected a new monument to General Lee somewhere in Memphis with a bas-relief of slaves in shackles on a pedestal.
I would be happy to express all these considerations not here, but during a public discussion with residents of the area. But such discussions are not provided for by the legislation of the city of Moscow.
A monument to the inventor of the Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-47) was erected in the very center of Moscow. Located at the intersection of Sadovo-Karetnaya and Dolgorukovskaya streets.
The author of the monument was Salavat Shcherbakov, which previously became the author of the Great, installed near the Moscow Kremlin. The height of the monument was about 8 meters. The figure of Mikhail Kalashnikov in full height is on a high pedestal. In his hands is his main invention - the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
The installation and opening of the monument was postponed several times. Initially, it was planned to erect a monument in honor of Mikhail Kalashnikov in January, then the opening was postponed to May. As a result, the opening took place on September 19. The choice of opening date is not accidental. It is on September 19 that Russia celebrates Gunsmith's Day.
Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov- Soviet and Russian designer of small arms, creator of the world's most popular weapon - the Kalashnikov assault rifle. Born on November 10, 1919 in the village of Kurya, Altai province. He died on December 23, 2013 in Izhevsk. Doctor of Technical Sciences (1917), Lieutenant General (1999), Hero Russian Federation(2009), Hero Socialist Labor(1958, 1976), Lenin Prize Laureate (1964), Laureate Stalin Prize first degree (1949), Member of the Writers' Union of Russia, Deputy of the Council of the Union Supreme Council USSR 3-4 (1950-1958) and 7-11 (1966-1989) convocations. Recipient of many certificates, commendations, prizes, awards, medals and orders.
Monument to Mikhail Kalashnikov in Moscow photo
So, in Moscow the monument to Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov was unveiled as solemnly as possible. The monument represents a huge six-meter figure with a machine gun in his hands, and the figure holds the machine gun carefully, “like a Stradivarius violin.” So, in any case, it seems to the author of the monument, Salavat Shcherbakov, from which we can conclude that Salavat Shcherbakov saw the violin, perhaps even more than once. Although, it seems to me, I was still unable to reliably embody the image born in my imagination, and therefore not everyone who saw it would be able to confuse the resulting machine gun with a violin, as it turns out was intended.
The sculptor Shcherbakov also said that he tried to reflect in the monument the theme of the eternal confrontation between good and evil.
Why, behind Kalashnikov with a violin, is someone on a horse piercing a filthy snake with a spear? I identified the horseman as St. George the Victorious; In Moscow, according to my observations, there will soon be no less of them than there are sculptural images of V.I. Lenin (according to official data, now there are just over a hundred left).
The place for the monument was chosen without much thought: in Oruzheiny (what else?) Lane, a short street parallel to the Garden Ring. The place has nothing to do with weapons, much less Kalashnikov, other than the name. Writer Denis Dragunsky in this regard sensibly noted: “I assure you: if an artistically high-quality monument to Kalashnikov, and not to him alone, but also to the most famous designers of missiles, bombs, guns, tanks, airplanes, submarines, was erected on Frunzenskaya Embankment, in a vast park next to the Ministry of Defense, I assure you, it would not attract any criticism. If only there was a park in memory of gunsmiths next to the Ministry of Defense. Very appropriate. The monument to Tchaikovsky stands near the Conservatory. Repin - near the Tretyakov Gallery. Ostrovsky - at the Maly Theater. Stanislavsky and Nemirovich - at the Moscow Art Theater. Vysotsky - next to the Bolshoi Karetny, famous in his song...”
Well, you first need to think about where to put which monument... I assure you: if an artistically high-quality monument to Kalashnikov were erected on Frunzenskaya Embankment in a large park next to the Ministry of Defense, it would not cause any criticism. If only there was a park in memory of gunsmiths, next to the Ministry of Defense. Very appropriate.
In a word, a monument to Kalashnikov naturally took a place among the monsters who decorated the capital for Lately, and caused assessments that were, in general, expected and unambiguous. The Internet is completely overflowing with definitions that our parliamentarians categorically prohibit using. But in response to criticism about the artistic merits of the Kalashnikov, the creator of the monument said that the work of professionals should not be judged by amateurs. .
“No dancer or singer will listen to the opinion of the sculptor on how he danced or sang. This is a profession, and there is no need to get involved in it. Even we, professionals, behave modestly and do not absolutize everything as the ultimate truth. Many people like the monument"
This call from the creator of the monument to professionals to discuss his creation seems to me reckless, fraught with possible disappointments: no one consulted not only amateurs, but also specialists, while the plan could have been stopped.
In turn, the poet Lev Rubinstein drew attention to an important pattern: when “amateurs” criticize your work, then, of course, they are amateurs. And if they praise, then they are no longer amateurs, but the people.
And it is even more important that among those “many” who “like the monument” are the customers (Military Historical Society) and the owners of the site in the center of the capital (Moscow City Hall).
And further. It is reported that the installation of the monument cost 35 million rubles. To raise funds in September 2016, the Military Historical Society launched a special campaign, but managed to collect only 26 thousand rubles. Other sources of funding are unknown.
That's all, actually, about the monument. But the unexpected celebrations in Oruzheyny Lane gave rise to speculation about how permissible it is to glorify the creators of weapons in general and whether Mikhail Timofeevich himself is worthy of a monument. Immediately, many people showed up wanting to compare the AK-47 with other famous examples of the genre, suspicious similarities (“All the key decisions of the AK were borrowed from the systems of other designers. The automation and barrel locking device were copied from the American self-loading rifle M1 Garand designed by John Garand..."). They also recalled that Kalashnikov had five classes of education, that he did not know how to draw, that after the war, “trophy” German gunsmiths, led by Hugo Schmeisser himself, were moved to Izhevsk (were they not the ones who created the famous Soviet machine gun?)…
“He stole not weapons, not drawings - he stole world fame, social status, he was nobody, but became everything at the expense of others. He is a symbol of a regime and a country woven from myths and lies. And so - well, all my life I wore the mask of a kind uncle, a modest gunsmith, a Soviet Kulibin. The villager is cunning. The right self-promoter..."
I myself communicated with Kalashnikov once and not for long. He didn’t seem like a “village cunning” or a “proper self-promoter” to me. He was a lieutenant general and twice a Hero, but all the lieutenant generals I knew lived much richer than him, he did not wear a mask, but was truly modest. I am not able to assess who borrowed what when creating the machine, but it is obvious to me: the whistleblowers of the designer are remarkably emotional, but they (according to my observations) have significantly fewer real arguments than, say, those who accuse of plagiarism Nobel laureate Sholokhov. Probably because everyone held an AKM in their hands, and “ Quiet Don" - No.
Kalashnikov himself said more than once that he did not feel any sense of pride in being the designer of a weapon that brought death to thousands and thousands of people, that he would prefer the fame of the inventor of the lawn mower. I tried not to make patriotic speeches that rang with metal. And in terms of human spirit, it seems to me that a monument like the famous revolver with a knotted barrel at the UN headquarters in New York would be closer to him.
I dare to say with all certainty that Mikhail Timofeevich was not a jubilant militarist from the pedestal in Oruzheiny Lane.
And still.
Not long ago, some cunning Americans compiled a list of “one hundred geniuses of the 20th century,” which included only three “from Russia”: chess player Kasparov, mathematician Perelman and gunsmith Kalashnikov. I do not know by what criteria their genius was assessed, and I would, of course, not make any far-reaching conclusions based on such ratings. But, you see, it is indicative: what our country is associated with in the first place, what its achievements are considered unsurpassed, what we ourselves have the right to be proud of and are proud of.
Medinsky is one of the " cultural brands Russia"; Of course, Medinsky has his own special ideas about culture, but he used the word “brand” completely appropriately. The most common small arms on the planet!.. There are countless grateful users on all continents! The state company Rosoboronexport announced that since the beginning of 2017 alone, seven new contracts have been signed for the supply abroad of more than one hundred thousand of these unpretentious and trouble-free permanent representatives of domestic humanism.
No, with all my human sympathy for Kalashnikov, I would still prefer that Russia be recognized by Perelman.
Well, one last thing. In Izhevsk, where everyone knows Mikhail Timofeevich and everyone knows his worth for certain, the monument at the museum named after him is small and cozy. There are two more monuments to gunsmiths in the city, one of which I personally especially like. The most outstanding masters Here, green caftans and green top hats were once appropriated, which is why they were respectfully called “caftan makers” and “crocodiles.” So this is not Gena from the cartoon, as some passers-by think. Moreover, he is without a machine gun... Medinsky would be shocked.
P.S.
And, of course, a completely unimaginable ending to this story.
Already on the second day after grand opening historian Yuri Pasholok
