A monument to Prince Algirdas has been unveiled in Vitebsk – the first equestrian monument in the city

A landmark event in the festive program was the unveiling of a monument to the Grand Duke Algirdas, whose name is associated with an important stage in the city's formation. During his reign, Algirdas transformed it into one of the most powerful in Eastern Europe.

The monument is installed in the very heart of old Vitebsk, on the former Town Hall Square, opposite the restored Resurrection Church. In the Middle Ages, this was the territory of the Upper Castle, as evidenced by the inscription on the pedestal. And this is symbolic, because it was Algirdas who surrounded the city with stone walls, making it impregnable to enemies. The idea to erect a monument to the legendary Vitebsk prince was born 4 years ago.

By the way, this is the first equestrian monument in the city on the Dvina and the fourth in Belarus. And the presence of such a composition enhances the status of the settlement. It was created by the famous Minsk sculptor Sergey Bondarenko. The author depicted Algirdas, as he himself explained, riding out of the castle in thought. The falcon on his hand symbolizes wisdom, power, might, freedom, a message from the past to the future.

Sergey Bondarenko is a student of Zair Azgur, who received his art education in Vitebsk. According to the sculptor, he had been preparing for this work all his life, but he had to complete it in a short period of time to be ready for the holiday. He had to work 18 hours a day.

– I read a lot about Algirdas; this personality is worthy of remembrance by descendants, – says the author. – During his reign, there were no uprisings or turmoil, which speaks to the wisdom of the prince, who united and strengthened the Slavic lands.

The sculpture was cast at OAO «Tekhnolit Polotsk». As noted by the director of the enterprise, Leonid Petrov, it was a very responsible order. It took 2.9 tons of bronze to make it. The height of the sculpture is about 4 meters, and the pedestal is 2.8 meters.

Algirdas himself arrived at the celebration on horseback. His prophetic words resounded from the depths of centuries: "This city has a great future!". A costumed procession passed through the square, and then, to the ringing of bells, the white veil was removed from the sculpture. The honor of unveiling the monument was given to the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets, the Chairman of the City Executive Committee Viktor Nikolaikin, the sculptor Sergey Bondarenko, and the Director of OJSC "Technolit Polotsk" Leonid Petrov.

The sculpture has already become a city landmark. People take photos near it and arrange to meet there.

Numerous guests arrived in Vitebsk for the holiday. A reception for delegations from partner and twin cities was held at the City Executive Committee: Vanadzor (Armenia), Rezekne and Daugavpils (Latvia), Haskovo (Bulgaria), Rishon Le-Zion (Israel), Stupino of the Moscow Region, Smolensk, Lipetsk, and Pskov. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Lithuania to Belarus, Evald Ignatavicius, and representatives of the diplomatic corps of Latvia, Russia, and Ukraine.

The Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Viktor Nikolaikin, spoke about Vitebsk, after which the floor was given to the guests. In particular, the Chairman of the Haskovo Community Council, Ivan Ivanov, expressed his desire to establish closer ties with our city and invited Vitebsk ensembles to participate in the folk art festival held in Bulgaria. The Head of the Culture Department of the Vanadzor Mayor's Office, Gor Badyan, brought a painting depicting the Armenian mountains to Vitebsk.

– With such picturesque colors, we express our love and warmth to the residents of your beautiful city, – noted the guest.

His colleague from the city of Rishon Le-Zion, Galina Podolskaya, presented an album featuring paintings by famous artists who originated from Vitebsk.

The first day of the celebration concluded with a solemn meeting and a concert at the Summer Amphitheater.

Tatsiana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye vesti"