Many generations of Kyiv Polytechnic routinely appoint the rendezvous at the monument to Alexander Pushkin that "across the street" (photo 1). The poet became a part of the students’ family - a progressive, romantic, open to everything new.
Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum students also retained their brotherhood throughout life. It is not surprising that most of the monuments Alexander Sergeyevich are installed near schools. It is interesting, how many memorials to the great Russian poet do exist in Kiev?
The first monument was appeared in 1899 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin. Teachers and students of the fifth gymnasium collected a considerable sum in those days - 900 rubles, which was enough to install in front of gymnasium a small bronze bust of Pushkin on a basalt column. The bust was brought from St. Petersburg, sculptor - R.R.Bah. Modest four-meter monument still stands in the same place - Sq. Slavy, opposite Transport University (photo 2). There is the inscription in the pedestal: "To Alexander Pushkin from Kiev-Pechersk Gymnasium. 1799. May 26, 1899 ".
In the same year, a plaster bust of the poet adorned the facade of the apartment building of Madame Rolnik that at the Podol. Obviously the owner was a passionate fan of the author's "Ruslan and Lyudmila". Oddly enough, the creation survived all the historical cataclysms. You can enjoy it at the address. Konstantinov, 16, but you must raise the head, because there the bust is located at the top floor (photo 3).
Next sculptural creation appeared in Soviet times, in 1937, on the 100th anniversary of the death of the poet. It was restored several times. In 1970, it was made of cast iron from the original of sculptor L.Bloh (photo 4). Now it is located on the territory of the school gymnasium № 153 of Pushkin (street. Chornovil, 37).
And finally, June 2, 1962 it has been installed the great monument to the poet Pushkin at the entrance to the park of his name. A.Kovalev sculptor and architect V.Gnezdilov successfully embodied freedom-loving and romantic image of the idol of youth. Figure of the poet (height 3.5 m) mounted on a pedestal of black labradorite, with the inscription: "Pushkin - the Ukrainian people." The total height of the monument - 7.17 m.
Soon after, in 1970, on the wall of the house (st. Grushevsky, 14) it is appeared bronze bas-relief of the poet, by sculptor M.Vronsky (photo 5). Some researchers are inclined to believe that in this house Raevskaya could live. She was befriended with the poet . But there are currently no documents in support of this version.
The inhabitants of Kiev remember that the original image of the poet decorated lobbies subway "University" (photo 6) and Vernadsky National Library (photo 7).
There is another sculpture of Alexander Pushkin, not so long ago set in a cozy courtyard in Kiev city center (photo 8). I would like to hear the opinion of our readers, what address they can admire.
The correct answers and the names of their authors will be published in the next issue of the newspaper.
