133 years ago, a monument to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was erected in Moscow. On the day of its inauguration, on June 6, 1880, starting at 10 a.m., dense crowds of people began gathering in Moscow around the square near the Strastnoy Monastery.2 张照片

133 years ago, in Moscow, a monument to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was unveiled. On June 6, 1880, the day of its inauguration, dense crowds of people and numerous vehicles began gathering in the area near the Strastnoy Monastery. It seemed as if entire Moscow had come together to pay their respects to this great poet. Around the monument, white shields were erected, bearing gold-enprinted titles of the poet’s works. The Tverskaya Boulevard was decorated with live greenery. People bought up all the lilies of the valley and violets available from vendors and threw them onto the base of the statue. By evening, the illumination was turned on, and renowned Russian writers such as Turgenev, Polonsky, Maykov, Plescheev, and Dostoevsky delivered solemn speeches at the foot of the monument. When the covering was removed, the entire square erupted in cheers of joy. The monument to Alexander Pushkin was created by sculptor Alexander Opekushin. It depicted the poet in a state of deep contemplation: his head tilted back, one hand resting on the lapel of his coat, his steps slow and deliberate. In 1950, the monument was relocated to the other side of the reconstructed Strastnoy Square (now Pushkin Square) and rotated 180 degrees before being placed in its final position on the site of the former Strastnoy Monastery bell tower. It required some adjustment in height, so a concrete foundation was constructed for this purpose.