In all countries of the world, including Russia, monuments are erected not only to famous people who have contributed to politics, art and other spheres of life, but also sculptures are erected in honor of our smaller brothers. Some of them have symbolic meaning, others are devoted to real or literary characters, and some depict a generalized image of one or another representative of the fauna. Let's get acquainted with the most famous animal monuments, find out what animal monuments exist today. To begin, consider foreign countries, and then Russia.
The most famous animal monuments in the world: Hachiko sculpture in Tokyo (Japan)
Almost everyone knows the history of this Akita Inu dog. She was so impressed and conquered not only the inhabitants of Japan, but the whole world that about a devoted four-legged pet, 2 whole films were made: “The story of Hachiko” (1987) and a remake with Richard Gere “Hachiko is the most faithful friend” (2009).
The dog lived in the first half of the 20th century in Tokyo. Every day he accompanied and met with the work of his master - a university professor. But once he did not return: the man had a heart attack, and he died. However, a faithful four-legged friend continued to come to the station every day and wait for his owner until late at night, not losing hope that he would someday see him again. And so he did the doggie for many years - until his death.
The monument to Hachiko was made during the life of his prototype and installed at the Shibuya railway station. It symbolizes the true devotion and unconditional love that our four-legged pets are capable of.
Monument to Skye Terrier Bobby in Edinburgh (UK)
Another heart-rending story of dog loyalty from the 19th century found its granite incarnation. Dog Bobby lived for 2 years with a policeman named John Gray. He was so attached to this man and loved him so much that after the death of the owner he settled in the Greyfraers cemetery, where he was buried. Throughout his canine life, which lasted 14 years, Bobby almost did not leave the place of the last refuge of the former owner, he left only for food that he received from a local restaurant, but then returned again. The symbol of this selfless fidelity was a monument to the animal in Edinburgh.
Balto Laika Sculptures in the USA
When asked which animal has 2 monuments, it can be confidently answered - the famous Balto dog. She became famous for helping save the city of Nome in Alaska from diphtheria, an epidemic that erupted in the winter of 1925. Residents ran out of vaccine, and hundreds of infected children urgently needed help. Then Dr. Curtis Welch on the radio asked to bring a new batch of serum. There was a vaccine in Anchorage, but it was over 1, 500 km from Nome. Part of the journey was covered by train, but from the train station the city could only be reached by dog sledding.
The resident of Norway Gunnar Kaasen volunteered to help - he had a team of Siberian huskies, headed by the dog Balto. However, when they hit the road, a strong snowstorm began and visibility decreased dramatically, and there was also a 50-degree frost. But, having trusted the instinct of an experienced dog leader, they managed to overcome a distance of almost 90 km and bring a rescue vaccine to desperate citizens. And afterwards, two heroic monuments were absolutely deservedly dedicated to the hero dog: one adorns Central Park in New York, the second was erected by the grateful residents of Nome.
In addition to dogs, what other animals put monuments?
Terrible bull from Wall Street (USA)
Situated between State Street and Broadway, this assertive, fierce beast rushing into battle symbolizes a broker who is ready for anything to win and get the treasured jackpot. It was in honor of the gamblers of the money world that the monument was erected. The expression "take the bull by the horns" has in this case both direct and figurative meanings. It is believed that if you touch this or another part of the animal’s bronze body, then luck and success in financial matters awaits you. Therefore, among exchange players and tourists, the statue is very popular.
Florentine Boar (Italy)
This bronze beast is not at all evil, but very peaceful, not in vain the locals call it affectionately "our little pig." In addition, he is able to fulfill wishes - at least that is what the Florentines and city guests themselves think, who will not miss the opportunity not only to take pictures against its background, but also to stroke the metal piglet of the animal, and then throw a coin in the half-opened mouth, believing that that the conceived will certainly come true!
A legend, rooted in the 16th century, is associated with this beast. According to legend, once a very aggressive wild boar appeared in the city, which made a terrible and loud roar. Frightened residents hid in their homes, afraid to take to the streets. Fear was seized by everything except one little boy who was not afraid of an angry animal. The child approached him and stroked the bestial muzzle. After which the boar left the city forever. But its bronze counterpart is firmly established on Florentine land.
The sculptural ensemble "Give Way to Ducks" in Boston (USA)
The characters of the children's story of the same name by Robert McCloskey migrated from book pages to American Street. The plot of the literary work is simple: a duck mother with her many cubs is looking for a house, wandering along busy city roads. Finally, the family finds shelter in Central Park, where their sculptures are now located.
Interestingly, in Russia there is also a copy of this monument. It is located in a Moscow square, not far from the Novodevichy Convent. Duck figures presented to Raisa Gorbacheva in 1991 by Barbara Bush - so they gained Russian citizenship.
Sculpture "Bremen Town Musicians" (Germany)
The images of the famous “quartet” from the fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm received not only animated, but also sculptural expression. The animal monument is located in the city of Bremen near the city hall. It is rather unusual. Bronze “musicians” stand on top of each other: a dog on a donkey, a cat on a dog, and a crow crowns the composition. The originality of the sculpture lies in the fact that there is a well near it. If you throw a coin into it, you will hear the voice of one of the Bremen Town Musicians: crowing, barking, bleating or meowing.
German hanging rhino (in Potsdam)
In Germany, there is another interesting monument to the animal, which carries a very important animal protection message. It is a rhinoceros, highly suspended on iron cables. Moreover, the monument is dedicated to the white rhino, a species that is on the verge of extinction, therefore it is especially valuable, but because of this it is too attractive for poachers. The Italian sculptor Stefano Bombardieri managed to convey not only the appearance, but also the emotional state of the captured beast: its sad and depressed appearance cannot but cause regret and sympathy.
Raval cat in Barcelona (Spain)
The statue has an impressive weight (2 tons) and its size is also impressive (length - 6 meters, height - 2). This is one of the main attractions not only of Raval Avenue, on which it stands, but of the whole of Catalonia. The animal monument was erected in 1987 as a token of gratitude to cats that saved the city from rats, which helped prevent plague and other dangerous diseases.
Sculptural composition dedicated to animals killed in the war (Great Britain)
This grandiose monument is located in the heart of the English capital - Hyde Park. It is a reminder of those animals whose lives have been claimed by various wars and armed conflicts of all times. Here you can see horses, dogs, camels, elephants and even pigeons and fireflies. The monument, which was unveiled in 2004, was made by the sculptor David Backhouse, taking as a basis the book of the writer Jilly Cooper “Animals in War”. The phrase "They had no choice" is engraved on the pedestal.
Horse sculptures
Many beautiful monuments have been erected for these beautiful and graceful animals. For example, the largest single monument is located in the city of Bissingen (Germany). It is located on the square where horse bazaars take place every year.
And the most impressive and large-scale sculptural painting of horses settled in American Texas. This is the famous Mustang fountain. The horses running on water symbolize the tireless, constantly striving forward spirit of the inhabitants of the state. Moreover, the size of these metal horses exceeds their natural 1.5 times.
Monuments to animals in Russia
In our country, there are also many sculptural images from the world of fauna. For example, several monuments are made in honor of the heroes of popular works.
"Scientist cat" by Pushkin in Gelendzhik
This is the same resident of Lukomorye from Pushkin's poem Ruslan and Lyudmila. True, he was imprinted in a stone not “walking on a chain”, but sitting in a raincoat and with a book in one hand, the other is clenched and raised up. If you rub it, according to local students, it will bring a coveted point in the exam. The statue adorns the embankment of one of the famous Krasnodar resort cities.
White Bim Black Ear - Voronezh city
Which of us did not cry in childhood, reading a story or watching a film about the tragic fate of the good Bim, who, by the will of fate, turned out to be homeless. Such a famous dog could not help but have his steel double. It happened in 1998 in Voronezh. The animal monument was erected on the square in front of the local Puppet Theater. A seated dog looks hopefully and longingly into the distance, waiting for his master. The statue is made in full size.
Chizhik-fawn in St. Petersburg
The monument to the character of the well-known funny song is, of course, located on the Fontanka River, next to the Imperial School of Law. Although the sculpture is depicted in the form of a bird, it is believed that the students of this educational institution were jokingly called "fawn". They got an unusual nickname for their motley shape, similar to the color of a siskin. What other animals are monuments in our country? Steel sculptures have real prototypes.
The sculpture "Empathy" in Moscow
The animal monument (photo above) is located at the entrance to the Mendeleevskaya metro station and is a metal copy of a dog who lived there several years ago, a dog named Boy, who was loved by almost all metro workers. Unfortunately, the dog was killed, but its memory continues to live in a sculpture, which is dedicated, as the inscription says, to the “humane attitude to homeless animals”.
We have already familiarized ourselves with the English monument created in honor of the victims of armed clashes. In Russia, there are also animal monuments of war. For example, this one.
Monument dedicated to the cats of the besieged Leningrad
The northern capital experienced a terrible famine during the Great Patriotic War. From the Leningrad streets, and then from the houses, all animals disappeared, including, of course, cats - people had to somehow survive. Because of this, rats, which were carriers of dangerous diseases, proliferated in large numbers in the city.
In 1943, when the blockade was broken, several feline trains were brought to Leningrad to fight rodents. As a result, after a few months the city was completely cleared of rats.
Grateful Petersburgers appreciated the contribution to the victory of the mustachioed mousetraps, on the Composers street in the courtyard of house No. 4, the monument “In memory of the cats of the besieged Leningrad” was erected - these words are engraved on a metal plate that is part of the composition. The monument itself is a figure of a cat sitting on a chair. Next to her is a floor lamp. Although the sculpture belongs to small forms, but it has great historical significance.
