The monument to the warriors, defenders and liberators of the city was opened in Smolensk

The defenders of the city-western border of Russia, who showed courage, bravery and heroism in the fight against foreign invaders, were commemorated in Smolensk on the eve of May, 9. The monument to the warriors, defenders and liberators of Smolensk was opened in Victory Square.

The patriotic sculpture, which embodies the immortal feat of the people, was created on the initiative of the Great Patriotic War veterans. The idea of commemorate the memory of the warriors, defenders and liberators of the city was fully supported by Governor Alexey Ostrovskiy.

Alexey Ostrovskiy expressed his gratitude to everybody who supported the idea and the project of the monument construction.

An open art competition, in which nine sculptors from Smolensk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tver and the Republic of Belarus took part, was held in July-October of the previous year to select the best design of the monument. The design by Igor Chumakov, representing the Republic of Belarus, was recognized to be the best of the ten works presented. The general contractor for the construction of the monument was "Korporazia StroiIndustria". The total cost of the sculpture after passing the state examination was 20 million Rubles.

The conceptual design by Igor Chumakov depicted images of the victorious Smolensk people, covered themselves with everlasting glory. The three warriors of the eras of 1609-1611, 1812, 1941-1945 remind of the victorious battles near Smolensk, in which the city defenders showed the true resilience and courage. The warriors stand on the podium, made of red granite, which symbolizes the Smolensk land drenched in the blood of its defenders.

In the center of the monument there is an obelisk topped with a gilded laurel wreath. The shape of the spire recalls both a bayonet and a rocket, symbolizing strength and power of Russian armor. The wreath glorifies the victorious forces of the Smolensk land. At the foot of the pedestal oak wreaths are placed. In the niches, on each side of the pedestal, there are font compositions, describing each of the victories (the fonts are made in granite of dark red shade with gild).

The total height of the monument is 13 meters, the height of the figures is 2.7 meters.