CLICK on the above image to watch a short VIDEO of the unveiling ceremony. The photos posted below are all impressive, however, to get a real appreciation for the sheer size and magnificence of this monument, film footage is the next best thing to taking part in the event. Duration: 1 minute. Language: Russian.

On 31st May 2024, a magnificent equestrian monument to Emperor Alexander III was unveiled and consecrated in the city of Kemerovo, the capital of Kuzbass, situated in Western Siberia.

The height of the equestrian statue is 5 meters 35 centimeters, almost the height of a five-story building. The weight of the statue is 12 tons. It stands on a granite monolith weighing 79 tons, which was mined in the Karelia region. The totak height of the statue and pedestal is 14 meters, The author of the composition is the famous Zurab Tsereteli, who, turned 90 in January.

the equestrian monument was installed in front of the Kuzbass Territorial Administration of the West Siberian Railway.

While the “Tsar-Peacemaker” has no direct relation to Kemerovo or Kuzbass, he is nevertheless considered the initiator of the industrial development of Siberia and and, most importantly, the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Energy Sergey Tsivilev, and acting Governor of the region Ilya Seredyuk, as well as many townspeople.

“Today is a significant moment in the history of all of Siberia. With great enthusiasm, we embodied the idea of perpetuating the memory of the great emperor who loved Russia,” Tsivilev said during the opening ceremony.

He explained the decision to erect a monument by the fact that thanks to a decision by Alexander III to build the Trans-Siberian Railway, brought mass development to Siberia, the Far East and specifically Kuzbass.

“The railway connected the whole of the Russian Empire together. We are still using the results of his wise decision,” Tsivilev added.

© Paul Gilbert. 1 June 2024