“Good luck comes to those who believe.” Have you heard this? It’s a saying often whispered near the animal statues and unusual monuments of St. Petersburg. We are standing before one such monument. It is the \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture.
This city, meticulously planned and molded by generations of Russian Emperors, boasts grand architecture. The \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture is part of a recent trend. Local artists introduce idiosyncratic monuments celebrating folklore and civic history. Animal statues feature prominently in these traditions. They range from regal lions to tiny songbirds.
Consider the Horse Tamers by Peter Clodt. These statues stand at the corners of Anichkov Bridge. They are admired for their muscular grace. Or picture the sphinxes near the Academy of Arts. They are 3,500 years old.
Then there’s Chizhik Pyzhik. This 11-centimeter songbird sits on Fontanka Embankment. It was installed in 1994 by Rezo Gabriadze. The \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture, though, offers a different appeal.
Have you heard the tale of Mumu? It is about a caretaker and his dog. A statue commemorates the story outside a cafe on Ploshchad Turgeneva. Albert Charkin’s statue stands in front of the Swedish Consulate. It marks the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ anniversary. The \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture adds to this collection of unique monuments.
A bronze photographer stands on Malaya Sadovaya Ulitsa. It is near a former photographer’s studio. These statues are more than decorations. Locals believe they bring luck.
People touch the nose of Svejk, the Good Soldier, for luck. They leave coins in his beer mug. Ostap Bender’s nose is also shiny from rubbing. People climb onto the statue to take selfies. They believe it grants wishes. Coins pile up at the feet of Karl Bulla’s monument. These are left like offerings in religious places. The \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture may soon see similar traditions.
Throwing a coin at Yelisey or Vasilisa brings luck. Hitting Chizhik Pyzhik with a coin fulfills dreams. Newlyweds clink shot glasses with its beak. Superstition blends with art in St. Petersburg. It creates a unique cultural experience.
So, as you stand before the \u0411\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0433\u043b\u043e\u0431\u0443\u0441\u0435 Sculpture, remember this. It’s not just a monument. It’s a symbol of hope and a touch of whimsy in a grand city. Go on. Make a wish. Who knows what luck it might bring?