“A gift to Moscow” sounds like a pleasantry. But the story of the Manas Velikodushny statue is more complex. This impressive monument stands in Park Druzhby. It represents a hero of Kyrgyz epic tradition.
The Manas Velikodushny statue is more than just a sculpture. It embodies cultural ties between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The statue honors Manas. Manas is the hero of the Kyrgyz epic. This epic narrates his struggles against invaders. He united the Kyrgyz people.
Kyrgyzstan gifted the Manas Velikodushny statue to Moscow. The Kyrgyz government allocated funds for its creation in 2007. They spent nine million soms. The total cost reached 41 million rubles. Financial issues delayed the project. It was installed four years later. Part of the funds came from the Kyrgyz diaspora in Moscow.
The Manas Velikodushny statue was created by a team of sculptors. Zhoomart Kadyraliev led the team. Other members included D. Zholchuev. Also V. Sadykov and T. Mederov contributed. The bronze statue is 4.5 meters high. It shows Manas on his Ak-Kula horse. He raises a hand in greeting. The pedestal reads: “Manas. Velikodushny. Hero of the Kyrgyz Epic.”
The opening ceremony of the Manas Velikodushny statue took place on February 24, 2012. Over a thousand people attended. The President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev made a speech.
Manas is a key figure in Kyrgyz culture. His epic is longer than the Mahabharata. It describes the battles. It also highlights the unity Manas brought. The Manas Velikodushny statue symbolizes this heritage.
The statue in Park Druzhby. It is the first Manas monument in Kyrgyzstan. It faces towards Leningradsky Prospekt. People can comfortably view the statue.
The Manas Velikodushny statue represents Kyrgyz culture. It stands as a gift. It stands for friendship. It stands for shared history.