Eighteen meters tall he stands a bronze giant. This is the Monument to Charles de Gaulle. It’s a striking sight isn’t it? Dominating the square its sheer size almost overshadows the Cosmos Hotel behind it.
This monument isn’t just a statue it’s a testament to a complex relationship. A relationship between France and Russia forged in the fires of war and solidified by shared ideals. The statue commemorates Charles de Gaulle the leader of Free France and later President of France. His unwavering resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II is legendary.
The monument itself is a fascinating piece of art. A ten-meter-high red granite base supports an eight-meter bronze figure of De Gaulle. Sculptor Zurab Tsereteli a close friend of Moscow’s then-mayor Yuri Luzhkov said he modeled De Gaulle on his personal memories of meeting him in 1968. The height of the statue was carefully chosen to complement the surrounding buildings. It wouldn’t have looked right any other way.
The inauguration on May 9 2005 was a grand affair. French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled the statue on the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Chirac’s speech even touched on the upcoming Lisbon Treaty a landmark moment in European integration.
But the statue didn’t receive universal acclaim. Some critics found it controversial. The French newspaper La Dépêche du Midi even called it “The Nightmare”. Others found the statue’s imposing size less overwhelming than expected given its setting in front of the hotel. Some critics even compared its appearance to the French actor Louis de Funès. The statue has definitely sparked quite a conversation hasn’t it?
The Monument to Charles de Gaulle is more than just a sculpture. It represents a complex historical narrative a tribute to a pivotal figure and a symbol of Franco-Russian relations. It’s a conversation starter a testament to a shared past and a reminder of the enduring legacy of a great leader. And there it is the imposing yet somehow fitting figure of Charles de Gaulle.