Do you see that rather unusual sculpture? It’s right in front of us. Yes, that one made of brushed steel standing tall and proud in Sokolniki Park. It depicts Moydodyr – a beloved character from a classic children’s poem written by Korney Chukovsky in 1923. The poem tells the story of a little boy who doesn’t want to wash. He gets so dirty that all his toys and clothes decide to magically leave him. It is a fantastically whimsical tale.
Moydodyr is an anthropomorphic washstand – maybe a bit like a friendly bath tub with legs. His main goal is to make sure kids are nice and clean. This is a pretty important message, considering that Moydodyr has become the symbol of cleanliness and hygiene for the young generations in Russia. That’s why the creators of this statue in Sokolniki Park decided to immortalize Moydodyr in this spot as a reminder to us all about the importance of being clean, especially for children. And look at the inscription on the base of the statue. It reads “Moydodyr – guardian of children’s cleanliness”.
This statue really adds another layer of magic and playfulness to this park and also shows the importance of literature to Russian culture. It’s a wonderful reminder of the power of stories and the importance of keeping things clean. And who knows? Maybe this playful statue will inspire the next generation of writers, poets, and playwrights in Russia.