Gazing up at the Pushkin Statue, did you ever imagine the poet’s words echoing across centuries and continents? The Pushkin Statue in Brussels, a gift from Russia, commemorates the bicentenary of the poet’s birth. This bronze figure, crafted by Georgy Frangulyan, captures Pushkin in a moment of inspiration. His coat billows in an unseen wind, symbolizing the romantic spirit of his era. The statue stands in Pushkin Square in Laeken, a tranquil space dedicated to the poet’s memory. The square itself became Pushkin Square in 1999, the same year the statue was unveiled. The pedestal bears an inscription in French, Dutch, and Russian. It simply states “Pushkin, Russian poet,” along with his birth and death dates. The sculptor aimed to recreate the atmosphere where Pushkin’s writings were born: the scratch of a quill pen, the flicker of candlelight, the rustle of paper. A poignant detail: Pushkin’s hand presses the wound he received in his fatal duel with Danthes. The Pushkin Statue isn’t just a monument. It’s a meeting place. Every year on June 6th, Pushkin’s birthday, poetry lovers gather here for a festival. They read his immortal verses in Russian, French, Dutch, and other languages. It’s a celebration of Pushkin’s legacy, a testament to the power of words to transcend borders and time. And it’s a reminder that even in the heart of Brussels, the spirit of a Russian poet lives on.
Rue Albert Meurice – Albert Meuricestraat
Serenity Bar a yoga studio sits on Rue Albert Meurice. This quiet street in Etterbeek Brussels holds a peaceful energy.