Gaze upon this bronze bust. It is the Statue of Pushkin. This isn’t just any statue. It’s a survivor. A testament to resilience. This bronze likeness of Alexander Pushkin stands at the intersection of Fenyang Lu and Yueyang Lu. It commemorates one of Russia’s greatest poets. He was a man known for his fiery spirit. His life ended tragically in a duel. He fought 29 duels in his life. His final duel was fatal.
The original statue was erected in 1937. This was the 100th anniversary of Pushkin’s death. The Sino-Soviet Association commissioned it. Imagine the symbolism. A tribute to a great Russian writer in the heart of Shanghai. However this wasn’t the statue’s only incarnation. It was destroyed in 1944 during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Rebuilt in 1947 it was later smashed by Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.
Think of the history embedded in this bronze. The statue’s destruction and rebirth mirror the tumultuous times of 20th-century China. The final version stands proudly. It’s the only surviving statue of a foreigner in China predating the People’s Republic. This is quite remarkable isn’t it?
In August 1987 the statue was unveiled for the third time. This was 150 years after Pushkin’s death. A fitting tribute. Mikhail Gorbachev even laid a wreath here in 1989. Think of the weight of that gesture. A Soviet leader honoring a great Russian poet in Shanghai. The statue stands as a symbol of cultural exchange. It bridges the gap between Russia and China. It’s a small but powerful symbol of enduring cultural respect. Take a moment to appreciate this remarkable piece of history. This bronze bust is more than just a statue. It’s a story. A story of resilience a story of cultural exchange and a story of a great poet whose words continue to resonate across time and cultures.