Taras Shevchenko Statue

Gazing up at the Taras Shevchenko Statue, one might wonder about its presence in Saint Petersburg. The Taras Shevchenko Statue, a gift from Ukraine, stands as a testament to the poet’s life and legacy, deeply intertwined with this city. The Taras Shevchenko Statue was unveiled in December 2000. The ceremony was attended by both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents. Taras Shevchenko, a prominent Ukrainian poet, artist, and political figure, spent a significant portion of his life in Saint Petersburg. He studied at the Academy of Arts and the University. He produced many of his renowned works here. He ultimately died in this city in 1861. This modern monument, sculpted by the Ukrainian-Canadian artist Leo Mol, is not the first to grace Saint Petersburg. In 1918, shortly after the October Revolution, a plaster bust of Shevchenko was erected on Kronverksky Prospekt. Commissioned by Lenin himself, it bore an inscription highlighting the tribute from the Russian nation to the Ukrainian poet. This earlier monument, unfortunately, succumbed to the elements and was removed in 1926. The current bronze statue found its home after some deliberation. Initially intended for Vasilyevsky Island, it eventually found its place in the square now named after the poet himself, Taras Shevchenko Square. The Taras Shevchenko Statue serves as a reminder of the complex historical and cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine. It symbolizes the enduring legacy of a man whose words continue to resonate.