Andrei Halias

In 2014, a monument "Vojt with a Key" was installed opposite the main entrance of the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/3/description">Minsk Town Hall</a>, dedicated to the granting of the Magdeburg Law to Minsk. This sculpture depicts a bronze vojta, the head of the magistrate, who holds a symbolic key to the city and a royal charter granting Magdeburg Law to Minsk in 1499.

In the vojta's hands is a royal charter inscribed in Old Belarusian, confirming the city's right to self-government. At his feet lies a plan of Minsk from the 16th century, showing the defensive wall, the castle, and the key religious ensembles of that time. The monument was installed in the northwestern part of the map, making it a noticeable landmark for those studying old Minsk.

Work on creating the monument began in 2006 when Sergey Oganov presented the first sketch at an exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art. However, the final approval of the project only happened in 2011. Oganov, working with historians, carefully developed the vojta's appearance, which became a composite image. Initially, he looked older but was later updated to a younger and more noble appearance.

The sculpture became a symbol of an important historical event—the granting of Magdeburg Law, which significantly influenced the development of Minsk. This legal status provided the city with independence from feudal duties, the right to private property, and self-organization. As a result, Minsk could build its administrative buildings, such as the town hall, and develop as an independent urban center.

Magdeburg Law, granted to Minsk in 1499, was lost in 1831 by decree of Emperor Nicholas I. The town hall, which once housed the authorities, was destroyed and restored only in 2004.

The monument "Vojt with a Key" has become a symbol of the revival and preservation of the historical memory of Magdeburg Law and its significance for Minsk.

2014年，在<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/3/description">明斯克市政厅</a>主入口对面竖立了一座“持钥市长”纪念碑，以纪念明斯克获得马格德堡法律的事件。这座雕塑描绘了青铜市长——市政机关的负责人，他手持象征城市的钥匙和1499年授予明斯克的马格德堡法律的皇家宪章。

市长手中持有用古白俄罗斯语书写的皇家宪章，确认城市享有自治权。在他脚下是一幅16世纪的明斯克地图，展示了当时的防御墙、城堡和主要的宗教建筑群。纪念碑安装在地图的西北角，成为研究古代明斯克的重要地标。

纪念碑的创作工作始于2006年，当时谢尔盖·奥加诺夫在现代艺术博物馆的展览中首次展示了他的草图。然而，项目的最终批准直到2011年才完成。奥加诺夫与历史学家合作，精心设计了市长的形象，最终成为了一个集合形象。最初，他看起来更为年长，但后来更新为年轻而高贵的外貌。

雕塑成为了一个重要历史事件的象征——获得马格德堡法律，这对明斯克的发展产生了重大影响。这一法律地位赋予了城市摆脱封建义务的独立权，拥有私有财产的权利以及自我组织的权利。因此，明斯克得以建造自己的行政建筑，例如市政厅，并作为独立的城市中心发展。

明斯克在1499年获得的马格德堡法律，在1831年根据沙皇尼古拉一世的法令失效。曾经安置政府机构的市政厅被摧毁，直到2004年才得以重建。

“持钥市长”纪念碑成为了马格德堡法律复兴与历史记忆保存的重要象征，以及其对明斯克意义的象征。