Andrei Halias

Lenin Monument on <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">Independence Square</a> in Minsk is one of the most famous and largest monuments of the former Soviet Union, which still serves as an important historical and cultural symbol of Belarus. The monument was first erected on November 7, 1933, to mark the 16th anniversary of the October Revolution, and it became the central element of the square, which was then called Lenin Square. The monument's architect was Iosif Grigorievich Langbard, and the sculptor was the renowned Soviet artist Matvey Genrikhovich Manizer.

The monument was conceived as part of the architectural ensemble in front of the House of Government of the Belarusian SSR, whose original design did not include the installation of the monument. However, during construction, Iosif Langbard proposed modifications, replacing the connecting gallery between the building's wings with an open space featuring the Lenin monument. This decision gave the composition a complete appearance and created a powerful symbolic center for the square.

The sculpture is executed in the style of socialist realism, depicting Vladimir Ilyich Lenin during a speech. In his right hand, he holds a cap, symbolizing his closeness to the people, while his left hand rests on a podium railing, as if addressing his audience. This pose conveys confidence and determination, emphasizing Lenin's role as a leader and the head of the proletariat.

The monument was cast in bronze, with its pedestal made of black labradorite. The statue stands 7 meters tall, making it one of the largest in Belarus and across the entire post-Soviet space. Four bas-reliefs are placed on the pedestal, each symbolizing key milestones in the history of the Soviet Union. The first relief is dedicated to the October Revolution, the second to the defense of the Motherland during the Civil War and World War II, the third to the country's industrialization, and the fourth to the collectivization of agriculture. These depictions enhance the monument's symbolic significance, underlining its role not only as a memorial to Lenin but also as a monument to the Soviet era as a whole.

At the time of its unveiling in 1933, the Lenin Monument in Minsk was one of the largest and most significant in the USSR. However, in June 1941, after Minsk was occupied by Nazi troops, the monument was destroyed. The occupiers cut the sculpture into pieces and sent it to Germany to be melted down. This event was a heavy blow to the city's residents, but the memory of the monument and its importance to the city persisted.

After Minsk was liberated from Nazi invaders on July 3, 1944, a decision was made to restore the monument. Fortunately, the original molds of the sculpture were preserved in the workshop of Matvey Manizer in Leningrad, and in April 1945, the monument was recast at the Monument Sculpture Factory. The second ceremonial unveiling of the monument took place on May 1, 1945—symbolically coinciding with the Day of Peace and Labor.

The Lenin Monument on Independence Square has become an integral part of Minsk's urban landscape and is a significant architectural landmark of this central square. It harmoniously complements the majestic House of Government, forming a unified architectural ensemble. The wide steps leading to the pedestal, along with the arrangement of the surrounding space, emphasize its monumental and solemn nature.

In addition to the Lenin Monument, Independence Square is also home to many other important city landmarks. The famous Red Church (Church of Saints Simon and Helena), the building of Belarusian State University, and several government buildings are located here. The modern square is also adorned with green lawns, fountains, and glass domes of the underground shopping center "Stolitsa," making it not only a historic center but also a popular place for walks and leisure.

The Lenin Monument on Independence Square is not only a symbol of the Soviet era but also an important element of Minsk's cultural heritage. It continues to attract interest from both residents and tourists, remaining one of the key points on sightseeing routes in the capital of Belarus. The majestic image of Lenin, immortalized in bronze, still reminds us of significant events in the country's history, of Lenin's role in the formation of the Soviet Union, and of how this shaped the subsequent history of the Belarusian SSR.

The Lenin Monument in Minsk serves not only as a reminder of the past but also as an important element of urban culture, reflecting the complex and multifaceted history of the city. This monument continues to be one of the symbols of Minsk and represents an important part of the cultural heritage not only for Belarus but for all the countries that went through the era of socialism.

列宁纪念碑位于明斯克的<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">独立广场</a>，是前苏联最著名和最大型的纪念碑之一，至今仍然是白俄罗斯重要的历史和文化象征。该纪念碑首次竖立于1933年11月7日，纪念十月革命16周年，并成为当时被称为列宁广场的中心元素。纪念碑的建筑师是约瑟夫·格里戈里耶维奇·朗巴德，雕塑作者是著名的苏联雕塑家马特维·亨里霍维奇·马尼泽尔。

纪念碑被设想为白俄罗斯苏维埃社会主义共和国政府大楼前建筑群的一部分，原设计并不包括安装纪念碑。然而，在建设过程中，约瑟夫·朗巴德提出了修改建议，将连接大楼两翼的走廊改为设有列宁纪念碑的开放空间。这一决定使整体构图更具完美性，并为广场创造了一个强有力的象征中心。

这座雕塑采用了社会主义现实主义风格，描绘了弗拉基米尔·伊里奇·列宁发表演讲的情景。他的右手拿着一顶帽子，象征着他与人民的亲近，左手扶着讲台的栏杆，仿佛在向听众讲话。这一姿势传达出自信与决心，突显了列宁作为无产阶级领袖的角色。

纪念碑由青铜铸造，其底座由黑色拉布拉多岩制成。雕像高7米，是白俄罗斯乃至整个后苏联地区最大型的雕塑之一。底座上有四块浮雕，每块浮雕象征着苏联历史上的重要里程碑。第一块浮雕是关于十月革命，第二块是关于在内战和伟大卫国战争中的保卫祖国，第三块是关于国家的工业化，第四块是关于农业集体化。这些浮雕强化了纪念碑的象征意义，强调了它不仅是列宁的纪念碑，也是整个苏联时代的纪念碑。

在1933年揭幕时，明斯克的列宁纪念碑是苏联最大的纪念碑之一。然而，在1941年6月，明斯克被纳粹占领后，纪念碑被摧毁。占领者将雕像切成了碎片并运往德国熔化。这一事件给城市居民带来了沉重的打击，但纪念碑的记忆和其对城市的重要性得以保存。

在1944年7月3日，明斯克从纳粹占领者手中解放后，决定恢复纪念碑。幸运的是，马特维·马尼泽尔在列宁格勒的工作室中保留了雕像的原始模型，1945年4月，纪念碑在“纪念雕塑厂”重新铸造。纪念碑的第二次揭幕仪式于1945年5月1日举行，象征性地与和平与劳动节同日。

位于独立广场的列宁纪念碑已成为明斯克城市景观的重要组成部分，是这个中心广场的重要建筑地标。它与宏伟的政府大楼和谐相映，形成了一个统一的建筑组合。通往底座的宽阔台阶，以及围绕纪念碑的空间布局，进一步凸显了其宏伟与庄严。

除了列宁纪念碑，独立广场还汇聚了城市许多其他重要的地标建筑。著名的红教堂（圣西蒙和圣海伦教堂）、白俄罗斯国立大学大楼以及几座政府建筑都坐落于此。现代广场还装饰着绿草地、喷泉和地下购物中心“首都”的玻璃圆顶，使其不仅是历史中心，也是一个受欢迎的散步和休闲场所。

独立广场的列宁纪念碑不仅是苏联时代的象征，也是明斯克文化遗产的重要组成部分。它继续吸引着市民和游客的兴趣，仍然是白俄罗斯首都旅游路线中的关键景点之一。以青铜铸就的庄严列宁形象，至今提醒着人们关于国家历史中的重大事件，列宁在苏联建立中的角色，以及这些事件如何影响了白俄罗斯苏维埃社会主义共和国的历史进程