The "Crying Angel" sculpture composition on Island of Tears in Minsk is an outstanding memorial dedicated to the memory of Belarusian soldiers who fell during the war in Afghanistan (1979-1989). This poignant monument was established on the "Island of Courage and Sorrow" in 1996 and has become a symbol of inconsolable grief and remembrance of the fallen warriors. The complex is located on a small island on the Svisloch River, in the center of Old Minsk, near Trinity Suburb.
The central figure of the memorial is a sculpture of a small crying angel, created by the talented sculptor Yu. Pavlov. The angel symbolizes the eternal pain of loss and inconsolable grief, embodying the sorrow of mothers who have lost their sons in a foreign war. This bronze piece impresses with its fragility and emotional depth, evoking feelings of compassion and gratitude in visitors.
The memorial on the Island of Tears also includes a chapel dedicated to Belarusian internationalist warriors. The chapel is designed in the form of an ancient 11th-century temple, and inside it, the names of 771 fallen soldiers are engraved. A distinctive feature of the complex is the metal strings stretched inside the chapel: influenced by the wind, they produce a mournful sound symbolizing the souls of the deceased leaving this world on the fortieth day after death.
Among the elements of the composition, there are also stones with the names of Afghan provinces where combat operations took place, as well as memorial stones depicting Afghan cities. These elements further emphasize the connection between the past and the present, preserving the memory of the tragic events of the war.
Visiting the memorial has become a mandatory tradition for many newlyweds in Minsk. They lay flowers at the foot of the monument and throw coins into the fountain, asking for protection for their families from misfortunes and disasters. There is also a belief that if a bride rubs a certain part of the sculpture, it will bring good luck and promise the birth of a boy in the family.
The "Crying Angel" monument has become not only a place of remembrance for the relatives of the fallen but also a symbol of the unity of the peoples of the former USSR, expressing a shared grief and tragedy of war.
