Monument to Alexander Pushkin and Natalia Goncharova

The relationship and web of the destinies of two Slavic peoples close in spirit - Russian and Montenegrin is confirmed not only by many facts from the life of these two countries, but also by numerous architectural structures, as well as by historical and cultural monuments. Since ancient times, it is known about the close friendship between Russia and Montenegro and their mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres. Russians have traditionally been considered the elder brothers of a small, but very proud and bold Montenegrin people. Montenegrins themselves have always surprised and amazed their brothers with courage and fortitude in the face of the enemy.

One of these monuments is located in the capital of Montenegro - Podgorica and is dedicated to the great Russian poet - Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. It is located on Njegoseva Street in the center of the capital of Montenegro, on the eastern bank of the Moraca River near the bridge of Blazo Jovanovic.


The history of the creation of the monument to Alexander Pushkin.​

Thanks to the extremely close friendly contacts between the authorities of Montenegro and Russia, or rather their capitals - Moscow and Podgorica, at the end of the 20th century a decision was made to perpetuate the memory of the great Russian poet and erect a sculpture on the territory of Montenegro. To create a monument to Alexander Pushkin, a group of architects and sculptors was invited. Among them were the architect Michael Corsi and the famous sculptor Alexander Taratynov, who also created a monument to the poet and singer Vladimir Vysotsky, set in Podgorica near the Millennium Bridge. It is also worth noting that the Moscow government allocated funds for the development of the sculptural composition.

By the beginning of the 2000s, this idea was embodied in life and the monument to A.S. Pushkin and N. Goncharova was inaugurated on September 12, 2002 in the very center of Podgorica. As it was said at the opening of the monument, the peoples of Russia and Montenegro have a centuries-old history of fraternal ties and common faith, and a monument to the great Russian poet will contribute to the further strengthening of these relations.

Interesting fact: Every year on the International Day of Russian language, which is celebrated on 6 June, cultural events with the participation of officials take place at the monument to Pushkin.​

Composition of the monument to A.S. Pushkin in Podgorica is a bronze figure of the poet, who enthusiastically reads poetry to his muse - wife Natalia Goncharova, who sits on a bench and presumably enjoys listening to his works. Near the monument there are two commemorative stone slabs, one of which says: "Monument to Alexander Pushkin. The Gift of the City of Moscow to Podgorica", and on the other - lines from the verse of the great poet about Montenegro are inscribed:

Montenegrins? Who are they?" 
Bonaparte asked.
"Is it true that they're an evil tribe,
Undaunted by our forces?

Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, one of the most famous Russian poets around the world, lived at about the same time as Montenegrin ruler Peter II Petrovic Njegos, who was also a talented writer and poet. Unfortunately, the two geniuses were not personally acquainted, but they knew each other perfectly well by correspondence and publications published in Russia and Montenegro, including Podgorica.

Interesting fact: It is known that the Montenegrin ruler Peter II Petrovic Njegos during the life of the writer called Pushkin only "a happy poet of the great people". To him, after the death of the creator, the governor dedicated the poem "Prahu A. Pushkin".

Alexander Sergeevich, in turn, struck by the fortitude of the Montenegrins, created a real literary monument about the defense of Podgorica, praising the struggle of the Montenegrin people with the forces of Napoleon - the poem "Bonaparte and Montenegrins" from the series "Songs of the Western Slavs":

"Montenegrins? Who are they?" 
Bonaparte asked.
"Is it true that they're an evil tribe,
Undaunted by our forces?

The insolent ones must repent:
Tell their elders
That all guns and daggers
Must be brought to my feet."

So he sent his infantry to us
With hundreds of cannons and mortars
And his mercenary troops
And hairy cuirassiers.

We had no desire to give in --
That's how we Montenegrins are!
For the horses and the infantry
We've got stones and ditches.

We sat in our holes,
Waiting for these uninvited guests,
And then they entered the mountains,
Destroying everything in their path.

They travel close to the rocks.
Suddenly there is turmoil! They look:
Over their own heads
They see a row of red banners.

"Halt! Shoot! Each man must take
A Montenegrin!
There shall be no mercy for the enemy:
Do not spare a single soul!"

The weapons thundered, and the red banners
Fell from the bayonets:
We lay down in front of them,
Hidden among the shrubs.

We replied to the Frenchmen
With a friendly volley. "What is that?" 
Startled, they asked,
"Is it an echo?" "No, it isn't!"

The colonel fell,
And a hundred twenty men went with him.
The entire squadron was in dismay.
Those who could run took flight.

From that time on, the Frenchmen
Have hated our wild region
And they blush, because they happen
To be jealous of our banner.

According to Montenegrins, in this poem, and precisely in his Russian version, it was possible reflect the most characteristic features of this people in the best way: courage, pride, military prowess, readiness for self-sacrifice in the name of freedom.

For many tourists from Russia, and other countries of the world, the monument to Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin and Natalia Goncharova in Podgorica is a special place, which is included in the compulsory tourist program.
 

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