In an interview with Russian Information Agency of the Penza Oblast, Oleg Yagov, Deputy Chairman of the Penza Oblast Government and chairman of the Penza regional branch of the Russian Military Historical Society (RMHS), explained the idea of replacing the Alley of the Russian Rulers to Penza.
The project entitled Alley of the Russian Rulers was made up by Zurab Tsereteli 40 years ago, but was not implemented during the Soviet period. The Alley of Rulers was opened in Moscow in 2017.
"In early 2020, our region proposed to move the alley to Penza," Oleg Yagov said. "We had a lot to approve. First, we needed to get the support of the Russian Military Historical Society, whose chairman Vladimir Medinsky opened the "Alley of the Russian Rulers" in Moscow in the spring of 2017. Secondly, it was necessary to obtain the author's, Zurab Tsareteli's, consent. Now these issues have been solved and we can say that the project is under work".
According to the deputy chairman of the regional government, the main question Moscow had was the location of the alley.
"They wanted it to be situated in a beautiful place in the historical part of the city, which could be visited not only by local residents, but also by tourists. Secondly, the site needs improvements, because it is just impossible to install 43 busts on asphalt or flagstones. A complete composition is required".
Specialists of the Penza State University of Architecture and Construction undertook to develop a draft design for the placement of the Alley of the Russian Rulers for free.
"It turned out to be quite an interesting project, which is decided to place near the Penza diocese," Yagov said. "Some media outlets wrote that the Alley of the Rulers will be located in Lermontov Square. That is not true. The site is different, it is that near the building of the diocese. It is conveniently located parallel to Moskovskaya Street and has enough place to install all 43 busts. In my opinion, the sculptural composition will harmoniously complement the existing well-maintained alley".
The RMHS management expressed another wish - not just to move the alley from the capital to Penza, but to strengthen the educational side of this project, which will be done.
"Using a mobile application, you can find out information about a particular ruler," Yagov said. "It will be enough to point the phone camera at the bust to do it. These are not classic sculptures, but those with a modern approach involving the use of virtual reality".
Yagov stressed that the Alley of the Russian Rulers is transferred to Penza free of charge. But the transportation and installation of the busts must be carried out by Penza.
The land on which the sculpture is planned to be placed belongs to the municipality. The alley will be taken care of by the V. Belinsky Central Park of Culture and Recreation.
"Now the improvement project is under way," Oleg Yagov said. "It is planned to open the Alley of the Rulers in Penza on the eve of the Day of Russia. Schoolchildren and students will gain more knowledge about the history of our country and the region when visiting the alley. Also, the creation of a new display facility will make the Penza Oblast more attractive for tourists".
After RIA of the Penza Oblast, photo credit to Oleg Yagov
