Vitaly Milonov: ‘Let’s call it the monument to Zurab Tsereteli, how he wants to immortalize himself’
The scandalous deputy speaks about the controversial 80-meter statue of Christ and about ‘the keepers’ of Kazan Chasha
In St. Petersburg the discontent of the citizens is growing about the possible installation in the Northern capital of the 80-meter-high statue of Christ by Zurab Tsereteli. The Deputy of Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Vitaly Milonov, known for his active stance on the protection of Orthodoxy, did not stay on the sidelines and criticized not only the idea but also the famous sculptor. Besides, talking about the monuments in Russia, he expressed an opinion about the sculptures of zilants (a legendary creature, something between a dragon and a wyvern. Since 1730, it has been the official symbol of Kazan) and bars (a snow leopard, the official symbol of Tatarstan), 'guarding' the Family Center 'Kazan' in the capital of Tatarstan.
Copy-paste from Brazilian one
Everyone understands that such 80-meter-high statue is no Orthodox tradition. I also should say that 'untraditional character' is not a stop-factor for installation of the monuments. In fact, many things are not traditional. For example, the academic painting of churches, cathedrals, was also not a tradition, but it appeared.
But it is completely another story. And the problem is not even a tradition character. It is an attempt of copy-paste from the monument that is located in the other city. I'm talking about the Brazilian statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro. It has the spirit of indigenous peoples of the Americas enlightened by the missionaries and they made that monument in their own way, what is quite good. We do not have such tradition.
'It is an attempt of copy-paste from the monument that is located in the other city. I'm talking about the Brazilian statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro. It has the spirit of indigenous peoples of the Americas enlightened by the missionaries and they made that monument in their own way, what is quite good. We do not have such tradition.' Photo: brasil-russia.ru
Some people blasphemously claim: 'It will be like a beacon'. Well, then let's put the bulbs on Jesus Christ, so that red and green lights burned, so it was definitely like a lighthouse. Complete nonsense!
I've seen this monument. Personally I don't like it. I heard that it was rejected somewhere in Latin America.
I do not give any aesthetic or professional assessment to this object. But it can't be called the monument to Jesus Christ no way, as it is not accepted to do that. Spiritual symbols of religion can't be called monuments — man-made objects. It contradicts the common sense and the basics of the Christian faith.
In this case, I would call this the idea of vanity, which is covered by worthy characters. If you create something, we have to do it with dignity and grace. For example, Ramzan Kadyrov wanted to glorify the Almighty, and he built the mosque in Grozny 'Heart of Chechnya'. Well, who would say that it is not the glorification of the Lord? So the Muslims glorified God by this mosque. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg — they are all the glorification of God.
'The Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg — they are all the glorification of God.' Photo: rpconline.ru
A monument I've raised not built with hands…
But here it is the glorification of themselves. In relation to this monument, the name of Christ is much less than the name of Zurab Tsereteli. Let's just say straight that it is the monument to Zurab Tsereteli, how he wants to immortalize himself. We still do not need it — neither the St. Petersburg nor the periphery it should not be put.
A politician, of course, should not impose his opinion as a political trend. But it should be noted that we, in St. Petersburg, don't like such statues. We like not the size but a kind of filigree. The huge St. Isaac's Cathedral is elaborated in detail: this is a truly unique facility! We do not work with coarse brushstrokes. Therefore, the city has its own style and a certain position which obliges to conform to this style. After all, it is an object of UNESCO world heritage, and we have no right to change Saint Petersburg in some sense.
Similarly, the municipality of Rome has no right to put something modern in the center. As far as I know, last time it was done by Duce (the leader, the title of Benito Mussolini – editor's note). But it is also very much stylized as the ancient palace.
I feel bad that for some act of self-promotion the sacred to the people symbol was used. And it turns out that we don't accept God, Jesus Christ. In fact, it is a statue of the author Zurab Tsereteli, who has no relation to the Almighty.
'In relation to this monument, the name of Christ is much less than the name of Zurab Tsereteli. Let's just say straight that it is the monument to Zurab Tsereteli, how he wants to immortalize himself.' Photo: tatler.ru
The monument installation is like applying for a marriage license
The tradition of the monument installation implies a certain procedure. The monument can not be an element of hasty decision. This decision should be mature. And no matter how we want something urgently, it is necessary to wait for some time.
Even when a couple is going to go to the registry office, they have a month in order first passion passed a little, and the young people made a conscious choice and did not run the next day to get a divorce. The same situation is with the monuments. The idea appeared — good. Discuss, wait for a year or two if necessary, and then the monument can be installed. Then we will see that in society there is a consensus and, coming to the common decision, a monument will be installed.
Otherwise, it turns out that someone likes Stalin, and he decided to put Stalin in St. Petersburg. If he wants to — he can even buy the land for it. But the attitude to this man will be complicated. All believers know that there are Holy people, and the rest — neither black nor white, they have both good and bad sides. Because of the ambiguous relation it is impossible to put a monument to Stalin.
Fortunately, the monument to Prince Vladimir was installed because the absolute majority supported, except a small group of marginalized liberals. He is the great mythic figure who influenced the history of Rus'.
'The taste, the point of view of an official, even the highest-ranking, should not be the basis for urban development solutions. If people like it, then you are welcome.' Photo: Maksim Platonov
Animals around Kazan Chasha
The monument is something that is done for everyone. And it is necessary to ask people. In Kazan around the ZAGS they put statues of dragons and winged bars, which caused an ambiguous reaction of citizens.
The taste, the point of view of an official, even the highest-ranking, should not be the basis for urban development solutions. If people like it, then you are welcome. Those dragons can be very welcomed in Buryatia because their image – it is a Buddhist Eastern tradition.
We should understand that a monument – it is not the tribute to fashion but it is something that will exist for years. Fashion comes and goes. Today some animals are fashionable, then – the others. In no circumstances, we should do so that a momentary modern thing was reflected in the monument.