History of the Monument’s Creation and Destruction
The monument was initially installed on November 7, 1933, to commemorate the anniversary of the October Revolution. It was placed in front of the under-construction Government House of the Belarusian SSR, a project that specifically included the monument’s placement at the main entrance.
However, during the Nazi occupation of Minsk in July 1941, the monument was destroyed—dismantled and sent to Germany for smelting.
Restoration of the Monument After the War
After Minsk was liberated on July 3, 1944, a decision was made to restore the monument. Using the surviving models preserved in the sculptor’s workshop, the monument was re-cast in April 1945 at the Leningrad-based "Monument Sculpture" factory.
The monument was reinstated on May 1, 1945, in celebration of Peace and Labor Day, returning to its original location in the city's central square.
Authorship and Architectural Features
The monument was created by the renowned sculptor M. G. Manizer. At the time of its unveiling, the seven-meter-high statue was one of the largest Lenin monuments in the USSR.
The composition "Lenin on the Tribune" was inspired by Lenin’s speech on May 5, 1920, in Moscow, during the send-off of Red Army troops to the Soviet-Polish War, which ultimately led to the proclamation of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Bas-Reliefs on the Pedestal – Symbols of an Era
The pedestal of the monument is adorned with four bas-reliefs depicting key moments in Soviet history:
- “The October Revolution”
- “Defending the Motherland”
- “Industrialization of the Country”
- “Collectivization of Agriculture”
The Monument’s Significance for Modern Minsk
The name of V. I. Lenin remains significant for many generations. Years and epochs have passed, but the memory of the leader has endured among the Belarusian people. The Monument to V. I. Lenin in Minsk on Independence Square continues to be one of the symbols of Minsk, preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the country.
