Let me lead you through the streets of Moscow

by Anni Pelmeni

You might know a famous monument A Worker and a Peasant Woman. It used to be on the square right in front of VDNH (Russian abbreviation for Exhibition of National Economy Achievements) - the main exhibition center of Soviet Union.

This Monument A Worker and a Peasant Woman is considered to be a masterpiece of Soviet Realism. Designed by Soviet sculptor Vera Muchina and Soviet architect Boris Iofan, the monument was first exhibited in the Soviet presentation at EXPO in Paris, 1937. The Soviet newspapers of that time were full of excitement that the monument of common Soviet people was appraised by the visitors of the EXPO. Made of non-rusting steel, the sculpture presented a worker and a peasant woman who held in their hands their tools of production: a hammer and a sickle. The sculpture weights 80 tons and it is about 24 meters in height.

For those born in the Soviet Union, this is not only a hallmark from the Soviet time, but also a trademark of the Moscow Movie Production Company. The sculpture first appeared as a Company's trademark in the movie Spring (director - Grigory Alexandrov), 1947. Ever since every movie made by this Production Company includes an image of the sculpture turning around its axis to face the spectators.

5 years ago the monument was removed from its original place for renovations. It was taken apart and since then little has been known about its fate. Recently the Moscow bosses have came up with a new project to create a 35-meter base alike the one that was on EXPO-Paris. The idea is to make a museum of movies and a modern cinema there. This will link make the bond between movie production and the monument stronger. The second life of the famous couple is supposed to begin in 2008, till then they are to see only on the photos and in the beginning of each move made by the Moscow Movie Production Company.

Stumbe it!