Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists (“The Afghans”) by Elena Klepikova
As we walked through the park, we suddenly found ourselves in front of a giant statue of soldiers bursting through the rock into which they were carved. Looking up at the soldiers, one of which was at the front with his arms flung backward and legs ready to run, I felt a simultaneous sense of protection and fear. Being a soldier means both protecting and hurting others, and living in a sense of triumph and loss. As we read the story, the loss became more present in the space, coexisting and contrasting with the exultant nature of the gigantic statues and the never-ending flame. Elena Klepikova’s words seemed to crack the shell of powerful conquest of the park itself, threading it with the fear, sadness, and loss that soldiers actually face.
Reading the dates of wars in the 20th century in the park, you could almost be tricked into believing that this loss is far behind us; however, Elena Klepikova’s story reminds us that the coexistence of triumph and defeat in war is still present in the 21st century with the war in Afghanistan. Glancing once more at the statue of those who are supposed to protect by hurting, I wondered whether there was a way to protect men in the future from the despondent fate outlined in the story.
Restoration of the Soul by Lilya Kalaus
Kalaus weaves together a beautiful narrative about the Ascension Cathedral and the routine of everyday life. When we arrived at the cathedral we marveled at the golden onions shining above the trees and the colorful tile pattern that covered the domes in a quilt of bright blue, green, and red, so different from the buildings that surround the park. It was all at once spectacular, and yet with the pigeons milling about and the stands with seeds and drinks to sell, the cathedral was simply an everyday part of life for the people in the city.
No matter how often the purpose of the cathedral changed throughout time, its presence and facade remained. It is clear from her story that Kalaus still holds a reverence for this place and what it represents for the city even if it was just another landmark on her daily journey. Even if we, too, walked by the cathedral every day, it would be hard to ignore its beauty and splendor.
As Kalaus wrote, this cathedral is the “soul of the city.” And even though it could fade into the background surrounded by pigeons, its significance and value will continue to stand the test of time.
Street P. by Zoya Falkova
Falkova’s story makes me think of the old saying that the world stands on the back of a turtle and it is “turtles all the way down.” There is an infinite line of turtles supporting the world, just as there is an infinite amount of history and life to be experienced from every direction around Pushkin Street. There are “urban oracles” all around that are grand and godly even if they seem insignificant at first glance, including the spits on the pavements- the same textures and colors that make up the foam on the Birth of Venus.
Our first introduction to Pushkin Street was near the end of the Green Bazaar, as we turned left out of the buzzling bazaar and followed the signs leading us down the street. There we took our photograph in front of the sign and looked around to make sense of our surroundings, the sprawlings of urban life present in the story alive and well around us. Street P. is a normal city street, like any other street in this city. However, what makes Falkova’s story so magical is that it emphasizes the uniqueness of the city. We should delight in all of the little details around us, even (and perhaps especially) those we often overlook, because they are like gifts from the gods.
Спасибо!
-Grace and Zoe
