Monument "Waiting" in Murmansk - a monument to women who can wait

Murmansk is the largest city in the Arctic Circle. To date, there are about 305,000 permanent residents. The life of the overwhelming number of Murmansk citizens is connected with the sea. In 2012, the monument "Waiting" in Murmansk was opened, dedicated to all women escorting their men to the sea. Today it is one of the most romantic and popular attractions in the city.

As Murmansk residents "Waiting" 30 years waited ...

In the 1970s, the northern poet Viktor Timofeev wrote the poem "Sentimental Watch". It is in the lines of this work that the image of "Waiting" appears for the first time. It is worth noting that the author himself before the dedication of his life to the work was a navigator.

In 1984, Viktor Timofeev asked the city executive committee to erect a monument to residents of Murmansk, obediently waiting for their husbands, fathers and brothers during long sea voyages. As it turned out, the idea is not quite fresh - in many city-ports such monuments were available. And this means that it is necessary to put a monument "Waiting" in Murmansk. After all, this city appeared only thanks to the non-freezing sea waters. In the 90s, a sketch competition was held, and even the winner was determined. But in such a difficult time for the country the idea simply could not be realized. Only in 2011 the project was thawed.

Inauguration of the monument

The monument "Waiting" in Murmansk is a national project. About 15 million rubles were collected for the manufacture and installation of the sculpture. Investors were legal entities of the region and ordinary residents of Murmansk. In autumn 2011, a new sketch competition was held, in which the architects from Smolensk, Yu. Anushko and I. Chumakov, won.

In mid-November 2012, residents and guests of Murmansk were able to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new monument. The event was visited by the governor of the region and the mayor of the city, as well as many other honored guests. The monument "Waiting" in Murmansk was opened under the poems of Viktor Timofeev and the melody of the band "The Beatles" performed by a brass band. After the ceremonial speeches of high-ranking officials, ordinary Murmansk citizens were able to view the sculpture, lay flowers at its foot and be photographed for memory.

Photo and description of the monument

"Waiting" is a monument, which is a sculpture of a woman, at the feet of which there is a bollard, on which a seagull is sitting. The growth of the figure is about three meters. "Waiting" has frozen in a welcoming gesture, and its sight is directed towards the Kola bay. The woman is dressed rather modestly - in a long dress and an open cloak. Her hair is fluttering in the wind, and her shoes are on her feet.

The monument "Waiting" in Murmansk, photo of which you can see in our article, is installed on a granite pedestal. In the lower part of the monumental base a bas-relief with sea waves. On the pedestal there is an inscription in gold letters: "Can wait". On a separate board, fixed at the base of the monument, you can read the lines from the poem by Viktor Timofeev. Around the new landmark of Murmansk today is a well-organized garden. The monument offers an excellent panoramic view of the Kola Bay.

Where is the sculpture "Waiting"?

The place to install the monument was chosen long enough. In other cities, sculptures with a similar meaning are usually set on the embankments. However, in Murmansk the entire coastline is a closed zone of special regime. Is it possible to put so popular monument there, where they pass only through passes? The search for the ideal location for the new attraction was stopped at the final stop of the bus number 18. Be sure to visit the monument "Waiting" during a visit to Murmansk. Address attractions: the intersection of streets Kovaleva and Chumbarova-Luchinsky. The nearest public transport stop is "ul. Sasha Kovalev "(bus number 18).

The attitude of residents and visitors to the new attractions

Most Murmansk residents like the monument "Waiting". It is a beautiful and romantic image, reminiscent of devotion and love. Murmansk monument is favorably different from many others. Most often in port cities, sculptures are dedicated to the wives of seamen. The image of "Waiting" is more multifaceted. In Murmansk, almost all the women's population is waiting for someone. And it's not just about the groomsmen and husbands. Here the sisters of brothers and their daughters are escorted to the sea.

Many townspeople like the choice of the place on which the monument of "Waiting" in Murmansk is installed. Where is this landmark, today everyone knows. Here newlyweds come, many Murmansk residents visit the square from time to time and just for the sake of rest in a picturesque place. There are also "ill-wishers" in "Waiting". According to some residents of the city, the monument is morally outdated, It looks not modern due to too strict architectural forms. And yet most of the sculpture like, and some sailors admit that it reminds them of their own wives in their youth.