The Soviet Union was known to everyone Alyosha, who gives flowers to young girls, but they give him flowers.This occurred primarily because of the famous song by E. Kolmanovsky poems K. Vanshenkin.Now other times and other songs.Unfortunately, the memory of the exploits of Soviet soldiers blurred in the minds of modern society, both in Europe and the former Soviet Union.Yet the word "Alyosha", "Bulgaria", "monument" is firmly woven into a single image in the minds of the inhabitants of Eastern Europe.
History
scattered throughout Europe cenotaph.This is understandable - how many were killed Soviet soldiers during the liberation of Eastern Europe from the Nazis.In those early years, with bread and salt met Soviet troops all the way from the Balkans to the Baltic.Several years later, the inhabitants of the Bulgarian town of Plovdiv emerged decision to capture in stone the image of the soldier-liberator.In the future, this idea turned into a monument of Alyosha.Then, in 1948, it was established a public committee to develop the layout of the monument, and the symbolic lay the foundation for the future of the pedestal in the center of the city.The competitive selection chose the layout Vasil Radoslavova called "red hero".Prior to the implementation of the project had to wait for 9 years.In 1957, on the eve of the October Revolution, there was a grand opening of the memorial complex.
Description
From all corners of the city of Plovdiv seen a huge figure of a Russian soldier, lowered to the ground the famous submachine gun Shpagin, with whom he went from Stalingrad to Berlin.On the pedestal 6 meters stone hero rising to 11 meters gazes off into the distance to the east, where the house where the family waits.Himself a pedestal decorated with bas-reliefs.One of them was created by George Kotsem called "Soviet army beats the enemy", and the other shows the meeting of the Bulgarian people the army of liberators, the author - Alexander Zankov.To put flowers to the monument, you need to climb a hundred steps.Bunardzhik Hill, now called Liberators hill on which stands the monument Alyosha, was one of the major attractions of the ancient city of Plovdiv (Philippopolis).
Russian Alexei
Why monument in Bulgaria over the world known as "Alyosha"?Where did the name matter?There are several versions of the appearance of a prototype for a stone statue.One way or another, all leading to Skurlatov Alyosha, a young signalman - athlete whose picture is preserved in the archives of the inhabitants of the town of Plovdiv.There was a legend of the Russian heroes who on the day of the celebration of the liberation of the city planted on his shoulders two local girls and danced with them tirelessly.This old-timers tell the story passed down from generation to generation.This fellow is associated with Alexei Skurlatov.Fighter himself only 20 years later learned that a famous statue of a soldier Alyosha - a copy.In 1982, A. Skurlatov visited Bulgaria and was awarded the title of honorary citizen of the city of Plovdiv.
Alyosha, embodied in the song
Monument "Alyosha" (photo given in the article) made a strong impression on the audience, shaking his majesty and colossal spiritual simplicity simultaneously.Memorial and attitude to it ordinary people admired the Soviet composer Bulgaria Kolmanovskii E., who was in Plovdiv in 1962.Sharing his impressions of a trip to Moscow with his friend, the poet K. Vanshenkin musician told the story of the creation of the monument.And there were the words, and then the melody of the famous song "Alyosha."Increasingly popular is the product obtained in Bulgaria and, of course, in the Soviet Union because of the Bulgarian duo - Rita Nikolova Georgi and Cordoba.
struggle for existence
With the collapse of the Soviet Union has ended an entire epoch.Throughout talking about the shortcomings of the communist regime and immediately painted black all that was.And there was a lot of things!This friendship of the peoples, and economic cooperation, and most importantly, a common victory over fascism.Over the past twenty years, many memorial sites in Europe were subjected to acts of vandalism.And although officially the governments adopted a resolution prohibiting the desecration of monuments dedicated to the victory over fascism, that does not stop some social forces.Constantly held discussions on the dismantling or carrying on the outskirts of memorials.Not spared this fate and Alyosha monument in Bulgaria.Photos stone Russian soldiers are increasingly appearing in the press, but with headlines screaming about the initiative of the demolition.Three times he would withdraw from the pedestal, but every time the public rebelled against and defended not just a monument, and the very popular memory and gratitude.
Alyosha Monument today
The last time raised the question of dismantling the "Alyosha", organized a public vigil near the monument, and veterans pledged to commit self-immolation in the event of demolition.It took several court hearings.The result has been recognized by the Supreme Court that has the status of a monument Alyosha Monument of World War II, and therefore inviolable.Today it is one of the favorite places for tourists to visit in Plovdiv, here come the newlyweds tradition and lay flowers.In 2007, the fiftieth anniversary of the installation of a memorial in Bulgaria was released commemorative stamp.Alyosha Monument, along with Shipka and other centuries-old monuments is a sign of friendship and cooperation between the Bulgarian and Russian peoples.
