History Religion

Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument Uniform Cross

Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument. 'Uniform cross'  Monument in Moscow (left, 1997) and in Yerevan (right, 2013). Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan
Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument. ‘Uniform cross’ Monument in Moscow (left, 1997) and in Yerevan (right, 2013). Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan

Uniform Cross – Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument

This white stone sculpture of two female figures united by the large cross is a monument to friendship between Russian and Armenian peoples. Between the two monuments – twenty years and almost two thousand kilometers. The first one was set in Moscow as a gift of Armenia to the 850th anniversary of Moscow (1997), the second, its copy, – in Yerevan in 2013. The authors of the ‘Uniform Cross’ Monument talented Armenian sculptors Frid and Vahe Soghoyan. Female figures represent Armenia and Russia, and the cross – a symbol of the common Christian faith, cementing their friendship. Relations between the two countries and cultures are quite immense, and numerous Armenian cultural sites and monuments in Moscow – a testament to this fact. In 1711 Peter the Great issued a decree, which said: “To care for Armenians as much as possible, and to facilitate what is needed, in order to get more arrivals and the desire to live in Russia”. Due to the fact that many Armenians settled in Stolpov Lane, in the XVIII century it was renamed in Armenian Lane.

'Uniform Cross' Monument. Granite. Moscow. 1997 Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan
‘Uniform Cross’ Monument. Granite. Moscow. 1997 Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan

Facial expressions on the two monuments are slightly different. In addition, it is stated that in Yerevan version of the monument the Armenian girl is on the left, and Russian – on the right. In the Moscow version – the other way around: Russian girl on the left, and Armenian – right. The prototype for the Russian girl Maria served wife of the sculptor Vahe Soghoyan.

Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument Uniform Cross

'Uniform Cross' Monument. Granite. Moscow. 1997 Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan
Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument Uniform Cross. Granite. Moscow. 1997 Granite. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan
'Uniform Cross' Monument. Granite. Yerevan, Armenia. 2013 Authors FM Soghoyan and VF Soghoyan
Russian-Armenian Friendship Monument Uniform Cross. Granite. Yerevan, Armenia. 2013 Authors FM Soghoyan and VF Soghoyan

Some more sculptures made by Armenian sculptor:

Sunrise. 1967 Aluminum, chasing. Height 9 meters. Author FM Soghoyan. Akhuryan district. Armenia
Sunrise. 1967 Aluminum, chasing. Height 9 meters. Author FM Soghoyan. Akhuryan district. Armenia
The Virgin with image of Christ. 1994 Author FM Soghoyan. Bronze. Moscow
The Virgin with image of Christ. 1994 Author FM Soghoyan. Bronze. Moscow
Muse. Two decorative masks. 1997. Copper, chasing. V.140. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan. Entrance to the building 'Actor Gallery'. Moscow
Muse. Two decorative masks. 1997. Copper, chasing. V.140. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan. Entrance to the building ‘Actor Gallery’. Moscow
Monument to duduk 'Song of the Motherland'. 2006 Bronze. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan, MF Soghoyan. Moscow
Monument to duduk ‘Song of the Motherland’. 2006 Bronze. Authors FM Soghoyan, VF Soghoyan, MF Soghoyan. Moscow

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