As promised, here is a look at the Soviet War Memorial. I hope the people and the little biker give you an idea of the scale of this sculpture - it's massive!
The sculpture was created by Soviet artist Yevgeny Vuchetich and alledgedly represents the true store of a Soviet soldier who risked heavy machine gun fire to save a young German child during the Battle of Berlin. In reality, the Soviets ransacked the city of Berlin when they marched in, raiding homes and businesses for anything of value. Rape and abuse was also rampant during that time and it is said there is a whole generation of children who were conceived during that violent time.
Here's a look back on the rest of the memorial park from atop the plinth of the statue. The whole thing is a little too grandiose and pompous for my taste. I know bad things happen during wars, but it's hard for me to accept this view of history. I'm still glad I made the trip out to see it though.
It's really huge monument.
ReplyDeleteTerrible times, but this monument is massively impressive. And obviously well maintained too.
ReplyDeleteYes a lot of things are indeed very big in Berlin and one of it is its history. Thanks for showing.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a scene from the movie I watched two nights ago called "Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg".
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing, Hal!
ReplyDeleteCertainly very grand, almost as if someone was trying deperately to convince someone else about how noble they were.
ReplyDeletemy goodness, that thing is massive, you could probably see it from the moon! a wonderful monument!
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a place! I agree with you about wars. We always tend to memorialize and remember things with rose colored glasses. The truth is always much darker and scarier.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine structure indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt is huge and propagandist, which is typical of Soviet monument styles.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with William on this one! Glad you showed it though.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive monument. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe scale is extraordinary, difficult to comprehend
ReplyDeleteThat's the hallmark of art from communism - big and pompous! The other artists probably didn't get a chance, because it didn't fit in the communistic world view. I don't recognize this, is it located in what once was East Berlin? I know what you mean, some world views and cultural views are really disturbing when one has grown up in the West.
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