There were no casual visitors near the Monument to Anatoly Sobchak yesterday. From left to right: Vladimir Kozhin, who manages president’s affairs, businessman Alex Shustorovich, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, widow of Anatoly Sobchak, Lyudmila Narusova, his daughter Xenia Sobchak and Federation Council’s Senator Andrey Vavilov
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Putin Opens Monument to a Democrat
On the Day of Russia, President Vladimir Putin opened a monument to the late mayor of St. Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak.
The name of the mini-park where the monument was fixed up Monday is the Anatoly Sobchak Square. It is, perhaps, the sole square in St. Petersburg with trees divided by alleys.
The bronze Sobchak, who wears a gown, looks a bit stodgy and tired, i.e. just like he had been in life.
A fresh honorary freeman of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin approached the monument together with St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and First Deputy PM of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.
By the time of the president’s arrival, the monument was surrounded by a few dozens, ranging from the guard of honor to relatives and close friends of Anatoly Sobchak, including his widow Lyudmila Narusova and daughter Xenia Sobchak, who was sustained by businessman Alex Shustorovich.
That day, there were no come-and-go people near the monument, which inscription reads: “To Anatoly Alexandrovich, who gave back the name to the city.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 13, 2006
|
|
|
