The monument Marat Kazei

The Monument to Marat Kazei is a significant memorial in Minsk dedicated to the pioneer-hero of the Great Patriotic War. It is located in the center of the park of the same name and is one of the most famous landmarks of the Belarusian capital.

History of the Monument

The monument was created by renowned artists — sculptor S. I. Selikhanov and architect V. M. Volchek. The composition captures the moment before the heroic death of the young partisan: during an operation behind enemy lines, Marat Kazei, surrounded by German soldiers, detonated a grenade, sacrificing himself and his enemies. The monument was unveiled in 1959, made possible by funds collected by the pioneers of the Belarusian SSR. Before the installation of the monument, a commemorative stone was placed on the site with the inscription: "A monument to the pioneer-hero MARAT KAZEI will be erected here. November 3, 1957."

Architectural Features of the Monument

The monument features a three-meter bronze figure of the young hero, mounted on a massive pedestal shaped like a truncated granite pyramid. Marat Kazei is depicted at the most intense moment of battle, gripping a grenade in preparation for his final throw. His posture, facial expression, and the overall dynamism of the sculpture convey determination, bravery, and belief in victory.

The Monument in Culture and Public Life

The monument to Marat Kazei has appeared multiple times in Belarusian cinema, including in the TV series "Black Blood" (2017). A replica of the sculpture is housed in the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk. During the Soviet era, the monument served as a site for solemn ceremonies, including pioneer induction ceremonies, wreath-laying, and recitations of patriotic poetry.