The laying of the Friendship Monument in the capital of Bashkiria was
dedicated to the 400th anniversary of joining the Russian state - June
14, 1957. The monument, as a symbol of friendship between peoples, was
erected on a hill near the Belaya River, where in ancient times there
was a log Ufa fortress. In August 1965, the grand opening of the
majestic obelisk, towering 35 meters, took place. Sculptors worked on
the creation of the complex structure: G.P. Levitskaya and M.F. Baburin,
as well as architects G.I. Gavrilov and E.I. Kutyrev. The sculptural
ensemble consists of two symbolic steles fastened with granite hoops,
two female figures (Bashkir and Russian) sitting at the base of the
relief. In addition to dates and words glorifying the friendship of the
two peoples, there are three more reliefs on the base of the obelisk:
the central one depicting a strong handshake of Bashkir and Russian
workers, and the side images figuratively showing achievements in
science and culture. In total, more than forty figures are depicted on
the reliefs cast in bronze, symbolizing the joy of labor victories. A
granite staircase of one hundred steps leads to the foot of the
Friendship Monument from the embankment.
Today, the territory of
the main ideological monument of the Bashkir Republic is landscaped and
looks great both from the ground and from the air. At night, the
monument towering above the city, illuminated by special spotlights, can
be seen from almost every point in Ufa. The Friendship Monument is an
integral part of the beautiful Ufimskaya embankment.
The site of today's Friendship Monument in Ufa, perched on a hill
overlooking the Belaya River (known as Ağidel in Bashkir), once held a
wooden Ufa Kremlin that was destroyed in a devastating city fire. In its
place, the Trinity Church was later built, only to be shuttered in 1930
and dynamited in June 1956.
In 1957, grand festivities commemorated
the 400th anniversary of Bashkiria's voluntary incorporation into the
Russian Kingdom. That same year, on June 14, the monument's groundwork
was initiated, marked by the placement of a marble plaque reading: "A
monument will be erected here in memory of the 400th anniversary of the
voluntary annexation of Bashkiria to the Russian state."
Design
efforts, however, didn't kick off until four years later in 1961, with
the structure finally unveiled on August 7, 1965. The project was helmed
by Moscow sculptors M.F. Baburin and G.P. Levitskaya, alongside
architects E.I. Kutyrev and G.I. Gavrilov. The bronze elements were
fabricated at Leningrad's "Monument-Sculpture" factory.
Embodying the
theme of unity, the monument features a pair of towering vertical stelae
fashioned from pink granite, evoking swords plunged hilt-first into the
earth. These reach a height of 30 meters, though some accounts note 35
meters including the base structure.
Positioned at the base are
bronze statues of two seated women, symbolizing Russia and
Bashkortostan, oriented partially toward one another. They clasp laurel
wreaths as tokens of harmony and peace. Etched onto the monument are the
dates "1557 - 1957" along with an inscription in both Russian and
Bashkir: "GLORY TO THE GREAT BROTHER FRIENDSHIP OF THE RUSSIAN AND
BASHKIR PEOPLES."
Complementing this are cast-iron bas-reliefs
portraying key historical and cultural scenes: the Bashkir biys pledging
fealty to Russia, a symbolic handshake between Russian and Bashkir
laborers, and emblems of building projects, farming, manufacturing,
scientific advancement, and artistic heritage—encompassing roughly 40
figures in all.
Beyond the fealty relief, the obelisk's four-sided
pedestal hosts three additional panels. The primary one, oriented toward
the city, celebrates the exhilaration of collective achievement,
centering on the workers' firm grip as its core motif, flanked by
depictions of development in construction, agriculture, and industry.
Flanking this are panels dedicated to themes of knowledge and the arts.
Altogether, these bronze reliefs—set against blue granite—create a
dynamic interplay of tones and textures. Leading up from the Belaya
River is a grand granite stairway comprising 96 steps.
The Friendship
Monument stands as a masterful integration of architectural design,
sculptural artistry, and engineering ingenuity. Its innovative aspect
includes positioning the center of gravity beneath the surface level,
which imparts exceptional structural steadiness.
Supporting it is an
imposing foundation measuring 13 meters across and 6 meters tall. The
female representations drew from living models: Baburin sculpted the
Russian figure based on his own daughter, while the Bashkir one was
inspired by Zukhra Muratova, who served as a model for four months.
At the inauguration, Mustai Karim, the esteemed people's poet of the
Bashkir ASSR, proclaimed: “We bequeath to our descendants. While the
mountains of the Urals stand, while the waters of Agidel flow, while
mothers breastfeed their children - to be true to the banner of
friendship and brotherhood, stained with jointly shed blood,
overshadowed by common glory."
In 2006, amid the Republic of
Bashkortostan's "Year of Improvement" and ahead of the 450th anniversary
of its union with Russia, the monument received a full restoration, with
enhancements to the nearby landscape. The next year, in 2007,
then-Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the site
during the 450th anniversary observances. Recognized as a federal
heritage site, the monument continues to symbolize enduring ethnic
harmony between Russians and Bashkirs, as well as the broader
multicultural fabric of the region.
Designed by renowned Soviet sculptors Mikhail Baburin and Galina
Levitskaya, the monument is a striking example of mid-20th-century
socialist realism, combining monumental scale with symbolic elements. At
its core is a towering granite structure, often described as a
35-meter-tall obelisk or a pair of stelae shaped like a sword hilt
plunged into the ground, evoking strength and permanence. (Some sources
note a height of 33 meters, but 35 meters is more commonly cited.) The
obelisk is inscribed with the dates "1557-1957," directly referencing
the anniversary it commemorates.
Flanking the central obelisk are two
large bronze statues of seated women, representing Russia and
Bashkortostan. These figures are depicted in a gesture of solidarity,
holding sheaves of wheat—a nod to agricultural abundance and shared
prosperity. The women's attire incorporates traditional elements: one in
Russian folk dress, the other in Bashkir national costume, emphasizing
cultural distinctiveness within unity.
Encircling the base are
intricate bas-reliefs carved into the granite, illustrating historical
scenes of friendship, cooperation, and joint endeavors between the two
peoples. These panels depict moments like treaties, battles fought
together, and everyday interactions, rendered in a dynamic, narrative
style typical of Soviet art. The entire structure is made primarily of
red granite, giving it a robust, earthy appearance that blends with the
natural surroundings. A perimeter of bronze elements and a viewing
platform enhance its accessibility, allowing visitors to walk around and
appreciate the details up close.
The monument's design is not just
aesthetic but deeply symbolic. The sword-like form suggests protection
and alliance, while the elevated position on the hill (with stairs
leading up) creates a sense of ascent toward harmony. From an
engineering perspective, its construction involved significant
challenges, including stabilizing the hillside and sourcing durable
materials to withstand Ufa's harsh continental climate, with extreme
temperature swings.
Beyond its physical form, the Monument of Friendship embodies the
complex narrative of Russian-Bashkir relations. It celebrates the 1557
accession as a voluntary and beneficial union, which allowed Bashkirs to
retain autonomy while gaining security against external threats. In
Bashkortostan, where Bashkirs make up about a third of the population
alongside Russians and Tatars, it promotes multiculturalism and peaceful
coexistence—a message reinforced during Soviet times but still relevant
today.
The monument ties into broader regional identity.
Bashkortostan, rich in oil, natural resources, and diverse ethnic
groups, views this alliance as foundational to its development. It's
often compared to other Soviet-era friendship monuments, like those in
Tbilisi (Georgia) or Kyiv (Ukraine), which commemorate similar
historical pacts but have faced controversy in post-Soviet contexts. In
Ufa, however, it remains a point of pride, featured in city tours and
emblematic of the republic's role within the Russian Federation.
Here, the granite structure and bronze figures are visible against a
natural backdrop, showcasing the monument's integration with the
environment.
For visitors, the site offers more than history—it's a
place for reflection, with pathways, benches, and those stunning vistas.
It's especially beautiful at sunset, when the granite glows and the
river reflects the light. While not as globally famous as Moscow's
landmarks, it's integral to understanding Russia's multinational fabric.