Monument to Saltykov-Shchedrin

The monument to Saltykov-Shchedrin is installed in the square next to the house, which is now a branch of the Ryazan Regional Library, and used to serve as the residence of the Ryazan Vice-Governor. A memorial plaque on the house reads: “In this house from March 1858 to April 1860 lived the great Russian satirist writer Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov-Shchedrin.”

The opening ceremony took place on April 11, 2008. The solemn rally dedicated to this event was attended by the Governor of the Ryazan region Georgy Shpak, Ryazan local historians, representatives of the cultural community of the city.

The Governor noted that in 2008 it is 150 years since the appointment of Saltykov-Shchedrin as Vice-Governor in Ryazan. It was in the Ryazan period of his life that he first received official recognition as a writer. As vice-governor, and later manager of the Ryazan state chamber, he paid attention to public education: he was engaged in the publication of the newspaper “Ryazan provincial newspaper”, was a trustee of the local library. Georgy Ivanovich Shpak recalled the merits of the author of The History of a City: The public library was almost half filled with Saltykov-Shchedrin’s personal library. He initiated the construction of a theater in Ryazan. We just have to remember our past, remember people like Mikhail Evgrafovich. According to Boris Gorbunov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Saltykov-Shchedrin was a people’s advocate. He not only urged not to offend the peasant, but also followed this rule all his life in Ryazan and in other places. The character of a Soviet film once said that we need Shchedrin and Gogol. Indeed, this could not be more true. A man who came from a noble family was a popular intercessor.

The author of the monument is Honored Artist of Russia, Professor of the Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute Ivan Cherapkin.