Monument to the White Beam

White Beam Monument in Voronezh

Monument to White Beam is a monument to the hero of the famous story by writer Gavriil Troepolsky, which has become one of the popular sights of the city of Voronezh. The monument to the dog is made in life-size. To make it resemble a living Bim, the monument was not placed on a high pedestal, but on a small rounded elevation right on the sidewalk.

General information

The monument to the White Beam fits perfectly into the surrounding square, unobtrusively calling people to humanism and love for our lesser brothers. This small monument also reminds us of a wonderful writer who came up with a touching story about a dog who lost his master. Thousands of people – residents of Voronezh and tourists – pass by the monument to White Beam Black Ear every day, and almost every one of them tries to pet the metal dog or take a picture with it as a souvenir.

The idea to erect a monument to the White Beam in Voronezh appeared in the 1980s, but it was realized only in 1998. The metal monument was cast in Penza according to the sketches of sculptors and spouses Elza Pak and Ivana Dikunov. These talented artists have created several memorable street sculptures in Voronezh. They are the authors of monuments to St. Mitrophany, Vladimir Vysotsky, Samuil Marshak, and the kitten from Lizyukov Street, known far beyond Voronezh.

While making the sculpture of White Beem, Voronezh artists consulted several times with the author of the story Gavriil Troepolsky. However, the writer was not destined to see the finished monument – it was unveiled three years after Troepolsky’s death. The low monument is made of stainless alloy, and one ear and one paw of the animal are made of bronze. The dog is wearing a collar with the engraved name “Bim”. It is considered a good omen for Voronezh citizens and tourists to pet the dog and rub its ear. In an ancient building next to the monument nowadays an interactive museum “BIM” is open.

.

Author of the story

Gavriil Troepolsky was born in 1905 and lived in the village for a long time, working as a teacher and agronomist. He began writing short stories and novels in his youth. At the age of 48, Troepolsky moved from the countryside to Voronezh. The most famous work of the writer – “White Bim Black Ear” – was published in 1971 and later translated into 20 languages. For this story Troepolsky received the State Prize.

.

Some time later, the popular novella was screened, the film was acclaimed by the audience and was called by critics “the most humane film about human cruelty”. In 1993, Troepolsky was awarded the title of “Honorary Resident of Voronezh.”

How to get there

The monument to the White Beam is installed on the square in front of the puppet theater “Jester” and the shopping center “Samsung Service Plaza”, at 50 Revolution Avenue. Buses No. 8, 9KA, 23K, 41, 52, 79, 90, 120, A70, as well as minibuses No. 1KB, 3, 5, 20, 20M, 22, 25A, 27K and 29 – stop “Puppet Theater” – stop here. From the railway stations “Voronezh-1” and “Voronezh – Kursky” it is not difficult to walk to the monument in 20-25 minutes.