Leningrad Province, Russia, September 3, 2020
pm.histrf.ru
The Russian Military Historical Society has announced an open international creative competition for the best design of a monument to the holy prince St. Alexander Nevsky.
Russia will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the birth of the great saint next year.
The monument is planned to be installed as part of the Culture national project in a picturesque, elevated place on the right bank of the Tosna River, which runs through the Luzhsky, Tosnensky, and Kirovsky Districts of the Leningrad Province and the city of St. Petersburg itself, the Society reports.
Since 2009, the chosen spot has been the site of the spiritual-historical festival “Before God with Candles, and For the Motherland with Swords.” Today, there is a memorial cross and sign there in honor of the 770th anniversary of the Battle of the Neva, in which St. Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes in 1240.
The monument is to depict St. Alexander praying before the battle, and it is also planned to build a church in his honor at the site.
The future site of the monument. Photo: pm.histrf.ru
The competition is open to architects, sculptors, creative associations, and groups. Designs are being accepted up through February 1. The best design will be chosen by a committee consisting of famous architects, sculptors, artists, prominent figures in culture and art, and representatives of public and administrative authorities.
“The monument … should correspond to the spiritual, historical, and natural context of the place and event,” the Society writes. “Given the fact that this place formed the spiritual background of the battle with the Swedes, the monument may have an icon-like character. The Prince is not only a warrior, but, first of all, a man of prayer ... a praying warrior ... a warrior of Christ, to whom his descendants and soldiers of Russia now turn. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15: 13),” the contest description continues.
To learn more about the contest and to participate, visit the site of the Russian Historical Military Society.
