
Bulat Okudzhava Monument, Moscow
One of several monuments on Old Arbat that is easy to miss is the one dedicated to Bulat Shálvovich Okudzhava, a popular singer-songwriter who lived in the area and immortalized it in several of his songs. A Russian of Georgian-Armenian descent, Okudzhava was a master in his own field and one of the founders of the Soviet genre of "author song", somewhat similar to the French chansonnier style, very different from the mainstream back then. He had an exceptionally melodic voice, and, without any formal training in music, employed only a few chords on his guitar to accompany his sung poems full of metaphors and symbolism.
The bard passed away in 1997. A memorial to him was unveiled in 2002 on what would have been his 78th birthday. The well executed statue, created by the well-known sculptor Georgy Frangulyan, coincidentally also of Georgian-Armenian ancestry, depicts the not-so-young man, hands in pockets, with a rolled-up paper under one arm, strolling in front of two large arches – the typical Arbat gateway, from which the poet seemingly has just got out, with a bronze shadow on pavement right behind him, as if the evening sun was already low...
Quite moderate as such, the monument reflects the artist's personality really well. It is also lovely in the sense that it features several other elements, apart from the figure itself, such as the bronze bench. There is always plenty to look at on pedestrian Arbat, and the monument to Bulat Okudzhava is a spot worthy of a quick stop for a photo shoot, particularly if you're a fan.
The bard passed away in 1997. A memorial to him was unveiled in 2002 on what would have been his 78th birthday. The well executed statue, created by the well-known sculptor Georgy Frangulyan, coincidentally also of Georgian-Armenian ancestry, depicts the not-so-young man, hands in pockets, with a rolled-up paper under one arm, strolling in front of two large arches – the typical Arbat gateway, from which the poet seemingly has just got out, with a bronze shadow on pavement right behind him, as if the evening sun was already low...
Quite moderate as such, the monument reflects the artist's personality really well. It is also lovely in the sense that it features several other elements, apart from the figure itself, such as the bronze bench. There is always plenty to look at on pedestrian Arbat, and the monument to Bulat Okudzhava is a spot worthy of a quick stop for a photo shoot, particularly if you're a fan.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Moscow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bulat Okudzhava Monument on Map
Sight Name: Bulat Okudzhava Monument
Sight Location: Moscow, Russia (See walking tours in Moscow)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Moscow, Russia (See walking tours in Moscow)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Moscow, Russia
Create Your Own Walk in Moscow
Creating your own self-guided walk in Moscow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Moscow Introduction Walking Tour
Moscow (Russian: Moskva) is the capital and the largest city in Russia. Cosmopolitan as such, it is the nation’s political, economic, cultural, scientific and religious center. The city's name is thought to have derived from that of the Moskva River upon which it stands.
The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 and is associated with Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 and is associated with Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Red Square Walking Tour
There's hardly a place in Russia more popular than Moscow's Red Square. Situated in the center of the city, Red Square indeed represents in many ways the very heart of the Russian capital and the whole country. Built in the late 15th century, it has since been a focal point in Russia's social and political life, witnessing many historic events: executions, demonstrations, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Communist Moscow Tour
The arrival of Communist ideology left indelible imprint in the history of the 20th century, largely affecting the lives of people, arts and architecture. Having been at the heart of the Soviet empire for almost 70 years, Moscow is a great destination for everyone interested in the Soviet heritage, the traces of which are found all over the city.
Some colorful, like the famous Metro stations... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Some colorful, like the famous Metro stations... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Arbat Street Walking Tour
The historic center of Moscow is primarily associated with the Arbat, one of the oldest surviving streets in the city, dating back to the early 15th century. The origin of the name “Arbat” is subject to numerous hypotheses referring to the Russian, Tatar, Persian and even Arabic words, meaning "bumpy" or "cart" road, "suburb" or "outskirts", etc.
A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
A... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Best Russian Things to Buy as Souvenirs in Moscow
While it's easier to list the riches Russia does not have, if there are such, the variety of authentic Russian stuff available in Moscow is truly mind-blowing. Some items are obscenely expensive, others - affordable, but both can make a memorable gift from the largest country in the world. To...