Keyboard Monument, Yekaterinburg (must see)

The Keyboard Monument is an outdoor artwork created in 2005 by artist Anatoly Vyatkin. It shows a full QWERTY keyboard made at a much larger scale and placed directly on the ground. Each key is cast in concrete and set in the same order as on a real computer keyboard, so letters, numbers, and symbols are easy to recognise. The idea comes from the early 21st century, when computers became part of everyday work, communication, and free time.

The keys are big enough for people to sit, stand, or walk on, so the monument can be used, not only viewed. The layout includes number keys and special symbols, just like a standard keyboard. The sculpture plays on the contrast between heavy concrete and digital information, which is usually fast and invisible, turning a small personal object into a shared outdoor space. Over time, it has become part of daily life: people walk across the keys, spell words with their steps, or meet friends there. With no fences or rules, it blends easily into everyday routines, and its clear, familiar shape makes it a popular subject for photos and online searches.

By 2026, the monument shows clear signs of age. Reports from 2024 and 2025 mention surface damage and worn concrete, pointing to the need for restoration. In the past, it also suffered from neglect and vandalism. Several keys, including F1, F2, F3, and Y, were once stolen but later replaced thanks to local volunteers. Despite these problems, the monument continues to draw attention and remains one of the most searched public artworks in the country.