October 27, 2021

A Mustachioed Medusa


A Mustachioed Medusa
Aw come on, he's not that scary Zoomstreetart on Instagram

It took less than a day for a glorious new sculpture with the likeness of Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, to be demolished.

On October 22, artist Zoomstreetart placed his creation, titled “Evil is Near,” on the façade of a St. Petersburg building. The work adheres to a Medusa theme down to a mustache of snakes adorning the gorgon’s vampiric grimace. The artist spared no detail, making sure to emphasize the tired leader’s hefty pair of under-eye bags.

However, as the administration of the Central District of the Northern Capital has confirmed, city workers demolished the bas-relief the same night it was placed.

In an interview with Russian online news outlet Gazeta.ru, Zoomstreetart said he thought things might end this way. “That they would remove it was expected, but that they blew it up so quickly was a little surprising. Well fine, the charm of street art is in its transience. I don’t plan new Lukashenko work, at least not in the near future. I had an idea, actualized it, and it resounded. Period.”

Fans of the artwork, we hope you won’t be too disappointed that this may even be Lukashenko-Gorgon’s last-ever iteration. Zoomstreetart has also declared he will not be devoting his career to a "petty dictator."

 

You Might Also Like

Belarusan Election
  • May 01, 2006

Belarusan Election

On March 19, according to official data, current Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko was reelected with 82% of the popular vote. But many voters disagreed with these results.
Skiing Buddies
  • February 24, 2021

Skiing Buddies

“I hope we will be able to spend a little time together, relax after today's working hours. I would like to invite you to go skiing.” – Another productive meeting this week with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko on February 22nd. The pair discussed their work together on the energy sector of Belarus, Putin particularly noting Lukashenko’s support for the country’s nuclear power plant. He followed up with an invite to ski.
Why Didn't We Think Of That?
  • January 13, 2021

Why Didn't We Think Of That?

“If you don't like the current president, only elections can solve the issue.” – President Alexander Lukashenko, of the former Soviet state Belarus, known for having rigged elections last year to continue his run since 1995, among other things.
Party Like It's Belarus
  • January 06, 2021

Party Like It's Belarus

The president of Russia's neighbor Belarus ended 2020 the same way he started it: in denial over the coronavirus pandemic.
Chocolate, Chichikov, and Chivalry
  • September 03, 2020

Chocolate, Chichikov, and Chivalry

This week, Lukashenko turns action hero; chocolate is serious business; and a classic Russian author is proven to be right all along.
Leaders Say the Darndest Things
  • August 19, 2020

Leaders Say the Darndest Things

“Thank you, I have said everything. You can shout 'Leave'.” – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in response to workers at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant
Ever-Resilient Lukashenko
  • August 03, 2020

Ever-Resilient Lukashenko

The President of Russia's neighboring Belarus says he had coronavirus, but even that didn't keep him down.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.
Steppe / Степь

Steppe / Степь

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.
Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar

The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar

The fables of Ivan Krylov are rich fonts of Russian cultural wisdom and experience – reading and understanding them is vital to grasping the Russian worldview. This new edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations by Lydia Razran Stone are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
The Latchkey Murders

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...
22 Russian Crosswords

22 Russian Crosswords

Test your knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and society with these 22 challenging puzzles taken from the pages of Russian Life magazine. Most all the clues are in English, but you must fill in the answers in Russian. If you get stumped, of course all the puzzles have answers printed at the back of the book.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
PO Box 567
Montpelier VT 05601-0567

802-223-4955