Historian Alexander Krautsevich believes that Belarus is a confrontation between two currents officials – national and pro-Russian. Monument to Alexander Nevsky in Viciebsk – a response to the pro-Russian course of the establishment of the monument Olgerd, which appeared in Viciebsk in 2014.
June 20 Viciebsk erected a monument to Alexander Nevsky and his wife. The sculpture appeared in the Square of the 1000th anniversary of Viciebsk.
Outdoor sculptures, depicting the meeting of Prince with his wife and son, took place on June 24 in the framework of events dedicated to the Day of the city.
The idea to erect a monument to Alexander Nevsky belongs Viciebsk city authorities. In response to protests from Viciebsk residents who say the lack of historical ties between Viciebsk and Russian prince, authorities have come up with an argument. Like, this is not a monument to Alexander Nevsky, a sculpture that embodies family values as the second wife of Alexander Nevsky was Viciebsk Princess Alexandra.
Historian Alexander Krautsevich said in comments that from a historical point of view of Alexander Nevsky is unrelated to the Belarusian land. And the fact that the monument he appeared in Viciebsk, indicates the occurrence of the "Russian world":
"The last decade in Belarus there is a competition and struggle in bureaucratic circles. Wrestle two streams – national, patriotic, through which the same Viciebsk Olgerd a monument, and the second – Russia. Monument to Alexander Nevsky – a response to the pro-Russian part of the elite. And I believe that this response was made under direct pressure from Moscow. The Russian track everything that is done in Belarus, very painfully react to every sign and announcement of the Belarusian language. Therefore, the establishment of the monument – is a manifestation of the onset of the "Russian world"."
The fact that Alexander Nevsky was married to the daughter of the Prince of Polotsk, absolutely not enough to put a monument to him, said Alexander Krautsevich:
"Alexander Nevsky had absolutely nothing to do with the history of Belarus. He was a supporter of the Tatar domination. Now Alexander Nevsky – a symbolic figure of the "Russian world". And the fact that the monument he put in Viciebsk, clearly indicates this. Yes, he was married to the daughter of the Prince of Polotsk. So what? Few married with daughters of our princes. King of Poland, for example. So we do not put a monument to him."
Meanwhile television presenter and winner of Lukashenko "For Spiritual Revival" Vyacheslav Bondarenko in the comment "Black Hundreds" Site "Western Russia" has called the idea of a monument to the discontent Nevsky "silent creeping fascism".
Radio Liberty
