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

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

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.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

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 Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

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.

 
A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

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
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955