Monument to Athos in Yaroslavl is not easy to find, despite the fact that it is installed in the city center. In a quiet courtyard, near the cafe "Afonya", two heroes of the comedy George Danelia, a plumber and a plasterer, are talking about the meaning of life. Their presence here is so natural that regulars have long considered them “for their own” and do not pay attention to the protracted conversation of men. Tourists will have to walk around the yards in search of the Athos monument in Yaroslavl.
About the filming of comedy
In 1975, the film was released, which became the undisputed leader of the rental. The audience went to the cinema several times to laugh heartily, philosophize and be sad with the heroes of the comedy G. Danelia. The Yaroslavl people joyfully recognized familiar places on the big screen: Kotoroslnaya Embankment, the monument to Volkov, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, the film was shot for a long time in their hometown.
On the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of Yaroslavl, a great deal of improvement work was carried out here, many new, interesting objects and sights appeared. Yaroslavl was asked the question: “Which of the movie heroes would they most call their fellow countryman?” The majority was named the cheerful and sincere plumber Afonya, whose monument in Yaroslavl was erected with funds raised by the council of patrons and local residents.
About the monument
The author of the sculptural composition is Yaroslavl Alexei Korshunov. He portrayed the heroes of the film at the time of their first meeting, when at the exit from the cafe they found out an important question for everyone: “When is a person happy with his life from a philosophical point of view?”
The easily recognizable faces of the beloved artists Leonid Vyacheslavovich Kuravlev and Evgeny Pavlovich Leonov, who brilliantly played the plumber Afonya and the plasterer Kolya, as if inviting others to take part in solving this important issue for humanity. Obviously, for the convenience of those who wish, the pedestal of the composition is made low, only one step.
The photos next to the Athos monument in Yaroslavl are quite lively and very funny. A cat sits on the roof of the cafe, staring curiously at a hoppy couple. The composition is decorated with a street plate-clock, which in Soviet times, a lot hung on poles. On the wall of the house behind the glass is a newspaper with a note about the work of the film crew in Yaroslavl.
In the corner of the newspaper sheet are autographs of the director and actors. Leonid Vyacheslavovich, who repeatedly came to Yaroslavl, also went to a cafe named after his hero.
About cafe “Afonya”
This colorful institution, near which a monument to Athos and the plasterer Kola is installed in Yaroslavl, not everyone will like it. Only those visitors who remember similar Soviet-era pubs can truly appreciate its appeal.
Wooden tables with immortal quotes carved on them: “Drive the ruble, relative!”, “The toasted drink to the bottom!” etc. are served in half-liter thick-walled circles. Here they only drink beer while standing. There are napkins, but in faceted glasses, the barmaid works in white starchy tattoos on her head, a roach is offered for beer. There is no choice of beer, everyone is content, as expected, with one grade.
In addition, on the TV set in the hall, the movie "Afonya" is constantly on, which allows you to completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Soviet pastime.
Finding this quiet courtyard in the center of Yaroslavl, where the Athos monument stands next to the cafe of the same name, is not easy. Address of the institution: 21a Nakhimsona Street. It is not far from the famous Strelka, in the back of the courtyards.