Academician Igor V. Kurchatov was an outstanding Soviet scientist who became famous in the field of nuclear energy. Often he is called the "father of the atomic bomb." It is safe to say that Kurchatov erected a monument to himself during his life with his own achievements and hard scientific work. With such worldwide fame and recognition, it is not surprising that sculptures and monuments to the scientist were erected in many cities of the former USSR. Which monuments are the most original and interesting?
Sculptural composition in Chelyabinsk
Kurchatov Igor Vasilievich was born in the
Chelyabinsk region in 1903. It is not surprising that after the death of the famous fellow countryman, the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chelyabinsk Petr Sumin set about organizing the installation of a memorial dedicated to him. Kurchatov was a great man, they decided to make the monument appropriate - of impressive size and interesting. The grand opening of the sculptural composition was timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the city. The figure of Kurchatov, 6.4 meters high, stands on a pedestal (the total height of the statue is 11 meters), and two pylons (columns) are installed on each side - each 27 meters high. The lateral elements are completely symmetrical; hemispheres symbolizing a split atom are located on them. This is incredible, but the sculptural composition, opened in 1986, was equipped with spotlights. However, due to imperfections in the design, they did not work long.
Chelyabinsk Kurchatov (monument near SUSU) today
To date, the monument erected in the homeland of the physicist is considered one of the most interesting among all the sculptures dedicated to Igor Vasilievich. In 2006, a restoration was carried out. And now the sculptural composition is highlighted in the evening, and on holidays the atom itself also shines. A popular question among visitors: where is the monument to Kurchatov in Chelyabinsk? In fact, finding him is not easy. The sculptural composition is located near the South Ural State University, at the intersection of Lesoparkovaya Street and Lenin Avenue. The exact address of the attraction: Lenin Avenue, 89. If you decide to visit the monument to Kurchatov (Chelyabinsk) you will not be able to take a memory photo on any day. Keep in mind that the attraction is located on the campus, young people always gather here, many roller skate and skateboards. And very soon, right in front of the monument there will be an equipped platform for practicing extreme street sports.
Monument to the "father of the atomic bomb" in Moscow
The capital of Russia has its own monument to Kurchatov. It is located near the Scientific Center "Kurchatov Institute", in the square named after the academician. The monument looks original, as it depicts the scientist’s huge head mounted on a pedestal. The monument was created in 1971, and even then many criticized the sculpture. However, many people like this monument. One version: the image of a huge head symbolizes a clear non-standard mind and genius - qualities that Kurchatov undoubtedly possessed. The monument, as well as its counterpart in Chelyabinsk, is very popular among young people. Near him, almost daily, urban street sports enthusiasts and ordinary students gather to see the tricks performed by friends and just chat.
Monuments to the academician in other cities
In fact, the monuments of I.V. Kurchatov in the vastness of our country is quite a lot. The sculptures look different. Some depict the academician in height, others in a sitting pose, there are also busts. In the Chelyabinsk region, you can see the great scientist not only near SUSU, but also in the cities of Ozersk and Sime. Kurchatov’s monuments are also decorated with such cities as Dubna (Moscow region), Snezhinsk, Obninsk (Kaluga region), Kurchatov (Kursk region) and Volgodonsk. There is a monument to the academician in Ukraine, in the city of Yuzhnoukrainsk
(Nikolaev region).How else is the memory of Kurchatov immortalized in our country?
The contribution of a brilliant scientist to Soviet science is difficult to overestimate. In honor of Kurchatov, the name received many settlements, streets and squares. But that is not all. Today, No. 104 is included in the periodic table of chemical elements - originally called “kurchatovy” by Soviet scientists. The name of the academician is also a
small planet - an asteroid. Do not forget that the monument to Kurchatov in Moscow is installed on the square of the same name in front of a large scientific center - the Kurchatov Institute. In honor of the scientist, a secondary school in the capital and a nuclear power station are also named. A special medal for outstanding research in the field of nuclear physics, named after Kurchatov, was awarded to the laureates of the Russian Academy of Sciences today. By the centenary of the scientist, the Bank of Russia issued a 2 ruble commemorative coin dedicated to the memory of an outstanding figure and decorated with his portrait.