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Dismantled statue of ruler of Russian possessions in Alaska exhibited in museum

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Dismantled statue of ruler of Russian possessions in Alaska exhibited in museum


17.03.2021

Photo credit: Harvey Barrison / commons.wikimedia.org (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

The sculpture by Alexander Baranov, who led the Russian settlements in the territory of the modern United States at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, is included in the permanent exhibition of the Historical Museum in the city of Sitka. Previously, the monument stood in the historical center of the city, but was dismantled at the request of an initiative group of local residents, TASS reports.

The museum said that they are satisfied with the appearance of the exposition after the placement of the monument to Alexander Baranov. The institution expressed confidence that the number of visitors will increase after the opening ceremony of the renewed exposition.

The statue was installed in 1989 in the center of Sitka, which until 1867 was called Novo-Arkhangelsk and was the capital of Russian settlements in North America. Last summer, a group of residents of the city demanded to remove the monument to a person whose activities allegedly could offend the feelings of the indigenous peoples of the region.

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov expressed regret over the decision of the local authorities of Sitka, noting the indisputable positive role that Baranov played in the history of Alaska. Under his leadership, over 200 settlements appeared, many of which still exist today.

The decision of the Sitka authorities upset and surprised Russian compatriots living in the United States. In their opinion, such steps are taken only after a comprehensive discussion, but this decision was made "suddenly". The Coordinating Council of organizations of Russian compatriots recalled that they collected twice as many signatures for the preservation of the statue than the supporters of its dismantling.

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