Monument to Paratroopers

The sculptural composition presents a collective image of a paratrooper, next to it there is a symbolic parachute dome with the emblem of the Airborne Troops and bas-reliefs of Generals Ivan Lisov and Hero of the Soviet Union Vasily Margelov.

The author of the monument is sculptor Ivan Kazak from Vitebsk. The initial sketch has been finalized according to the comments of art-expert council on a monumental and monumental-decorative art and representatives of elite kinds of armies. The model for the artist was an outfitted soldier.

- The idea of creation of such monument in Vitebsk has been floating around for a long time, because legendary 103rd Guards Airborne Division, which participated in the Great Patriotic War and in the Afghan War, was stationed here for many years, - says Valeryan Matskevich, chairman of regional organization of Belarusian Union of veterans of war in Afghanistan. - The unveiling of the sculptural complex is timed to coincide with the anniversary of memory of our countryman Ivan Lisov, whom Vasily Margelov called his right hand, and with the 110th anniversary of the famous commander of the airborne forces. It also became a good gift for paratroopers on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the 75th anniversary of the 103rd separate airborne brigade.