Hirvi, Bronze statue in Lenin Park, Vyborg, Russia
Hirvi is a bronze statue of a moose in a standing posture, created by Finnish sculptor Jussi Mäntynen for Lenin Park. The work is cast in solid bronze and depicts the animal in an alert, natural stance typical of the species.
The statue was installed in 1923 during a period of major transformation as Soviet authority took hold in the region. This timing makes it one of the oldest surviving public artworks from the early Soviet era in Vyborg.
The bronze moose was created by a Finnish artist and reflects the artistic traditions shared between the cultures that shaped Vyborg for centuries. Visitors can see in this work how regional identity draws from multiple influences.
The statue sits in Lenin Park and can be reached easily via the main pathways, accessible from different park entrances. The setting is open and walkable throughout the year, with the park paths generally kept in good condition.
Sculptor Jussi Mäntynen was a leading Finnish artist of his era, and this bronze was created during a moment when Finnish and Soviet cultural ties were beginning to form. The work demonstrates how artistic connections crossed borders even as political tensions grew between the nations.
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