Zhdushchaya, War memorial in Murmansk, Russia.
Zhdushchaya is a bronze and granite monument standing about 6 meters tall in Murmansk, in northern Russia. The sculpture shows a woman in full height, mounted on a granite base, her gaze directed toward the distance.
The monument was unveiled in 2012, dedicated to those who waited at home during the defense of the Arctic in World War II. Murmansk was one of the few Soviet cities that held out through the entire war without being occupied.
The name Zhdushchaya means "the waiting one" in Russian, which immediately tells visitors what the figure is expressing. The woman stands with her eyes fixed on the horizon, in the direction sailors and soldiers would have come from when returning home.
The monument is located near the center of Murmansk and can be reached on foot from the main streets. Visiting in summer takes advantage of the long daylight hours, but the site is accessible year-round.
Zhdushchaya is one of the few monuments in Russia dedicated specifically to those who stayed behind, rather than to soldiers or fighters. The figure carries no weapon and bears no military symbol, setting it apart from most war memorials in the region.
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