Meeting the man who sculpted the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Lenin's hometown.

(Baonghean) - MOne day in mid-November 2016, a delegation from Nghe An province arrived in Ulyanovsk (Russian Federation). In late autumn, this city, often praised as a romantic forest city, was in the season of changing leaves. Without the grandeur and hustle of a city, Ulyanovsk possessed a unique, captivating tranquility and serenity.

The people of Ulyanovsk are also very kind-hearted. Ulyanovsk and Nghe An have a deep historical bond, as both are the birthplaces of two great men: Vladimir Ilyich Lenin and President Ho Chi Minh.

During our business trip to Ulyanovsk, our delegation had the opportunity to work with a new and sincere collaborator and friend – the sculptor Oleg Klyuev. In his early forties, tall and with a deep, warm voice, Oleg Klyuev gave those he met a feeling of closeness and trust. Oleg Klyuev is a well-known name in the sculpting world of Russia, specializing in sculpting statues of VI Lenin and many other prominent Russian figures. Therefore, surpassing many other renowned artists, Oleg Klyuev was chosen to sculpt the monument to President Ho Chi Minh, which is planned to be placed in the square named after him in Ulyanovsk.

The monument is a heartfelt aspiration and expression of the steadfast fraternal relationship between Nghe An and Ulyanovsk, as well as the Association of Vietnamese Solidarity in Ulyanovsk. The groundbreaking ceremony for the monument to President Ho Chi Minh took place in June 2015. This trip by the Nghe An delegation, in addition to discussing further cooperation and cultural exchange, also has the crucial purpose of inspecting and reviewing the technical and aesthetic aspects of the statue before casting.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Ulyanovsk. Photo by Vo Hoai Nam.

Sculptor Oleg Klyuev is highly professional in his work. In his cluttered workshop, filled with tools, clay, paint, wooden easels, and other materials, the man with the warm, lively smile who used to share stories about life seems to have vanished, replaced by a strong, thoughtful, and meticulous Oleg Klyuev as he analyzes and presents his ideas for the monument and listens to everyone's suggestions and proposals. Oleg Klyuev says that, although he has directly sculpted statues of many great figures and famous people in various materials, forms, and sizes, he still feels pressured when working on the Ho Chi Minh Monument.

"This is arguably the most special work in my artistic career. It's not just the work of a sculptor; it also embodies my deep respect for President Ho Chi Minh and the heroic Vietnamese people," shared sculptor Oleg Klyuev.

Sculptor Oleg Klyuev (right) converses with the delegation from Nghe An province. Photo: Khanh Tran.

Having never met President Ho Chi Minh, before accepting the job and even after officially starting the project, Oleg Klyuev constantly searched for and collected documents and images about him. In his studio, he hung up numerous photographs of President Ho Chi Minh from various angles; films about the life and career of the great leader of the Vietnamese revolution were meticulously studied and researched by the sculptor from the land of the White Birch.

The Nghe An province also took many photos of the Ho Chi Minh statue models to send to Oleg Klyuev for further reference. Sculpting the statue involved many complex steps, requiring both realism, capturing the essence and simple yet great spirit of the renowned figure, while also ensuring aesthetic and artistic quality. Furthermore, for sculptor Oleg Klyuev, casting a statue of Ho Chi Minh with the distinct features of an East Asian compared to a European was a great challenge for his artistic hands. Those who witnessed Oleg Klyuev's meticulous work were all filled with admiration. Through many long days and sleepless nights, for Oleg Klyuev, the Ho Chi Minh Monument was not simply a pure sculptural work, but contained the heartfelt respect and admiration for the great leader of Vietnam, a country deeply connected to friendship.

After nearly a year and a half of meticulous work and four rounds of feedback and revisions, sculptor Oleg Klyuev has essentially completed the plaster model of the monument, ensuring it meets both aesthetic and technical standards.

“The Ho Chi Minh Monument is a special cultural project in Ulyanovsk, reflecting the friendship between the two countries and two peoples. This sentiment has always motivated and guided me throughout the creative process,” shared Oleg Klyuev. The Ho Chi Minh Monument is planned to be 5 meters tall, cast in pure bronze, and placed on a 3.45-meter-high pedestal. It will be located in the more than 2,000 square meter square named after him, next to Ho Chi Minh Avenue in the Zasniazhsky district of Ulyanovsk. The Ho Chi Minh Square and Monument in Ulyanovsk is scheduled to be inaugurated on the 127th anniversary of his birth (May 19, 2017).

The city of Ulyanovsk lies on the tranquil and picturesque Volga River. Photo: internet

Nghe An province of Vietnam and Ulyanovsk province of Russia are separated by tens of thousands of kilometers, but their friendly relationship is evident in many political, economic, and social fields. Most notably, the images of President Ho Chi Minh and the leader of the Russian October Revolution, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, are present in the consciousness and daily lives of the people of both provinces and countries. Just as Vinh City in Nghe An province – the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh – has an avenue named after Lenin, Ulyanovsk City – the center of Ulyanovsk province – also boasts distinctive Vietnamese landmarks.

And now, the square and monument named after President Ho Chi Minh in the land of the White Birch will be a symbol and a source of faith for the most steadfast and warmest sentiments, not only for thousands of Vietnamese people living and working in Ulyanovsk in particular, and Russia in general, but also for millions of peace-loving people around the world who have the opportunity to visit here.

Nhat Le - Khanh Tran