Description of the attraction
On June 12, 2009, a festive opening of the sculpture "The Legend of the Perm Bear" took place on the central street of Perm, timed to coincide with the city's day. Weighing more than 3.5 tons, the bronze "bear" was created by a group of artists under the direction of the monumental sculptor Vladimir Pavlenko by order of the city administration. The symbol of Perm was cast from bronze under the leadership of A. Tyutnev, employees of the Unity Sculptors Foundation of Russia.
The history of the emergence of the Perm bear in the very center of the city, near the Ural Hotel, is connected with the widespread idea of foreigners that bears walk the streets in Russia and there are more of them in the Urals than anywhere else. Now the Permians can safely agree with this statement and will be completely honest, there is one for sure.
The relatively "young" monument has another centuries-old history. On the first coat of arms of the ancient city of Perm, approved by Catherine II herself on July 17, 1783, a silver bear was depicted (savagery of the inhabitants' morals), on the back of which was the gospel and a little higher - a silver cross (enlightenment through Christianity). The bear, as a symbol of the natural resources of the endless Permian land, remained on the coat of arms until 1967, but in 1998 it returned to its place in a more artistic performance.
The sculpture "The Legend of the Perm Bear" from the day of its foundation has become a visiting card of the city, a must-see place for tourists, a big toy for local children and a popular place for newlyweds who get family well-being and happiness by rubbing their already shiny nose.
