A bronze 8-meter monument to Vasily Shukshin on a hill near the village of Srostki was erected in 2004, 30 years after his death. This huge monument, donated to Shukshin's small homeland by the Moscow sculptor Vyacheslav Klykov for the 75th anniversary of the famous Russian writer, actor and film director, is the most famous landmark of Srostok. Architect Viktor Pasenko designed the sculptural composition on a two-meter pedestal boulder.

The view of the monument from the ascent uphill opens gradually. From a distance it seems that Shukshin is sitting on the top. The pose repeats the last shot from his film "Stove Benches", filmed at the Picket. The figure is facing the village, as if looking down at the fellow countrymen and further - at the panorama of the foothills.

The author of more than 40 monuments to the great people of Russia, Vyacheslav Klykov was not familiar with Shukshin. But since his death, he has created many works dedicated to the writer: busts, sculptures, portraits, four monuments ... “When Shukshin passed away, I took it as a personal tragedy. He was that rare writer who could convey to our society a living word about the Russian people. Vasily Makarovich is a symbol of the Russian people, ”said the sculptor.

Photo by Olga Klein