Russian artist celebrates The Beatles' unifying force

Aug 20 2007 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

The Beatles Story at the Albert Dock (240)

A NEW sculpture by Russian artist Nikolay Rogatnev is to be officially unveiled at The Beatles Story at Liverpool’s Albert Dock tomorrow.

The work, says the sculptor, has been created to mark the special relationship between the Beatles and Russia.

During the Cold War, despite official disapproval, Beatles records were collected by Russian fans and the group was much admired.

The work – titled The Music of the Beatles Unites the Earth – is planned to be exhibited in other Beatles-related locations across the world like Hamburg and New York.

The concept for the sculpture was dreamed up by Russian journalist Valentin Bayoukansky who explains: “There were four Beatles and we want to place a sculpture in four different countries to show how the people of the world were united by their wonderful music.

“Liverpool was number one on our list as it is the Beatles’ hometown.”

The sculpture already has the support of the British Embassy in Moscow.

Sian MacLeod, deputy head of mission there, said that Beatles fans were everywhere in Russia.

“It is fitting that the links between our countries should be embodied in the sculpture created by a Russian artist and displayed in the UK.

“For nearly 50 years, the Beatles have symbolised Britain in the eyes of many Russians. I hope the sculpture will serve as a symbol of the friendship between British and Russian people in the 21st Century.”

Jerry Goldman, managing director of The Beatles Story, said the importance of the Beatles to many Russian fans could not be underestimated.

“In the last few years we have seen the number of Russian visitors rise with the introduction of our Russian audio guide.”

Russian cultural journalist Artemy Troitsky explains on the guide that the Beatles started a huge movement in the Soviet Union, “a movement which involved not thousands, or even hundreds of thousands but millions of young people.”

The sculpture will be unveiled at 11am tomorrow morning.