The Monument of Courage - Tashkent
The Monument of Courage is a reminder to the residents of Tashkent about what happened on April 26, 1966. On this day, early in the morning, the townspeople were awakened by a noise emanating directly from the bowels of the earth. Tremors of destructive force shook the earth, and a glow blazed in the sky, as from lightning. Frightened people saw how the unstoppable elements destroy their shelter, and they hurriedly left their apartments and houses and then lived in tents for several days. Over a thousand earthquakes shook Tashkent.
Citizens living in a seismically active zone are accustomed to intermittent shocks, but this time it was different. The magnitude of the earthquake was 8.3 on the Richter scale. Most of the houses in Tashkent were turned into ruins. The epicenter was located in the very center of the city. More than 2 million sq.m. were destroyed. living area.
People were united by a common misfortune, and they steadfastly survived the elements. The townspeople supported each other with all their might, provided assistance to those who suffered more than the others, did not succumb to panic and did not become embittered. During that period of time, while the elements raged, not a single attempt of looting was recorded.
Destroyed Tashkent was rebuilt "by the whole world". Specialists from all the republics of the USSR helped in the reconstruction of the city. They arrived by train, brought with them the necessary building materials and equipment. For three years of common efforts, Tashkent was returned to its former beauty, and this is how it looks today. However, the terrible tragedy cannot be forgotten. 10 years after the earthquake, on the site of the most terrible destruction, a Monument was erected, which was called "Courage". He personifies the courage and resilience of people who survived the elements.
The "heart" of the monument is a cube made of black labradorite. It stands on a granite pedestal, on one of its parts the date of the incident is engraved - April 26, 1966, and on the other - a clock, the dial hands of which show the exact time when the earthquake began - at 5 hours 24 minutes. The cube is divided into two parts by a zigzag crack, symbolizing the split of the earthly stronghold and going to the pedestal of a bronze sculptural composition depicting a family that witnessed the elements. A woman presses her child to her body with one hand, and her other hand tries to fence herself off from trouble. The head of the family protects his relatives. The husband stands in front of his wife and child, blocking the family, preparing to protect them at any moment. Paths diverge from the pedestal and lead to the steles that crown the composition. Bas-reliefs placed in a semicircle serve as a background for the monumental composition. They talk about how the city was rebuilt from ruins. If you get closer, you can see the images of people building houses of the city, including architects, builders, military men and just ordinary residents.
Today, the Courage Monument is visited by a lot of people. It is customary to make appointments and dates near the monument, young people who get married lay flowers, young people have chosen this place for roller skating and skateboarding, and parents with children walk in the park located behind the monument.
