Friendship of Nations Fountain (Druzhba Narodov)

One of the most stunning discoveries for those who visit Russia is the extraordinary Friendship of Nations Fountain, a display of 16 statutes that represent the former member nations of the of former Soviet Union: Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Latvia, Tajikistan, Estonia, Turkmenistan, Moldavia, Georgia, Kirghizstan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The 16th country, Karelo-Finnish SSR, was incorporated back into Russia in 1956. The main objective of the fountain was to present the idea of national identity to the Soviet people and the world.

Also known as the People's Friendship Fountain, it is located in the plaza near the Russia Exhibition Centre. The fountain was constructed in 1950s by sculptors Z. Bazhenova, L. Bazhenova, Z. Ryleeva, I. Tchaikova, and A. Teneta. Each bronze and gold-plated maiden features a female wearing the national dress of their country.

The figures majestically form a circle around a wheat sheaf made of gold-plated copper sheet. The bowl that encircles the monument is made of red granite and is powered by eight pumps that process thousands of liters of water. Eight hundred jets that spray water ensure stunning and ever-changing displays of beauty. Nonetheless stunning, this statue evokes memories of an era long gone, but not forgotten.