A Monument to the Latvian Arts Figure Unveiled in Moscow

The unveiling took place in the year marking the 90th anniversary of the dancer, People's Artist of the USSR, and Lenin Prize laureate. The anniversary of his birth was celebrated on July 27. The ceremony was attended by the artist's children, Andris and Ilze Liepa. The author of the work is Alexander Rukavishnikov. Rukavishnikov depicted Liepa in full growth, in the costume of the Roman general Crassus from Aram Khachaturian's ballet "Spartacus." The sculptor chose a moment of rest after the performance. The composition transports the viewer to a theatrical dressing room: next to the artist are two small ballerinas with a basket of roses. The work uses bronze, granite, and steel, reminiscent of theatrical mirrors. On the steel plate is the inscription "Maris Liepa — a legend of domestic ballet." For the Liepa family, the calm, human character of the composition was significant. Ilze Liepa recounted that her father is captured as if he has just come off stage: he remains in the costume of his famous role but looks soft and relaxed, watching the girls with flowers. It is noteworthy that a monument to Maris Liepa was previously unveiled in Riga.