On February 13, a monument to Mikhail Zhvanetsky, a satirist and people’s artist of Russia and Ukraine, whose first performance, according to the regional governor, took place many years ago in Rostov-on-Don, appeared in the center of Rostov.

At the event, local officials spoke warmly of Zhvanetsky and discussed how the new landmark should please residents, but so far the installation of the monument has only led to a scandal, reports 161.RU.

Many critics call the satirist a „Russophobe“, although he devoted his whole life to work for the Soviet and Russian public.

At the ceremony, the assistant to the President of Russia Igor Levitin admitted that he was pleased with the opening of a monument to his „compatriot and senior comrade“ in Rostov.

„This says that Zhvanetsky’s hometown Odessa and Rostov have always been and will be friends. There is a certain spirit of freedom in both Odessa and Rostov. Where can you find a city full of fun, talented people? In the last years of his life here in Rostov, he wrote a lot and spoke a lot.

The musician Yevgeny Margulis, who was friends with Zhvanetsky, proposed to create a tradition – comedians would gather at the monument and read their material.

Activists of the National Liberation Movement (NGO) came to the unveiling of Zhvanetsky’s monument. One of them tried to thwart the event, saying that there should not be a „monument of a Russophobe“ in Rostov.

The next day, Zhvanetsky’s opponents attacked the Telegram channels of the head of the Rostov administration Alexei Logvinenko and the governor Vasily Golubev with hundreds of angry comments.

Officials even had to temporarily shut down the discussion, explaining everything as a „bot attack“.

The unveiling of the monument has been criticized by bloggers and publicists who call themselves patriots.

For example, the writer Zakhar Prilepin said that he does not understand why there is a monument to Zhvanetsky in Rostov.

„Sometimes it was even interesting to listen to it, but to read it was impossible and there was no second bottom.“ There is a war in Russia. And in general, what does Rostov have to do with Zhvanetsky, I just don’t understand? Let him have it, of course, since it is already placed,“ allowed Prilepin.

„But what a bad taste reigns among us, fostered by our democracy.“

The point here is not even that Zhvanecki is bad.

Someone likes it and that’s fine.

He had his own style and his own million dollar audience. The point is a kind of grim inappropriateness in the appearance of such monuments.“

According to publicist Kholmogorov, Zhvanetsky’s statements revealed Russophobia, anti-patriotism, hypocrisy and calls for military surrender.

At the same time, the deputy of the State Duma and scholar Anatoly Wasserman, in a comment for the publication „360“, stated that Zhvanetsky is worthy of a monument and does not deserve to be considered a „Russophobe“.

„He spoke for all of us, including many unpleasant things, but also very pleasant and at least useful things.“ So it seems to me that he still deserves a monument. „We have enough intelligence to filter out what’s good and what’s bad in his words,“ the publication quoted Wasserman as saying.

At the February 13 ceremony, Zhvanetsky’s widow emphasized that her husband loved Russia and considered himself Russian, even though he was born in Ukraine.

What was Zhvanecki’s statement that outraged his critics during his lifetime?

We are talking about a quote from Zhvanetsky’s speech in his author’s show „Debt to the Village“, which was broadcast for years on the television channel „Russia 1“.

„My dream is to level where Russia was and build something new.“

Zhvanecki actually said those words in the January 10, 2012 edition.

But if you look at the full quote, different conclusions can be drawn.

In the above excerpt, Zhvanetsky discusses the results of a survey of Russians that shows that the majority of his fellow citizens are generally satisfied with life – this is happening against the background of the economic crisis that has been ongoing since 2008.

Here’s what the designated Russophobic comedian says:

„Seriously though, are we afraid of the crisis? I don’t think so.

We in Russia live all the time from an unbearable life to a very difficult one.

What can scare us so much?

We are so used to crises that this is our normal state.

Why do we [Russians] fight so well in war and give so many sacrifices.

We just get used to war quickly.

Because from this peaceful life to the trenches there is almost no difference!

One step and you’re in the trenches, living pretty much the same way you’ve been.

Maybe even better, because they feed you and you are somehow with people and you have some opportunity to rob something somewhere and somewhere there to sleep with someone unexpectedly…“ – said Zhvanetsky 12 years ago.

„And that’s why our people, those who are fighting, they don’t want to go back, they want to keep doing this.“
And now, it seems to me, my dream is to level the place where Russia was and build something new.“
You see, if the government… can’t lead us, then we shouldn’t let it get in the way…
„Let’s grow up, build a country – a strong Russia, diverse, cheerful,

final theory test