Topic: Maria Alexandrovna
The Finnish city of Mariehamn is to receive a statue of the Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of the Emperor Alexander II later this year. The statue is a gift from Russia in honour of the city's 150th anniversary.
The two-metre bronze sculpture set on a pedestal of red granite, depicts the empress in a ball gown, and will erected in the heart of the capital of the Aland Islands, an autonomous territory of Finland. The statue, designed by the Russian sculptor, Andrey Kovalchuk, will travel from Moscow to St. Petersburg , and then by ferry to Finland. The opening ceremony will take place in November and include an extensive program of activities, including a concernt by members of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
Empress Maria Alexandrovna, born Princess Maria of Hesse and by Rhine, was patroness to schools for girls, as well as the founder of the Russian Red Cross. Several cities were named in her honour across the Russian Empire, including Mariehamn.
© Royal Russia. 21 October, 2011
Updated: Friday, 21 October 2011 9:00 PM EDT
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