A new sculpture will replace the statue of the prince in the center of Tomsk.
Rewritten Article
The Cinderella Prince Sculpture is temporarily vacating its spot on Tomsk's central thoroughfare and moving into the courtyard of the Governor's College of Culture, as it needs some TLC; no plans are in the works to return it to its original location, revealed Valentin Zhelezchikov, head of the college on Monday.
Previously reported, this metallic work of art featuring the Prince from the fairy tale "Cinderella" graced the front steps of the Governor's College of Culture in the heart of Tomsk in the autumn of 2019. The star of the composition is the Prince statue, who hands out a glass slipper. The sculptor behind this masterpiece is local blacksmith Vladimir Kudryashov. Originally, the sculpture made its debut at the "Praize of the Hammer" craftsmen's festival.
"This Prince statue - it was all part of a tale... Now it's out back at the college, needing restoration, and there's no money for it. It'll find a new spot eventually. Where exactly - we'll figure it out," said Zhlezchikov.
He explained that the dismantled sculpture belongs to the college and is due for an update, as "[t]ime has come."
"But this spot will eventually host another statue, a vase filled with flowers, or something else... This is the city center, so the city commission will decide. The city hall will decide on the new bus shelter, and we'll make a collective decision about what to place there. (The decision won't be made this year)," added the source to the agency.
In addition, it was reported that in 2021, a temporary "anti-vandal" shelter appeared at the "CUm" stop (near the college of culture). Its minimalist design sparked discussions among Tomsk residents on social media, prompting the city to plan on replacing the shelter with a more suitable cast-iron one by the end of the year. In the plans for replacing shelters by 2025, the "CUm" stop is not included.
The restored Prince sculpture, originally a symbol of the Governor's College of Culture and outdoor-living Landmark, might find a new home within the college's home-and-garden, as the city's commission deliberates on a suitable replacement for the current vacant bus shelter. City plans hint at an upgrade for the "CUm" stop in 2025, while the college's courtyard embraces the temporary outdoor living of the refurbished prince.
