A statue of Peter the Great defines the entrance of the Veerhaven on the Westerkade in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Providing an identity to the area, it highlights how a simple monument can enable connections with spaces and entire communities.
A Gift to the City of Rotterdam
Presented as a gift from the Russian Federation to the city of Rotterdam in 1997, the statue depicts a larger-than-life Peter the Great, who ruled Russia in the 1700s and is recognized as one of the country’s greatest leaders. His legacy is one that spans a variety of cultures and regions, which the statue represents on multiple levels.
The Russian sculptor Leonid Baranov created the piece. He studied in Moscow at the art academy in the 1960s which focused on showcqasing the glory of Russian heroes and history, which is a theme that is reflected in the piece.
The statue shows Peter the Great looking out and onto the water, allowing audiences to interact with the piece and space in multiple ways. Audiences can walk right up to the piece to take in details related to the dress and posture of the statue.
These interactions have changed what would otherwise just be an open green space into a location that has a very distinct identity. The statue of Peter the Great has connected audiences in a way that has cultivated interaction across the space, benefitting individuals and the collective community.
From Legacy to Identity
Providing an incredible look at downtown Rotterdam, the space on the Westerkade would be a major hub of activity regardless of what was placed in it. The statue of Peter the Great highlights how such connections can be taken to another level by cultivating an identity that audiences of all types can connect and engage with.
