Let's remember Slavic mythology
It was Slavic mythology that gave us this character. If you turn to it, you can glean a lot of interesting details. For example, about Kota-Bayun. Remembering him, we imagine a purring cat cooing on the stove in company with a saucer of delicious milk.
In reality, it was about a cannibal cat, whose soft, sweet voice bewitched its victims. There are versions that he lives with Baba Yaga, his menu consists of bones, which she throws into the underground at the end of the meal. Seeing the cat coming out to dinner, the granny herself quickly runs away so as not to act as an addition. This same cat transports the dead to the other world. Fortunately, having made friends with him, you don’t have to worry about fairy tales: they will put you to sleep with good intentions, and the sick, listening to them, begin to recover. For numerous descendants of Bayun, one of the main responsibilities is to protect the children sleeping peacefully in their cribs.
Often cats were the personification of the brownie. Animals guarded the home and drove away evil spirits. Therefore, the sculpture can rightfully be considered the patroness of the capital.
By the way, the name of the famous folklore character was pronounced by the Slavs emotionally and reflected a diverse range of feelings. Today, such an exclamation in speech replaces obscene expressions. After all, not everyone, due to their upbringing, can use strong expressions.
Monument to Yoshka's cat in Yoshkar-Ola
There are many popular cats in the world, and with the advent of the Internet there are more and more of them every day. But on the territory of Russia, the most popular is... Yoshkin the cat, to whom they even erected a monument of the same name in the city of Yoshkar-Ola. Although according to the rules of the mighty Russian language it is correct to write “yoshkin cat”, the name of the monument created by Sergei Yandubaev, Anatoly Shirnin and Alexei Shilov plays on the name of the city of Yoshkar-Ola.
If you turn to Slavic mythology, from which Yoshkin the cat came to us, you can learn a lot of interesting things. For example, the fact that this is Kot-Bayun, at the mention of which we imagine a purring cat cooing on the stove with a saucer of milk. In fact, the original Bayun Cat was a character more in the style of the Brothers Grimm than Walt Disney - a man-eating cat who bewitches his victims with a soft, sweet voice, telling them fairy tales. According to some versions, she lives with Baba Yaga and feeds on bones, which she throws into the underground after her own cannibalistic meal, and when the cat goes out to dinner, the grandmother herself flies away in her mortar so as not to become an addition. He also takes the dead to another world. But if you make friends with him, then his fairy tales put you to sleep with good intentions, and the patient, having listened to them, recovers. And numerous descendants of Bayun protect the children who sleep peacefully in their cribs.
However, Yoshkin the cat does not at all bear the Gothic imprints of Slavic mythology - the cat sitting on the rugs with a satisfied grin raised his hind paw, either resting or about to lick what every decent cat should have that shines. But this cat has shiny paws and a nose, which every local resident or tourist strives to rub, as they say, for good luck.
Yoshkin’s cat is cute thanks to his peculiar cunning face, which looks “like the neighbor’s Vaska” - and indeed, the prototype of Yoshkin’s cat was someone’s red-haired robber. Yoshkin the cat, however, has grown considerably plumper compared to the prototype - the weight of the bronze sculpture is 150 kilograms. By the way, this is a gift from a Moscow philanthropist to the city.
Now Yoshkin Kot is one of the most popular brands in Yoshkar-Ola, has its own cafe named after it, and appears on many souvenirs. Of course, this cat doesn’t talk, but the fact that every year more and more people come here to be imprinted against the background of Yoshkin’s cat indicates that he still has some kind of magical power, just like all cats.
Anastasia Berseneva Lover of cats and cats - Ksenia Vilchinskaya
Yoshkin the cat: description of the monument
So, what do we see when we find ourselves directly in the central part of the city of Yoshkar-Ola? A rather well-fed cat, lounging on a bench in one of the city squares, namely in the square near the state university.
Any city dweller can easily tell you the address of “Yoshkina Kot”. The sculpture is made of bronze and weighs 150 kilograms. By the way, the bench on which our hero sits is also bronze. He sits on a newspaper with cast inscriptions. From one of them we learn the name of the sculptural character, the other explains that the monument was donated to the city. It turns out that Moscow businessmen did not skimp on such an unusual gift. The date of installation of the sculpture is June 2011.
This monument is a symbol of the letter “Yo”, consonant with the sound “yo”. After all, it is he who stands at the beginning of the name of the capital city. At the same time, the cat image corresponds to the stable phrase “yoshkin cat.” In everyday life, townspeople often call their city by the abbreviated name Yoshka (this name was fixed approximately in the 80s of the last century). This is how “Yoshkin the Cat” appeared - a monument beloved by the townspeople.
Where does the mysterious Yoshkin cat live?
Yoshkin cat is a phrase that has become a kind of conspiracy for modern people. From what, you ask. From two, three or more floor mats.
- Will you tell? “The young father pulled out a small watermelon and placed it in the outstretched hands of a boy of about five. “Come on, just be careful, don’t rush.”
The boy nodded his head and slowly moved towards the entrance.
“Wait for us,” the young man pulled out the bags, then helped his pregnant wife out of the car. The boy stood at the entrance, biting his lip with zeal.
The man took the bags and headed towards the house with his wife. Already climbing the steps, they heard: pi-pi-pi
The door opened from the inside and the boys rolled out of the entrance head over heels.
The boy took a step back in surprise. The watermelon could not resist in the children's hands and, beautifully with a characteristic sound, hit the boy's knee, and then the ground.
The boy froze with his arms outstretched and his mouth rounded.
- Yes... Yoshkin the cat, - The head of the family, holding the open door with his fifth point, put the bags, - Where does it hurt?
He pulled his son towards him, whose eyes were quickly forming huge emeralds from tears.
Then he pulled his wife towards him and let her go forward.
- Well, what are you doing? - He raised his son’s chin, - This is fortunate. To great, sweet, delicious happiness. Your mother whispered to me just now.
He winked discreetly at his wife. She fanned herself with a newspaper, apparently not feeling very well.
“Exactly,” the woman imperceptibly grimaced, apparently her lower back responded with every movement, “the watermelon beats for happiness.” But only if once a year. Only one, you know?
She pressed the elevator button
Yoshkin cat
What kind of creature is this that we remember him when emotions flow like a fountain. When you want to speak out brightly and colorfully, but circumstances do not allow it.
We can say that Yoshkin’s cat is a kind of amulet, however, like the Christmas tree-sticks, like the vigorous matron, like the Japanese mother, like the pancake, and the Russian people came up with a lot of other things so as not to switch to obscene slang.
So what kind of cat is this that can keep our tongue under control? It turns out that there was such a cat. He lived with Baba Yaga in a house on the edge of the forest. And he was called that because the owner’s name was Yaga, in a kind, family way, just Ezhka.
That's why the cat was a yoshkin, and later for ease of pronunciation it became a yoshkin.
But we all know for sure that calling this particular cat relieves tension, takes swear words far from weak ears, and in general it has only one benefit, it relieves unnecessary emotions.
So to speak, fast-acting novopassit.
And we can even guess why. Can you imagine how much he had to listen to during his entire long life with his grandmother? Yes, and I learned a lot. Therefore, yes, Yoshkin’s cat will help you.
A man and a boy were collecting a broken watermelon in a bag.
“Here, pick up some more bones,” Father picked up the last piece and put it in a bag, “Here, take it to the trash.” I'll wait here for you. And then we’ll go buy a new one, this one probably wasn’t very tasty. I'll tell you a secret, tasteless watermelons are very fragile.
New traditions
“Yoshkin cat” is a unique symbol of modern Yoshkar-Ola. Residents and guests of the city love to take photos next to it. Various signs also appeared: for example, by rubbing a cat’s bronze nose, you can count on good luck.
Any student is well aware of where “Yoshkin Kot” is located. After all, he became the mascot of the student fraternity and the object of student rituals, especially when it comes to the session. According to legend, by rubbing an animal's nose, you can count on successfully passing the exam. After defending your diploma, you should again approach the sculpture and stroke its nose.
By the way, today there are five cat-themed sculptural compositions in the city, and the name “Yoshkin the Cat” has been patented by officials as the city’s signature brand.
Sculpture address: pl. Lenina, house 1.
Sculpture “Yoshkin cat” (Yoshkar-Ola, Russia)
Yoshkar-Ola is located very close to my hometown, I go there, if not often, then regularly. I really like the city, it is unusual, original, its aura is amazing, I don’t want to leave Yoshkar-Ola, it’s nice to walk around it. In addition, its historical center is very impressive, there are many sights and interesting places, I’ll tell you about one of these now - this is the sculpture “Yoshkin the Cat”, or as the residents of Yoshkar-Ola say and write - “Yoshkin the Cat”.
Where is the sculpture located in Yoshkar-Ola
Finding a cat won't be difficult at all. I was guided around the Mari State University, I calmly walked to it along Obolensky-Nogotkov Square, the Tsar Cannon could also serve as a landmark along the way. You can get to the monument from completely different parts of the city. It is more convenient to do this by taxi, and if this is not possible, then public transport is at your service - bus 2 (gets off at the Teatralnaya stop), trolleybuses 2 and 8, minibuses 16, 18, 34 (Opera Theater stop).
What is the Yoshkin Kot monument?
When I saw this sculpture, I almost collapsed laughing. Of course, I have seen many funny monuments and sculptures in my life, but this is something special. The authors of the masterpiece, of course, tried their best. It seems to me that even the saddest and most upset person, passing by this cat, will certainly smile.
Imagine - there’s a bench standing there, and a very well-fed cat is lounging imposingly on it, basking in the sun, exposing its face to its rays, crossing its legs. Just an example of cat impudence and imposingness.
I sat down next to him, sat, it was even somehow awkward to disturb the peace of this cat, although I was well aware that “he is a monument.” It felt like I had invaded his peaceful cat life with my ambitious desire to be photographed in front of him.
Of course, the cat is good, sleek, huge, somewhat reminiscent of the Hippopotamus from The Master and Margarita. He also makes it clear with all his appearance that he is very contemptuous of humanity, spoiled by the “housing issue.”
Traditions associated with “Yoshkin’s cat”
While I was sitting on a bench next to the cat, which had already become a symbol of Yoshkar-Ola, several passers-by told me to rub his nose. Of course, in many cities such funny sculptures have acquired a lot of traditions. Yoshkin the cat was no exception. They say that if you rub his nose or paws and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Naturally, I couldn’t resist, and wished for all the most cherished things, rubbed the cat’s nose and paw until it shined, and I’m sitting here now, waiting for all this to start coming true. I strictly believe in the magic of the cat, it’s not for nothing that he was invented, created and planted right in the center of Yoshkar-Ola.
Of course, I would hardly go to this cat purposefully and on purpose, but since he sits in a very convenient place - right in the center of the city, it is virtually impossible to pass by him, especially for tourists, since it is in this place in Yoshkar that Ola has the largest number of attractions.
And I was also surprised by the fact that when I walked away from Yoshka’s cat, a few meters away from him I came across Yoshka’s cat - an equally cunning, albeit more graceful, person. It seems to me that these two felines are simply two parts of one composition.
In general, placing a cat near the university - one of the most traveled places in the city - is an excellent solution. A wonderful cat lifts your spirits and gives the city some extraordinary charm. I couldn’t resist and bought myself a couple of souvenirs and magnets with a picture of Yoshkin’s cat. May it now decorate my home and bring me good luck.
