Great Kiev Prince Yaroslav the Wise
Some years ago the name of Kiev’s Great Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Ukr. – Yaroslav Mudryi) (978-1054) was among the first leading group of ten of the most famous people that were born in Ukraine. It is a rather disputable question if the lands of the Kievan Rus, could be called “Ukraine” in the 11th century but at any way this appraisal reflects the recognition of his role in our history as an “architect of the country”.
Famous sculptor Ivan Kavaleridze: first project “master”
The monument was erected in May 1997 during the regular celebration of the Day of Kiev. The original project (1958) was made by the famous architect, sculptor and film director Ivan Kavaleridze (1887-1978) in a shape of a small ink-pot. In spite the fact that this massive bronze statue has little resemblance to its original different projects, the monument looks impressive and its location is very symbolic: it stands near the Golden Gate and the Prince holds a model of St. Sophia Cathedral, both these architectural gems were constructed during his reign and under his personal supervision. The name of Prince Yaroslav in old Slavic language is engraved on a big rubble stone that stands near the monument. Yaroslav was the third son of Kiev’s Great Prince Vladimir; he got from his father the right to govern the lands of Rostov (from ca 988) and Novgorod the Great (from 1010). The relations with his father and other brothers were not simple, he always dreamed to get Kiev’s throne. After the death of Vladimir in 1015 he began his difficult way to Kiev full of numerous intrigues and military clashes. Yaroslav was more a book-lover than a warrior, he was a good strategist and diplomat, these personal merits my have helped him to keep the throne for thirty-seven years (1019-1054) - more than any other ancient Rus leader. During his reign the Kievan Rus state reached the peak of administrative, economic, diplomatic and cultural development.
Yaroslav the Wise one of the greatest prince of Kievan Rus
Among the greatest achievements of Prince Yaroslav we can name the following: he greatly enlarged the territory of the Kievan Rus state; he strengthened the international role of the state through his and his children’s dynastic unions; European monarchs Olaf II, Haralson and Harold III of Norway and Edmund II Ironsides of England sought asylum at Yaroslav’s court; he concluded alliances with Emperors Henry II, Conrad II, and Henry III; he initiated the first schools, library and chronicle-compiling centre; he initiated the first collection of laws known under the name of “Pravda Yaroslava” (Yaroslav's Justice) that consisted of 18 articles that defined the liability of the citizens; during his reign the influence of the Varagians that had been very powerful was limited exclusively to the military spheres; he promoted the development of Christianity and he supported the election of Hillari as Kiev Metropolitan – the first Slavic one, in 2004, the Orthodox Church’s Moscow Patriarchate proclaimed him a saint.. Yaroslav lived a long life and died at the height of his fame and power, he well deserved his nick-name “wise. Unfortunately after his death his sons did not follow his testament to live in peace and to ensure the unity of the state and soon the disintegration of the Kievan Rus began that led to the Tatar-Mongol invasion in 1240 and in hundred years of Lithuanian and Polish dominations..
