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Shamil
The sculpture in front of you was dedicated on July 2, 1992. This abstract sculpture was given to Spokane by our former sister city.
Makhachkala, Russia. The sculpture represents Shamil, a political and religious leader of the Northern Caucasus. He was a leader of anti-Russian resistance in the Caucasian War and was the third Imam of the Caucasian Imamate in the mid 1800's. Shamil fought for the freedom of his people against the Russian Czars.
The two sister cities swapped sculptures the summer of 1992. A totem pole, created by the great Northwest artist Harold Balazs, was gifted to Makhachkala. In return, the hammered copper sculpture of Shamil, by Anatoli Abgudaev, was sent to the people of Spokane. The citizens of Makhachkala stated that the Shamil sculpture stands for the preference of peace over war, and the importance of freedom as a basis for peace.
The smallest city ever to host a World's Fair, Spokane did a major makeover and hosted over five million people from all over the world in 1974. In the 1980s, Spokane began building the Office of International Relations with a targeted global vision. Initially, it was driven by a need to foster Spokane's sister city relationships. In addition to Nishinomiya, Japan (1961), Spokane was gained sister city relationships with Jilin City, China in 1987, Limerick, Ireland in 1990, Jecheon, Korea in 1999, and fourth sister city in Mahachkala, Russia.
Makhachkala, Russia. The sculpture represents Shamil, a political and religious leader of the Northern Caucasus. He was a leader of anti-Russian resistance in the Caucasian War and was the third Imam of the Caucasian Imamate in the mid 1800's. Shamil fought for the freedom of his people against the Russian Czars.
The two sister cities swapped sculptures the summer of 1992. A totem pole, created by the great Northwest artist Harold Balazs, was gifted to Makhachkala. In return, the hammered copper sculpture of Shamil, by Anatoli Abgudaev, was sent to the people of Spokane. The citizens of Makhachkala stated that the Shamil sculpture stands for the preference of peace over war, and the importance of freedom as a basis for peace.
The smallest city ever to host a World's Fair, Spokane did a major makeover and hosted over five million people from all over the world in 1974. In the 1980s, Spokane began building the Office of International Relations with a targeted global vision. Initially, it was driven by a need to foster Spokane's sister city relationships. In addition to Nishinomiya, Japan (1961), Spokane was gained sister city relationships with Jilin City, China in 1987, Limerick, Ireland in 1990, Jecheon, Korea in 1999, and fourth sister city in Mahachkala, Russia.
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