Monument to Yeghishe Charents

Location: Yerevan, Armenia

Completed: 1985

Architects: Jim Torosyan (architect) and Nikoghayos Nikoghosyan (sculptor)

Genre: Soviet monument, former USSR

Yeghishe Charents (1897-1937) was a renowned Armenian poet and writer who was active during the first half of the 20th century. An early supporter of communism, like the well known Georgian poet, Galaktion Tabidze, Charents was a victim of Stalin’s Great Purge of the 1930s. He became addicted to morphine towards the end of his life and died in a Yerevan prison hospital, where he was being held on charges of counter-revolutionary and nationalist activity. The 18.5-metre bronze monument features 40 fountains, which represent the 40 years of the poet’s life.