Belarusian artist Gleb Kashtanov recently created a spectacularly symbolic mural “The Origins” in Polatsk, Belarus, a place known as the center of the ancient Belarusian statehood. The commanding symbol of a great sword growing into the soil is depicted on the front of a nine-story building. The sword has a three-dimensional feel, as roots and blossoms flow and swirl around it.
The mural was developed via the project ”Traditions for the Future,” which is sponsored by Belarusbank and Urban Myths, a street art team. The project is a series of motivating murals in Belarusian cities and towns that reflect the values of entrepreneurship and personal initiative through the prism of Belarusian legends and history.
“I was honored to be invited to create a mural for Polatsk that embodies this spirit and pays tribute to the rich history of the city,” said Kastanov.“I hope the mural tells the story of our strength and perseverance through powerful images and commanding representations of ancient artifacts.”
Kashtanov came up with the idea of the mural during a dream, with the final composition developed in collaboration with local historians.
A 10th century Viking sword is the key element of the picture. The relic is kept in the local museum and features a unique stamping “VLFBERHT” made by a European craftsman. The stamping signifies the integration of an ancient nation into European economic processes.The historians helped to reconstruct the sword for the mural’s creation.
Interestingly, the primary marking for the wall uses the quote from the ancient Russian annals, the Primary Chronicles, where Polatsk (Polotesk) was first mentioned in 862 AD. According the author, there are three basic components of the creation’s composition:
A sword in the soil: Symbolizes the beginning of statehood and peaceful development.
A trade road river: Symbolizes economic growth and prosperity of the ancient Belarusian statehood.
The Cathedral of Holy Wisdom: Symbolizes spiritual fundamentals. The oldest church in Belarus. Ancient Belarusians treated the church as a symbol of independence from other population centers of the ancient Vikings, also called the ancient Rus.
The fourth component, the personalities area is reflected in the tree roots, which display the faces of significant brave and adventurous Belarusian personalities who сontributed to the rich history of the country.
The mural is located at Doilid Ioann str. in the heart of Polatsk’s ancient district.
About the Project
The monumental mural “The Origins” is a part of the ambitious art project “Traditions for the Future.” The project is a series of motivating murals in Belarusian cities and towns that reflect the values of entrepreneurship and personal initiative through the prism of Belarusian legends and history. The project is being implemented by Belarusbank and the street art team Urban Myths.
Gleb Kashtanov: website | facebook | instagram
Signal Project: website | facebook
