Monument to the Poltava Galushka

One of the modern and popular monuments of Poltava is the dumpling monument, installed on Soborna Square on Ivanova Hill in 2006. This is a modern symbol of Poltava, which represents its prosperity and generosity. The monument’s appearance was chosen for a reason, since M. V. Hohol often mentions Ukrainian dumplings in his works.

The dumpling monument is a giant bowl on which 12 concrete dumplings lie. Nearby, on a huge section of a wooden table draped with a Ukrainian rushnyk, lies a giant deep spoon. The appearance of the monument in the city of Poltava became the reason for the emergence of another city tradition — the Dumpling Festival, which is accompanied by theatrical performances based on the works of Hohol and Kotliarevskyi, the sale of dumplings with various fillings, dances, contests and songs. 

Interesting facts:

• Initially, the monument was installed near the Holy Assumption Cathedral, but due to numerous complaints from the intelligentsia and clergy of Poltava, in summer 2007 it was moved 200 m away, to the opposite side of the square.
• The initiator of the monument’s installation was a Verkhovna Rada deputy — Anatolii Kukoba, but the idea of creating it belonged to local artists.
• The authors of the monument are sculptor Mykola Tsysh and People’s Artist of Ukraine Anatolii Chornoshchokov.
• The monument is a must-visit spot for newlyweds, who hurry to be the first to touch the monument’s spoon. There is a belief that whoever touches the spoon first will be the head of the family.