Monument to the Tender May Stars Gains Ground in Orenburg
A new sculpture project in Orenburg is taking shape to honor the members of the pop duo Tender May, including its founder Sergei Kuznetsov and the renowned soloist Yuri Shatunov. The initiative stands as a significant cultural moment for locals and fans, highlighting the duo’s impact on Russian popular music and the city’s artistic landscape. Coverage by DEA News helped ignite conversations about public art, memory, and heritage in central Russia, with growing interest from music followers in Canada and the United States who monitor global music stories.
The plan follows a clear timeline. Yulia Serebryakova, head of the Petin Museum, announced that sculptor Alexander Sukmanov will present the monument concept at a public event. The unveiling is scheduled for a future date, born out of the wishes of friends and fans who wanted a lasting tribute to celebrate the artists’ contributions. Serebryakova stressed Sukmanov’s standing as a respected Orenburg sculptor whose previous works already decorate the city, lending credibility and local resonance to the commission.
The sculpture will depict lifelike figures of the two artists standing side by side, cast in bronze and placed at a prominent city intersection. The chosen site sits at the crossroads of Chemical Street and Regeneratornaya Street, a location picked for maximum visibility and easy access for residents and visitors. The arrangement seeks to convey the collaboration, friendship, and creative energy that defined Tender May, translating musical fame into a tangible public artwork that can be experienced beyond the concert hall.
As part of the sculpture’s narrative, organizers highlight ties to the artists’ early life and daily surroundings. Not far from the monument’s future location lies an orphanage that influenced Shatunov’s upbringing, underscoring a theme of humble beginnings meeting enduring fame. Kuznetsov’s residence proximity to the site reinforces the idea that art can emerge from a familiar local context and rise to national prominence. These details help frame the monument within Orenburg’s social and urban fabric, turning it into a source of civic pride and a beacon for fans traveling from across North America and beyond. The added context deepens the public story surrounding the sculpture and its meaning for the city’s cultural memory, inviting visitors to reflect on the region’s artistic heritage.
Both artists are remembered for their contributions to Russian pop music and the personal histories that shaped their artistry. Shatunov passed away in 2022 from heart-related complications, leaving a void in the musical landscape Tender May helped redefine in the later decades of the twentieth century. Kuznetsov followed later that year, leaving behind a legacy rooted in studio collaborations, touring itineraries, and his role in sustaining the group’s public identity. The forthcoming monument offers a moment to reflect on their career arcs, the emotional resonance of their songs, and how their work continues to influence new generations of musicians and fans. The unveiling and the public dialogue surrounding it are viewed as a living tribute that honors the music and the personal stories tied to it, ensuring that their memory remains accessible to future listeners and visitors who encounter the sculpture during strolls through Orenburg.
The initial concept for the Sukmanov monument emerged in early 2023, with previews aiming to capture the artists’ onstage presence and offstage camaraderie. The public response has been hopeful, with supporters citing Tender May’s enduring relevance and the importance of commemorating regional artistic milestones in a city renowned for its public sculpture. By placing the monument at a busy junction, the project seeks to make it a natural waypoint for locals and travelers alike, sparking conversations about music history, urban art, and the personal narratives that shape a city’s cultural identity. The project’s trajectory shows how a local commission can evolve into a broader conversation about memory, community, and creative heritage that resonates with audiences across North America and beyond, including readers in Canada and the United States who follow global musical legacies and the stories behind them.”