Each year, Yakutia-born sculptor Mikhail Bopposov creates the New Year’s emblem from dung, a local tradition that has long delighted residents with its rustic charm and imaginative flair. This season, however, the festive centerpiece may not appear on the town square. The dung dragon that usually stands as a playful guardian of the holiday is unlikely to be unveiled because Bopposov has stepped back for medical reasons. The news outlet RTVI relayed information through Anastasia Bopposova, who directs the Rural Folk Art Center and oversees community arts programs in the region.
At present, the sculptor has not yet begun the project. He is receiving medical evaluation in a hospital, and officials report that his treatment plan is moving forward. His condition is described as stable, with medical teams coordinating care and keeping him informed about progress. The family and the center emphasize that every possible measure is being taken to support his health during this period, as noted by Bopposova, who also shared that the diagnosis was first identified some time ago and has required ongoing treatment since then.
The artist began crafting animal-themed New Year sculptures in 2011, turning each year into a playful sentry of the season. Over the past dozen years he has brought to life a parade of creatures—monkeys, snakes, dragons, three horses, a rooster, a team of dogs, a goat, a family of tigers, and a bull that once was depicted in a scene showing it chewing through the coronavirus with steam escaping from its nostrils. In the most recent year, he completed a two-meter-tall mechanized rabbit that drums with its paws, a piece that stood as a testament to his creativity and technical skill even as the landscape around him changed.
There have been broader conversations about regional sculpture projects, including references from St. Petersburg that discuss the victory of the Shalyapin monument concept, described by supporters as a compact, artistically intimate representation. The remarks indicate a broader conversation about how regional art projects reflect the personal visions of artists and the way those visions travel from workshop to public display, resonating with audiences beyond their immediate locales.