Sovetsky District: Klykov’s Art and Cultural History

In Sovetsky District, a trail into art history leads to the sculptor Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Klykov. He was born on October 19, 1939, in the village of Marmyzhy in Sovetsky District, Kursk Oblast. Klykov was a Soviet and Russian sculptor, a People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, and a recipient of state awards of the USSR and the Russian Federation.

Klykov’s legacy in Marmyzhy and Kshensky

Marmyzhy is home to the sculptor’s museum, where the collection includes scaled-down replicas of his works. In Kshensky, a monument commemorates Klykov. It was unveiled in 2021 and stands near the district local history museum. The collection of his works and the monument to the artist thus represent distinct cultural points of interest.

An exhibition in 2024 added a distinctive touch: Klykov’s works were displayed on street stands, in a small park, and at the monument. By incorporating the streetscape, park, and monument, this presentation differs from the permanent collection and monument sites described above.

The district local history museum in Kshensky features exhibits on history and on the lives and everyday routines of earlier generations. During a 2024 excursion, children took a guided tour featuring exhibits on these subjects and made handmade soap under the guidance of museum specialists. This outing combined local history with a hands-on activity.

Another architectural point of interest is in Marmyzhy: the new church there is dedicated to the Intercession of the Mother of God. High reliefs in the style of ancient Vladimir carving adorn all four sides. Its religious dedication and reliefs on all sides give the building a distinctive character alongside the cultural sites dedicated to Klykov.

More places to explore in Kursk Oblast

Kursk Oblast also offers a broader cultural context. The museum at the A. A. Fet Estate was established in 2010 as a branch of the Kursk Regional Museum of Local Lore. The “Nightingale Night” is held there every year in late May, followed by the Fet Readings in early July. These two annual events offer culture enthusiasts different seasonal highlights.

In Ponyri, the Historical and Memorial Museum of the Battle of Kursk focuses on the first days of the war in the district, the occupation, the partisan movement, and the district’s liberation on February 13, 1943. A large part of the exhibits covers preparations for the Battle of the Kursk Bulge and the Ponyri defensive operation from July 5 to 11, 1943. A diorama depicts real events and people from the “Battle for Ponyri Station on July 10, 1943.” The museum grounds also contain the open-air exhibition complex “Forward Defense Line. July 1943.” It recreates a section of the defensive line, with anti-tank obstacles, barbed-wire entanglements, and full-profile trenches.

One of the region’s natural highlights is the Central Black Earth Biosphere Reserve. The “Streletskaya Steppe” and “Protected Oak Forest” ecological trails run through the reserve. The nature museum covers the reserve’s history, climate, soils, plants, and animals. The area can only be entered as part of a guided tour; check tour options directly with the reserve before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kursk, Lgovsky District, Kurskiy rayon, Dmitriyevsky District

Return to the main travel overview: Kursk Oblast.