A commemorative stone has been officially unveiled in St. Petersburg, marking the future site of a monument dedicated to Kirill Lavrov, a celebrated People`s Artist of the USSR. The solemn ceremony coincided with what would have been Lavrov’s 100th birthday.
During the event, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov lauded Lavrov as a “great artist, a true Leningrader, a Hero of Socialist Labor, and an Honorary Citizen of St. Petersburg.” Beglov emphasized Lavrov’s profound love and dedication to the city, highlighting his humble, hospitable, and generous nature, and his integrity, resilience, inner dignity, and steadfastness which defined his “Leningrad character.” The Governor also announced plans to unveil the full monument next year, confirming that a working group has been established and a competition for the design will be launched, with input from the Bolshoi Drama Theater (BDT) collective being a priority.
The ceremony saw the attendance of Lavrov`s family, including his daughter Maria, granddaughter Olga, and one-year-old great-granddaughter Ksenia, alongside BDT staff and local residents. Tatiana Arkhipova, director of the G.A. Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater, expressed her hope that the future monument would capture Lavrov’s iconic smile, which she noted “continues to warm our hearts and souls even now… Millions truly loved and adored him.”
Maria Lavrova, the actor`s daughter, spoke movingly about her father`s legacy: “We need such examples of people… In our cynical times, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that there are conscientious and honest people who carry their conscience and honor throughout their lives. And, of course, my father was such an example. Thank you very much for remembering him. I believe this is primarily for us.”
The chosen location for the monument is Oranienbaum Garden in the Petrogradsky District, a significant choice as Lavrov resided on Petrogradskaya Storona for 40 years. The unveiling of the complete monument is slated for 2026, commemorating his 101st birth anniversary and the 150th anniversary of the Union of Theatre Workers. A competition for the monument`s design is set to begin by the end of September, with Lavrov`s family and the theatrical community participating in the selection process.
Governor Beglov also reviewed the preliminary landscaping project for the garden, which envisions a lush green space, a new playground for children of all ages, a photo zone, and a quiet relaxation area for seniors. The design is expected to incorporate elements reflecting Kirill Lavrov`s cinematic career and iconic roles. Beglov instructed the project team to collaborate with the BDT collective to integrate theatrical themes into the final design.
On the same day, the G.A. Tovstonogov BDT, where Lavrov served for over half a century, hosted a jubilee evening titled “Our Lavrov.” The program featured actors from different generations of the BDT, including Nina Usatova, Valery Degtyar, Elena Popova, Georgy Shtil, and Anatoly Petrov, performing excerpts of Lavrov`s own memoirs. Additionally, a special installation at the BDT`s theatrical exhibition recreated the artistic director`s desk, showcasing documents, telegrams, photographs, and playbills from Lavrov’s tenure.
About Kirill Lavrov
Kirill Lavrov (1925–2007) was a distinguished Soviet and Russian actor and director of both stage and screen. He began his acting career at the L. Ukrainka Kyiv Russian Drama Theater, where his father also worked. In 1955, he joined the BDT at the invitation of artistic director Konstantin Khokhlov. Under the guidance of Georgy Tovstonogov, who took over the theater in 1956, Lavrov delivered numerous iconic performances in plays that have since become theatrical classics. His notable roles included Molchalin in “Woe from Wit,” Solyony in “Three Sisters,” Nil in “The Philistines,” the Mayor in “The Inspector General,” and Astrov in “Uncle Vanya.” Following Tovstonogov`s passing, Lavrov himself led the BDT as its artistic director from 1989 to 2007.
Lavrov also had an extensive film career, starring in acclaimed movies such as “Believe Me, People,” “The Living and the Dead,” “A Long Happy Life,” “Retribution,” “The Brothers Karamazov,” “Neutral Waters,” “Taming of the Fire,” “My Tender and Affectionate Beast,” “Date with Youth,” “From the Life of the Criminal Investigation Chief,” “Charlotte`s Necklace,” “The Red Arrow,” and “The Master and Margarita.” In 2025, an award named in his honor was established to recognize artists “For the Support and Promotion of Russian Culture.”
