Monument to Chukchi author Rytkheu unveiled in Anadyr

ANADYR, March 8 (Itar-Tass) - A monument to eminent Chukchi author
Yuri Rytkheu has been unveiled in the main square of this city
on Tuesday.
The monument, three metres high, was made in Moscow by prominent
sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. The bronze monument represents Rytkheu
on a granite cliff. Rytkheu is shown reclining, leaning on his elbows and
looking into the distance, with two dogs lying at his feet.
The sculptor said at the monument unveiling ceremony, "It was a great
honour to us to work on the image of the great writer. We sought to
prevent the monument from being banal. We studied for long Rytkheu's
works, and we hope that we have worthily represented the great son of the
Chukchi people".
Yuri Rytkheu was born in Ouelen Settlement, Chukotka Peninsula, into
the family of a hunter on March 8, 1930. He was slightly over 20 years of
age when short stories written by him began to appear in the Young
Leningrad almanac and then in Ogonyok (flame) Magazine, and the Novy Mir
(new world) literary journal.
Rytkheu's first big book entitled "The Chukchi Saga" was published in
1956. His name immediately became widely known. Then followed the novel
"The Time of Snow Melting" that earned theauthor a still greater
popularit. The following Rytkheu's short stories and novels were put out
in the 1970s:
"When Whales Leave", "White Snows", "Blue Foxes", and "The End of
Permafrost".
A literary prize named after Yuri Rytkheu has been instituted on
Chukchi Peninsula. Tens of writers from all over the world send in their
works every year,seeking to win the literary award. Rytkheu was Laureate
of the Gorky State Prize of the RSFSR (for the novel "The End of
Permafrost"). He was awarded the Badge of Honour Order, the Order for
Friendship among the Peoples, and the Red Banner of Labour Order.
Yuri Rytkheu passed away in St Petersburg on May 14, 2008. He was
buried at the Komarovo Cemetery there.