Bust of Gagarin Installed in Amman

The International Charity Public Fund “Dialogue of Cultures – United World” continues the project of donating the busts of Yuri Gagarin to the countries of the world. On the 55^th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s flight, the bust was installed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and Amman, Jordan. Thus International Cosmonautics Day in Jordan was marked with an important event – installation of the Gagarin’s monument in Cultural Center of King Hussein. The sculpture was donated with assistance of Rossotrudnichestvo and the Embassy of Russia in Jordan.

The Mayor of Amman Akil Biltagi, the Russian Ambassador to Jordan Boris Bolotin, the former head of civil aviation of Jordan Jihad Irshid, Head of Club of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities “Ibn Sīnā” Salam Twal and the head of Jordan-Russia friendship society Issa Dabbah were present.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Biltagi. He thanked the guests of the ceremony and the Fund’s President Ruslan Bairamov for the idea of monument installation, and underlined that the 12^th of April is an important date in mankind history. “The deed of Gagarin is a symbol of science triumph and the breakthrough of the human will,” he noted.

Ambassador Boris Bolotin also declaimed his speech and expressed gratitude to Jordan for participation in this project. He stated that Yuri Gagarin was a person not only for Russians to be proud of, but for the entire world. As he also noted, space is the place where all controversies turn into partnership. Therefore, today, countries like Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Canada, Netherland, Norway, Russia, the United States, France, Switzerland and Japan are working together in the International Space Station.

Mr. Irshid – the contemporary of Yuri Gagarin and a witness to his deeds – expressed how influential on the youth of Jordan Yuri Gagarin was and how most of his colleagues were dreaming to continue what he started.

The President of Dialogue of Cultures – United World Fund Ruslan Bairamov said:

“Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is still a legend to the Russian people. The first flight into the open space was a triumph for the whole world, not only for our country. The foreign peacemaking trips of Yuri Gagarin became the symbols of unity among nations. Undoubtedly, opening the bust of Yuri Gagarin will become another step to the expansion of friendly relations between Jordan and Russia.”

The festive evening included not only the solemn official part, but also an entertaining continuation. The first Russian news channel "Rusiya Al-Yaum" ("Russia Today"), which broadcasts 24/7 in Arabic, prepared a documentary film dedicated to life and fate of Yuri Gagarin and his feat in space. Moreover, with the support of the Association of Philatelists of Jordan in the hall of the Cultural Center of Hussein, an exhibition of a private collection of stamps of Professor I. Dabbach dedicated to space theme was opened.

The event was held in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests with interest and enthusiasm took the installation of the bust made by the Russian sculptor Alexei Leonov, were photographed themselves next to him with great pleasure. As a sign of honor and respect, the acacia branch was entrusted to the monument.

The International Fund "Dialogue of Cultures - United World" thanks everyone who helped to organize and supported the project, and plans further active cooperation with Jordanian colleagues in the spheres of culture and education.