Earthquake Memorial

Probably one of the most more poignant memorials I've been to was the one in Taskent which was put up as a rememberance of the 1966 earthquake that practically levelled the town. Close to 300,000 homes were demolished and there was a tremendous loss of life. Since it was during the height of Soviet power, where information and aid coming in or out of the Union was scarce, there was a lot of post earthquake damage too. I think our guide also mentioned that since it mostly hit the Jewish quarter evcerything was kept under wraps.

I really like this memorial, a strong man with his hand not totally out but with his stature still saying "No harm shall come to my family" thereby protecting the woman. The woman in turn (since she was Soviet) wasn't helpless either, she on the other hand has her hand extended out protecting the child she is carrying, it's almost as if she were saying "If you get past my man, you got me to deal with". I thought it would have been funny if the child also had his hand out, protecting . . .. his pet dog or something.

The statue itself is only part of the memorial. Eminating from the three figures is a crack, much like you'd expect in an earthquake heading out to a granite cube that is cracked. On one side is the date and on the other is a face clock stopped at the exact time the earthquake struck.