The figure of Mother Russia is supposed to personify a national spirit of togetherness and collectiveness and of the Russian nation, much like Britannia does for Great Britain. The figure is popular in Russia and has been used particularly in times of trouble and suffering such as during the war. The statue here was raised in 1974 and is the work of sculptor B.V. Edunov. Mischievous locals will point out that standing at the correct point on Leninskiy Prospekt can make Mother Russia look like Father Russia.