Tram «of Memory»: how to turn city history into an art object?

Mary Akopyan, a correspondent for the Armenian publication «NEWS.am», spoke with the founder of the cafe-vagoon, Alexander Nistorovich. She found out all the reasons behind the creation of the monument and learned how the idea to make a cafe inside the tram car came about.

The town of Vyborg in Russia's Leningrad Region attracts tourists with its rich history and landmarks.

Landmarks do not always have centuries-old history; some of them appeared just a few years ago but have already become a hallmark of the city. In the very center of the small town, not far from Teatralnaya Square, a yellow tram stands out. About a century ago, the residents of Vyborg traveled around the city on such a tram, and today, for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the yellow carriage is one of the city's most vibrant spots and a colourful place to have coffee.

Besides the tram carriage, the monument includes two bronze statues: a boy without a ticket and a conductor. Some parts of the statues have already become polished. There is a popular tradition in Vyborg: dreams and goals come true if you rub the nose of one of the statues while visiting the cafe in the tram.

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In 2018, when the decision was made for Vyborg to become a tourist city, the idea emerged to create a monument that would make the city more interesting for visitors. It was decided to create a monument dedicated to the tram that ran in the city from 1912 to 1957. The opening of the monument evoked very enthusiastic and warm responses from the townspeople

Alexander Nistorovich, founder of the cafe-car (Vyborg)

The sculpture by Sergey Astanov is installed on historical rails taken from the former Vyborg tram depot. A book was even published about the Vyborg tram, in which the Swiss author Per Rickheden tells the story of how the first electric tram appeared in the Leningrad Region in the Finnish-Soviet town of Vyborg, why it stopped several times, about the only tragic accident in 45 years, and other notable episodes.