Tomsk’s Monument to Happiness: The Wolf and a City Walking Tour

• Address: 19/1 Shevchenko Street, Tomsk.
• The sculpture depicts the wolf from the animated film *Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog*.
• The composition is titled “Щас спою!” (“I’m about to sing!”).
• The monument was installed in 2005 to mark the city’s 400th anniversary.
• The site can be combined with other Tomsk monuments, such as the Monument to the Slippers and the city’s wooden architecture.
• Current official travel advice for Russia cites security and transport risks, as well as restrictions on card payments.

The figure draws on a well-known scene from the animated film *Жил-был пёс* (*Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog*). In the film, the wolf announces, “Щас спою!”; the Tomsk composition adopts the exclamation as its title and shows the figure in a humorous, instantly recognizable pose. The sculpture is an example of a monument whose meaning is immediately accessible through a popular film and a memorable quote. The animated film was made in 1982 and based on a Ukrainian folk tale. The wolf is not merely a threat in the film, but a comic and helpful character; this contrast shapes the scene’s impact. The film’s story and the brief exclamation link the character to the Tomsk landmark. The familiar English film title and the address also give visitors who do not know the film an immediate point of reference for the sculpture.

Its installation in 2005, on Tomsk’s 400th anniversary, also anchors the sculpture in the city’s history.

Three sculptures offer different points of interest on a walking tour: the Monument to the Beloved explores a personal theme, the Monument to the Slippers features an everyday object, and the Chekhov Monument celebrates literature. These attractions are located on different streets in Tomsk and can be linked in separate sections of a route.

The “Golden Square of Wooden Houses” route passes along Belinsky, Herzen, Krasnoarmeyskaya, Kartashov and Kuznetsova streets, taking visitors past designated wooden houses. The walk takes around one and a half to two hours. These five streets form a continuous architectural route, while the Wolf Monument on Shevchenko Street is a separate stop. Visitors who want to combine both highlights in one day can plan the wooden-house route as a walk of its own and set aside another stretch for the sculpture. This leaves time to appreciate the facades and details of the wooden buildings at a leisurely pace, rather than squeezing the different sights into a tight schedule. The Wolf Monument can also be added independently as a brief photo stop in another part of the city.

Visitors can view the sculpture from the street while keeping the sidewalk clear for everyday pedestrian traffic. The sites of several monuments, such as the Chekhov Monument, can be spread across separate sections of a route.

Tomsk is in Western Siberia; train journeys to other regions require separate travel time. Tomsk and its city attractions are suited to local outings. Siberia and Russia cover vast distances, so Siberian destinations are best linked according to train routes and journey times. Tomsk is easiest to explore with an overnight stay near the areas you plan to visit; the city attractions are spread across several neighborhoods. Choosing accommodation in a convenient location cuts down on extra travel.

Getting to Tomsk involves a connection from the railway station or airport and travel to your accommodation; transport routes determine how the city’s attractions are linked. Preparations for a trip to Russia should include entry documents and communication. These affect both safety and travel to and within the country. German bank cards, payment apps and cash withdrawals do not work in Russia, so payment arrangements for accommodation, meals and local transport require advance planning. For a stay of several days in Tomsk, these nationwide conditions belong in the same plan as train journeys, accommodation location and the scheduling of city walks.

Where is the monument?

The sculpture stands at 19/1 Shevchenko Street in Tomsk. The address makes it easy to locate on a city map.

Who does the figure represent?

It depicts the wolf from the Soviet animated film *Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog*. The character’s exclamation, “Щас спою!”, gave the composition its title.

When was the monument installed?

The sculpture was installed in 2005 to mark Tomsk’s 400th anniversary.

What happened after the monument was damaged?

After the monument was vandalized in 2025, city workers cleaned the sculpture. The incident is a concrete example of how the monument is cared for in public space.