Nikita Belykh proposed placing a horse in Kirov.

      According to Belykh, the idea was suggested by one of his followers, and it seemed to him "worthy and viable" if people can be found who are willing to support the initiative.

      Belykh notes that the monument could become a new attraction reflecting the history and characteristics of the region. He allows that the monument could also be installed in the Afanasyevsky District — the breed’s homeland, in the village of Gordino — but in Kirov, in his view, it would be more realistic to implement the project through public efforts.

      In the post he also recalled the discussion about the monument to Alexander Nevsky by the philharmonic and wryly remarked that if anyone is bothered by the absence of a horse under the prince, one could jokingly reply that “the horse went off to graze — it can be seen elsewhere.”

      The proposal is linked to the theme of the Year of the Fiery Horse, which will begin in 2026. Earlier, on November 5, Belykh had already written about the Vyatka breed and suggested declaring the coming year the Year of the Vyatka Horse. At the time he reminded readers that the breed is one of the region’s strong brands, alongside the Dymkovo toy and Vyatka ryzhiks, but awareness of it among young people is still low. Belykh even proposed a symbol — a red (chestnut) horse nicknamed Rada.

      We have previously written that Belykh often appears in the region: this autumn he told an amusing story about how, in a shop in Slobodskoy, he was politely asked whether anyone had told him he looked like… Nikita Belykh. The former governor now regularly visits Kirov — presumably on business or personal matters.