Mykhailo Bulhakov is known and read all over the world. There is Bulhakov’s echo in Zhytomyr, moreover with purely Bulhakov’s mystery

In the very city center, on Kyivska street there is a sculpture of a young man near “Ukraine” cinema.
Honest young man with a bit of sad glance is holding cage with a parrot in one hand and in the other – an envelope. There is a small suitcase nearby. This is the very image which Ilarion Surzhanskii or Lariosik, a hero of novel “The White Guard” and “The Days of the Turbins” appears in.
Do you remember him? By the storyline he’s a “lifelong student” Lariosik. Having suffered from some troubles connected with love, comes from Zhytomyr to the capital to apply to Kyiv’s university and accommodates in the house of his relatives, the Turbins.
There’s no place like home! So, nice and weird youngster is sent back home.
Almost 10 years ago the first sculpture of literature hero appeared in our town – it was Bulhakov’s hero Lariosik. The author of bronze figure with the weight of 500 kg was Kyiv sculptor Yulian Ostashev and the official opening was on the Day of the city, on 8 of September 2007.
As it is known, most of Bulhakov’s heroes have real prototypes. Bulhakov’s sister Varvara was a wife of Leonid Karum. His cousin Mykola Sudzilovskii, who was originally from Zhytomyr became a protoplast of Ilarion Surzhanskii. By the way, legendary writer once came to our cozy and calm town.
Honest but bizarre Lariosik has quickly had a corner in hearts of Zhytomyr citizens and guests of the town. People have rest and appoint meeting near him. It is also said, that Lariosik has a special magic power: if you touch an envelope and make a wish, it’ll definitely come true.
Don’t you believe? How wrong is that? Come to the wishes fulfiller and ask for the most sacred! Don’t forget to be careful: dreams tend to come true!

Translated by Aliona Matushevich