Chizhik Pyzhik

Monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik

Chizhik-Pyzhik, where have you been?

Drinking vodka on the Fontanka.

Had one shot, had two —

My head started to spin.

Many remember this poem from childhood: "Chizhik-Pyzhik, where have you been?" Which Chizhik-Pyzhik is this poem about?

At house number 6 on the Fontanka Embankment, from 1835 to 1918, there was the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, whose students wore green uniforms with yellow shoulder straps and cuffs, and in winter — greatcoats of the same colors and hats made of pyzhik fur. According to a popular St. Petersburg legend, because the uniform’s colors resembled the plumage of a siskin (chizh), and because of the traditional pyzhik hats worn by the students, they were nicknamed "Chizhiks-Pyzhiks," and this song was composed about them.

There is another version of the origin of this nickname. Guards officers mocked the pseudo-military uniforms and the mannerisms of the young students, believing they were puffing themselves up in their oddly colored uniforms, so they started calling them "Chizhiks-Pyzhiks." In reality, both explanations are likely true. In their free time, students liked to visit the tavern of merchant Nefedov located at house number 14, and then happily stroll along the embankment.

However, most likely, this is a successful adaptation of an already circulating folk rhyme. For example, in a letter by A. E. Izmaylov dated November 16, 1825, there is a parody: "Gnedich, Gnedich! Where have you been? Washing a mare in the Caucasus; washed once, washed twice, the head feels refreshed." That is, this was already known ten years before the School of Jurisprudence appeared.

The rhyme went viral, spread widely, and continued its life to this day. Eventually, Chizhik-Pyzhik became a folkloric character. For example, in the cult book by the Strugatsky brothers, "Monday Begins on Saturday," the only song the scholarly cat Vasily finished singing was "Chizhik-Pyzhik." Now, most likely, no one humming it knows where this simple rhyme originally came from.

Thus, on November 19, 1994, the smallest monument in Saint Petersburg appeared. The height of the bronze bird is only 11 centimeters, and it weighs 5 kilograms. The sculptor is the Georgian director, screenwriter, and sculptor Rizo Gabriadze.

The monument quickly became popular not only among tourists but also among locals. It is considered a good omen to toss a coin onto the pedestal of Chizhik-Pyzhik. Among newlyweds, another tradition arose. The groom lowers a shot glass on a string to the bird and gently clinks it with its beak. This is supposed to bring happiness in married life. Coins fall thickly, so many people want to collect them, as several hundred rubles arrive daily. While this is not difficult in winter, in summer and especially in the off-season, it carries the known risk of taking an unintended swim. The sculpture itself has been stolen seven times.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A7%D0%B8%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D1%8B%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%BA