Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Monument

The famous sculpture has been installed onto its new pedestal on 28th November. It was originally created in 1937 by the soviet sculptor Vera Mukhina especially for the World Fair in Paris. This 25 meters high sculptural composition was to crown a huge Soviet pavilion at the bank of Siene River. More images after a break.......

 The sculpture is made of stainless chrome-nickel steel – not a very typical material for sculptures even for extremely industrialized Soviet countries in the late 1930’s. But for the words of the author “its reflecting grey would allow to single the monument out of the ambient space”.

A young man holding a hammer and a lady with a sickle were to embody the masters of the Soviet land – labor class and collective farming. The tools they hand form the hammer and sickle symbol – state emblem of the Soviet Union. After the Paris World Fair finished the monument was tried be moved to Moscow but due to its enormous size was seriously damaged while being transported. In 1939 it was reconstructed in Moscow and installed at the Northern entrance to the All-USSR Agricultural Exhibition (now called All-Russia Exhibition Center). In 1979 the sculpture was restored.

In 2003 Moscow was one of the favorite to accept Expo 2010 so it was decided to dismantle the monument for substantial reconstruction. It was taken in 40 pieces. It was planned to be returned to its place in 2005 but after Expo 2010 was awarded to Shanghai and due to the financial problems reconstruction works were delayed and the day of the sculpture’s return was postponed for several times.

Nobody knew the exact time when they are going to raise the monument, but there were some rumors a day before that it’ll be 8 a.m. They appeared to be truth and at 7.50 the huge sculpture began its way up. A unique crane that can cope with a nearly 200 tons weight was ordered especially for this event in Finland. There are only three of them in the world. The lift was very slow – about 30 minutes. That gave enough time for gapers to stand open-mouthed and to use their cell phone cameras.

At last the statue was fastened at the top of a new exhibition pavilion – an exact copy of that standing in Paris in 1937. It will accommodate Vera Mukhina Museum, a number of exhibition sites and a conference-hall. The facade of the building is not finished yet – some decoration works are in progress. The modern restorers refused to use beautiful marble originally decorated the pavilion due to its high cost and susceptibility to low temperatures. They used granite instead – stones of 12 different tints were ordered in Italy, Kazakhstan, Turkey and China.

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Amelle and Jade giggle on a jetski ride

Sugababes Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen are certainly making the most of their trip to Barbados.

The pair decided to try their hands at watersports before 2009 was out and took to the waves to jetski and bodyboard on New Year's Eve.

The girls did not seem to be missing band mate Heidi Range too much as they gallivanted in the sea.

Best of friends: Sugababes Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen take a jetski for a spin in Barbados on New Year's Eve

The 26-year-old singer, now the longest-serving member of the band, has flown to India to spend New Year with boyfriend Dave Berry.

The girls flew to Barbados earlier this week for a show but Jade, 21, and Amelle are staying on the island until January 9.

Amelle, 25, wrote on her Twitter page how she and Jade were enjoying the sunshine.

She added: 'We got a little teary when heidi left though!! She's going 2 india 2morra though and she'll have a grear time with her man. Xxxx'

While Jade updated her page with the message: 'On the beach with amelle in barbados! Luvin the sun! Sad to see heidi go tho :( miss u already babe!'

Giggles: The bandmates seem to be getting on brilliantly

Surfer girl: Jade attempts to bodyboard on New Year's Eve

The girl group have had a turbulent year, with the departure of founding member Keisha Buchanan, and arrival of Jade.

Amelle also split up with her long-term boyfriend and at her lowest ebb spent three weeks in a health clinic suffering from depression brought on by the stress of her troubles.

But Jade has clearly hit it off with her and the pair have seemed inseperable over the past few weeks.

Last night Amelle wrote on Twitter: 'Me and jay just got back 2 the room. Knackered! Been playing football! Love it!!'

Time out: After recording a show in Barbados, Jade and Amelle are staying on for another 10 days to soak up the sun

Danielle Bux one-piece to itsy-bitsy Bikini

She started off her holiday in Barbados by wearing a tasteful bright red one-piece swimsuit.

However, over the past few days, Danielle Bux has discarded this for slightly more revealing attire.

The 30-year-old is in the Caribbean with her husband, Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, 49, to celebrate the New Year.

Festive holiday: Danielle and Gary walk along a beach in Barbados

After looking stunning in a swimsuit, Welsh Danielle, who has taken her new husband’s surname, wore a blue bikini with white trimming – as well as a Cheryl Cole-style cowboy hat.

In a final costume change, the following day the model and presenter stripped down to a itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny black poker-dot bikini as she strolled along the white sand with father-of-four Gary.

Intimate: Gary and Danielle relax on loungers while enjoying the Caribbean sun

The couple, who married in September, were seen frolicking on the beach, as they lazed around on loungers in the sun – which must have seemed a million miles away from the dismal weather in the UK.

Other celebrities had the same idea, with X Factor winner Alextra Burke as well as the Sugarbabes ditching the grey clouds of home for sunshine in Barbados.

Stroll: Danielle shows off her tan with a small bikini while on holiday with Gary

Obama's daughters hit the waves in Hawaii

It's been a big year for the Obama family – a new life in the White House, a Nobel Peace Prize... and Malia learned to surf.

After a few wobbly attempts, the U.S. President's 11-year-old daughter managed to stand upright on her board to the delight of her mother Michelle, who was watching with a group of young friends.

Malia triumphed over the waves as the family enjoyed a holiday in Hawaii.

Yes I can! Malia Obama manages to get to her feet as she holidays with her family in Hawaii

The family were pictured on the beach in front of the house they are renting in a suburb of Honolulu.

Barack Obama enjoyed a game of golf - although his body movements suggested he might be a useful surfer himself.

The president hit the links at Mid-Pacific Country Club - just hours after starting his day with a workout at the gym on the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe Bay.

Look at me, Mom! Michelle Obama, left, applauds her daughter Malia at the family's rented holiday home

Anything my big sister can do: Malia's younger sister Sasha also manages to stand up on her board - although it looks as though she may have gotten a bit of sneaky help

But it wasn't all sports for the Obamas - the family did find time to relax at the cinema also, with a private showing of James Cameron's Avatar.

The Obamas visited a cinema near their rented house yesterday morning for a screening of the 3-D hit, before the day's regular screenings began.

Mr Obama, a self-described film buff, left his compound with Sasha, Malia and wife Michelle before noon on New Year's Eve.

The family have been in Hawaii since Christmas. They are set to return to Washington in the new year.

Down time: Mr Obama (right) and his daughters Malia (light) and Sasha (centre) leave a shopping mall after watching the film Avatar yesterday

diva Mariah Carey wears glittering gowns for New Year

Mariah Carey chose to see in the new year in true diva fashion - with plenty of costume changes, glitz, glamour, champagne and confetti.

The singer was performing at Madison Square Gardens on New Year's Eve and told the crowd: 'They say I'm a diva, so might as well act like one.'

Mariah, who turns 40 this year, changed into sparkling outfits including a floor-length, low-cut silver gown, a tight red mini dress and a strapless white dress encrusted with gems.

Outfit one: Mariah Carey takes to the stage in stunning silver at Madison Square Gardens in New York on New Year's Eve

During the evening she poked fun at herself and, according to Rolling Stone magazine, told the crowd, 'I need some lipstick real quick and my hair fluffed.'

She performed tracks from her back catalogue and stopped a song mid-way to count down the new year with blasts of confetti, streamers and balloons.

After attempting to sing Auld Lang Syne, her husband Nick Cannon joined her on stage for her first kiss of the new year.

He was there at the side of the stage to see her performance, which end with a rousing performance of Hero.

She left the stage on the arm of Nick after wishing everyone a happy 2010 and shouting 'I love you all!'

New Year: Mariah stopped her song to give the countdown

Pamela Anderson low-cut dress in New Year

Pamela Anderson looked as if she having a fine old time at a New Year's Eve party and really letting her hair down.

Unfortunately she also let the top of her dress down and revealed a little too much of her cleavage as she gave the countdown to midnight.

The 42-year-old actress, who recently starred in panto in Wimbledon, London, was hosting the Gridlock event at Paramount Studios in Hollywood when the wardrobe malfunction occurred.

Slip up: Pamela Anderson reveals a little too much flesh as she counts down to New Year at Gridlock at Paramount Studios

She had come on stage for the final minutes of 2009 to count down to midnight.

But as she took to the stage with a man dressed as a dalmatian and another as a demon as well as American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, she was thinking more about toasting 2010 than her dress.

The controversial singer, who affronted his audience when he kissed his keyboard player and performed sexy moves with men at the American Music Awards, had to step in to help her.

Earlier on in the evening she had been pulling up her white dress to ensure it retained some element of modesty.

Helping hand: Adam Lambert (left) tries to pull Pammy's top up

The 27-year-old attempted to pull up her top, but Pamela seemed to think he was trying to get a feel, and at first held his hand away.

Despite the faux pas, the actress, who is due to appear in Celebrity Big Brother on Sunday, looked pretty in her white dress even though she wore a sparkling sequin glove on one hand.

She also covered herself in gold body glitter, while Adam Lambert went for glitter around his eyes and told the crowd he had gone for a 'firework' look.

All white now: Pamela arrives at the venue without a hitch, but even then needs to check she is all covered