Folklore and mythological motifs in contemporary sculpture of Buryatia

The article reviews modern Buryat sculptors' searches for expression of global human and national values unity. Starting from the end of the 20th century Buryat sculpture has been characterized by prevailing of folklore and mythological motives, rather than traditional genres and decorative stylization. Plots and images from myths, heroic epos and fairy tales are becoming symbols and signs of ethnic identity. Modern sculptors reflex these motifs not only by images of ancient warriors, shamans or woman and mother as a home guard, but also by preserving the symbolism of ancient rites and rituals in sculptures of their contemporaries. In many sculptural portraits and compositions one can find an associative and symbolic layer which shows national life features, highlights national ideals and feelings.