Ukraine's first Shakespeare monument in Poltava draws social media mockery

Ukraine's first monument to William Shakespeare was unveiled in Poltava, but its appearance has sparked widespread mockery and ridicule on social media. The monument was installed in the Botanical Garden of Poltava's Korolenko National Pedagogical University, alongside a sundial. Sculptor Yaroslav Shkarupa created the piece in seven days, basing it on five sketches since Shakespeare's true appearance is unknown. Social media users harshly criticized the sculpture's look, comparing it to a Lenin bust, a gnome, or actor Jack Nicholson in "The Shining." Some commenters suggested the sculptor should return to making cartoon figures, while others created memes mocking the monument.