A new statue in Yoshkar-Ola, which has become a symbol of the city, is that of a tom-cat sat on a bench.  The reason behind this unusual monument is due to the Russian euphemism of “Yoshkin Kot”, which sounds like 'tom cat of Yoshkar-Ola.  Slightly down Prospekt Gagarina is another statue of a cat - this time a she-cat - which has been opened outside a cafe.