A monument to a cat who lived on campus for 20 years was erected in MAI

A monument to Musa the cat, who lived in one of the university buildings for more than 20 years, was erected at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). This was reported to the "Moscow" city news agency on Thursday, September 24, by the press service of the educational institution.

The institute said that Musya, who was called the "three—piece cat" by several generations of students, resumed her usual place at the third building - now in the form of a bronze sculpture.

The exact time of Musi's arrival at the main campus is unknown. A black cat with a white breast settled in Building No. 3, which earned it its nickname among students and staff.

Musya walked freely through the corridors, met applicants at the admissions office, and attended lectures and seminars. Students even have a tradition of petting a cat before a session for good luck.

Over time, Musya became the unofficial mascot of the university. On the MAI history website, she was called the totem animal of the students and staff of the institute, there was a community dedicated to her on social networks, and in 2021 graffiti with the image of a cat appeared on the wall of the third building. Her portrait was also used to create souvenirs of the university.

At the end of 2024, Musya became seriously ill, and on April 21, 2025, she died. After that, the university decided to perpetuate the memory of the cat. The sketch of the future sculpture was chosen with the participation of students during the voting in the official channel of the university. The monument was erected at the entrance to building No. 3, where Musya spent most of her life.