According to Russia's Primary Chronicle ("Tale of Bygone Years"), in the 9th century Rurik and two of his brothers crossed the Baltic Sea to Northern Russia, where Rurik became ruler of the city of Novgorod. After Rurik's death, his successors Oleg and Igor extended the family's control south to the middle reaches of the Dnieper River. Several East Slavic tribes had already established a community there, but Oleg and Igor took over rule and founded the federation of Kievan Rus'. This legend is one of the founding legends of Russia that have been passed on to modern times. The sculpture depicts the moment when Rurik landed on the shores of a river after sailing upstream and is welcomed by the local people.