A fountain is planned to be installed at the site of the dismantled monument to Vladimir Lenin at the intersection of Taras Shevchenko Boulevard and Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv. Oleksandr Alfyorov, head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, stated that the installation of a fountain at the site of the Lenin monument in the center of Kyiv is neutral and does not play a role in memorialization. This is reported by UNN with reference to the Kyiv City State Administration website and Alfyorov's Facebook post.
A fountain at the site of Lenin? What the Kyiv City State Administration proposes
In the center of Kyiv, it is planned to update the public space at the intersection of Taras Shevchenko Boulevard and Khreshchatyk Street, making it barrier-free and convenient for everyone. The project provides for the arrangement of the territory in accordance with the principles of accessibility and modern standards of the urban environment. It will be implemented with the support and participation of philanthropists
– reported the Kyiv City State Administration.
It is noted that the square is planned to be equipped with landscaping, benches, lighting, convenient paths, and a fountain, which will become the symbolic center of the new space.
Fountains have a special place in Kyiv's architectural tradition: more than 100 years ago, the famous cast-iron Termen fountains were installed in city parks, and over time they became an integral part of the capital's historical environment. In the city's recent history, a similar fountain appeared, in particular, on Volodymyr Hill. The same element of landscaping is provided for this part of the square
– added the Kyiv City State Administration.
The authorities noted that after the dismantling of the Lenin monument in 2013, this part of the city remained inaccessible to some pedestrians for many years.
We will create gray zones – why the head of the Institute of National Memory is against the fountain
However, the head of the UINP, Oleksandr Alfyorov, criticized the idea of installing a fountain, noting that its installation is neutral and does not play a role in memorialization.
I sincerely thank the philanthropists who perfectly understand that Kyiv is not just a city, Kyiv is the Capital of an Independent State that is waging a bloody war with the occupier. And precisely at this time, more than ever, we need to very carefully and meticulously place our identity markers and build a strong border of memory and memorialization. And here – a fountain. For me – it's like renaming Lenin Street to Apricot Street. Well, something neutral, anyway – then there will be some other government, a second, a third. Why bother? We will create gray zones. And the consciousness of the younger generation – let it be tempered in school
– wrote Alfyorov.
He reminds that Kyiv is not just a thousand-year-old city – it is the capital, and the place where the Kyiv authorities see a fountain is the center of the Capital, it is the heart of Ukraine.
The responsibility here is incredible. Each such place in Kyiv must be harmoniously integrated into the overall concept. And not plugged with neutrality, which in modern conditions is equivalent to irresponsibility and, in fact, connivance with the occupier, who very much craves this silent and gray Ukraine. I, like many others, have my own personal thoughts on what should be in Lenin's place. I spoke about it publicly. I repeat. One end of Shevchenko Boulevard, where the Shchors monument used to be, leads to Petliura Street. And this one – to Bessarabka and Skoropadsky Street. In the center of the boulevard there is a Hrushevsky monument. That is, for the Capital there is an excellent artery that would memorialize the Era of Ukraine's Independence 1917-1920: the creation of a Petliura monument where Shchors used to be, and a Skoropadsky monument where Lenin used to be. Hrushevsky is already in the center. But this is my opinion, and it should be one of many that will be presented at a public discussion and subsequent competition
– added Alfyorov.
He added that for him, as the head of the expert group on de-Russification in Kyiv, this step is incomprehensible, as it does not fit into the strategy of naming in Kyiv.
As a 5th generation Kyiv resident – I consider this decision strange: my City has a glorious history. As the Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory – I consider this decision dangerous
– summarized Alfyorov.
