In Kyiv, they want to install a fountain at the site of the Lenin monument. The head of the Institute of National Memory is against it and warns of danger.

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. The head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Oleksandr Alfyorov, 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 post on Facebook. 

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 patrons 

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 

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 thoroughly 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 

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 have spoken about this publicly. I will 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 monument to Petliura, where Shchors used to be, and a monument to Skoropadsky, 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 

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 magnificent history. As the Head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory - I consider this decision dangerous 

Let's add

The Lenin monument was installed in December 1946 in the historical area of Bessarabka, at the intersection of Taras Shevchenko Boulevard and Khreshchatyk Street, in front of Bessarabska Square (opposite Bessarabsky Market).

During World War II, a gallows was located at the site where the monument was installed, where German troops carried out public executions of hostages. 

The monument was a figure of Vladimir Lenin made of red polished granite, 3.45 m high, installed on a cylindrical pedestal of black polished labradorite on a square granite stylobate. 

In the center of the pedestal is the inscription "Lenin". On the sides of the pedestal are carved phrases: "Never will that people be defeated in which the workers and peasants, for the most part, have learned, felt, and seen that they are defending their own, Soviet power - the power of the working people, that they are defending that cause, the victory of which will ensure for them and their children the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of culture, everything created by human labor. Lenin" and "With the united action of the Great Russian and Ukrainian proletarians, a free Ukraine is possible. Without such unity, there can be no talk of it. Lenin".

In 2009, a group of people damaged the monument, damaging the sculpture's nose and left arm. 

In December 2013, during the Revolution of Dignity, the monument was overthrown and then broken into "souvenirs". 

In 2016, a temporary installation by Cynthia Gutiérrez, "Inhabiting Shadows," was located at the site of the former Lenin monument in Kyiv.

In 2018, in front of the pedestal remaining from the overthrown monument, on the side of Bessarabsky Market, a sculpture "Middle Way" by Romanian sculptor Bogdan Rața was opened in the form of a blue human hand. The sculpture symbolizes friendship and communication. Its peculiarity is that both sides of the hand are the back, there is no palm.