The largest planting of peonies took place in Cherkasy region

On August 4, during the Krutyi Zamys art festival, the largest flower planting took place at a popular tourist location in Cherkasy region , the Peony Ravine in the village of Melnyky near Kholodnyi Yar. In the spring, thousands of flower bushes from all over Ukraine will bloom here.  

Seven years ago, the initiative to create such a location in one of the most picturesque corners of Cherkasy region was supported by Oleksandr Voskoboinik, director of MHP-Urozhay, in cooperation with the MHP-Hromada Foundation. Back then, the first peony bushes were planted during the opening of the "Cool Mix" art festival.  

Why did you support this project at the start? Because I see two important components in it: an environmental initiative and the development of the tourist attraction of the historic site of Kholodnyi Yar. As you can see, tourists from all over the world are already coming to visit our Peony Yar. People abroad have also heard about this wonderful place in Cherkasy region. So we are expecting visitors from there as well. We kept the tradition of planting flowers on August 4 even during the Great War. What's remarkable is that  after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, people are even more willing to get involved in planting flowers. Seedlings are brought in by the thousands. They are making our Ukraine beautiful with even more zeal. These will be the flowers of Victory, I call them that

Seven years ago, thanks to the unification of business, community, and active residents, Cherkasy region created an attractive tourist destination that today attracts attention, continues to develop, and has every chance of becoming a favorite destination for tourists from all over the country. Why is it important for the community? First of all, because it is a direct investment in its development. Thanks to tourism, there is a demand for services, which means entrepreneurship development, creation of new jobs and taxes to the local budget. This is what makes our communities capable and self-sufficient, and where we want to live and build our future,

Yurii Romancha, head of the Patriots of the Native Land-Ukraine NGO, was the inspiration behind the creation of an attractive tourist location on the way to Kholodnyi Yar. He recalls that flowers were brought to the first art festival "Krutyi Zamys" held in 2018 not only from Cherkasy region but from all over Ukraine:   

"The first flowers in the Peony Ravine were from Kolomyia, brought by kobzar Viktor Pashnyk. People don't just bring seedlings here, they plant them on their own, with their families or communities. In fact, the festival and all its events unite. We raise funds for the defenders of Ukraine. In particular, for drones for the 93rd separate mechanized brigade "Kholodnyi Yar". Any such positive and powerful energy message into space is important for our region, our country and the planet as a whole."   

The environmental campaign was attended by representatives of local communities and guests of Cherkasy region.  

 Seven years ago, Polina Leus from the Kamianets region planted the first flowers in the Peony Ravine.  Since then, every year she, her husband, and granddaughter have participated in the campaign. She stays in the field until all the bushes find their place in the location. She says that now, when the enemy is trying to destroy everything in Ukraine, she wants to plant flowers even more. 

"This desire comes from the inside, from the soul. Even though I'm in my seventies and it's hard, the desire to create beauty and give joy to people wins. We come and plant flowers. We can say that this field grew up with our granddaughter. She first came here with  us when she was six years old," the woman says.   

Every year, representatives of the Chervonosloboda community also come to support the initiative. They say that half a thousand peonies have already been planted.  

"The flowers for planting are provided by the community residents. We even know in which rows our peonies grow," says Oleksandr Lytvynenko, village head of Chervonoslobidska TG. "I believe that such initiatives should be supported and developed. On the one hand, this is an opportunity to create beauty around us and reboot ourselves, because we live in constant stress and tension because of the war. On the other hand, it is another way to mobilize and unite to support the defense forces." 

The environmental event was part of the program of the "Kruty Zamis" art festival, which aimed to raise funds to support the 93rd Mechanized Brigade "Kholodny Yar".