Residents of Kyiv have launched a contest to redesign the site where a statue of Lenin once stood
In Kyiv, a proposal has been made to hold an open competition for the redevelopment of the area on Shevchenko Boulevard, where a monument to the Bolshevik dictator Vladimir Lenin stood prior to the Revolution of Dignity. At the Public Council under the Kyiv City State Administration, architects and sculptors discussed the idea of creating a new monument.
This was reported by a UA.News correspondent.
Among the possible options that could be submitted to the competition is an image of Kobzar as a symbol of Ukrainian identity. The artists noted that the space in the very center of the capital, where Lenin once stood, requires rethinking and new meaning.
At the meeting of the Public Council under the Kyiv City State Administration, architect Viktor Hleba proposed holding an open competition to determine the future of this area. He emphasized that the space opposite the Bessarabsky Market has effectively lost its urban planning logic and requires a new purpose. According to him, the area currently looks neglected and unintegrated into the urban environment, despite its central location.
The architect emphasized that the current state of the space does not match its potential and has long called for change.
“Honestly, everyone’s had enough. And the landscaping there is practically nonexistent,” Gleb said during the discussion.
Among the ideas proposed were the creation of a new public space, possibly featuring a fountain and recreational areas. The architect explained that such solutions could make the square more open and accessible to people.
“A fountain is a good idea, and it offers the opportunity for inclusion and draws people to this square,” he added.
On the other hand, Kyiv lacks high-quality memorial and symbolic spaces that would reflect Ukrainian identity and contemporary meanings. That is why it is necessary to engage specialists through competitive mechanisms to develop the best project.
Among the proposed ideas was also the option of erecting a monument to Kobzar as a symbol of the Ukrainian spirit. Participants in the discussion spoke of the need to create a monumental composition that would convey the “spirit of Ukrainian identity” and historical continuity.
“The spirit of the Cossacks, the spirit of Ukrainian identity, should be recreated in some kind of monumental composition,” was mentioned during the discussion.
Ultimately, architects, sculptors, and public figures agreed that the future of this location should be decided transparently—through an open competition that would allow for diverse concepts and professional approaches, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in discussion with Kyiv residents.
Kyiv residents have criticized the idea of a fountain at the site of the Lenin monument in the center of Kyiv.
