Fountain Plan for Former Lenin Monument Site
Kyiv's city authorities are planning to install a fountain at the site of the toppled Vladimir Lenin monument, located at the intersection of Khreshchatyk Street and Taras Shevchenko Boulevard. This initiative has drawn criticism from Oleksandr Alfiorov, head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance. Alfiorov, a reserve major and historian, believes the decision is not only puzzling but also potentially dangerous.
In a Facebook post cited by the publication 'Hlavkom,' Alfiorov argued that a fountain represents an attempt to create a 'grey zone' in the historical narrative. He emphasized:
'A fountain is like renaming Lenin Street to Apricot Street. Something neutral: as if to say, another government will come later, so why bother? This is how 'grey zones' are created, and the consciousness of the younger generation is left without clear reference points.' Oleksandr Alfiorov
Alfiorov, who also chairs an expert group on de-Russification in Kyiv, expressed his position, noting that the fountain decision is strange and incomprehensible, especially given that he is a fifth-generation resident of the city.
Alternative Proposals for Kyiv's Monuments
The Lenin monument was toppled in 2013 during events known as 'Leninfall.' In the context of changing monuments in Kyiv, Alfiorov proposes creating a memorial complex instead, considering a fountain insufficient. Among other suggestions he has voiced are:
- erecting a monument to Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi at the former Lenin site;
- placing a monument to Symon Petliura at the other end of the boulevard, replacing the monument to Shchors.
A monument to Mykhailo Hrushevskyi is already situated at the center of this ensemble.
This debate over the fountain illustrates the complexities of Ukraine's decommunization process. It underscores the importance of historical memory and identity for a society seeking new reference points after a prolonged period of Soviet influence. Alfiorov's reaction indicates that the question of replacing monuments and symbols remains highly relevant and requires deeper public discussion. The issue is part of a broader national effort to redefine public space following Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea and the ongoing war.
The ongoing debate surrounding the proposed fountain at the former Lenin monument site highlights broader discussions about Kyiv's historical narrative and its public spaces. For those interested in the implications of such decisions, a recent article explores the controversy in greater detail, shedding light on the various opinions and alternative proposals that have emerged as the city navigates its complex past. You can read more about the reactions and suggestions regarding this contentious issue here.