Kyiv Considers Replacing Removed Bulgakov Statue with Monument to Poet Lina Kostenko

New Push for Monuments in Kyiv

According to Главком: Following the removal of the Mikhail Bulgakov monument on Andriyivskyi Descent, fresh proposals have emerged to fill the vacated space. Petitions published on the Kyiv City Council website suggest erecting statues to two celebrated Ukrainian writers: Lina Kostenko and Ivan Bahrianyi. The dismantled Bulgakov statue has been handed over for safekeeping to the heir of its sculptor, Mykola Rapai.

Lina Kostenko and Ivan Bahrianyi

Lina Kostenko, one of the candidates for the new monument, is the author of major works including the novel in verse 'Marusia Churai,' the poem 'Berestechko,' and the prose novel 'Notes of a Ukrainian Madman.' In 1967, she was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The petitioner advocating for a monument to Lina Kostenko states: 'Lina Kostenko is a living legend, the conscience of the Ukrainian nation, and a symbol of invincibility.'

A separate petition proposes a monument to Ivan Bahrianyi, a 20th-century Ukrainian writer. The petitioner emphasizes Bahrianyi’s significance, noting: 'Ivan Bahrianyi is one of the most prominent Ukrainian writers of the 20th century. He endured arrests, torture, and persecution under the Soviet regime, yet never broke down or collaborated with communist authorities.'

To fund the Ivan Bahrianyi monument, the petitioner suggests involving philanthropists and business partners as sponsors. The monument’s design would be determined through an open competition with community voting or a jury. Conditions for its installation include:

• transparency of expenses;
• participation of sculptors and architects.

After the Bulgakov statue was taken down, a heated debate erupted on social media over who should take its place. These public discussions and monument proposals highlight the role of cultural landmarks in shaping national identity and honoring key figures in Ukrainian literature.

The initiatives to install new monuments where the Bulgakov statue once stood reflect current societal cultural demands and a desire to pay tribute to Ukrainian literary figures. Lina Kostenko and Ivan Bahrianyi, chosen for the proposed monuments, represent resilience and national consciousness, underscoring the importance of their legacy for modern Ukrainian society. The discussions and upcoming votes on these new monuments could mark a significant step in shaping Kyiv’s-and Ukraine’s-cultural policy.

As discussions around potential replacements for the Bulgakov statue continue, the suggestion of honoring literary figures like James Joyce has also gained traction. This reflects a broader interest in recognizing significant cultural icons within Kyiv, which could further enrich the city's artistic landscape.