City Day Celebration: Kyiv’s Founding Figures Dressed in Trypillian Attire

New Look for the Founders of Kyiv Statues

According to Главком: For this year’s City Day festivities, the statues of Kyiv’s legendary founders-Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and Lybid-at Poshtova Square have been outfitted in authentic Trypillian costumes. The transformation, timed to coincide with Kyiv Day and the Feast of the Holy Trinity, was conceived by sculptor Volodymyr Zhuravel. The public can view the revamped monuments on May 30 and 31.

Plans for a New Fountain

Meanwhile, Kyiv’s center is set to welcome a new fountain with a price tag of nearly 52 million hryvnias. It will be installed on the site of the former Lenin monument, which was dismantled before 2013, across from the Bessarabsky Market. Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Valentyn Mondryivskyi, announced these plans for upgrading the intersection of Khreshchatyk and Taras Shevchenko Boulevard.

In the past, the statues at Poshtova Square have sported embroidered shirts, Ukrainian Armed Forces uniforms, angel costumes, and classic raincoats. However, the concept of neutral beautification has sparked criticism from opinion leaders and activists, who argue that such makeovers lack ideological substance.

“The installation of new costumes for the statues and the fountain plans reflect the city authorities’ active efforts to renew public spaces in Kyiv,” said Valentyn Mondryivskyi.

Yet, activists’ criticism over the absence of ideological meaning in these changes highlights the need for a deeper approach to urban space development-one that takes into account historical context and cultural heritage. These events could serve as catalysts for further discussions on identity and cultural policy in Ukraine.

As the city embraces its vibrant heritage through the new costumes for the founders' statues, the upcoming installation of three fountains in central Kyiv further emphasizes the ongoing transformation of public spaces. These fountains, set to enhance the urban landscape, are part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the heart of the city. To learn more about how these installations will contribute to the festive atmosphere of City Day, visit the details on the fountain project.