Everyone knows the monument to the founders of Kyiv. This is a sculptural group, built in 1982 in honor of the celebration of the 1500th anniversary of the capital of Ukraine. This is a composition made of forged copper, which is a flat canoe on which there are three figures of the founders of the city, whose names came to us from legends. But how was it really? Is this one monument in Kyiv? What does it mean for the capital of the country? What is its role on Kyiv Day? We will learn about this and much more in the article below.
Legend
"The Tale of Bygone Years" tells us that the Slavic tribe of Polyans lived on the banks of the Danube in the first centuries of our era. Then, pressed by the Romans (Greeks or Romans), they moved to the east and settled on Borisfen (as the Dnieper was called in that era). And that allegedly three brothers - Khoriv, Kyi, Shchek - and sister Lybid founded a city-state on the banks of this great river. They named it in honor of the prince of the meadows. It was the eldest of the brothers, Kiy.
The chronicle does not convey the exact time of his reign, but it is believed that it could be afterhow the empire of the Huns collapsed, which included the Slavic lands. And since it was in the year 453 of our era, the age of Kyiv began to be calculated from this symbolic date. Further, the chronicle complains that after the death of the brothers, the meadows fell under the rule of the Khazars and began to pay tribute to them.
What scientists say
The monument to the founders of Kyiv, thus, was built taking into account historical facts. However, many scholars believe that this chronicle story is nothing more than a legend. After all, this is the only mention of three brothers and a sister, and no other data about them has been preserved. There are versions that this legend entered the annals during the reign of the Varangian princes Askold and Dir in order for them to better understand what kind of people and lands they should rule. But there are indeed indirect supporting facts about the resettlement of the Slavs to the Dnieper. In the year 106, Emperor Trajan conquered the area near the Danube, and the surrounding tribes could be pushed north. And finally the Slavs settled on the Dnieper during the Hun conquest.
How the monument to the founders of Kyiv was built
At first it was supposed to be placed on the pylon of the Moscow bridge. But then it turned out that it could be torn off or damaged by strong winds. Therefore, the place where the sculptural group was supposed to stand was the embankment of the Dnieper. This is Navodnitsky Park. The monument is located near the Dnepr metro station, in view of the famous Paton Bridge.
By the authors of this compositionbecame the architect Feshchenko and the artist, master of stone and iron work Vasily Borodai. The latter was the author of the famous Motherland complex, which is located opposite the sculptural group of the founders of the capital.
Reinforced concrete was chosen as the material for the statues themselves, and covered with copper. The fact is that at that time it was impossible to make sculptures from non-ferrous metals. The boat, on which the figures of brothers and sisters stand, is hoisted on a granite pedestal. It is surrounded by a pool. The length of the boat is about nine meters, and the height of the sculptures is approximately 4 meters.
But time passed, and the metal gradually succumbed to corrosion. And in 2010, the sculptures of the brothers Shchek and Khoriv collapsed. I had to restore the monument to the founders of Kyiv. Its rediscovery took place in May 2010, that is, a few months after the pieces fell. The current sculptures are made of bronze.
Traces in the toponymy and geography of Kyiv
Not only the embankment of the Dnieper has preserved the memory of the founders of the city. Indeed, according to the chronicle, the brothers and sister were amazed by the beauty of the local hills. Therefore, they first founded three settlements, which later merged into one. And in the modern city there are still two hills - Kiyanitsa and Shchekavitsa, on which, according to legend, the original fortifications were first built. There are within the capital and the street Khoriv, and a small river called Lybid. Another monument to the founders of Kyiv was built on the main square of the country - Independence Square.
Meaning
This sculptural group has a special meaningfor residents of Kyiv. On the day when young people get married in the capital, they come to this boat on the embankment and shower it with flowers. There is a belief that this can bring happiness to the newlyweds. But for this you need to stand with your back to the sculptures and throw the bouquet over your head.
But on the Day of Kyiv, which has been solemnly celebrated for many years on the last Sunday of May, they prefer to visit the monument located on the Maidan. This is also a very beautiful composition, but more modern. It depicts a hill on which three brothers stand. Each of them has a symbolic role: one is a warrior and protector, the other is a hunter with a bow and horn, and the third is a farmer. After all, the very word "glade" came precisely from the fact that the Slavs of this tribe preferred to lead an agrarian way of life. And their sister Lybid stands behind them on top of the hill and seems to soar above everything.
The city's holiday itself has been celebrated since 1982, just on the eve of the 1500th anniversary of the capital of Ukraine. Since then, on the last May weekend, vernissages, folk festivals, sports competitions, festivals, grandiose concerts on the Maidan, and in the evening - a laser show with fireworks over the Dnieper have been held.
