Decommunisation of the Mother Ukraine Monument
Ukraine has undergone a significant cultural transformation known as decommunisation, a process aimed at removing the remnants of Soviet influence from the public sphere. This movement gained legal momentum in April 2015, when the Ukrainian parliament outlawed Soviet and communist symbols, monuments, and street names. While World War II monuments were specifically excluded from these laws to preserve historical memory, other landmarks have been targeted for updates to reflect Ukraine's national identity.
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The Transition from Soviet to National Symbols
One of the most prominent examples of this process is the modification of the Mother Ukraine Monument. In February 2018, Volodymyr Viatrovych, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, advocated for the removal of the Soviet state emblem from the monument's shield, proposing its replacement with the tryzub (the Ukrainian trident coat of arms).
By May 6, 2023, amidst the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, the Ministry of Culture announced that plans to execute this replacement were underway. This move was supported by public sentiment; the DIAM urban planning agency reported that in 2022, 85% of 800,000 consulted citizens favored replacing the Soviet imagery with the national trident.
Design and Implementation
The new trident design was developed by Ukrainian sculptor Oleksiy Perhamenshchyk, with assistance from Viktor Yushchenko, the third President of Ukraine. The physical removal of the Soviet emblem began on July 13, 2023, and was completed on August 1, 2023.
The installation of the Ukrainian Trident commenced on August 5, 2023, as part of the preparations for Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. Despite facing challenges such as heavy rain, intense wind, and Russian air raids, the crew completed the work on schedule.
Key Facts
- Legal Basis: Decommunisation laws passed in April 2015 outlawed most Soviet symbols.
- Public Support: 85% of 800,000 citizens surveyed by DIAM supported the change.
- Designers: Sculptor Oleksiy Perhamenshchyk and former President Viktor Yushchenko.
- Timeline: The Soviet emblem was removed on August 1, 2023, and the trident was installed by August 24, 2023.
- Material: The trident is constructed from stainless steel.
Controversies and Technical Inspections
The project was not without friction. The expenditure of the state budget on the monument during wartime sparked controversy, leading the Ukrainian parliament to vote for the dismissal of Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko before the work was finalized.
Further debate arose on August 1, 2024, when Ihor Krivtsun, director of the Paton Institute of Electric Welding, suggested that the trident was at risk of corrosion and detachment. However, the designer, Perhamenshchyk, refuted these claims. He explained that the Shimanovsky Institute of Steel Construction—the same body that oversaw the original 1970s construction—had supervised the replacement.
Perhamenshchyk clarified that the trident is made of stainless steel with the same material proportions as the rest of the statue. He noted that what appeared to be corrosion in drone footage was actually a yellowing of the upper nanolayer of the welding seam, caused by the interaction of air with the 0.08% carbon content in the steel.
The War Museum later confirmed that inspections showed no signs of corrosion, only minor defects. By October 10, 2024, the museum's press service announced that the Paton Institute had fixed these defects, ensuring the welds met all regulatory documentation requirements and officially concluding the decommunisation process for the monument.
| Feature | Soviet Era | Post-Decommunisation |
|---|---|---|
| Shield Emblem | Soviet State Emblem | Ukrainian Trident (Tryzub) |
| Design Authority | Soviet Engineers | Oleksiy Perhamenshchyk & Viktor Yushchenko |
| Material | Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Completion Date | 1970s | August 2023 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Soviet emblem removed from the Mother Ukraine Monument?
The removal was part of Ukraine's broader decommunisation process, which began with laws in 2015 to remove Soviet and communist symbols from public spaces to reflect national identity.
Who designed the new Ukrainian trident for the monument?
The design was created by sculptor Oleksiy Perhamenshchyk with the help of Viktor Yushchenko, the third President of Ukraine.
Was there public support for this change?
Yes, according to the DIAM urban planning agency, 85% of 800,000 citizens consulted in 2022 favored replacing the Soviet imagery with the trident.
Were there any technical concerns regarding the new installation?
The Paton Institute of Electric Welding initially raised concerns about potential corrosion. However, these were clarified as minor defects and a natural yellowing of the welding seam's nanolayer, all of which were repaired by October 2024.
Did the project face any political opposition?
Yes, there was controversy regarding the use of state funds during wartime, which contributed to the dismissal of Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko.