A sculpture unveiled in Kyiv region on the anniversary of its liberation

The four-meter sculpture represents the victory of life over destruction, and its arches will symbolize the resistance of seven districts of Kyiv region and the capital.

On April 2, 2023, the sculpture "Girl under the sun" was unveiled on the main square of the village of Borodianka in the Kyiv region. A year ago, the Armed Forces of Ukraine completely liberated the Kyiv region from the russian invaders. The event was attended by Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine; Dmytro Nazarenko, First Deputy Head of the Kyiv regional military administration; sculptor Yevhen Prymachenko; Victor Shkurba, founder and creative director of the agency [isdgroup]; George Yerko, Borodianka village head.

"The sculpture reflects the powerful contrast of life and destruction that accompanied Ukrainians throughout the war — and the victory of life in this contrast. More than a year of the war, a terribly difficult winter under shelling, in some places without heat and light, showed that Ukrainians not only repulse the enemy in a dignified manner at the front, but each and everyone resists, steadfastly enduring any trials. This girl doesn't just resemble the Kyiv region, but the whole Ukraine," Oleksii Kuleba, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, who was present at the opening, emphasized the significance of the sculpture.

Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, and the surrounding towns are among the most affected by the actions of the aggressor. They were under russia's control for over a month. Fierce battles took place. The russians did not disdain any methods, including aerial bombs. One of them was dropped on a peaceful quarter in the center of Borodianka — in particular, on Tsentralnaya Street, where about 150 people lived in a nine-story building. 24 of them died under the rubble as the convoys of russia-backed Chechen formations prevented the Borodianka State Emergency Service from rescuing the people who remained alive.

After the long-awaited liberation of the village, life began to return to Borodianka.

"The enemy failed to exhaust us, thanks to our people. Under bullets, Ukrainians rescued the wounded, brought medicine, evacuated people, and distributed food. Our victory consists of thousands of heroic stories of ordinary people who did not surrender and stood up to protect their homes. Teachers, medical workers, drivers, rescuers, security guards, volunteers, businessmen – we thank everyone. Everything is destroyed – let's restore it and make it even better. This sculpture is a symbol of indomitability and stability, a symbol of our dreams. The war will end with our victory, and we will restore peace for our children," Dmytro Nazarenko, First Deputy Head of the Kyiv regional military administration, said.

At the beginning of the summer of 2022, a documentary photo of a girl on a swing in front of the same destroyed house went viral in the media. The photo became the inspiration for the sculpture, which was implemented by the ISD Group agency as part of the nationwide campaign "Let's fight for a new life" with the assistance of the Office of the President of Ukraine in partnership with the Borodianka settlement community, the Kyiv regional military administration with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The image was reinterpreted by the sculptor Yevhen Prymachenko — instead of a swing, the sun's rays appeared, crossing each other to form a protective dome over the girl. Arranged by arches, they symbolize the resistance of seven districts of Kyiv region and the capital itself. The girl was symbolically placed in the same square where the photo was taken.

«This is a very "sensitive" place and an actual event for us. It was important that the image of the girl did not become a monument to the fallen, that in no way affected the feelings of their loved ones – but, on the contrary, was a hymn to life, that it had the same dynamics that moves us to victory. So, together with Yevgeny Prymachenko, we found the image of the sun's rays, whose energy is precisely about this, about our opposition," Viktor Shkurba, founder and creative director of the agency [isdgroup], which implements the project, told the details of the idea.

Currently, the Borodianka settlement community plans to build new apartment buildings on the site of the destroyed ones. Also, as part of the general reconstruction, the restoration of the central square named after Taras Shevchenko will take place, in particular, the construction of a separate museum exposition of Banksy's works, the restoration of Ukraine's famous poet Taras Shevchenko monument and other works are planned.

«I visited Borodianka for the first time on June 5, 2022. At the same time, I saw what destruction russia had brought. Standing here with you today, I pay tribute to the Ukrainians' undeniable determination and strength to rebuild their community. Independent Ukraine inspires the world with its courage, determination, and unshakable faith in a sovereign and democratic future. This is what I have seen over and over again since I first arrived in Kyiv, an incessant desire to resist and live freely. The American people are proud to support Ukrainians in their defense and recovery," Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine, said.

Photos by Mykola Tymchenko, Rubryka.