“Trident of the Motherland”. Redefining
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The war is raging on all fronts. On August 24, 2023, the symbol of the will of Ukrainians – the Trident – will appear on the shield of the steel Oranta, located next to the recently spiritually de-occupied Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, instead of the Soviet coat of arms. I was 15 years old when the very controversial sculpture “Motherland-Motherland” appeared in Kyiv in 1981. Kyivans did not accept her. The monument was established as a symbol of victory in the Second World War and a certain symbol of Soviet totalitarianism. What has changed in the perception of this sculpture? A year ago, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War opened the exhibition “Motherland. Redefinition”, which demonstrated the transformation of the image in the consciousness of Ukrainian society. Therefore, the majority of Ukrainians no longer perceive the monument as a Soviet monument. Moreover, from February 24, 2022, it became a recognizable visual image of Ukrainians’ resistance to Russian aggression, and the message: “Motherland is a symbol of the indomitability of Ukraine” became popular on the Internet. There was also an understanding of the certain kinship of the “Motherland” with the image of Our Lady of Oranta from the Cathedral of St. Sophia of Kyiv, who is called the patroness of Ukraine – the “Unbreakable Wall”. Oranta of Sofia raises her hands in a protective prayer for Ukraine, because Oranta is “the one who prays.” The monument “Motherland” raises a shield and a sword high, looking to the east, from where the enemy has come to our land since time immemorial. Since 2014, with the beginning of Russian aggression, the “gentle Ukrainization” of the “Motherland” began: at first, it was illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag. In 2015, the head of the “Motherland” was decorated with a wreath of red poppies, which are a symbol of the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. And in 2017, in honor of the Eurovision Song Contest, they “dressed up” in the Ukrainian national costumes of various regions. And at the same time, with the help of 3D projection on the shield, they “tried on” the replacement of the coat of arms of the USSR with the Ukrainian Trident. And the Ukrainians liked it. Therefore, when a survey was initiated in Diya, 85% of respondents voted for replacing the coat of arms of the USSR with a trident (about 780,000 people took part in the survey). This survey became the most massive. Taking public opinion into account is a fundamental principle of the functioning of democratic countries. It is fundamental and inviolable. And public dialogue regarding the reinterpretation of our history is actively developing. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine announced the launch of the large-scale project “Trident of the Motherland”. Finally, Ukrainians will get rid of the coat of arms of the USSR, and on the shield of the “Motherland-Motherland” monument will appear our ancient symbol, an amulet that symbolizes the continuity of the traditions of the Ukrainian state – the Trident. Oleksandr Tkachenko against the background of the Motherland The event has great national and symbolic significance, because it is: the establishment of historical justice; cleaning public space of Soviet communist markers and ideological symbols; filling the landscape of the capital of a sovereign independent state with correct patriotic meanings. We have been working on the case of replacing the coat of arms with a trident for more than a year. This is a very complicated process. From the approval of the plan of action from the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, which included a technical survey, the involvement of leading specialists for multi-layer expertise and the preparation of project documentation, to the start of direct work on a complex object, which includes dismantling, manufacturing a new structure and, actually , its installation. Installation of the trident on the shield of the “Motherland-Motherland” monument is implemented exclusively with the support of big business. I emphasize, not a penny from the budget. The cost of the project is UAH 28 million. It was able to be significantly reduced compared to the first project calculations. This became possible thanks to additional research, the involvement of experts and the use of leading European technologies in the execution of works. Today, Ukrainians measure all sums with drones – and it is fair. But each agency must deal with the duties assigned to it within the limits of its authority – and the task of the ICIP is to rid the public space of Sovietism and everything Russian. Why wasn’t this done earlier? A rhetorical question that can be asked about many processes in our country. And today’s government has the courage and plans to do many important things. Even if they may seem unpopular to someone now. The budget for culture is always short, especially during wartime. And at a time when society demands the cleansing of public space from our Soviet past, it should understand that no renaming of a street or demolition of a monument is free. The “Trident of the Motherland” project is an example of unity and fruitful cooperation in difficult times, which brought together big business, specialized companies and several ministries. The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy is grateful to all donors who responded to the call to join the historic project: Monobank, Metinvest, Oschadbank, FUIB, Nova Poshta, PrivatBank, Ukrainian Agrarian Holding, Persha Privatna Brovarnya, KAN Development and KANBUD, OTP Bank, JSC Naftogaz of Ukraine”, WOG, “Independent Association of Banks of Ukraine” Association, Gennady Butkevich’s BGV BF. These companies have already purchased hundreds of drones and transferred millions to the front. In the same project, they joined the historical victory – on the cultural front. It should also be understood that the replacement of the coat of arms on the monument is only part of the redefinition of the entire National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War. We will share plans and changes in the near future. We already have to form a new museum policy of commemoration of our centuries-old war for independence. And today it is more timely than ever. Especially when projects are realized without state funds. Read also: The Ministry of Culture announced when the Soviet coat of arms will be removed from the “Motherland” shield
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