The former Arch of Friendship of Peoples will not be dismantled: what is proposed to be changed

In Kyiv, the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian People, which until May 14, 2022 was called the “Arch of Friendship of Nations”, will not be dismantled. The sculpture will be rethought, and the space near it will receive a new concept.

This was reported by the KMDA.

It was decided to save the arch after a professional study and consultations with the public.

First of all, the dismantling of the building requires significant funds, which would be allocated from the local budget. During martial law, this is not the time, and the money should be directed to the needs of the Armed Forces. Secondly, the arch is a hallmark of Kyiv and was decommunized and renamed in 2022. In addition, the Soviet sculpture of two workers near the arch was dismantled in the same year. Thirdly, the KMDA promises to demolish the sculpture with Cossacks under the arch.

We remind you that in April 2024, the Arch of Freedom of Ukrainian of the people (the former Arch of Friendship of Peoples) lost the status of a historical monument. The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance proposed to dismantle the structure, as the arch is a symbol of Russian imperial policy.