In an ordinary provincial town in the Dnipropetrovsk region, you can see a very ordinary bust of Taras Shevchenko. It might seem like nothing out of the ordinary, since Shevchenko is a national treasure of Ukraine and monuments to him stand in many cities.
However, the story behind the installation of this bust is unusual and deserves attention.
Monument to Taras Shevchenko in Krinichky
In the well-maintained central park, where it’s pleasant to spend time, you can see a bust of Taras Shevchenko on a pedestal.
It was installed in 2018 to mark the 204th anniversary of the Kobzar’s birthday. More than 200 residents attended the event, which was a momentous occasion for this small town.
The sculpture was created by the renowned sculptor Volodymyr Nebozhenko—his portfolio includes 10 monuments to the Kobzar, the most famous of which is “Young Shevchenko” in Dnipro, near the Shevchenko Theater on Theater Square. The sculptor created several models of the monument before settling on the current version.
The initiative to install the monument came from local businesspeople, who provided some financial support.
The History of the Shevchenko Monument in Krinichky
Previously, there was a concrete statue of Shevchenko in the central park in Krinichky, which had fallen into disrepair over time and needed to be replaced or repaired. There was also a Lenin monument in Krinichky—it was dismantled in 2014, and after the metal was melted down, the proceeds were used to create a statue of the Kobzar from the finest material—red granite. Now, the memory of Taras will stand in Krinichky for many years to come.
That’s the story behind the bust of Taras Shevchenko in Krinichky. Be sure to stop by and see it when you’re in town.