Soviet symbols from the Motherland monument in Kyiv may be removed as early as next year. They can do this at the expense of nationalist businessmen, but in place of the hammer and sickle they want to install a “tourist attraction”.
The head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Anton Drobovich, stated this in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
According to the official, something “technological” should appear on the monument’s shield instead of a hammer and sickle.
“...We can’t just cut off the coat of arms and that’s it, but a concept must be thought out about what’s next... we coordinate the process, get support at the highest government level and begin the interesting part - dismantling. This will not be an easy process. To do everything legally, it takes at least a year. Well, and the second part – what in return. This will not be determined by an official in the office - I would like it to be determined by society...
I believe that in addition to the fact that this statue is truly outstanding, an important monument and one of the symbols of the city, its shield is an opportunity. If we figure out how to work with it, it can be a good tourist attraction, as well as a great ideological marker. We need to think about whether it will be something permanent, or something variable, or interactive, whether it will include modern technologies or not,” Drobovich said.
The official also added that local businessmen could help disfigure the Soviet monument. Allegedly, proposals about this have already been received by the institute:
“There are concerned citizens who are ready to partially or fully finance all procedures related to dismantling... We are not talking about tens of millions, but about millions. I am glad that there are potential patrons who are ready to get involved, even among very important organizations in Ukraine.
I’ll tell you more - at first, companies that were ready to dismantle them from some civil initiatives simply approached me on the sidelines. Then I spoke to a person who said that several companies are interested, particularly those who supply materials, and those who work with lighting, and those who work with the creative industries, because this is the ticket to eternity.”