#berehynia-oranta

Monument to Ukranian Independence

This monument was erected in 2001. It honors the anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, its re-birth after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. It consists of three elements, chosen through a competition among sculptors.

The female bronze figure on top, lifting her arms to heaven and holding a branch of Guelder Rose is based on Berehynia-Oranta, a female spirit from Slavic pagan mythology, considered the mother of all living things and protector of home and family. She is wearing Ukranian national dress. The column where she stands is made of white marble. There is a structure at the bottom that resembles a temple.  The monument is the highest structure in the entire country, and it is located on the central square of Kyiv (Maidan Nezalezhnosti.)