What? Kyiv Birds-Intellectuals

The famous Kyiv sculptor and designer, the author of a large number of outdoor sculptures of Ukrainian capital Kostiantyn Skrytutskyi designed a new landscaped park dedicated to Kyiv intelligentsia at the intersection of two streets: Oles Gonchar St. and Velyka Zhytomyrska St.

The reason for this decision was the belief that the Kyiv intelligentsia has become “an endangered species”. Therefore, together with the co-author of Peizazhna Alley, it was decided to create unique images of people during mental work in a variety of bird images. A kingfisher, an owl, a crow, a hoopoe, and a sparrow have become symbols of the intelligentsia.

Allegorical images of birds are the types of city residents who live near us. The kingfisher is a symbol of shy and conscientious citizens and intellectuals. The owl is a symbol of learning, erudition, and education. These are people of science: scientists, professors, academics, educators, teachers, and engineers.

The raven symbolizes wise citizens who have some power over others, but do not abuse it. It is a symbol of enlightened and culturally rich city government. The hoopoe symbolizes artists, actors, writers, singers, and theater.

The first sculpture at the intersection of Oles Gonchar St. and Velyks Zhytomyrska St. was the kingfisher made of bronze. The kingfisher with a bowed head stands on a concrete pedestal with a cane under the wing. A sign with the inscription says, “The intelligentsia is the keeper of the future!”

Konstiantyn Skrytutskyi commented on his first creation in the park, “By its nature, a kingfisher is a very shy bird – always hides his head under a wing, as if it is ashamed of everything that is happening around. It is a bit sad, looking at what is happening around, but still, he isn’t departing from Kyiv. A kingfisher would be happy to fly to warm countries, but he likes it here and cannot fly away – it would be a shame…”

The sparrow stands for the middle class that boldly jumps and survives as it can, but his soul is full of boldness and courage. Also, the sparrow symbolizes rebellion. This bird is in the cage with its bars torn from the inside, which is a kind of intellectual who went out to the Maidan to show their fighting spirit.

Konstiantyn Skrytutskyi with his works wants to show that because of total inertia and insensitivity of Kyiv intelligentsia has become an endangered species, and is time to it to be included to the Red Book.

However, intellectuals still exist, and they must manifest themselves actively in all public affairs. This is a kind of friendly caricature, which is to make intellectuals thinking.

Green Square at the intersection Oles Gonchar St. and Velyka Zhytomyrska St. was conquered won back from the developers by the public of the city led by human rights activist Marina Soloviova. There is a volumetric zone map of St. Sophia located in this park, which is a world heritage site and is protected by UNESCO.

And that is not all! Intelligent Square will be replenished with new sculptures of birds and intellectuals.

Walking around the center of the capital, pay attention to these charming sculptures and remember about us!