The second flash mob during the last week was organized near this famous building. This time the participants formed a human chain and walked around the building, thus attracting the society’s attention to the problem of Hostynny Dvir being turned into a shopping mall. One of the earlier issues of The Day contained an article on the cabinet of ministers removing this building from the list of architectural monuments on August 15, 2011. Resently, Hostynna Respublika (Hospitable Republic) was created, an organization designed to protect Hostynny Dvir.
One of its organizers Maria LEBEDIEVA told The Day that the creation of this peculiar community art center was caused by the officials’ inertia during the past 10 years. “We are supported by many famous music bands, opera singers, flamenco dancers, and so on. They were delighted with the idea of creating an open cultural space. We function according to the principles of self-government, that are carried out on voluntary basis. It should be emphasized that this is not a protest, this is a process; a non-violent cultural opposition to government’s actions.” Hostynna Respublika activists say that the building has to be renovated, but not reconstructed.
They also reject the officials’ statement that turning Hostynny Dvir into a shopping mall would revive the original purpose it served. “The role of this building in the overall architectural ensemble of Kontraktova Square of the present should be kept in mind,” Lebedieva stressed. About 140 Kyiv dwellers and guests (a fan from England, a couple of Swedes, and a Peruvian citizen being among the latter ones) took part in the flash mob. The oldest participant was 82 years old, and the youngest one turned 12.
