In Kiev: Maidan Nezalezhnosti / Independence Square
Maidan Nezalezhnosti / Independence Square is the central square in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The square is often called simply Maidan ("square"). Independence Monument is a victory column located on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kiev and is commemorated to the Independance of Ukraine. The monument was built in a compositional center of the square to the 10th Anniversary of the independence of Ukraine in 2001. The Monument to Founders of Kyiv is located in a fountain at the foot of the famous monument to the Virgin Orans, Ukraine’s protector. Both monuments were created by Ukrainian sculptor Anatoliy Kush in 2000 following the reconstruction of Independence Square. According to Pavlo Podufalov from Kyiv Post (www.kyivpost.com) “Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Ukrainian for Independence Square), served as the main stage for all the biggest protest movements in the history of independent Ukraine. It hosted a student-driven Revolution on Granite in 1991, the Orange Revolution in 2004, and the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2013-2014. The EuroMaidan Revolution, often dubbed in Ukraine the Revolution of Dignity, started on Nov. 21, 2013 with a protest against the government’s decision to turn away from the Association Agreement with the European Union and instead consider joining Russia and Belarus in their Customs Union. Millions of people protested in Kyiv and around Ukraine, with a permanent camp set on Maidan Nezalezhnosti Square and Khreshchatyk Street. The revolution culminated on Feb. 18-20, 2014, when several dozen protesters were killed within three days. The total toll is close to 100 people, prompting the name “Heavenly Hundred” for the slain protesters. The revolution succeeded: on Feb. 22, then-President Viktor Yanukovych fled Ukraine. Many of his close allies followed and now live in Russia and Western Europe. The camp stayed on Maidan Nezalezhnosti for several months.” These photos were taken in April 2019 and show some view of the Maidan Nezalezhnosti at that time.