Violinist on the Roof, which was one of the landmarks of Kharkiv, has been recently removed, however, during today’s session of Kharkiv City Council, the mayor Hennadii Kernes demanded the return of the Violinist. We addressed to Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Feldman for the comment. The International Charitable Foundation “Oleksandr Feldman Foundation” and AVEC Concern were the authors of the idea of installing the sculpture as a sign of gratitude and respect for the residents of Kharkiv, the talent of which has served and continues to serve the native city. “Violinist on the Roof is one of the most romantic and symbolic presents to Kharkiv, the city that gave a big number of great creative personalities to the world.
Violinist on the Roof was really our present to the city and to our wonderful fellow-citizens. It is a monument to talent, sincerity, disinterested service to art and to the native city. It was removed against our will. There were some threats and almost the fits of hysteria of the mayor demanding to remove the monument. To tell the truth, it is a strange situation in general, it is on the wrong side of common sense: to sort things out with the help of monuments. Perhaps, it is some kind of Kharkiv’s ‘know-how.’ So, maybe it’s time to remove Dzerkalnyi Strumin monument only because we have restored it, or to remove out of sight the football in Shevchenko garden, once again, only because we have installed it. I hope, it won’t come to the removal of the monuments to the fallen heroes of the war, the hundreds of which were put in order within our project “Remembrance and Gratitude.”
Not everything can be measured with money. But if there are persons interested in the sum spent on all our charitable projects, I advise them to visit the website of our charitable foundation and watch. We are absolutely open.
As for the destiny of the Violinist, I assure you that the monument will stay in Kharkiv. It will be mounted on one of our buildings and will be absolutely protected from the differences in the moods of authorities, which first rejects the presents to the city, then demands to place them back, not forgetting about the rent for this present.
All the talks about some benefits for Barabashovo, about our unfulfilled projects are the frank manipulation. Nothing was stolen or taken for free by us. We don’t ask assistance. And we will continue all our projects connected with the development of Kharkiv. Nobody will stop us. The single assistance we expect is the absence of interference. Nevertheless, the various obstacles in form of small or large tricks won’t be a hindrance for us.”
