Background Article Kharkiv–a Metropolis at War The initiators of the interview project stayed in Kharkiv during the continuous attacks. Iryna Skyrda, a member of Young Kharkiv, talks about what was special about the city and how it changed as a result of the war.
Location Portrait North Saltivka North Saltivka, a district in the north-east of Kharkiv, is one of the newest parts of the city. Most of the urban structures and features we see today were built between 1987 and 1993. The district is characterized by 9, 12, or 16-storeyed prefabricated buildings, as well as several schools, kindergartens, and two polyclinics. After February 24, 2022, North Saltivka was systematically bombed by Russia, resulting in catastrophic destruction. It is estimated that 70% of the buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed. Until February 24, 2022, almost 200,000 people lived in this area, today (as of July 2023) only about a thousand remain.
Introduction Oral History Interviews in War-time What does it mean to interview people when there is a war going on? Yevhenii Telukha describes the difficult circumstances under which the interviews were produced.
Russian-Germans The virtual exhibition "Russian-Germans", which has been created at the Martin Opitz Library, focuses on Russian German literature. By focusing on the literary works of this heterogeneous group, the exhibition doesn't just talk about the Russian-Germans, but gives them a voice and listens carefully.
Location Portrait Sarzhyn Yar Sarzhyn Yar is a 12 km-long gorge to the north of Kharkiv, which is known for its mineral water spring. The most distinguishing landmark of Sarzhyn Yar is a futuristic concrete pavilion on three pillars, which was designed by the architect V. S. Vasiliev and built in the 1960s. In 2018, the Sarzhyn Yar recreation area from the embankment to the mineral water spring was restored. Seven ponds were created on three different levels, and a children's playground, a sports field, a park landscape, and a new staircase to the "Botanical Garden" metro station were built. The canopy over the spring was also reconstructed and the pumping stations and fountains repaired. On August 30, 2022, shells hit one of the buildings of Sarzhyn Yar, killing a woman who had come to the spring to fetch water.
Location Portrait The dacha-cooperative in Pawlowe-Pole The dacha-cooperative in Pawlowe-Pole is located in the north-west of the city. As a rule, a dacha is not used by its owners as a permanent residence and is part of a garden association. During the Soviet era, private individuals were allocated a 600 square-meter plot of land free of charge for the construction of a country cottage and the establishment of a garden, which they maintained. On 25 March, 2022, the dachas of Pawlowe Pole and the nearby Ukrainian Orthodox church of the Kharkiv Diocese were severely damaged. A shell hit the church and destroyed almost all the stained-glass windows, the walls, and the cupola.
Location Portrait V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University The V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University is one of the most important universities in Ukraine. It was founded in 1804/1805 on the initiative of the Enlightenment intellectual and statesman Vasily Karasin. Until 1917, it was called the Imperial University of Kharkiv. During the Soviet era, was renamed several times: Free Academy of Theoretical Knowledge (1920-1921), Kharkiv Institute of National Education (1921-1932) and State University A. M. Gorky Kharkiv State University (1932-1990). Since 1999, the university has borne its current name. In 2022, the university was significantly affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On March 2, the building of the Faculty of Economics was destroyed by Russian shelling, followed by the sports complex on March 5, the building of the Faculty of Physics and Technology on March 11, and the building of the Institute of Public Administration on March 18. Since March 22, 2022, not a single university building has escaped damage.
Location Portrait Velyka Danylivka Velyka Danylivka is a suburb in the north-east of Kharkiv. Most of the houses here are detached, and there is a forest, a lake and several schools, which is why Velyka Danylivka is considered to be particularly family-friendly. The history of the village dates back to the 17th century – at that time it was a hamlet (Ukr. Chutir), later it became a military base. The first church was built here in 1655, dedicated to St. George. In the second half of the 20th century, the village was incorporated into Kharkiv.
Introduction Who are Young Kharkiv? The interviews about the first months of the war in Kharkiv were conducted by the NGO "Young Kharkiv". But who is "Young Kharkiv" and what goals is the NGO pursuing with its oral history project?
“Boys, boys, as you came, so you will leave here” During the Second World War, Ukraine was the largest Soviet republic, with Kharkiv as the second big Ukrainian city to be fully occupied by the Germans. Kharkiv belonged to the so-called military occupation zone under the Wehrmacht’s control. Those who survived this occupation (still not well...
