October Palace

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Coordinates: 50°27′0″N 30°31′41″E / 50.45000°N 30.52806°E / 50.45000; 30.52806

View on the October Palace from the Instytutska street.

The October Palace (Ukrainian: Жовтневий палац, Zhovtnevy palats) in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, was designed by architect Vikentiy Beretti in the early 1900s. Renamed as the International Center of Culture and Arts (Ukrainian: Міжнародний центр культури і мистецтв, Mizhnarodny tsentr kul'tury i mystetstv) after Ukrainian independence in 1991, the palace has been used for different purposes throughout its history. Prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917, the building housed a "Seminary for Young ladies" (Russian: Институт благородных девиц, Institut Blagorodnyh Devits), hence the street where it was located was called Institutskaya Street. After the revolution, the building was used by the government, including housing for Kyiv Cheka (later known as KGB).

Almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, the building was renovated between 1952 and 1959, and named the October Palace of Culture, used primarily as a concert stage. The street was also renamed October Revolution Street.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, it was renamed to its present-day name. Today, it continues to be used as a concert hall. A movie theater wing was recently added. Even now, the Centre remains a real centre of Ukraine's spiritual capital. For example, not any cultural institution may boast a library that possesses unique holdings amounting to over 70,000 copies. Various events featuring famous writers, composers, diplomats, politicians, members of parliament and other public figures contribute to the spiritual renaissance of Ukraine, inspire people and endow them with ardent creativity. The well-lit and spacious rooms of the Centre's foyer are always capable of hosting exhibitions spectacularly, emphasising their strong points; the Centre hosts various exhibitions: those of painting, photography, consumer goods, technology and so on. The Centre's capabilities range from intimate family celebrations or somewhat larger anniversary celebrations to large international conferences, symposiums, seminars and congresses.[1]

Massacre

During the years 1920-30 in the building about 120,000 people were killed (shot down or by other means). Among them - famous Soviet Ukrainian artists, painters, writers, politicians, professors, teachers, scientists, priests and so on.

References

  1. ↑ "International Centre for Culture and Arts". 

External links

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