The objet d’art “Heart of Ukraine”, made of Metinvest steel, was unveiled in the Cherkasy region on August 23, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the country.
The complex is located in the geographical center of Ukraine – in the village of Maryanovka, Zvenigorod district. Until recently, only a memorial sign informed about the location of the center of the country.
The objet d’art consists of 25 pairs of wings that symbolize all regions of Ukraine and the Republic of Crimea. The white steel wings are overworked with ornaments specific to each region. In the center of the complex, there is a sculpture of a heart under glass. The composition is complemented by a 52-meter flagpost with the largest Ukrainian flag in the Cherkasy region. The area of the complex is almost 5 thousand square meters, the height is more than 5 meters.
The “Heart of Ukraine” was created according to the principles of a barrier-free environment: ramp, tactile navigation, audio guide, model of the complex for hearing impaired people are provided here.
For the construction of the objet d’art, Metinvest supplied more than 66 tons of steel at the value of UAH 2.8 million. Hot-rolled sheets, pipes, angles and channels were produced at the Mariupol assets of the Group – “Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol” and “Azovstal Iron and Steel Works”.
Vladimir Zelensky, President of Ukraine:
– Today we have a big family holiday – the day of the symbol of our big family, the day of the blue-yellow flag, the Day of the State Flag of Ukraine. On the 30th anniversary of the restoration of our independence, we will run up it right here, in the geographical center of Ukraine. It is here that the heart, the heart of Ukraine, beats. This is the objet d’art, around which there are 25 steel wings that symbolize our 24 regions and our Crimea.
Yuriy Ryzhenkov, Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest Group:
– The steel “Heart of Ukraine” is located in the very center of the country and is made of Ukrainian metal. And this is our reason for pride. We are sure that there are still many reasons to be proud of Ukrainian things ahead of each of us, because metallurgy and the entire industry works for the prosperity and development of the country. Metinvest Group was established at the equator of Independence of Ukraine, and every day for all 15 years of work we prove the truth of these words. And we will continue to do this because we believe in Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Aleksandr Skichko, Head of Cherkasy regional state administration:
– We wanted to create something special for the 30th anniversary of our Ukraine. We must not only remember the past, but also create the present. I was unpleasantly surprised when I first saw the “geographical center of Ukraine” in the Cherkasy region: an inconspicuous and unfinished memorial sign in the middle of a field … Therefore, we decided to create a unique objet d’art there: symbolically unite all of Ukraine in one place of power. We built it without a penny of budgetary funds. We were most pleased to find that there were many caring entrepreneurs who got enthusiastic over our idea. These are not only Cherkasy companies, but also all-Ukrainian ones. I am grateful to every benefactor!
Over 15 years of operation, Metinvest Group, including associated companies, has produced 179 million tonnes of steel. Many objects in Ukraine and around the world have been built from this metal. In particular, this is a new sarcophagus over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the “Olympiysky” stadium and Darnitsky bridge in Kiev, The Shard skyscraper in London, The Shed cultural center and The Oculus transport hub in New York, the world’s largest sailing ship Flying Clipper and much more