Maidan
“Maidan” in Ukrainian means “Square”. The full name of the location is Square of Independence (Maidan Nezalezhnosti). The history of Maidan is tightly connected with Ukraine’s struggle for its freedom
In October 1990, when Ukraine was still under the soviet rule, a student protest campaign took place on the main square of Kyiv. Main requirements of the protesters were to stop Ukraine’s membership in USSR and also democratic re-election of the Ukrainian government. The protest was successful, and after Ukraine got its independence the main square of Kyiv got its modern name
In 2000 a monument to the legendary founders of Kyiv was erected. According to historical chronicles, in 5th century CE three brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and their sister Lybid found a city on the right bank of Dnipro river, and named after the oldest brother Kyi — Kyiv
The central element of Maidan is Independence Monument, erected here in 2001, for the 10th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. Sculpture on the top of the monument is Berehynia — ancient slavic goddess of motherhood and protection
The monument of Cossack Mamay was installed on Maidan in 2001. He is is a Ukrainian folkloric hero. Cossacks were free worriers of Ukrainian democratic, self-governing, semi-military state, existing in 15th-18th century. World’s first democratic constitution was created by cossacks in 1710
In 2014 another historic event happened on Maidan Revolution of Digniy. It started as a peaceful student protest against severely corrupted government, but as the state tried to suppress the protest with violence, it sparked a revolution in the country, which led to the president escaping to Russia, and further war on the east of Ukraine and occupation of Crimean peninsula
You can learn more about the Revolution of Dignity in “Winter on Fire” documentary on Netflix
Maidan is split on two halfs by Khreshchatyk street
Archangel Michael is a symbol of Kyiv
Hidden gem
A wonderful view over the Maidan opens from the bridge across the Instytutska street and the viewpoint it leads to
