Preserving the Capital's Heritage: An Urban Center Reconstructing Its Foundations Amidst the Onslaught of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko beamed with pride as she displayed her recently completed front door. The restoration team had affectionately dubbed its ornate transom window the “pastry”, a playful reference to its curved shape. “Personally, I believe it’s more of a peafowl,” she stated, gazing at its branch-like details. The restoration project at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with several neighbourhood pavement parties.

It was also an act of defiance towards an invading force, she explained: “We strive to live like everyday people despite the war. It’s about shaping our life in the optimal way. Fear does not drive us of living in our country. The possibility to emigrate existed, relocating to a foreign land. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.”

“Our aim is to live like normal people despite the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.”

Preserving Kyiv’s historic buildings seems paradoxical at a time when missile strikes regularly target the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, bombing campaigns have been significantly intensified. After each attack, workers cover shattered windows with plywood and try, where possible, to save residential buildings.

Amid the Conflict, a Battle for Identity

Despite the violence, a collective of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s deteriorating mansions, built in a whimsical style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the downtown Shevchenkivskyi district. It was constructed in 1906 and was originally the home of a wealthy fur dealer. Its exterior is embellished with horse chestnut leaves and fine camomile flowers.

“These buildings represent symbols of Kyiv. These properties are increasingly scarce in the present day,” Danylenko stated. The residence was designed by a designer of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by exhibit similar art nouveau features, including asymmetry – with a pointed turret on one side and a turret on the other. One popular house in the area displays two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp.

Dual Challenges to History

But external attacks is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unscrupulous developers who demolish listed buildings, dishonest officials and a political leadership apathetic or opposed to the city’s profound architectural history. The bitter winter climate imposes another burden.

“Kyiv is a city where capital prevails. We are missing genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He asserted the city’s mayor was closely associated with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov further alleged that the plan for the capital is reminiscent of a different time. The mayor has refuted these claims, saying they originate from political rivals.

Perov said many of the community-oriented activists who once championed older properties were now fighting on the frontline or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that the entire society was facing financial problems, he added, including those in the legal system who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this continues the more we see deterioration of our society and public institutions,” he argued.

Destruction and Abandonment

One egregious location of loss is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was lined with classical 19th-century houses. A developer who purchased the plot had committed to preserve its charming brick facade. Shortly following the onset of major hostilities, heavy machinery demolished it. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new retail and office development, watched by a surly security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was not much hope for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers demolished old properties while claiming they were doing “historical excavation”, he said. A 20th-century empire also caused immense damage on the capital, reconstructing its central boulevard after the second world war so it could allow for official processions.

Upholding the Legacy

One of Kyiv’s most notable champions of historic buildings, a heritage expert, was fell in 2022 while serving in the frontline. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were continuing his important preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 stone mansions in Kyiv, many constructed for the city’s wealthy entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their period doors are still in existence, she said.

“It was not foreign rockets that eliminated them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could last another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now little will be left,” she emphasized. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique creeper-covered house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and also serves as a film set and museum. The property has a new crimson entrance and original-style railings; inside is a period bathroom and antique mirrors.

“The war could go on for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing will be left.”

The building’s resident, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “very cool and a little bit cold”. Why do many locals not appreciate the past? “Sadly they lack education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to go to the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Previous ways of thinking persisted, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their built surroundings, he added.

Resilience in Preservation

Some buildings are falling apart because of bureaucratic indifference. Chudna pointed to a once-magical villa tucked away behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons nested among its shattered windows; debris lay under a fairytale tower. “Many times we lose the battle,” she conceded. “Preservation work is therapy for us. We are attempting to save all this history and beauty.”

In the face of war and neglect, these citizens continue their work, one facade at a time, arguing that to preserve a city’s identity, you must first save its walls.