The Russian occupiers have destroyed another immovable architectural monument of local importance - Mykolaiv Lyceum named after Mykola Arkas, a prominent historian and one of the founders of the Mykolaiv-based Prosvita.
The historic building was built in 1892 according to by the architect Eugene Stuckenberg.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
The building survived World War I and World War II, and in 2022 it was damaged by Russian missiles that flew in twice. In September, an explosion blew out windows, and on the night of November 1, the central part of the building was severely damaged.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
"The first destruction was on September 4. A rocket came from Nikolska Street and smashed our windows. We sewed up the windows on our own, with the help of the Education Department, volunteers, parents, and hoped that the second time we would not suffer such a disaster," Lyubov Patlata told the "Your Home" project. Lyubov Patlata, who took over as acting director of the lyceum in November 2022.
After the second rocket arrived less than two months later, the damage to the two-story building was substantial.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
"There are offices to the left and right of the main entrance. Everything is intact there, only the windows have been blown out and the ceilings of the offices have been damaged, and the doors of some offices on the second floor have been knocked out. Two central floors were destroyed. They hit the marble staircase with this missile," says Ms. Lyubov.
The ceilings between the floors collapsed, and the hall and several offices were destroyed.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
"The Ukrainian and English language classrooms were destroyed, as well as the classroom that had an art gallery. There were there were computers, interactive whiteboards, projectors, desks, furniture - all of it was destroyed. We took out what we could, but in room 18, these desks are still standing, and the ceiling is right there," adds the acting director.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
Since February 24, 2022, children no longer attended the institution, and teachers mostly worked from home. Only the administration came on duty.
"I stayed in Mykolaiv all the time, never leaving. The lyceum is my life. I came here after my maternity leave and stayed here. We believe in reconstruction and dream that our children will return to their native institution," says the head teacher.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
The former director of the institution, Serhiy Berezhnyi, who had headed it for almost 30 years, was also painfully affected by the news of the destruction.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
"It was his life, so my father suffered a great psychological trauma," said Lyudmyla Aristova, daughter of Serhiy Berezhnyi.
Collage courtesy of Svoi Dim platform
Photo provided by Lyubov Patlata for the platform "Svoi Dim".
On the platform "My Home"platform, you can share your own memories of a destroyed home or institution where you worked. There is a convenient questionnaire for this.