Text by Kateryna Kalyuzhnoy for Svoi.City
He created a map where anyone can find historical objects and get to know them virtually through photos, and if desired, visit these locations. In addition, with the support of caring residents, Yaroslav plans to restore the doors to prove that the life of the doors still matters.
The special project "Small construction" continues. We tell how the residents of the east, through their initiatives, create comfortable conditions for development and life in the region. These are small infrastructural changes that can really be implemented in your community.
"Tell the world about Mariupol"
Yaroslav has been interested in architecture for a long time. But, he says, it came from his old hobby – studying genealogy.
Photo from the personal archive of Yaroslav Fedorovsky
"The study of genealogy and family history is always closely intertwined with architecture. When you start studying everything about your ancestors, you get information about where they lived, in what houses. And then you ask yourself the question: "Why was it built exactly in this style?" And I decided to dig even deeper and understand why a person chose this particular style," he says.
Yaroslav always notices the smallest details. It is said that there are many of these details in Mariupol, but, alas, they either do not say anything about them, or they do not say anything about them
"When I began to travel often in Ukraine, I realized that little is known about Mariupol," says Fedorovsky. - If they talk about my city, then only according to two or three parameters, as a rule, negative. Alas, both tourists and local residents did not see or did not pay attention to our historical buildings. Usually they either don't get to it, or the city can't show its architectural value."
Therefore, now Yaroslav set himself the task of telling the whole world about Mariupol and showing his city from an attractive side. For this, he and his team immersed themselves as much as possible in the study of the architecture of the city by the sea
"Now our team consists of completely different people," says Yaroslav. "These are journalists, representatives of public organizations, photographers, and entrepreneurs."
Author: Svetlana Chernukhina
By the way, among entrepreneurs there are those who actively help the implementation of the project by creating branded products. Yes, the company "Hlinka" produces magnets. But "La Rochelle" helps by collecting funds for the restoration of the first historic door: from every cup of coffee sold, 1 hryvnia goes to the project fund. The cultural and tourist center "Tower" helps in conducting and organizing events, and the head of the local palace of culture, Tatiana Zhivoluga, organizes the visual part. Journalist Alevtyna Shvetsova helps a lot.
"I can name dozens more people. Among them are those whom I met thanks to the project. But now he pointed out the most active ones. Every person is valuable to us," says the initiator.
The implementation of the project had a great impact on Yaroslav's acquaintances. Now his close friends who live in different parts of Ukraine began to pay more attention to the architecture that surrounds them.
There are already more than 70 objects on the map
As part of the project, a map of the historical doors of Mariupol has already been launched. It is freely available on Google Maps.
When creating the map, Yaroslav says, there were no special difficulties. It was enough to open Google Maps and create your project. From the technical side, there is also nothing difficult, even a child can handle such work. And then - a walk around Mariupol, attentiveness, searching for details and taking pictures.
"The only thing that hindered the work a little is my location. Territorially, I am in Kyiv, so in order to work on the task, I had to find time to go to my hometown. But it's nice that local residents supported my initiative. They also began to pay attention to historical objects, photograph them and send them to me," says Yaroslav.
With joint efforts, you can now see more than 70 objects on the map with descriptions, photos and dates of their creation
"Now everyone can go there and build routes," says Fedorovsky. - Because, as a rule, when you come to any city, you will want to get to know its architecture and historical places. It is clear that you can turn to professional tour guides and guides. But there are those who like to explore independently. The map was created for them."
Now on the map you can see doors, thresholds, pipes, canopies - this is all that is already there and what the team plans to fill it with in the future.
"The map can be developed even further on the condition that citizens will write to me, take photos of objects," he asks. - I did everything in my spare time. And I really want the map to develop. And for this, I need the help of everyone who cares."
Author: Svetlana Chernukhina
The city's culture department was also interested in the project. And this means that the idea has every chance of support and further development.
"It's nice that people understand the importance of preserving our history. Door restoration is certainly important. But the creation and development of the map will be a good helper for those who have not thought about the fact that there are so many interesting objects steeped in history in Mariupol," Yaroslav noted.
In addition, it will be possible to easily track whether the objects are kept or destroyed mercilessly
The favorite doors of the author of the project are at 44 Fontannaya street. He feels special feelings for them because they were the first to be presented as part of the project.
"I believe that the doors are not about history, but about the people who live in those houses where these doors have been preserved. In general, every object is dear to me. And I want to preserve them all," he says.
Ready for restoration
It was the vintage door at 44 Fontanna Street that was the first to be restored.
"We will soon remove this 1911 door from its hinges, it will be inspected by Valery Kapinus, a restorer from Mariupol. However, first it will be necessary to make a temporary door for the house," says Yaroslav.
As soon as it is made, the antique can be dismantled and taken to the workshop.
"The period of restoration will take up to 1,5 months," estimated the author of the project. - The color for the work will be chosen as close as possible to the historical one. As soon as the work is completed, the object will be brought and installed in place"
It was already possible to collect the minimum amount for the work - 20 thousand hryvnias. However, the final figure for the work will be given after cleaning the door from the old paint coating and determining the condition of the vintage object, purchasing the necessary materials.
Therefore, the collection of funds is still ongoing and is currently being carried out on Yaroslav's card - 5168755427858069.
"I keep a full report on receipts, I post screenshots on the network. Now we are negotiating with the "Archimisto" organization so that they open a bank account for our project."
Funds are collected as donations and through the sale of souvenir products - magnets, T-shirts, badges, soap and even gingerbread. They depict doors that are planned to be restored, made in the same design.
Chances to break out in the leader
It is worth noting that Mariupol is not the first city to start projects for the restoration and preservation of historical doors. The residents of Ivano-Frankivsk were the first to take up this matter.
"I know the guys who were the first to implement a similar project. I even went to them to get experience. There is such an initiative in Odessa as well. But, alas, they do not actively engage in it there," says Yaroslav
Therefore, with the support of the public, and possibly the city government, Mariupol has every chance to become a leader with such an initiative.
"Often, excursions in Ukraine are dry and unemotional. People are simply taken around the objects, told what was there and how, but they do not introduce the people who carefully preserve the preserved fragments of that time. And this is living history. That's why we want to convey emotions."
Now, Fedorovsky shares, their main task is to tell as many people as possible about the project.
"When, out of more than 20 houses with historical doors, I went around 16, I did not meet a single resistance from the owners. At the same time, I took photos and filmed videos. On the contrary, many welcomed me and even allowed me to sometimes bring people on excursions so that they could feel the atmosphere of the time.
How to repeat
For those who decide to start a similar project in their city, Yaroslav gives 5 tips for getting started
- If you doubt whether it is worth starting to create such a map or not, it is definitely worth it. This digitizes objects and will help estimate the amount of work.
- Be sure to take high-quality photos and videos that can be used on social networks and during the restoration process.
- Find like-minded people. It is very difficult for one person to track all objects. When you have a team, together you will be able to find more unique objects.
- Create accounts and pages of the project in social networks. There you can share news, communicate, talk about plans and problems. You will be open, which means that many people will be able to join you and support the idea. Convey the importance of your idea, say why it is important to preserve historical objects, talk about them and restore them.
The material is published with the permission of the resource Svoi.City.
