Much was said about the National Holodomor Museum in July. And quite frankly, like never before, or at least like they haven't said in a long time. The past and present years are the 90th anniversary of the famine terror organized by the Soviet system, commemorative events are to be held in November. However, the reason for the discussions was not them, but the adoption of draft law No. 9437 by the Verkhovna Rada on the allocation of additional funds for the completion of the museum and the veto of the draft law by the president two weeks later.
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: prosystems.com.ua
It was not the museum itself as a scientific and research institution, nor the actually existing complex on the Dnipro slopes, the memorial part of which was completed fourteen years ago, and the museum part started in 2017, that stirred up society. The stumbling block was the general problem of using state funds and aid from foreign donors in the face of a full-scale invasion.
Non-transparent decisions and mismanagement are less and less tolerated by a society engaged in a grueling marathon of war, when the front is in desperate need of weapons and rockets are flying at the cities.
State procurement at inflated prices and dubious tenders evoke a whole range of emotions in Ukrainians. Expensive remanent for shelters, shooting TV series, repairing roads or replacing cobblestones — the account of discussed cases and cultural canceling of those involved (and sometimes the serving of suspicions) runs into tens. After the publicity, some decisions were revised, but in general there is a feeling that there is a lack of dialogue between civil society and the officials who systematically make such decisions.
It is not surprising that on such a basis, the news of more than half a billion hryvnias for the museum caused a wave of evaluations. While it was expanding, "into the common basket" were added baits. at. the director of the museum on social networks — both the statements of the haters and the reactions to them became viral. At the same time, Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture and Information Policy, resigned.
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: prosystems.com.ua
Ordinary citizens, public speakers, and officials broadcast their opinions on the role and functions of the museum in its current format, the expediency of its construction, their own reflections, parallels between the genocide of Ukrainians in 1932–1933 and the military aggression of Russia, which has all the features of modern genocide. . The discussion moved into the ethical and political plane.
In an interview with the publication "Ukrainian Pravda", the acting director of the Holodomor-genocide museum, Lesya Hasydzhak, called it a "healthy reaction" and "recovery of society", which does not care how money is spent by the institution, which exists at the expense of the state budget and taxpayers, as well expressing the wish that this interaction should not only be about aspects of control or criticism, but also extend to helping and taking an interest in the museum.
Against the background of these moments, one received much less attention: what will happen to the unfinished museum? There are three months left until November 25, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine. Events on the territory of the memorial-museum complex can hardly take place against the background of an unfinished building and slopes with equipment and tower cranes. The approach of the cold season encourages us to decide on actions on the site, which has a working area of several hectares and a specific terrain.
Will the museum be completed this year and if so, at what cost? In the event that the conservation of the unfinished building is carried out, at what stage is this decision and who takes care of it? What happens to the existing contracts and obligations of the contractor companies that work at the facility and have unfinished work fronts?
The sculpture "Bitter Memory of Childhood", an element of the memorial part of the complex. Photo source: Shutterstock
Before history
The decision to erect a memorial to the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine was approved in 2006 by the Law of Ukraine "On the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine." The memorial was completed in 2009, and the Holodomor Museum as a legal institution also exists since 2009. Although the actual museum infrastructure was not built, this function is assigned to the hall of memory.
The first stage is called the part completed many years ago, consisting of the entrance group with sculptures of angels, Zhorna Doli Square, the sculpture "Bitter Memory of Childhood", the Alley of Black Boards, the "Candle of Memory" chapel and located below it halls It was created precisely as a place to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor-genocide, but it is not designed for permanent exposition and a large number of visitors, holding events, research work with funds - what all museum institutions in the world live by. Therefore, the complex had to change, this opinion was quite well defined, although it was not always shared by the authorities.
From 2010 to 2014, there was a period of semi-oblivion in the history of the museum, there was no political will for its development. To illustrate, we can recall the shameful statement of the then President of Ukraine Yanukovych during his visit to Strasbourg to the PACE in 2010: "These were the consequences of Stalin's totalitarian regime, the attitude towards people. But to recognize the Holodomor as a fact of genocide against one or another people, we believe, would be wrong and unfair. It was a tragedy, a common tragedy of the states that were part of the USSR."
The initiative for the construction of the II phase of the complex was confirmed by the relevant resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers in 2016. The development and adaptation of project documentation and construction started in 2017-2018, then slowed down a bit due to revisions and the pandemic. In 2022, a full-scale war began, despite this, both in the past and in the current year, work on the site continued and continues at the moment.
Photo: Borys Korpusenko. Source: "Evening Kyiv"
The author of the project and the chief architect of the Holodomor-genocide museum is an honored architect of Ukraine, the founder of Project Systems Ltd. Andrii Myrhorodskyi. The concept for the expositions should be provided by partners — Polish architects Nizio Design International and an international group of designers and architects.
Construction is ongoing on the territory adjacent to the Saint Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, so at the beginning the project was coordinated with UNESCO. According to the planning structure, it is possible to draw an imaginary axis from the "Candle of Memory" chapel to the stairs and the museum and further through the pedestrian bridge-alley to the Dniprovsky Uzvoz, the observation deck and the parking lot. The memorial and museum parts will become an organic whole and will have common engineering networks, so the works also include changes in Phase I, in particular, the reconstruction of the "Memorial Hall".
The total area of the museum building will be 14 thousand square meters. m. Equipped with two entrances and a unique sloping roof, it will be a continuation of the natural hills. The roof of the museum symbolizes the plowed blocks through which the seed of truth sprouts, and when completed will be complemented by a living green roof. A significant part of the works at the facility has already been completed.
What exactly were the funds specified in the draft law supposed to be spent on?
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
Planned for the year
Referring to the text of the explanatory note to the draft Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Annex No. 3 to the Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2023", in 2023 it was planned to fully complete the implementation of the project of the first stage of construction. If in details, then make a technological shaft with waterproofing, perform landscaping and lighting of the courtyard area, build a ramp in the park, perform interior finishing works in the office part of the "Candle of Memory" building, install video surveillance equipment and outdoor lighting, and enter the facility into operation As for the II stage, complete the construction of the structural part of the museum building, complete the construction of walls and partitions in the museum building, decorate the facades of the building with granite, install glass-transparent structures, the greening system of the museum roof, main smoke removal and ventilation pipelines in the building, external engineering networks to the building, paving of the pedestrian bridge-alley and terrace with granite, work on the improvement of the territory and the parking lot adjacent to the museum from the side of the Dniprovsky Uzvoz. Also, erect retaining walls (the note lists several) and perform landscaping on the hill near the pedestrian bridge.
The first thing that catches the eye is that there is no information in the list about works in the museum building: decoration of premises, design of expositions, etc. They are not included in the estimate. There is information only about the works in the office part of the "Candle of Memory" building. Secondly, there is a lack of data on the internal engineering networks of the museum: sewage, drainage, heating, electricity. At the same time, it is noted that the greening system of the building's roof should be completed, although some of these communications are necessary for it: for example, to water plants or remove excess moisture from the roof in bad weather.
If you visit the construction site and compare the submitted work fronts and those indicated in the note, you can understand which of them may have been advanced or are being borrowed, and which have frozen due to the withdrawal of funds. We asked the chief architect of the project and representatives of contracting companies about them and the general atmosphere prevailing at the construction site.
Andrii Myrhorodskyi, the author of the project and the chief architect of the Holodomor-genocide museum, Honored Architect of Ukraine
"The builders were completely unprepared for such a turn of events, for the potential stoppage of construction like this, suddenly," Andriy Myrhorodskyi
"Any building under construction suffers from a long stoppage of construction if it is not prepared in advance for the stages of conservation," says Andrii Myrhorodskyi, the chief architect of the museum. — Losses in this case can be of various kinds, from problems with structures that can deform and become unusable, to the degradation of uncovered materials and elements of the construction process. Damage from water or fungus, lack of ventilation and heat inside the building - these are all related to normal construction. The above can happen with the building of the unfinished Holodomor-genocide museum, but there are also special parts of the museum structure, where these losses can be multi-millions in terms of the funds spent on construction and lost as a result of conservation. Fatal consequences can occur with the drainage of water from the roof and from the building itself. Currently, anti-slide measures in various places around the building, on surrounding landscaping objects, and bridge structures have not been completed. There are problems related to the approaching cold weather: the building must be urgently closed from external climatic factors, windows installed and heated. And the biggest financial loss awaits all of us if we don't finish the green roof this year."
The architect explains: the process of its construction cannot be preserved, suspended or postponed for some time. "The museum is located in the protection zone of the Lavra, it is for this reason that a green roof was designed, approved by UNESCO. This living roof is the largest pitched roof in Europe. A German-made system is used for planting plants, it has already been purchased and installed on a previously waterproofed and insulated roof. Now it is necessary to urgently cover this geogrid system with a specific substrate. It is planted with ground cover plants, and if this is not done during the summer season, then the money spent on the purchase of this complex roof will be literally and figuratively wasted. Colossal funds will simply be lost."
Andrii Myrhorodskyi calls this a financial and moral crime for society: "Because this is not just money, but money spent during the war to ensure that Ukraine received an important symbol of national stability and national revival."
The building of the second phase of the Holodomor Museum, photos taken during a tour for media representatives in July 2023. Photo source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
"The builders were completely unprepared for such a turn of events, for the potential stoppage of construction like this, suddenly," continues the architect. — The plans of the customer - the Ministry of Culture - were aimed at completing all types of work as soon as possible before the start of the heating season, and in general what we planned for this year. For now, I will omit the moral and ethical aspect of stopping the construction of the museum."
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: Can you recall precedents when socially important "long-term buildings" were returned to and successfully completed after the work was suspended for a long time?
Andriy Myrhorodskyi: I know hundreds of examples of projects made by famous architects that were "on the table" and then were built, but I don't know about the started and unfinished constructions in our time and in the immediate geographical environment. Even if we take a not entirely appropriate but well-known example - the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, then we perfectly understand that this is a "long-term construction", but for the Spaniards it is not the result that matters, but the process. They are afraid to finish this construction.
Here is a completely different story. If we were to build, as in Barcelona, without frost, pronounced temperature fluctuations, then probably half of the problems related to the theoretical conservation of the museum would be irrelevant. In our case, the already started process of creating a roof cannot be stopped or preserved. If you leave the installation halfway, the materials and money will go into the trash. The building itself needs to be closed urgently along the entire contour. Therefore, there is no need to look for such analogies - they cannot exist in principle.
Partial conservation of the building without serious losses is impossible, and the amount of costs for conservation today will probably be comparable to that needed to enter the winter season, continuing construction. Therefore, the absurdity of these propositions is obvious, and I propose not to discuss this issue at all.
Construction of the second phase of the Holodomor-genocide museum. Work inside the premises is also ongoing.
Photo source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
PM: Has there been any communication or feedback from Nizio Design International's Polish colleagues regarding recent events? Do they care about the fate of the project?
A.M.: Indeed, after the museum project was approved by the city planning council of Kyiv, and we received the approval of UNESCO in Paris and started the working design, I invited my colleagues from Poland who participated in the creation of the exhibition of the Polin Museum in Warsaw (Museum of the History of Polish Jews. ed.) as consultants. We began to actively cooperate, made corrections to the elements of the building that correspond to modern museum norms and, unfortunately, are not available in Ukraine.
Then the then Deputy Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv decided that foreigners should be involved in the exposition. An international team of designers from Poland and Great Britain was created, four years have passed since then. Hopefully our writing team will see the concept this year. All this time, the Project Systems LTD team is working on the project, we are building a museum, sometimes for years without payment.
Since the beginning of the pandemic and during the full-scale war, we, the architects, have stopped communicating with our Polish and British colleagues, but the customer has contacts with specialists from these countries.
It is probably too early to discuss the details of the exhibition halls and the concept today, although we have seen fragments of this work. Now we have a very important task on site — to fully provide the general contractor, OSNOVA LLC, with working drawings for the completion of construction. The museum building is large, it has many levels, premises of various purposes. Our workshop is engaged in this work.
The vision of the interiors and exhibition elements of the museum is being developed by colleagues abroad, and this cooperation will certainly continue. Given that the movement is quite passive, and we cannot wait here, I think the main burden will still fall on Ukrainian architects and designers. Which, in principle, is normal and logical, because the creation of a museum is primarily a matter of Ukraine's honor.
Construction of the second phase of the Holodomor-genocide museum. Stairs from Candles of Remembrance and Memorial Hall and one of the entrances to the building. Photo source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
According to Andrii Myrhorodskyi, finishing the museum completely this year is an unrealistic goal for various reasons, and all of them are objective: "This construction is in a difficult place, preparations for creating the interiors of the exhibition halls are still ongoing, many teams and specialists are working on them in Poland, Canada, London. These are architects, builders, designers, historians, artists, sculptors."
According to the architect, taking into account the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor tragedy, which today is recognized as genocide in 28 countries of the world, heads of state and honored guests will visit the memorial, so preparations were made for the upcoming event. "Our plans were to fully prepare the building, in particular for the winter season, to close the roof, to make it alive. Facade cladding and landscaping, finish the bridge that leads to the parking lot and towards the Dnipro metro station. The entire exterior of the museum would definitely be ready for commemorative events. But, taking into account the recent events, most likely, the builders will not have time to complete part of the work. There is still hope that the BP will hear our logic, and we will get the opportunity to carry out work that cannot be interrupted."
An object of monumental and decorative art is also being created on the territory of the museum with the tentative name "Dummy of History", where symbols of the Soviet era and objects related to the Russian military invasion will be collected, which will add new emotional contexts and contents to the complex.
Andriy Myrhorodsky hopes that the visit of friends and allies of Ukraine to the museum on the 90th anniversary will contribute to the growth of respect for Ukrainians, support of our country by the international community, and will also help to complete the project itself and draw attention to it.
Yuriy Korolchuk, CEO of TOPIAR landscape company
Yuriy Korolchuk, CEO of the landscape company TOPIAR, says: the company has been involved in the construction of the museum since 2021, when the architects approached them with a proposal to install a green roof on an area of 7000 square meters.
The roof system of the German manufacturer ZinCo was approved at the project documentation stage as the most optimal, and this decision was not changed in the future. ZinCo has a representative office in Ukraine. "German colleagues are absolute co-authors of this project, they visit the construction site and supervise. We work with them in tandem on the roof for the museum," explains Yuriy Korolchuk.
Yurii Korolchuk: "Irrigation connection points are needed, but at the site of the future technical premises, where there will be an engineering unit and a water supply pipe, there are currently no communications, construction work is underway"
"The architecture of the building had to repeat the contours of the slopes. Care for lawns is painstaking, so architect Andrii Myrhorodsky suggested using sedum carpet, which does not require constant attention, unlike rolled or parterre grass. The roof of the museum is a multi-part concrete structure that will be covered by an extensive roof that 'lives on its own', but this special system is used to create it," he says.
Initially, TOPIAR landscapers were supposed to complete the landscaping by the end of 2021, but the deadlines were shifted due to the pandemic and related project works. The contract was concluded in September 2021, at the same time the company received part of the advance for the purchase of materials that were delivered to the site at the end of winter. Work on the creation of the roof system and landscaping is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2022.
"Unfortunately, instead of a playground, we and the entire state got a full-scale war. Despite the plan, all activities were suspended for a year for obvious reasons, - states Korolchuk. — During the year, the general contractor completed the monolith and waterproofing, our specialists did not work at the facility, and no funding was allocated. We resumed work on the roof in 2023 and planned to complete it."
PM: How exactly is the ZinCo system arranged, what structures does it consist of?
Yuriy Korolchuk: In short, the prepared roof is covered with root protection, moisture-retaining mats and drainage elements, which differ depending on whether the roof is flat or sloping, and on the angle of its inclination. For a roof with a slope of more than 25° - and we have about 3 thousand sq. m. meters — we use Georaster®, a special drainage structure made of reinforced plastic that resembles honeycombs. The next stage should be the installation of the irrigation system in this structure, which must be connected to engineering networks. Next, backfilling with substrate is carried out and sedum plants are planted, which are imported from abroad. Sedum roofs do not require complex maintenance, constant supervision by specialists, but at the stage of installation, the roof is a high-tech solution, and initially, while the plants take root, they need more water and attention.
The ZinCo pitched green roof system consists of root protection, moisture retention layer, drainage system, substrate and ground cover plants. Image source: zinco.com.ua
PM: What is the difficulty of working on the roof of the museum for you now?
Yu. K.: Works on slopes are complex. We cannot close some part of them, for example, it is impossible to fill the substrate somewhere and plant sedum, and somewhere only to lay the system, it must be done at the same time. Another big challenge is that the engineering has to be done inside the building in order for us to be able to complete the roof. Heating, fire extinguishing, water, electricity, and other communications systems are in place. On the roof of the museum there will be ventilation exits, lightning protection, the project provides light lanterns - transparent sections that will provide additional natural lighting. All these are fronts of works of other contracting companies. When installing these elements, workers will walk on the roof, which is impossible if there is already a green system. Landscaping, landscaping, roofing is the final stage when the rest of the tasks are completed. We are currently in a difficult situation, because according to the terms of the contract, we have to finish the roof, but we cannot, because the internal engineering work is not being carried out. If, despite this, we consciously proceed to the conclusion, we will face a violation of the process. This is the material responsibility, guarantee obligations of the company to the general contractor and the general contractor to the final customer. There is a possibility that the work will be completed, but not accepted by the customer, the roof may simply dry out later, this is unacceptable for us. The situation resembles a dead end.
The reinforcing drainage element Georaster® used for sloping green roofs is "honeycombs" for planting plants. Image source: www.zinco.de
"To complete the roof, 1200 cubic meters of material, approximately 2 tons, must be lifted up. It is cheaper to do it with tower cranes. They are on the site, this is the property of the general contractor, which does not bring him profit, because it is idle. However, we cannot start doing it - the communications are not ready," the entrepreneur says.
A fragment of the ZinCo green roof system on the roof of the museum. Photo from the TOPIAR company archive
"There is a clear understanding that the roof must be closed this year. If it is soil, then, accordingly, carry out irrigation and landscaping works. This means that the museum will get a living green roof, which will have to be looked after, - explains Yuriy Korolchuk. — It is necessary to make a clear decision about what to do, because there is little time left before frost. Both the general contractor, who according to the contract must complete the work and hand over the site or the finished object to the customer, and all the subcontractors that perform work under contracts with the general contractor are in a difficult situation. We are all hostages of unfinished construction."
Yuriy Korolchuk, CEO of TOPIAR landscape company
Yuriy Korolchuk: "We are all hostages of unfinished construction - both the general contractor and the subcontractors"
"The Ministry of Culture has levers for communication in the public and political plane to find a way out of the situation. If we come to the idea of conservation, for example, for a year, then we should develop its formula, technical solutions to cover the concrete coating and materials from the sun, moisture and frost. Allocate additional funds for this and stop work. Find opportunities to explain to the community today how and what will be done.
We remember our compatriots who died during the Holodomor, but now we are fighting not for the past, but for today's generation. In 1932-33, a huge tragedy occurred, which all conscious people understand. If we come to an unfinished but competently conserved museum on the anniversary and clearly understand that deconservation will take place next year, perhaps it is more logical. A cynical and cruel war requires constant compensation of funds for needs that are more relevant to the times we live in. People reacted and said their no. Unfortunately, we still do not have official letters from the ministry, no mechanisms of interaction with subcontractors have been proposed, which would explain what to do with funds, materials, and our contractual obligations," states Yuriy Korolchuk.
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
Where to put a full stop?
In the first interview after his resignation, Oleksandr Tkachenko stated: "The fact that the Holodomor museum, the only Holodomor memorial in the world, should be built on its 90th anniversary, when we ask all parliaments to recognize the Holodomor as genocide, is an obvious fact for me. <…> Completing construction is a challenge that society faces in any case. I really hope that there is still some ghostly chance to complete this construction. But in any case, it must be completed."
Current in at. the Minister of Culture and Information Policy, Rostislav Karandeev, in a comment to Suspilnyi, outlined that he plans to analyze the technical tasks of the museum's construction and determine the financial needs for preparing for the cold season, not excluding those related to the conservation of certain elements of it and protection for the autumn and winter period. In the same comment, Karandeev voiced the opinion that "getting attached to the anniversary is the worst practice, since the topic of the Holodomor is timeless." These statements of the heads of the Ministry of Culture — former and current — are quite polar.
In order to understand more about the distribution of funds and the potential of conservation, we sent a request to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, which acts as the main administrator of budget funds and to which the museum itself and the state unitary enterprise specially created in 2017 "Directorate for the construction of the second stage of the National Museum" are subordinated. Memorial to the victims of the Holodomor", the director of which is Andrii Zamohylnyi.
In the Ministry of Culture, according to the specifics, we were redirected to the directorate, which is defined by the charter as the customer of the construction, is the recipient and administrator of the budget funds allocated for it. During the preparation of the material, we did not receive any answers to the request from the DUP "Directorate for the Construction of the Second Phase of the National Museum "Memorial to the Victims of the Holodomor". At the same time, representatives of the communications department of the Ministry of Culture also made a request to the enterprise regarding our questions and provided us with an answer.
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
According to it, we quote: "At present, the design and construction of the object is carried out in accordance with the approved project documentation in accordance with the concluded contractual agreements with the design and construction organizations in the volumes and terms that correspond to the approved annual budget estimates for 2023." This appears to mean that there have been no changes in contractual relationships or documented responses to the veto of funds, at least so far.
We were interested in whether the procedure for conservation and the terms of its implementation are being developed and what funds can be involved for this. The answer states: "Conservation of the object for 2024 is not planned and is not provided for in the project. The design and construction of the facility will be carried out within the approved annual budget estimates for 2024 as a result of the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On the State Budget for 2024".
Finally, in order to figure out what funds—bequeathed or not—must be used to complete the communications inside the museum, which slow down the installation and delivery of the green roof, we once again clarified the list of works and the source of funding. We will remind, in the explanatory note to draft law No. 9437, the implementation of internal engineering in the new building was not specified.
According to the information provided by the DUP "Directorate for the construction of the second phase of the National Museum "Memorial to the victims of the Holodomor", the second phase of the construction of the museum involves, among other works, we quote: "Installation of external and internal engineering networks and equipment to the Museum building and in the Museum building, installation low-current networks of fire alarm automation and dispatching systems, evacuation management, access control and video surveillance, etc. Installation of glass-transparent structures and installation of the greening system of the museum roof are also included in the list provided.
According to the text of the response to the information request, the financing of the design and construction of the object is carried out at the expense of budget funds of the special fund of the state budget under the program "Fund for the development of institutions of national significance, including their construction" (KPKVK 3801280), in accordance with the Procedure for the use of funds provided for in to the state budget of the ICIP for the development of institutions of national significance, including their construction, approved by Resolution No. 07.02.2022 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 91, XNUMX.
Pavlo Avdokushin, independent infrastructure observer, member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine
Independent infrastructure columnist, member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Pavlo Avdokushin dedicated 26 videos to the Holodomor museum on his YouTube channel with reviews of construction and reconstruction, four of them dated 2023. The reviewer visited the complex in February, May and August. We asked him about the current state of readiness of the complex's technical networks and communications and what he thinks is critical to complete in the near future to avoid problems in the future.
"During my visit to the facility in May, I commented on the installation of the ventilation system," says Avdokushin. — The building is very large, and many people must be in it at the same time, so the ventilation system is large-scale and extensive. According to the general contractor, large exhibition halls should be heated with heated air. The installation of the building's electrical network is also gradually being carried out. According to the contractor, electrical equipment for the switchboard has already been ordered or has arrived at the facility. Since these works are not spectacular, I did not show them in my review. In addition, there are pipes running through the building, but I did not specify whether this is for heating or water supply.
As for rainwater drainage, during the foundation preparation under the supervision of KP "SUPPR" ("Specialized management of anti-slide underground works." - Ed. note) certain works were carried out on the re-laying of the existing system of drainage tunnels of the Dnieper slopes and the connection points to the city storm sewers were provided in the building Currently, rainwater funnels are installed on the roof, but they are not connected to this network. That is, if the construction of water pipes in the building is not completed in the near future before the rains begin, then the water from the roof with a huge area will simply get inside the building, and it will be impossible to work in it further. Existing structures will also collapse from constant moisture."
Pavlo Avdokushin continues: "Inside the building, the installation and adjustment of seven out of eight elevators have also been fully completed and the last one is being completed. Regarding the technological collector near the hall of memory, its purpose is to connect the existing premises and the building of the II stage with engineering networks. This will ensure constant water supply, heat supply, power supply, etc. Now the collector is being completed, but the laying of these communications has not yet started."
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
According to the reviewer's subjective assessment, about a quarter of the total load-bearing base for the green roof has been installed, it is not yet filled with substrate, but he advises to contact the contractor company or the chief architect for a more accurate figure. "Regarding whether the facility currently has water and electricity, as in every construction site, there is a temporary technical scheme for connecting to city communications. Otherwise, it would be impossible to maintain construction processes. Unfortunately, I don't have any calculations on whether it is capable of providing adequate irrigation," Avdokushin notes.
Another question we asked the columnist concerned possible insiders regarding the future fate of the object and the funds for which the current works are being carried out. According to Pavel Avdokushin, he publishes all open information that he managed to collect in reviews. "Now it is very important to complete the roof installation and ensure it is properly maintained during the first year. If this is not done, expensive materials and completed work will be wasted, then everything will have to be redone, along the way spending money on dismantling, - he says. — It is also important to ensure drainage from the roof. As I understand it, the building needs to be completely isolated from the environment so that it can be dried out and internal work can be done. This means that the thermal insulation and waterproofing of the walls and partially the terrace must be completed. Cover what needs to be covered, perform glazing, cover with soil what needs to be covered near the walls with provision for drainage of rainwater. As for financing, such facilities usually have a complex budget and calendar schedule for ordering materials and equipment. The subject of my reviews does not include the study of financial documents and invoices, so I cannot provide a complete objective picture. There is information that certain works and materials have been advanced and continue to be carried out and arrive at the site within the limits of these advances. Companies with a long and positive history of work have partnerships with suppliers and subcontractors, something they can borrow. The general contractor is "OSNOVA" LLC, a powerful group of companies that is able to credit the construction for a certain period of time at the expense of working capital, so the work does not stop in order not to lose what has already been done. At the same time, new financing is needed to order the following materials and equipment, especially if we are talking about imported components. Therefore, all project participants really hope that, despite the current veto, certain funds will be found, because most of the work has already been done and not much is needed to complete the "box".
"If people abroad will understand that the war is a continuation of the purposeful policy of Russian imperialism, it will be easier for them to understand why support Ukraine with weapons" - Pavlo Avdokushin
Pavlo Avdokushin continues: "In general, it is necessary to realize that the creation of the Holodomor-genocide museum is not a purely Ukrainian project. In it, the state is responsible for the "capital" component, must build the building, organize the territory and carry out improvements, provide water, heat, etc. The creation of the concept for the halls, the vision of their thematic content, should be done by an international consortium involving experts from different countries. We "punched through the wall" for a very long time so that the world learned about the sad moments of our history, recognized the Holodomor, began to sympathize and understand. Not only Ukrainians living in Ukraine, but also our diaspora and interested foreigners worked on this. In the end, it was possible to mobilize certain financial forces in various countries who volunteered to help the project, and to attract additional funds from those who care. In the light of the current war, a new "modernized" concept of the project appeared, which should contain not only the history of the extermination of Ukrainians in the XNUMXth century, but also the story of what the Russian aggressor is doing on our land now. This should further strengthen Ukraine's support in the world. If people who until recently could not even find Ukraine on a map learn that modern Russian aggression is not some "internal local conflict" that arose for incomprehensible reasons, but a continuation of the purposeful policy of Russian imperialism that has lasted for many centuries, then they it will be easier to understand why support Ukraine now with weapons."
Construction of the second phase of the Holodomor-genocide museum, upper entrance to the museum building. Photo source: holodomormuseum.org.ua
Missions for funds, roles for people
Returning to the topic of weapons, during the public discussion of the expenses for the completion of the museum, an important part was that these funds can be spent exclusively on humanitarian projects or purchases. You cannot finance the army with the help, loans, and grants received. It is impossible to purchase weapons or drones for them, at least without legislative movements.
However, a more detailed disclosure of options for their alternative use is still behind the scenes. Within the framework of the time allocated to work with this topic, we did not manage to involve an expert on the distribution of state funds to the discussion.
What exactly can these funds be spent on, if not for the completion of the museum? For social support of military families, reconstruction of damaged houses, a hospital or recreation center for defenders, portable shelters, evacuation vehicles? How can the community influence the choice of the "bank" for the use of these funds, so that it is not random, but organized? Where, if not "to the museum", so as not to be disappointed by tomorrow's decisions? This question, in the end, froze in the air.
Infopole "highlights" fresh tenders for Prozorro and fees - for example, the major repair of ten kilometers of the Yasinya - Chorna Tysa road of local importance for UAH 595,7 million, the repair of the section of the road from the Zhulyansky railway to the Vyshneve turn with a total cost of UAH 969,7 million, ordered by "Kyivavtodor", and the collection of UAH 237 million for ten thousand strike drones, announced by the Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
Andriy Dligach, founder of the Advanter Group and the Board international business community, doctor of economics
According to the economist, the founder of Advanter Group and the international business community Board, co-founder of the Center for Economic Recovery Andrii Dligach, money that goes to humanitarian purposes and cannot be used to help the Armed Forces, should be invested in civic education:
"The main reason why we can win a war but lose that victory, lose the country, is that, unfortunately, we don't have an education system that can raise independent thinking people. People who are ready to take responsibility. Civic education is exactly what can be implemented now. Who is the Ukrainian of the future? This is a person who is ready to take responsibility. Who does not expect a pension from the state, but creates opportunities to find passive income or his own pension fund or unites for the sake of cooperation, at least within the framework of his own condominium, in order to increase the energy efficiency of his own home. This is a person who does not vote for buckwheat, knows how to think critically, to separate lies and manipulations from objective reality. So, where to invest? It is in civil education. And after the victory, should we return to the completion of the Holodomor museum? I don't see much sense in this. I see that museums about the future should be built in the country. Museums that would allow people not so much and not only to look back at the past, but to think about the future."
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: prosystems.com.ua
"Should there be a Holodomor museum in Ukraine? Definitely yes. It is very important to know and respect your history, to learn from the mistakes of the past. But in Ukraine, in Kyiv, there is already a Holodomor museum. Do Ukrainians visit this museum or do they know about it? Why do we pay more attention to the stone, and not to knowledge, not to civic enlightenment? This is the main question for me. You can look at it from the other side. History is important, but why do we constantly focus only on our past traumas when forming a nation's identity? Perhaps, in order to form the true identity of a Ukrainian, it is worth looking ahead? Perhaps a science museum would be a good investment, as well as science and invention itself?” - concludes Dligach.
Andriy Dligach: "Who is the Ukrainian of the future? This is a person who is ready to take responsibility."
According to Andriy Dligach, the reputation institute still does not work in Ukraine regarding the responsibility of officials and public figures to the community for certain actions.
"But the situation is changing," he continues. — People who secretly try to win an unfair tender or squander state funds are very quickly highlighted by society. And society quickly responds and fights back. Ideas related to larger bans, such as banning men from leaving after the Ukrainian victory, ideas to shoot films of incomprehensible quality during the war — of course, they are stopped by society because they receive public publicity. In the same way, deputies who, as it turns out, find the opportunity to rest, buy new cars for themselves, not for the Armed Forces, during the war - they are definitely not representatives of the ideas and interests of society, so they should go down in history."
Visualization of the memorial-museum complex of the National Holodomor Genocide Museum. Image source: prosystems.com.ua
Andriy Dligach explains: "However, neither in business nor in politics has the institution of reputation fully worked yet. And it did not work precisely because we did not implement the ideas of civic education and critical thinking of Ukrainians. We have not gotten rid of paternalism, so we are too infantile. We fall too much in love with leaders, not noticing that in reality civil society is very often used as useful idiots, and society itself and public opinion are manipulated. Our only way to launch an institute of reputation is to help society grow up, to help develop critical thinking in society. And this is much more important than completing the Holodomor museum."
A flower rises on the roof of the Holodomor Genocide Museum. A small figure welded from rebar is attached to the corner of the roof. Installation of a flower is a Ukrainian building tradition, a symbolic bouquet attached to a stem that marked the end of the main part of the work. After that, the owner settled with the craftsmen and arranged a meal for everyone involved in the construction process.
The rebar flower fixed on the roof of the Holodomor-genocide museum is a custom of Ukrainian builders. Photo: Pavlo Avdokushin
A metal flower cannot fade, so it will wait for the work to be completed in any case, even if you have to wait a long time. But with regard to the spent funds and materials, obligations and great human expectations and hopes, not only within the boundaries of the construction site, but also far beyond it, there are more questions. But will we endure?
