It also reopened questions about how decisions are made, who is really in charge and how harmful actions by the nation’s most powerful people can be restrained through civic action.
The demolition of the buildings on Andriyivsky Uzviz on April 10 to clear space for a multi-storied business center by the nation’s richest person Rinat Akhmetov triggered public outrage.
The targets were not only Akhmetov but municipal authorities who seemed to quietly turn a blind eye to the destruction of what city residents view as their historic heritage.
An angry group of 700 people gathered outside Akhmetov’s company headquarters in Kyiv on April 11, carrying bricks and bits of rubble that represented the ruins of ancient Kyiv.
The decisive action led to Akhmetov’s apologetic backtracking.
He released a statement saying the demolition was “a mistake” and blamed miscommunication in his company.
He also pledged that the properties will be restored.
But the case highlights the degree of disrespect that the ruling elite have toward the people and their history.
It also shows the toothlessness of city authorities, including its chief administrator Oleksandr Popov, an appointee of Akhmetov’s own party.
The demolition of the buildings on Andriyivsky Uzviz highlights the degree of disrespect that the ruling elite have toward the people and their history.
Initially, Popov meekly announced that he didn’t know who destroyed the historic buildings.
He said the drafts of what the new building will look like will be ready soon and open for public debate – something that should have been done from the start.
The ongoing reconstruction of Andriyivsky Uzviz has been way too secretive and haphazard.
The public has not seen any plans and only finds out about what’s going on later. This is wrong.
The city does not belong to those who are sitting in the comfy seats of the mayoral office. It belongs to the people and should be developed with their interests in mind.
And, if this message is to be heard, a few more crowds with bricks will be needed.
