Proletarian Square
Published in 1984 in both Ukrainian and Russian this postcard folder contained 17 panoramic style views of Kharkov (or Kharkiv), its streetscapes, monuments and sights.
These are pretty spectacular. Notable ones include the statue of Lenin in Dzerzhinsky Square with the constructivist architectural masterpiece the Derzhprom (or Gosprom) in the background. Completed in 1928 it was the tallest building in Europe at the time and one of the largest buildings in the world. Its incredibly innovative design remains very striking. The building is also pictured on the folder's cover.
In a few photos you see parts of Kharkov's impressive tram network cutting through places like Proletarian Square. The city also has a subway that opened in 1975.
As with so many Soviet cities Kharkov suffered greatly and much of it was destroyed during the genocidal Nazi invasion and occupation. After being liberated by the Red Army it was impressively rebuilt as were the other devastated cities of the USSR.
At the time these cards came out Kharkov's population was around 1,500,000.
Sadly many of the monuments pictured have since been torn down.
We have translated all of the cards into English.
(Click on images to enlarge)
Cover with Gosprom
Lenin Monument on Dzerzhinsky Square
New Highrise Housing District with Tram
Cinema Hall /
The Bell Tower of the Assumption Cathedral.
Soviet Ukraine Plaza
Hotel / Gorky State University
Shevchenko Drama Theatre / Medical Institute
Memorial Complex of Glory with the grieving "Mother of the Motherland"
Turbine Factory Workshops
Main Conveyor of the Tractor Factory /
Palace of Culture.
Shevchenko Park
Wedding Palace / Fountain
Monument in Honor of the Proclamation of Soviet power in Ukraine
Anton Makarenko Monument (Makarenko was a famed Soviet educational theorist) /
Campus
Post Office / Gogol Monument
Monument to Shevchenko
Railway Station
View of the City
No comments:
Post a Comment