Museum shot dead: Russian missile against Skovoroda’s philosophy

In Kharkiv Region, Russians chose the Ukrainian philosopher, Hryhorii Skovoroda, as their next enemy, and launched a missile strike on his museum in the village of Skovorodynivka on the night of May 7, 2022.

The enemy metal destroyed the mansion of the Kovalivsky landowners, which was built in the 18th century and housed an exposition of the National Literary and Memorial Museum of Hryhorii Skovoroda. But, this again drew the attention of Ukrainians and the whole world to the one who insisted that those could be happy who would understand themselves and be free.

Once a cozy one-storey building retained its light yellow and white façade with two columns at the entrance like the symbols of support even after it was hit with a Russian missile. Inside the architectural monument, there are devastating effects of the fire that broke out after the missile strike.

The museum has been open since 1992. The first two halls revealed the life of Hryhorii Skovoroda, his main philosophical ideas and works. The third hall was dedicated to honoring the thinker and studying his works in the 19th-21st centuries.

The tour ended near the memorial room (‘quite cell’), where Skovoroda lived and passed away. Here, the environment surrounding the educator in the last years of his life was recreated: an ancient bureau with manuscripts, books, goose feathers; a bed covered with a homespun cloth; a chest.

According to the museum’s Facebook page, some collection exhibits were evacuated in advance. But, the memorial building suffered irrepairable damage.

However, despite the fire, the philosopher’s white statue miraculously survived and was just slightly damaged. Now the sculpture looks at its ruined house from the street.

Meanwhile, fruit trees are blossoming in the garden near the house that no longer exists – life goes on despite destruction and enemy aggression. With their lush blossoming flowers, they remind us once again: freedom is the highest value. As Hryhorii Skovoroda said, freedom enables people to know and create themselves.

The museum complex also includes a pond and an ancient park with lime alleys. This area is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Kharkiv Region.

The remains of a 700-year-old oak tree over the Pan-Ivanivka (formerly known as Skovorodynivka) pond and a grave with the inscription ‘The world tried to catch me but could not’ also survived.

This year the National Literary and Memorial Museum of Hryhorii Skovoroda was preparing to celebrate the 300th birthday of the philosopher on December 3. Major renovation works were scheduled.

Instead, another crime committed by Russian troops, which are attempting to destroy the Ukrainian identity, will be documented here.

A reminder that, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, starting a war. Russian troops are shelling and destroying the key infrastructure facilities, launching missile and air strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, torturing and murdering civilians.

First photo: Leonid Lohvynenko, Facebook

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