A collectible 1980 postcard featuring two prominent landmarks of Soviet Kyiv: the monument to V. I. Lenin and the Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) building of the Ukrainian SSR.
What is shown on the postcard
The left panel of the postcard depicts the V. I. Lenin monument on a cylindrical dark polished stone pedestal inscribed with “ЛЕНІН”. Flowers are placed at the base, high poplars line the pathway, and pedestrians are visible nearby. The right panel shows an elevated view of the Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR building. The monumental three-story light-colored structure is topped with a large glass dome and a flagpole. The facade is adorned with a classical colonnade and the Soviet Ukrainian emblem. An asphalt street with a single passenger car and surrounding trees are visible in front of the building.
Historical note
The building of the Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR was constructed in 1936–1939 following the design of the prominent Ukrainian architect Volodymyr Zabolotny after the capital of Ukraine was moved from Kharkiv to Kyiv. In 1940, the design was awarded the Stalin Prize. The Lenin monument, designed by sculptor Sergey Merkurov, was unveiled in December 1946 at the beginning of Shevchenko Boulevard.
Present day
Today, the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine continues to serve its primary state purpose. The Soviet emblem on the facade has been replaced by the Ukrainian coat of arms (Tryzub), and other Soviet symbols have been removed. The Lenin monument on Shevchenko Boulevard was dismantled in December 2013 during socio-political events.
Location (map)
Address: 5 Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, Kyiv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 50.447200, 30.537500
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine building (5 Mykhaila Hrushevskoho Street).
Questions and answers
- Who was the architect of the Supreme Council building? The building was designed by architect Volodymyr Zabolotny in 1936–1939.
- When was the Lenin monument shown on the postcard erected? The Lenin monument at the beginning of Shevchenko Boulevard was unveiled in December 1946.
- What Soviet symbols have been removed from the building today? The emblem of the Ukrainian SSR on the facade has been replaced with the Ukrainian Tryzub, and other Soviet decorative elements have been removed.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kyiv from 1980.
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