A 1975 collectible postcard depicting the A.M. Gorky Club building in the city of Krasnodon (now Sorokyne), Voroshylovhrad (now Luhansk) Oblast.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard shows a wide ceremonial staircase leading to the entrance of the A.M. Gorky Club. Schoolchildren wearing pioneer uniforms with red neckerchiefs are ascending the steps. The facade features monumental arches resting on light stone pillars, contrasting with the dark plaster of the upper section and side pilasters. A commemorative plaque is visible on the wall to the left of the entrance.
Historical note
The club of mine No. 1-bis named after A.M. Gorky was built in the 1930s as the primary cultural center for the miners of Krasnodon. During the German occupation in World War II, the club building was utilized by the German administration. Members of the underground resistance group “Young Guard” participated in the club’s amateur art circles to legitimize their presence and cover their clandestine work. On the night of December 5, 1942, the young underground fighters set fire to the building to prevent the occupiers from holding holiday events. The heavily damaged building was fully restored after the war.
Present day
In 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine officially renamed Krasnodon to Sorokyne as part of decommunization. The former club building is recognized as a local historical monument. Due to the city’s location in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk Oblast since 2014, access to the site remains restricted, and independent monitoring of its preservation status is hindered.
Location (map)
Address: 5 Komsomolska Street, Sorokyne (Krasnodon), Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 48.300300, 39.737800
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the A.M. Gorky Club building in Krasnodon (Sorokyne), 5 Komsomolska Street..
Questions and answers
- Why did the “Young Guard” members set fire to the club? They did so on the night of December 5, 1942, to prevent the German occupying forces from hosting holiday celebrations in the building.
- What is the current official name of the city of Krasnodon? In 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine officially renamed the city to Sorokyne as part of decommunization.
- When was the club building originally constructed? The club of mine No. 1-bis named after A.M. Gorky was built in the 1930s.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Sorokyne from 1975.
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