Architecture saves history: how KNUCA is helping to restore the legendary Sofiyivka

Students and lecturers of the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) visited the park for a scientific conference and brought greetings from the university's leadership.

Science, architecture and the anniversary of a legendary park

The Sofiyivka dendrological park marked a venerable anniversary — 230 years since its founding. To mark the occasion, representatives of KNUCA travelled to the Cherkasy region to take part in the International Scientific Conference “Protection of Biodiversity and Historical and Cultural Heritage in Dendrological Gardens and Parks”.

Besides taking part in the scientific discussions, the lecturers and students learned about the park's research projects and strolled through one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. Politician and public figure Mykola Tomenko handed the Sofiyivka team an official congratulatory address on the anniversary on behalf of KNUCA rector Oleksii Dniprov and discussed further joint plans.

How architects brought Apollo back to the park

Cooperation between the university and the reserve long ago went beyond simple visits. Last year there was a mishap: the fall of an old tree damaged the famous statue of the Apollo Belvedere.

At the request of the head of Sofiyivka, Volodymyr Hrabovyi, the team of KNUCA's Faculty of Architecture managed to solve this difficult task. Students and lecturers made a new statue with their own hands, and it successfully returned to its historic place in the park.

“So the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between KNUCA and the Sofiyivka dendrological park continues,” says Mykola Tomenko.

Both sides plan to keep carrying out joint projects, combining the efforts of science, architecture and the protection of unique cultural and natural heritage.

Source: znaj.ua