Kharkiv - Svoboda (Freedom) Square (Part 3)

The construction of Derzhprom became the beginning of a new grand architectural ensemble. According to the plan, the big square should be surrounded on the three sides by fan-shaped blocks divided by radial and circular streets. In 1927 the construction work around Derzhprom started, at first in the circular square on both sides of the building. And in 1929 architects S. Serafimov and M. Zandberg-Serafimova erected the House of Design and Construction Organizations (today’s main building of V. Karazin Kharkiv National University).

The authors, one of whom was the creator of Derzhprom, planned the building in a rather similar style - step-like constructions, ascending to the center, led to a 14-storeyed tower, built in the form of a huge plate with its narrow part facing the square and separated from its flanks with transparent passages. Wooden floors were used in the building as a result of which it suffered badly during the war. After the war the building was reconstructed: the flanks were built and the passages between them and the tower part were arranged, the inner yard from Shevchenko Park was closed. In the rear part, on the site of the demolished conference hall a new one was built, the facade walls were tiled with ceramic tiles. As recently as in the 990s a big portico was attached to the building and a monument to the soldiers of the students’ battalion that had gone to the war front in 1941 was erected.

In 1930, to the north-west of Derzhprom, the construction of the main building of the House of Cooperation was started (today’s Military University). In the course of the construction that had lasted until 1954, the purpose of the building had changed several times, and consequently there were changes in the project, whose author was Academician A.  Dmitriyev.

Planned as a center for agriculture management of Ukraine, the building had to be different form the others: the walls of 9-storeyed buildings were made of brick, the central tower part had a metal body. The pace of construction was much slower, especially after the capital moved to Kyiv. The unfinished building was handed over to the Military Economical Academy, and the construction and restoration after the war with the participation of architects P. Shpara, V. Dyuzhykh, N. Linetskaya, N. Yevtushenko had lasted until 1954.

In the rectangular part of the square (the north side) there is «Kharkiv» Hotel (the former International Hotel), built in 1932-1936 (architect G. Yanovitskiy). It is the last prewar building stylistically similar to the general architectural ensemble of the square. During the war the building was destroyed. It was reconstructed in the 50^th in the prevailing at the time «stalinist» Neo-Classicism style.

The monument to the first Governor of Slobidska Ukraine Yevdokym Shcherbinin was erected near the building of Kharkive regional administration in August 2004. The decision to commemorate this statesman was taken on the eve of the city’s anniversary. The Governor contributed to the development of Kharkiv Collegium and initiated «additional classes» for secular subjects including architecture.

The variety of architectural styles of the buildings that surround the square create a unique integral ensemble, the face of Kharkiv. It is worth noting that Svoboda Square is one of the favourite places of Kharkiv’s inhabitants and guests. Different festivities, fairs and concerts take place here.

The main thoroughfare connecting Svobody Square with Oleksiyivka residential area is Lenin Avenue which for the majority of Kharkivites is associated with science because of the numerous educational, research and design organizations located here. It is quite natural that one of the underground stations of the third metro line is called «Nauchna» (Scientific). In August 2004, by the 350^th anniversary of the city this line was extended by two new stations - «Botanic Garden» and «23 August». At that time the monument to the founders of Kharkiv was erected at the beginning of the avenue.