One of the business cards of the capital of Ukraine is the October Palace. Kiev It takes pride in its architectural creation and reverently preserves even the darkest pages of its history.
A masterpiece of Vincent and Alexandra Beretti
In 1834, General Dmitry Begichev donated his estate with a three-story house to Kiev University. But at the request of the city council, the site was transferred under the construction of the Institute of Noble Maidens. Construction began in 1838 and lasted for five years.
The famous Kiev architect, Vincent Beretti, chose the style of late classicism. But to finish the job did not work out - he died earlier and his son, Alexander, finished the work. The main building came out three-story. It housed both living rooms (for teachers, pupils and servants), and directly classes for classes. The semicircular risalit housed Orthodox and Catholic churches. Around the buildings, a park with alleys and arbors was laid out, and the territory was surrounded by a high fence.
Then no one suspected that in just a hundred years, the townspeople, mentioning the creation of their father and son Beretti, would speak of him: “October Palace”. Kiev inaugurated the new building of the Institute of Noble Maidens.
Where did you study and what did the noble girls comprehend?
Girls of noble origin between the ages of 8 and 13 years had the right to study in a boarding house of noble maidens at state expense. Merchant daughters came here after their fathers or guardians paid a considerable fee for them (350 rubles in silver per year). It was a boarding school in which aesthetic and ethical education was received. We studied here:
- Russian literature and literature;
- foreign languages (Polish, German and French);
- theology (Orthodox or Catholic) and church singing;
- geography and history;
- arithmetic;
- fundamentals of mineralogy and physics;
- drawing and graphics;
- dancing;
- needlework and housekeeping.
The course of sciences lasted six years. The program was divided into three forms, each for two years. Upon graduation and graduation, graduates were allowed to occupy the posts of governesses in the families of noblemen and merchants. So in the middle of the XIX century, the October Palace (Kiev) was a forge of pedagogical personnel in the region. Although in fact among the graduates you can find famous writers, singers and pianists.
The best teachers of the Kiev gymnasiums and professors of the Kiev Imperial University of St. Vladimir passed their knowledge to the girls. Among them were such famous scientists as Nikolai von Bunge, Vitaly Shulgin, Nikolai Kostomarov and Nikolai Lysenko.
Over time, the institution of noble maidens became so popular that there were much more people who wanted to study in it than the facilities of the institution allowed. Institutskaya Street, on which the buildings were located, was renamed (previously General Begichev Street) for the same reason.
Soviet era
The new government brought changes to all spheres of life. So, in 1919 the Institute of Noble Maidens was closed due to the lack of such in the country. And the street was named in honor of the revolution of the proletarians - October 25. State institutions were located here for a short time, then the leather industry technical college settled.
A new milestone in the history of the building is associated with the return to the city of the status of the republican capital in 1934. The October Palace (Kiev) became the residence of the NKVD. Cells for political prisoners, as well as premises for torture and executions, were arranged in its cellars. Here the best representatives of the Ukrainian intelligentsia — writers, artists, actors, doctors, lawyers, and military — were tortured and killed. All those who believed the new government, and did not exchange their homeland for life in exile.
Devastation and restoration
World War II destroyed the building to the ground. His revival (in 1952-1958) by a team of architects under the leadership of Alexei Zavarov became a truly nation-wide enterprise. Half of the inhabitants of Kiev worked at the construction site - workers, students, high school students, as well as cultural and art workers. From that moment, the official name of the building began to be pronounced as the October Palace. Kiev opened the doors of the palace to the first spectators on December 24, 1957.
By the mid-1970s, this place became the main stage of the country. The auditorium hosted up to 2200 people. Here were the most important performances, concerts, meetings and congresses of Ukraine. Every year New Year's parties were held here. In addition, various sections were opened at the palace - classical ballet, folk dance, vocals and folk songs.
International Center for Culture and Arts
New time has breathed fresh power into the political and cultural sphere of the country. The energetic wind of change in 1991 gave millions of Ukrainians hope for a new life. Saying goodbye to the recent past, entire cities and avenues, organizations and squares were renamed. Under the general buzz of geographical and topographic innovations, Institutskaya Street regained its pre-Soviet name.
The palace all this time remained the real center of the spiritual capital of Ukraine. Thus, his library boasts a unique collection of books of over 70,000 volumes. Various events are held here with the participation of famous writers, composers, diplomats, politicians, members of parliament and other public figures who contribute to the spiritual revival of Ukraine. The well-lit and spacious halls of the lobby regularly become the arena for a variety of exhibitions. The facilities of the Center range from family celebrations to major international conferences, symposia, seminars and congresses.
Already in the 21st century, the palace became the International Center for Culture and Arts. Competitions and festivals organized here become public holidays. Professional and amateur theater troupes and concert ensembles from different countries consider it an honor to appear on its stage.
And the audience out of habit, talking about the Center, pronounces aloud the “October Palace” (Kiev). Address people's institutions have recently changed again. The building is still located near the Independence Square on a hill in the house number 1, but already on Heavenly Hundred street.