This sculpture is dedicated to the symbol of Ukrainian identity, without which the words Kyiv and Ukraine can't be formed. It is dedicated to the letter «Ї» [yi].
Since it is not present in other Slavic alphabets, the letter " Ї " is a treasure only found in the Ukrainian language.
The thirteenth letter of the Ukrainian alphabet long ago became something more than a linguistic unit.
Modern Ukrainians, marking with the letter different things – from clothing to street objects – outline their identity and distinctiveness, which the invaders have tried in vain to erase for many centuries.
The patrons of the sculpture are the Ostrovskyi family - Oleh, Yeva, and Solomiia - who are giving such an important symbol to the city residents for International Literacy Day (8th September).
The sculpture is placed in a location closely connected with Ukrainianness, philology, and the cultivation of the word. You can find it at the entrance to the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Taras Shevchenko Boulevard, 14), which is a legendary institution that has created a vast array of well-known Ukrainian writers and public figures.
This is the 41st sculpture within our project, and it complements the walking route drawn by all the sculptures located near the university.
This special mini-sculpture illustrates the tenacity of the university: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv has been damaged due to Russian missile attacks on multiple occasions; nevertheless, it is restored each time thanks to its community, friends, and partners.
The elements of the sculpture include the shards of the stained-glass windows of the KNU campus, which were damaged during the missile attack on December 31, 2022, and are no longer subject to restoration.
Now these pieces of the multicoloured glass are given new life. This is a real symbol of the indestructibility of Ukrainian education, science, culture, and the Ukrainian word itself.
Read about the letter Ї from Ukraïner