President presents Art Arsenal concept

In Ukraiinsky Dim, Victor Yushchenko presented a concept of the Art Arsenal Museum Complex.

In his speech, the President said this large-scale project would benefit Ukraine, presidential press office reported.

“No doubt, each European capital has something it is proud of. I am convinced what we are starting today will make the whole Ukraine proud,” he said and added that the project would serve our posterity.

The Head of State then thanked all artists and officials that were involved in formulating the concept. Speaking about ways to fund the project, Yushchenko said philanthropists would help complete it and remarked that traditions of charitable giving were being renewed in Ukraine. He said in 2005 UAH 63 mln had been donated to preserve Kyrylo Razumovsky Hetman Palace in Baturyn, Kyiv Sophia, Khortytsya Island, Chersonese and the Stone Grave and described these charitable initiatives as “really successful.”

“I would like to assure you that Ukrainian society will always appreciate our philanthropists,” Yushchenko said.

The President told those present he had delegated the government to elaborate a law on philanthropy and suggested that parliament should pass it as soon as possible.

Humanitarian Premier Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, Culture Minister Ihor Likhovy, First Deputy Chief of Staff Ivan Vasyunyk, and Kyiv Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko attended the presentation.

The concept was presented by Mr. Kyrylenko, who is also a first deputy head of the Art Arsenal Council established by the President. He outlined goals of this multistage project:

• First stage (2006-2009): creating museums at the Old Arsenal, reconstructing its patio and covering it with glass, renewing ramparts and moats around the Kyiv Citadel Fortress;
• Second stage (2009-2014): renovating several architectural sights and building a modern concert hall, a literature center, a linguistic research center, and a national music center near the Old Arsenal;
• Third stage: renovating temples of the Kyiv Fortress and developing infrastructure.

The complex will be funded by central and local government. It will also receive private donations and earn its own money.

In his speech, Kyiv Mayor Omelchenko said it would take UAH 700 mln to complete the first stage and added that investors might donate UAH 300 mln of this sum.