From ruins to residence: restoration of a cultural center initiated in Vysokopillia

Vysokopillia plans to restore the facade of the historic building of the Center for Culture and Leisure and turn it into a modern cultural space - a residence of Ukrainian-German heritage. It is a former Lutheran church built in 1897, which is one of the key monuments of the village and the main center of the community's cultural life.

This was reported by Intent with reference to the DREM ecosystem.

The Vysokopil community has been under occupation for more than seven months and has suffered significant damage as a result of shelling. The building of the cultural center was also damaged during the hostilities: the explosions damaged windows, doors, the facade and the roof, and the walls and ceilings are gradually collapsing due to leaks. According to the results of a technical inspection , the building needs major reconstruction.

SCREENSHOT: DREAM

According to the project description, the village of Vysokopillia, founded in 1869 by German immigrants under the name Kronau, has a unique historical and cultural heritage. Over the years, it has been home to a Lutheran church, a Roman Catholic church, Mennonite houses of worship, a German school, and a mill. Despite Soviet restructuring, the church's foundation has been preserved and is now used as a cultural center. Local residents and schoolchildren still explore the German pages of the village's history, and in 2019, the KRONAU-fest, a regional festival of Ukrainian-German culture, was held here.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, the cultural center building housed libraries, a music school, a center for children and youth creativity, dance and fitness halls, and spaces for social activities. Now the community plans not just to repair the building, but to combine these functions into a single cultural center - a residence for intercultural dialogue.

The project involves major repairs to the facade with insulation, replacement of windows and entrance groups to ensure accessibility for people with limited mobility, interior and exterior decoration, and installation of utilities.

The estimated cost of the project is UAH 32.5 million, but there are no confirmed sources of funding yet.

SCREEN SHOT: DREAM

The future residence will feature a permanent exhibition of Ukrainian-German heritage using multimedia technologies, archival photos, audio and video materials. The space is to become a platform for cultural, educational, and scientific events, as well as an attractive place for tourists.

The project was initiated by the Vysokopil Village Council and is in line with the Community Recovery and Development Plan until 2027.

The Vysokopil community in Kherson Oblast also plans to set up a social dormitory of a sanatorium type for those who lost their homes due to the war or live in dangerous areas of the region. For this purpose, two large buildings on the territory of the local hospital will be reconstructed to accommodate about 400 people.

Анна Бальчінос