A large metal cylinder was installed in Mykolaiv without approval and for no apparent reason

An art installation has been erected in a park in the centre of Mykolaiv without the approval of the chief architect. Illustration: NikVesti

A metal structure in the shape of a cylinder bearing the words «I love Mykolaiv» in 70 languages has been installed in Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Square (formerly Liahin Square, — note). Its installation was not approved by the city’s chief architect, and the new head of the ‘Mykolaiv Development Agency’ stated that he had no involvement in this project.

The art installation, which was erected a week ago in the city centre, has already received negative feedback from residents, reports NikVesti.

The structure itself was created five years ago in 2021 as part of a project by the agency’s then-head Anna Hanzhul and the organisation «MriiDii Junior», Yevhen Homoniuk reported on social media. At the time, the installation was never actually erected.

Anna Hanzhul announced the appearance of the new art installation in October 2021. Screenshot from her personal Facebook page

According to the current head of the institution, Ihor Filippov, the structure had been stored in a warehouse for several years. In 2025, as part of a Bloomberg Philanthropies grant project, it was decided to restore the structure, refurbish it and landscape the surrounding area. In the near future, they plan to install lighting there to illuminate the inscriptions in the evening.

What is the idea behind the black metal cylinder?

Ihor Filippov was unable to explain who the creator of the «cylinder» was or what meaning was intended for the art installation, noting that he had no involvement in its creation.

«This project was implemented in 2025 as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies programme. It was a sub-grant for an environmental youth organisation — either 5,000 or 10,000 dollars. The project involved not only landscaping but also a soft component — training sessions and lectures. One of the elements was this cylinder, which for some reason was not installed last year,» said Ihor Filippov.

Lighting is to be installed around the perimeter of the structure. Photo: NikVesti

The cylinder is not part of this sub-grant’s expenditure: it was created back in 2021. The funds could have been used for its restoration, site improvements, as well as for training sessions and lectures within the project. He clarified that the project was managed at the time by the agency’s former head, Viktor Sikalenko.

«In fact, this is still a 2021 project, which was carried out under the leadership of Anna Hanzhul together with «MriiDii Junior». They planned to install this cylinder, but in a different location. Why this didn’t happen — I can’t say,» he added.

According to Igor Filippov, the structure had been ‘sitting around somewhere’ for several years.

«The cylinder was sitting in a warehouse or a garage somewhere. They fetched it, cleaned it, tidied it up and decided to install it. Because either we put it up, or we send it for scrap, or we simply throw it away. The work isn’t finished yet: we’ve laid the tiles, but the lighting hasn’t been connected yet,» said Ihor Filippov. «Nobody consulted me about this idea either.»

The inscription ‘I love Mykolaiv’ is written on it in 70 different languages. Photo: NikVesti

The architect was aware of it, was against it, but his views were not taken into account

Under a post by councillor Alla Riazhskykh, chief architect Yevhen Poliakov wrote that he had not approved the installation of the art object in the square.

Commenting on this, the head of the ‘Mykolaiv Development Agency’ confirmed that the installation had indeed not been agreed with the chief architect, but that he was aware of the project.

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«I saw the chief architect’s reaction — he said that this project had not been agreed with him. That is indeed the case: the installation was not agreed,» said Ihor Filippov.

At the same time, he noted that Yevhen Poliakov was aware of the project and its implementation.

«As far as I know, he was aware of the context and understood that this cylinder was planned to be installed in this very location. At the same time, he was against it, and his position has not changed. But I cannot say that he approved it,» added Ihor Filippov.

According to the agency’s director, the city authorities were aware of the installation, but the approval procedure had not been followed.

«We have already discussed this with Yevhen Poliakov. The point was that the procedure for agreeing the installation needed to be followed. Unfortunately, this was not done earlier. We agreed that we will communicate more closely in future to avoid such situations,» he said.

He added that if there is a negative reaction from residents, the cylinder may be moved to another location.

«There have been suggestions that this might not be the right location. We are currently discussing this. Once the work is complete and we realise there is no response from residents, we will consider where to move it — somewhere where it will, shall we say, be positively received. We may hold a vote to decide on a different location. We’re monitoring the situation and reading the comments. If residents say it doesn’t belong there, we’ll move it without any problem. This isn’t being done for anyone in particular, but for the city,» said Ihor Filippov.

Ihor Filippov was unable to say who would be responsible for the structure: «It will likely be the entity responsible for the square, if it remains there».

When asked about his own views on the concept of the art installation, Ihor Filippov, head of the «Mykolaiv Development Agency», did not give a direct answer, noting that his task was to complete the project that had already begun.

«Perhaps it should be left here, or perhaps moved to another location. It’s hard to say right now whether this is the right decision, as I’m merely completing this project,» said Ihor Filippov.

The future of the art installation, which was erected without approval, may be determined following the reaction of local residents.

It should be recalled that from 1 January 2026, the staff of the Mykolaiv Development Agency was planned to be increased to seven. As the newly appointed head of the agency, Igor Filippov, explained at the time, this is linked to the executive committee’s decision on a new staffing structure and salary scales, which had not been revised since 2019. The budget for the Development Agency was set at 4.5 million hryvnias, of which around 3.4 million hryvnias were allocated to salaries and benefits.