Chuhuiv community

Kharkiv
Population:

Population – 39 000 ( 01.01. 2022 )

Internally displaced persons – 5428

The community includes the city of Chuhuiv, the villages of Kochetok, Kamyana Yaruha, Zarozhne, Pischane, Tetleha, Velyka Babka, Vasyliv Khutir and Klugino-Bashkyrivka.

The area of the community is 289.1 sq. km.

 

History

The unusual terrain near the Siverskyi Donets river with deep ravines allowed the Ukrainian Cossacks to build an impregnable fortress here in the 17th century. The city of Chuhuiv was founded on August 10, 1638 by Cossacks led by Hetman Yakiv Ostrianytsia. Chuhuiv was a military town for almost 400 years.

The name comes from the anthroponym chuga, which means a narrow kaftan with short sleeves. The territory of modern Chuhuiv was called Chuga, because people who wore chugas lived here. In Soviet times, there was an attempt to rename the city to Frunze, but the name didn’t stick.

Chuhuiv is the only city in Ukraine which has preserved the planning and buildings typical for military settlements, including 30 unique authentic regiment buildings, many of which form the architectural ensemble of the central square.

The headquarters of the military settlement
The headquarters of the military settlement

Cultural potential

Ilya Repin, an outstanding master of realistic painting, was born in Chuhuiev in a family of military settlers on July 24 (August 5) 1844. Here he grew up, studied and created his masterpieces – Protodeacon, In the Parish Council, Portrait of Sofia Lyubenko, The Call of Minin to Nyzhniy Novhorod, The Man with the Evil Eye.

Currently, the house that once belonged to the artist’s parents has been transformed into the Repin’s memorial museum

Memorial museum to Ilya Repin in Chuhuiv
Memorial museum to Ilya Repin in Chuhuiv
The monumen to Ilya Repin in Chuhuiv
The monumen to Ilya Repin in Chuhuiv

Since 2000, the international Repin plein airs, which gather artists and tourists from all over the world, have been held annually here. The visitors search here for creative inspiration, learn history and traditions of the region, visit the places related to the life and work of the famous artist and engage in common artistic work in the city which is a motherland to this unsurpassed master of realistic painting. More than 160 artists from more than 50 cities and 9 countries have taken part in the plein-air exhibitions since its establishment.

Events during  the International Repin plein air: theatrical performances, master classes, open-air exhibitions, symphonic orchestra performance

Also, there is an Art Gallery in Chuhuiv, located in the Headquarters buildings of military settlements, the unique architectural monument of the 19th century. Its exposition presents the works of famous painters, graphic artists, masters of decorative and applied art.

There are 4 architectural monuments of national importance in Chuhuiv

The City Duma, 1820 an architectural monument of the times of the military settlement. In the second half of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century the city council and administration were located here.
The City Duma, 1820 an architectural monument of the times of the military settlement. In the second half of the 19th and at the beginning of the 20th century the city council and administration were located here.
Headquarters of military settlements, 1833 for almost 2 centuries, it was a symbol of the city's glorious military history. At one time, this building housed the corps of military topographers and a lithography workshop
Headquarters of military settlements, 1833 for almost 2 centuries, it was a symbol of the city's glorious military history. At one time, this building housed the corps of military topographers and a lithography workshop
Pokrovskyi cathedral, 1824 An architectural monument that decorates the central square of Chuguyev. Built in the style of classicism.
Pokrovskyi cathedral, 1824 An architectural monument that decorates the central square of Chuguyev. Built in the style of classicism.
Trade Arcades, 1833 The Trade Arcades were the center of the city's active life: fairs and local trades were constantly held here.
Trade Arcades, 1833 The Trade Arcades were the center of the city's active life: fairs and local trades were constantly held here.

Economy 

The community has high economic and industrial potential for further development. More than 20 industrial enterprises are located on the territory of the community.

Machine engineering, food production and agriculture are among the most developed industries.

Community and the war

 “While on the very first day of the war the Russians hit the military airfield located near our city, several five-store residential buildings nearby were destroyed. Thus, from the very start of the war, we’ve seen with our own eyes how false the Russian myths about their high-precision weapons and inviolability of civilian residential buildings are. One of the Russian shells, which fell right in the middle of a residential area, killed a 14-year-old boy. The family were about to drive with a car, and the boy was the first to run outside with the dog. Then a  projectile arrived…” – city mayor Halyna Minayeva

Consequences of the missile attack on the city of Chuhuiv on February 24, 2022
Consequences of the missile attack on the city of Chuhuiv on February 24, 2022

Since February 24, the community has been constantly under shelling and airstrikes. As a result, many people were killed and injured, industrial facilities, civilian infrastructure and private homes were damaged. Many residents of the city have been in basements and bomb shelters for 4 months.

Two bridges were destroyed in the community
Two bridges were destroyed in the community
Consequences of shelling of the community: the building of a local school
Consequences of shelling of the community: the building of a local school
Consequences of shelling of the community: the ruined building of a cultural center
Consequences of shelling of the community: the ruined building of a cultural center

Local governance

Galina Minayeva has been the mayor of Chuhuiv since 2002.

From the first day of the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, the mayor has been at her workplace, supporting the residents of the city and ensuring the vital activities of the community.

Thus, in March 2022 Galina Minayeva was awarded  by Presidential Decree with the Order of Princess Olga (II degree) for her significant personal contribution to the protection of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as courage and personal devotion during the organization of the defense of community from the Russian invaders.

Galina Minayeva the mayor of Chuhuiv
Galina Minayeva the mayor of Chuhuiv

Vision of the future

 Chuhuiv strives to become a place that is safe and comfortable both for its residents and guests. It also sees itself as a powerful cultural and business center open for cooperation. It is also a community that shares European values.

Strategic priorities of the community are:

  1. Provision of affordable and high-quality communal services;
  2. Development of tourism;
  3. Development of safe and decent living conditions.

Of course, because of the hostilities, the strategic priorities of the community will undergo changes – the number one issue after the end of the hostilities will be the reconstruction of the community and the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure.

Sources

  • Wikipedia
  • The official website of the community
  • Interviews with residents
  • Photos provided by the city authorities
If you want to contact an Ukrainian community or have additional questions regarding the project please contact us: [email protected]