Monument to Anatoly Kuznetsov
A Memorial to the Author of the Documentary Novel Babi Yar
Opening Ceremony
Unveiled: September 20, 2009
Details of the Monument
Location: Kyiv
Material: Bronze
at the intersection of Petropavlivska and Kyrylivska Streets
The monument is a bronze figure (165 cm tall) of a boy, a character from the novel Babi Yar, reading the decree issued by the Kyiv occupational authorities in 1941:
"All Jews of Kyiv and its vicinity are ordered to gather on Monday, September 29, 1941, by 8 a.m. at Melnykova-Dokterivska Street (near the cemetery). Everyone must bring their documents, money, underwear, and other belongings. Anyone who does not comply will be shot. Anyone occupying or looting Jewish property will also be shot."
This decree marked the beginning of the tragic events for many. Nearby, an inscription reads:
"To ensure the past does not repeat itself, have the courage to look it in the eye— the whole truth lies in Anatoly Kuznetsov's documentary novel."
The monument is situated near the house where Anatoly Kuznetsov once lived.
"All Jews of Kyiv and its vicinity are ordered to gather on Monday, September 29, 1941, by 8 a.m. at Melnykova-Dokterivska Street (near the cemetery). Everyone must bring their documents, money, underwear, and other belongings. Anyone who does not comply will be shot. Anyone occupying or looting Jewish property will also be shot."
This decree marked the beginning of the tragic events for many. Nearby, an inscription reads:
"To ensure the past does not repeat itself, have the courage to look it in the eye— the whole truth lies in Anatoly Kuznetsov's documentary novel."
The monument is situated near the house where Anatoly Kuznetsov once lived.
The unveiling of the monument was presented as a theatrical performance to recreate the atmosphere of that time. The street was blocked with barbed wire and anti-tank obstacles. A group of performers dressed as WWII-era German soldiers was accompanied by dog handlers with shepherd dogs.
Actors cast specifically for this event portrayed Jews being herded into a column and "led to a new life"—to their execution. Their belongings were loaded onto a cart, along with children. Loudspeakers broadcast recordings in German and Ukrainian, mirroring the announcements heard on September 29, 1941.
Copies of historical announcements and posters were hung on poles, while actors also portrayed Ukrainian collaborators of the time. Schoolchildren participated in the event, reading excerpts from Kuznetsov’s book.
A poignant moment of the ceremony was a plastic choreography performance by former contestants of the Everybody Dance! show. The performance vividly depicted stories of torture, betrayal, rebellion, helplessness, and faith. The climax was a movement by the theatrical group (set to the sound of a metronome) disappearing behind a white curtain—symbolizing an uncertain future and oblivion.
The unveiling concluded with the removal of the white cloth covering the statue of the 12-year-old Anatoly Kuznetsov.
Actors cast specifically for this event portrayed Jews being herded into a column and "led to a new life"—to their execution. Their belongings were loaded onto a cart, along with children. Loudspeakers broadcast recordings in German and Ukrainian, mirroring the announcements heard on September 29, 1941.
Copies of historical announcements and posters were hung on poles, while actors also portrayed Ukrainian collaborators of the time. Schoolchildren participated in the event, reading excerpts from Kuznetsov’s book.
A poignant moment of the ceremony was a plastic choreography performance by former contestants of the Everybody Dance! show. The performance vividly depicted stories of torture, betrayal, rebellion, helplessness, and faith. The climax was a movement by the theatrical group (set to the sound of a metronome) disappearing behind a white curtain—symbolizing an uncertain future and oblivion.
The unveiling concluded with the removal of the white cloth covering the statue of the 12-year-old Anatoly Kuznetsov.
The monument includes a recreated bronze plaque of the German command’s announcement. However, this reproduction is inaccurate. The original announcement was written in Russian, with smaller text in Ukrainian and an even smaller portion in German. The plaque on the monument omits Russian entirely, and the German text contains spelling errors compared to the original.
VOLODYMYR ZHURAVEL