Monument to Ivan Kharitonenko, Bronze monument at Pokrovskaya Square, Sumy, Ukraine
The monument depicts Kharitonenko in bronze standing on a pedestal of Finnish marble at Pokrovskaya Square. The work rises prominently in this central location and serves as a focal point for understanding Sumy's industrial past.
The original monument was raised in 1899 to honor Kharitonenko's role in developing the sugar industry. Following its destruction in 1918, sculptor Anatoly Avramovich Ivchenko reconstructed it in 1996 at its original location.
The monument reflects how Kharitonenko shaped the city through his investment in schools and hospitals that still influenced local development. Visitors see today how his name remains connected to Sumy's sense of its own history and identity.
The monument sits in an accessible location at Pokrovskaya Square in the city center and is easy to reach on foot. It remains visible throughout the day and makes a natural stopping point while walking through downtown Sumy.
When rebuilt in 1996, the monument replaced a Lenin statue that had occupied the space, reflecting Ukraine's shift toward recognizing its own local heroes. This replacement marks an important moment in how the city reclaimed its sense of identity after independence.
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