The Soviet modernization efforts in the Donetsk region, combined with the subsequent events of the full-scale invasion of Russia, have left a lasting impact on the area's history and environment. During the Soviet era, extensive industrialization and mining activities were carried out, which not only erased much of the region's cultural heritage but also had severe environmental consequences.
Historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites were often demolished or repurposed to make way for industrial complexes and infrastructure projects, erasing the rich history of the Donetsk region. This disregard for historical preservation disrupted the connection between the local population and their heritage.
Furthermore, the heavy industrialization in the region, driven by Soviet policies, led to extensive pollution and environmental degradation. The extraction of coal and other minerals, along with the operation of steel mills and chemical plants, released harmful pollutants into the air and water, poisoning the earth and causing long-term damage to the ecosystem. Soil and water contamination, as well as air pollution, have had adverse effects on the health of the local population.
The recent full-scale invasion of Russia in the region has exacerbated these environmental and historical issues. The conflict has disrupted any ongoing efforts at environmental remediation and has further strained the relationship between the people of Donetsk and their cultural heritage, as the focus shifts towards survival and security.
In summary, the combination of Soviet modernization and the subsequent invasion by Russia has had a devastating impact on the Donetsk region. It has erased historical landmarks, poisoned the environment, and left the local population dealing with the consequences of both actions, making it a complex and challenging situation for the people and the land they call home.
Participants: Roman Avramenko (Executive director NGO Truth Hounds), Lia Dostlieva (Artist, cultural anthropologist, essayist), Oleksandr Mykhed (Writer, curator of art projects).
Moderator: Maksym Yakovlyev (Researcher, author, associate professor)
Event language: English
Organizers: Ukrainian Book Institute, Goethe-Institut, Mystetskyi Arsenal, Ukrainian Institute
Program “Fragility of Freedom” is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office
