Zaporizhzhia

Fountain of Life

Description

  • The Fountain of Life celebrates Ukrainian history and culture through eight sculptural compositions surrounding a granite sphere turned by water. Cossack Mamai, Berehynia, Scythians and Chumak traders are among its subjects. Designed by Petro Antyp and opened on 14 October 2004, it became a meeting place and a setting for cultural events.

The Fountain of Life brings together images of Ukrainian history, culture and nature around a granite sphere. Representing the Earth, the sphere rotates under the action of water.

Its eight sculptural compositions honour the Chornobyl disaster liquidators and depict Cossack Mamai, Chumak traders, Berehynia, Scythians, a hunter, Kamiana Mohyla and the steppe. These themes evoke remembrance, freedom, travel, the protection of life and the relationship between people and nature.

The space around the fountain became a meeting place for residents, artists and young people. It has hosted cultural events, dance and singing performances, competitions and displays by local craftspeople.

The Fountain of Life brings together images of Ukrainian history, culture and nature around a granite sphere. Representing the Earth, the sphere rotates under the action of water.

Its eight sculptural compositions honour the Chornobyl disaster liquidators and depict Cossack Mamai, Chumak traders, Berehynia, Scythians, a hunter, Kamiana Mohyla and the steppe. These themes evoke remembrance, freedom, travel, the protection of life and the relationship between people and nature.

The space around the fountain became a meeting place for residents, artists and young people. It has hosted cultural events, dance and singing performances, competitions and displays by local craftspeople.

How to get there?

By bus: which goes on Soborniy Avenue to the River Port or the Embankment Main Line. By tram: №1,3,14,16. Stop "Department Store Ukraine".

HISTORY

  • The first circular fountain with a central basin appeared here in 1968.
  • Reconstruction began in 2001; sculptor Petro Antyp designed the new composition.
  • The Fountain of Life officially opened on 14 October 2004.

The first fountain on this site appeared in 1968. It was circular, with a central basin surrounded by individual jets of water.

The site closed for reconstruction in 2001. Over three years, the fountain was transformed into a sculptural ensemble designed by Petro Antyp. A sphere representing the planet became its centrepiece, surrounded by compositions devoted to Ukrainian history and culture. The official opening took place on 14 October 2004.

In 2015 and 2016, the city’s main New Year tree was installed in the centre of the fountain during winter. This allowed the space to host celebrations outside the fountain’s operating season.

The first fountain on this site appeared in 1968. It was circular, with a central basin surrounded by individual jets of water.

The site closed for reconstruction in 2001. Over three years, the fountain was transformed into a sculptural ensemble designed by Petro Antyp. A sphere representing the planet became its centrepiece, surrounded by compositions devoted to Ukrainian history and culture. The official opening took place on 14 October 2004.

In 2015 and 2016, the city’s main New Year tree was installed in the centre of the fountain during winter. This allowed the space to host celebrations outside the fountain’s operating season.

INTERESTING FACTS

  • Granite and smalt are used in the composition.
  • The central sphere rotates under the action of water and is surrounded by eight themed compositions.
  • The sphere weighs 3.8 tonnes and measures 1.3 metres in diameter.
  • The layer of water between the sphere and its support is just 1 millimetre thick, with water pressure of around 3.5 atmospheres.
  • Granite and smalt are used in the composition.
  • The central sphere rotates under the action of water and is surrounded by eight themed compositions.
  • The sphere weighs 3.8 tonnes and measures 1.3 metres in diameter.
  • The layer of water between the sphere and its support is just 1 millimetre thick, with water pressure of around 3.5 atmospheres.