"Zerno zhyttia": a unique Skovoroda Fountain opened in Bila Tserkva by the Denys Paramonov Foundation

A four-meter Skovoroda Fountain made from a 20-ton block of Brazilian granite and bronze was ceremonially unveiled in Bila Tserkva in 26 September. The prototype of the art object is a drawing by the philosopher himself. The sculpture was created and gifted to the community by the Denys Paramonov Charitable Foundation.

The sculpture took five years to create. Present at the opening of the Skovoroda Fountain were Zhanna Osypenko, deputy head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration; acting mayor of Bila Tserkva Volodymyr Vovkotrub; philanthropist Denys Paramonov; philosopher and theologian Oleksandr Filonenko; and representative of the Union of Historians of Bila Tserkva Yevhen Chernetskyi. The idea for the composition belongs to the founder of the Charitable Foundation, Denys Paramonov. The project was conceived for the 300-anniversary of Skovoroda’s birth in 2022, but its implementation was postponed because of the full-scale invasion. "The history of this fountain began in 2021. Then we turned to the sculptor, Honored Sculptor of Ukraine, Mykhailo Reva. We spent two years designing the fountain and another two years manufacturing it in Dnipro," Paramonov said. The Skovoroda Fountain appeared in Bila Tserkva (photo: Denys Paramonov Foundation) According to the philanthropist, the project took five years of joint work by the charitable foundation, the sculptor, artisans, and the city community. "Hryhorii Skovoroda’s work has long resonated in my heart. That is why I systematically and steadily support a number of initiatives related to the name of this outstanding Ukrainian philosopher," he said. "Zerno zhyttia" became the central element of the composition The central element of the Skovoroda Fountain is the "seed of life." It symbolizes Skovoroda’s philosophical idea of a source from which grace is equally available to everyone regardless of the size of the "vessel," that is, the person receiving it. The structure features an unusual engineering solution. The central part of the "seed" weighs 7,5 tons, and the entire mass is supported at a single point—an original solution that required nonstandard approaches to execution. A special diamond rope was used to process the granite elements—the cutting of the seed and the base took about 30 continuous hours. The author of the work is Honored Artist of Ukraine, sculptor Mykhailo Reva. Zhanna Osypenko, deputy head of the Kyiv RMA, noted that the fountain could become an ornament of Bila Tserkva and a place where children and parents will come. "It is extremely pleasing that even in wartime, in such difficult times, there are people who implement things that will enrich and attract people," Osypenko emphasized. She also thanked Denys Paramonov for supporting educational, cultural, and medical initiatives and for implementing artistic projects. "People need to see beauty; people need to have positive emotions in these hard times," the deputy head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration said. Acting mayor of Bila Tserkva Volodymyr Vovkotrub said the composition should become a place for residents to relax and socialize. "I believe this fountain will truly become a place where, first of all, our children will gather. This place will become a source of renewal for everyone," he said, expressing gratitude to Denys Paramonov and hope that this will not be the last project for the community. Philosopher Oleksandr Filonenko called it symbolic that a composition in the shape of a seed appeared in Bila Tserkva. "Right now all Ukrainian cities are searching for their future. This is not an easy task, because we know that not all cities will be the same as they were before the war. That is why it is very important that the symbol of the new Ukraine as a seed is being 'planted' right here in Bila Tserkva. It is also very important that the four vessels of the fountain are us. And the quality of our life depends on what fills us," the philosopher noted. He said the four vessels of the fountain symbolize thinking, art, faith, and will. "If a city is strong, it necessarily has people of will, thought, art, feeling, and faith," Filonenko emphasized. Opening of the Skovoroda Fountain in Bila Tserkva (photo: Denys Paramonov Foundation) Project "Kulturalnyi_kod" The creation of the Skovoroda Fountain became part of the "Kulturalnyi_kod" project of the Denys Paramonov Charitable Foundation. The Foundation handed the composition over to the community, planning to make it part of Bila Tserkva’s public space and a place associated with Skovoroda’s cultural and philosophical legacy. You can see the sculptural composition "Skovoroda Fountain" in the renovated square in the Pishchanyi neighborhood. The landscaping of the area was also implemented with the participation of the Denys Paramonov Charitable Foundation and its partner, Kyiv Meat Processing Plant. Activities of the Denys Paramonov Foundation The Denys Paramonov Charitable Foundation was founded on 30 July 2020. Since then the Foundation has implemented over 100 projects and programs in historical-cultural, scientific-educational, medical-health, human-rights, social, spiritual, and physical-culture-and-sports fields. Under the HEALTHY program, the Foundation provided expensive medical equipment to more than 800 hospitals.

Much attention is devoted to the development of sports. Thanks to the Denys Paramonov Charitable Foundation, almost a thousand children can train completely free in boxing, football, rowing, or dance. The Foundation also published 6 books in a total print run of 5000 copies, which were sent free of charge to libraries in Ukraine and abroad.