With much of Irpin lying in ruins after assaults by Russian forces earlier in the year, its library has evolved into a gathering place for displaced schoolteachers, a temporary office for psychotherapists, and even a refuge for St. Nicholas to greet the city's youngsters.
'Hero City': Irpin's Library Offers Refuge In Devastated Ukrainian Town
- By AFP
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Children use flashlights on their mobile phones during a power outage at a meeting of their literature club in Irpin's public library on December 23.
Located on the ground floor of a nine-story apartment block, the library has become a symbol of a tentative recovery following the devastation of the Russian occupation.
Located on the ground floor of a nine-story apartment block, the library has become a symbol of a tentative recovery following the devastation of the Russian occupation.
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A man works on his laptop among the bookshelves at the library.
"As soon as the library reopened, we gave people the opportunity to recharge their phones. We gave people the opportunity to stay in warm conditions while watching the city rebuild," said Yevhenia Antonyuk of the Irpin city council.
"As soon as the library reopened, we gave people the opportunity to recharge their phones. We gave people the opportunity to stay in warm conditions while watching the city rebuild," said Yevhenia Antonyuk of the Irpin city council.
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An aerial photo of Irpin taken on April 29 shows the devastation wrought on civilian areas by Russian forces.
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Sunflowers, a beloved symbol of Ukraine, and a family of storks adorn the shattered walls of Irpin's Central House of Culture.
With the Ukrainian government lacking the funds for widespread reconstruction, many residents are forced to restore their own homes and make use of any functioning public facilities.
With the Ukrainian government lacking the funds for widespread reconstruction, many residents are forced to restore their own homes and make use of any functioning public facilities.
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The library has proven invaluable for boosting community morale, especially during blackouts.
Olena Tsyhanenko, 75, has been head of the Irpin library for four decades, ever since the days when, as she recalls proudly, its photocopier was the only one in town.
"We are in the heart of the town, on the central square, and we were always popular," she said. "When there was no Internet, our halls were filled with readers."
Olena Tsyhanenko, 75, has been head of the Irpin library for four decades, ever since the days when, as she recalls proudly, its photocopier was the only one in town.
"We are in the heart of the town, on the central square, and we were always popular," she said. "When there was no Internet, our halls were filled with readers."
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Children play near a generator in front of the library.
Ukrainian officials have tried to encourage Irpin on its road to recovery by designating it a "hero city," an acknowledgement of the resolve its people have demonstrated in the face of so much adversity.
Ukrainian officials have tried to encourage Irpin on its road to recovery by designating it a "hero city," an acknowledgement of the resolve its people have demonstrated in the face of so much adversity.
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A mural by the elusive British artist Banksy shows an injured gymnast in a neck collar performing a ribbon routine, painted on one of Irpin's shattered residential areas.
The town recently bestowed the title of honorary citizen on Banksy for "drawing the world community's attention to the scale of the destruction of Irpin."
The town recently bestowed the title of honorary citizen on Banksy for "drawing the world community's attention to the scale of the destruction of Irpin."
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A man dressed as St. Nicholas and a woman dressed as an angel greet children at the festively decorated library on December 23.
"We received some sweets, and that's why we come with our children on this occasion, in order to lift our spirits," said Irpin resident Viktoria Voskresova.
"We received some sweets, and that's why we come with our children on this occasion, in order to lift our spirits," said Irpin resident Viktoria Voskresova.
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A woman dressed as an angel takes a break from greeting children.
"What happens in the library touches all aspects of people's lives," said Yevhenia Antonyuk of the Irpin city council.
"What happens in the library touches all aspects of people's lives," said Yevhenia Antonyuk of the Irpin city council.