Square of Memory (Lugansk)

Gusinovka is a historical microdistrict of Lugansk. Before the revolution, its inhabitants were the workers of the Hartmann factory. A famous resident of this region was Klim Voroshilov , whose name the city bore in 1935 - 1958 and 1970 - 1990 . A part of the population were also artisans - Jews .

Gusinovskoe cemetery, located on the street. 5th Donetsk (later Alpatova, and then Sovetskaya) was opened in the 1890s . But in the archives, mention of the first burial dates back to 1910.

In addition to the townspeople, soldiers from the German-Austrian army and soldiers of the Soviet Army were buried in the cemetery. Among famous people, the first city head Nikolai Kholodilin rests here. In 1933, the last shelter was found by the Archbishop of the Ukrainian Cathedral - Episcopal Church Augustine Verbitsky. ^[one]

February 7 (according to other sources, March 1), 1956, according to sanitary standards, the cemetery was closed and land was allocated for a new cemetery at the Lugansk bus station . By the close, there were about 15,000 graves. The idea to plan a square in this place, similar to the square of the 30th anniversary of the Komsomol, was not realized. But he was fenced with marl and partially concrete fence. ^[2]

In the 1960s, the cemetery was notorious. A resonant case of four times convicted repeat offender by the name of Shirokov, who raped a woman on his territory, was connected with him. In total, he committed about 50 sexual crimes. By the verdict of the court, the offender was sentenced to death .

In 1971, the cemetery was examined by a commission that came to the conclusion that the cemetery could be used as a park. In subsequent years, they carried out the restoration of the cemetery, Luhansk residents were able to rebury their relatives. ^[2]

According to local researchers, in the second half of the 1930s, three to five thousand political prisoners were buried in the cemeteries of Lugansk and Suchia Balka . ^[3] Some of these people were shot in the Vasnev House, which at that time was occupied by the NKVD .

In 1989, the Lugansk branch of the historical and educational society Memorial investigated the mass graves of the repressed. According to their testimony, among the dead were found dead mothers with babies. A cross was erected in memory of the dead, but authorities ordered it to be dismantled. ^[four]

However, there is a statement that the enemies of the people could not be buried in the city cemetery. ^[2] The main place of their burial is located in Suchi beam.

In December 1972, it was decided to plan a square named after the Friendship of the Peoples of the USSR, which was founded in 1982 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the USSR.

The square was supposed to symbolize the Soviet Union . Chestnuts represented Ukraine , birches - Russia , spruce - the Far East , an artificial hill - the Caucasus Mountains , a fountain with sea pebbles - the Black Sea .

A total of 1346 dendrological plants were planted.

The peak of the park's popularity occurred in the 1980s . In the next decade, it was launched.

The parish was registered in April 1995 . A wooden church was erected in the square with donations from believers. The first service was held on Easter April 27, 1998 . In the temple there is an icon of the Holy Mother of God revered by the faithful, in honor of which the table of the northern aisle of the church is consecrated. ^[five]

In 2006-2009, rumors circulated in the city that they were planning to erect a shopping and entertainment complex on the site of the former cemetery.
A number of public organizations (Enlightenment, an association of Ukrainian and Don Cossacks), together with the granddaughter of the first mayor, Maria Tsarevskaya, protested against this decision. They installed a cross on the site of the grave of the first city head Nikolai Kholodilin (1843–1925), an iconic figure for the city. By this action, the protesters tried to attract public attention and prevent the local authorities from desecrating the former cemetery. ^[3]

In 2009, by the City Day, the square was partially updated. A fountain appeared at the entrance. In its center, a place has been left for a future monument to the guardian angel . New lighting was installed, benches were installed, paths were paved, flowerbeds were planned, a new modern children's playground was equipped ^[6] .

In 2016, at the entrance to the square, the monument “They Defended the Homeland” was erected by the sculptor V. A. Gorbulin .

• Forostyuk O. D. Walkers the Old Town // Dover of the curator of student groups. - Lugansk, 2011.