Kherson Watermelon Monument

Kherson Watermelon Monument
A member of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade standing in front of the monument
Interactive map of Kherson Watermelon Monument
LocationOsokorivka, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates47°27′46″N 33°52′48″E / 47.46278°N 33.88000°E / 47.46278; 33.88000
DesignerSerhiy Polinok
MaterialMetal, Concrete
Height4 metres (13 ft)
Opening date1988

The Kherson Watermelon Monument, also known as the "Gifts of Kherson Oblast" Memorial (Ukrainian: Пам'ятний знак «Дари Херсонщини»), is an art object in Kherson Oblast in Ukraine dedicated to the importance of watermelon production to the local economy. The monument was built in 1988,[1] and is located at the villgae of Osokorivka.[2] It is the first and largest watermelon memorial in Ukraine.[3]

Characteristics

The structure is made of metal and concrete, with a total height of about 4 metres (13 ft).[1] The top of the monument is in the color and shape of a watermelon cut open, with a height of about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in).[2]

History

In 1988, this monument was installed by an order of local collective farm "Ukraine", approval by the head of local rural council in Osokorivka, Viktor Volchenok. The monument was designed by artist Serhiy Polinok, and built by welders Vasyl Pasko and Petro Bondarenko.[1] Some records claim that the monument was not installed until 2003.[3]

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the monument came under Russian occupation. It later returned to Ukrainian control as the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade retook the area in early October 2022. The monument was damaged by artillery shell fragments.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Памятник херсонскому арбузу около села Осокоровка" (in Russian). Local Travel. December 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Монумент херсонскому арбузу" (in Russian). Latifundist.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Khoroshun, Valentin (November 23, 2018). "Топ аграрных достопримечательностей Херсонской области" (in Russian). Latifundist.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "ЗСУ відтіснили російських загарбників в районі Осокорівки на Херсонщині" (in Ukrainian). Мост. October 9, 2022. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022.