The St. Elijah Church in Subotiv
Every Ukrainian has seen this small church from the Cherkasy oblast – at least on the back of the 5 hryvnia bill. This place also played an important role in the history of Ukraine.
Subotiv was the ancestral village of the Khmelnytskiy family. In 1648, the Polish nobleman Danylo Chaplinsky tried to invade the village. A representative of the Khmelnytskiy family named Bohdan resisted. Eventually, this resistance grew into a real uprising, and a war of the Ukrainian people for liberation from Poland.
In 1653, or in 1656 according to some sources, the church of St. Elijah was built in Subotiv. Its walls were made up to 2 meters thick, and six loopholes were placed around the perimeter. In addition to its religious function, the church also had a protective function. It also served as a family tomb.
In 1657, Bohdan Khmelnytskiy, the leader of the Ukrainian Liberation War, was buried here. In 7 years, the Poles dug up the grave and allegedly stole his body – at least, according to one chronicle. After that, the St. Elijah Church became dilapidated. Its reconstruction started only in 1862.
The Soviet authorities also did not care much for this religious building. First it was used as a club, then as a warehouse. Later, a museum to honor Khmelnytskiy was opened in the church.
By the way, a few words about him. In 2019, during a georadar study, scientists found an underground crypt 3x1.3 meters in dimensions and almost 1.6 meters high, lined from the inside with bricks. This may be the tomb of the famous Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskiy, but this mystery is still yet to be solved.
Anna Khvyl
Anna Khvyl is a sound artist, composer, and researcher. She investigates the interactions between sensation and perception, contemplating how these elements intertwine to provide space for both social bonding and individual self-exploration. Khvyl graduated from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague at the Institute of Sonology, where she currently continues her work as a research associate. Her work includes releases, sound installations, audio-visual compositions, multichannel live performances, audio walks, and radio shows.
Voice used in the composition: Vera Ibryamov-Syvoraksha