Vinnytsia Water Tower
Following the 2021 survey, the water tower was recognized as the symbol of Vinnytsia. It was built in 1911 under an architectural project by Hryhoriy Artynov. The first floor was built from granite and the rest from brick. The total building height was 28 meters, and a pompous clock with 4 copper dials was placed on its top. The construction took 9 months in total.
The magic of numbers – it went through another 9-number period when it was used as a water tower for 9 years. Later, it had various functions: a fire station, a military observation point during WWII, and even housing. For several decades, there were apartments for employees of the water utility company inside the modified building.
According to some sources, Soviet authorities planned to demolish the tower in the 1970s, given that it allegedly did not fit into the city's socialist landscape. However, Vinnytsia's residents managed to defend the building. In the 1980s, the tower was turned into a museum and officially recognized as an architectural monument afterward.
Both more than a century ago and still today, Vinnytsia residents learn the exact time by the clock on the ancient tower. Nowadays however, it plays the national anthem of Ukraine, along with “Shchedryk,” a prototype of the world renowned Christmas song “Carol of the Bells.” For the past decade and a half, the tower has also been admired by its creator. In 2010, a bronze sculpture of the architect Artynov was installed nearby, as if he were sitting on a bench to look at his creation, which has become a symbol of the entire city.
Yana Shliabanska
Yana Shliabanska is a composer and sound artist. She graduated from the National Music Academy in Kyiv. She creates instrumental and electroacoustic music, interactive sound installations, and music for theater, dance, performance, and video. She has participated in over 30 projects, which have been presented in 16 countries worldwide.