The House of Culture in Irpin

For nearly 70 years, the Irpin House of Culture was the epicenter of the city's cultural life. It was a source of pride for the residents, as it was constructed by their parents in the 1950s, becoming one of the first institutions of its kind in post-war Ukraine. Throughout this time, it teemed with life and creativity. Despite the passing years, the structure remained well-preserved and could have continued to serve the residents for many more decades if not for the Russian missile that destroyed it on March 17, 2022.

The initiative to create the House of Culture after World War II came from the residents of Irpin themselves. In 1952, the administration of the local Bucha brick and tile factory began construction. The local community independently raised funds for this project, seeing it as important not only for themselves but, even more crucially, for their children and future generations.

The official opening of the Irpin House of Culture took place in the autumn of 1954. Its facades and interiors were impressive with intricate decorations and grandeur. The auditorium could accommodate nearly 500 guests, and besides that, the building housed a foyer, a dressing room, and choreographic, vocal, as well as theatrical classes.

Within the first year, approximately 15 creative groups for children and adults were formed within the House of Culture.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, artistic studios, language clubs, and 8 creative clubs involving over 150 participants were active in the House of Culture. Over the course of a year, nearly 60 events, including concerts, exhibitions, and social gatherings, were held on the local stage, attended by up to 10,000 people. Renowned artists such as Olga Sumskaya, Ada Rogovtseva, Bohdan Stupka, Anatoliy Khostikoyev, Valeriy Zhydkov, Hryhoriy Chapkis, Kostyantyn Horyansky, Serhiy Prytula, Serhiy Babkin, Viktor Pavlik, Volodymyr Hryshko, Petro Chornyi, and bands like "TIK" and "Bez Obmezhen" among many others, graced the stage here.

The Irpin House of Culture was designated as an architectural monument and served as the main cultural and creative hub of the city.

During the battles for the city in March 2022, when Russian forces invaded the territory of Kyiv region, the Irpin House of Culture came under enemy shelling, resulting in the near-complete destruction of this historical landmark. The facades, roofing, and interiors of the building suffered extensive damage. Only the entrance area with its colonnade survived. Nevertheless, despite the devastation, the building continues to attract art and culture. After the de-occupation, artists from around the world, including the band U2 and American screenwriter Cary Fukunaga, came here.

Against the backdrop of the heavily damaged House of Culture, music videos were filmed for songs by Ed Sheeran and "Antytila." The winners of Eurovision 2022, "Kalush Orchestra," also performed, as did Canadian pianist Darius Mazhnytas.

You can help

Italian company "Restauro e arte," specializing in the restoration of architectural and cultural heritage, has pledged to help with the high-quality restoration of the Irpin House of Culture.

According to preliminary estimates, approximately 205 million hryvnias are needed for this endeavor. You can contribute to the fundraising efforts on the Irpin Restoration Fund's website.