An interview with Olga Sytnyk, head of the cultural and community center DRUK, was published in the online edition of Gvara Media. In the article, Olga talks about the big idea of creating DRUK, the first event, the team, the Art Shelter project, Kontorska Street in the system of the Cultural Center, and plans.
Books, newspapers, and magazines were published in the three-story building at number 10/2 on Koniev Street for more than a hundred years. The printing house was built in 1898. At first, the printing house worked for the company Printing House of S.P. Yakovlev. At that time, it was one of the largest printing houses in Kharkiv. Back then, the building had two floors and a semi-basement, but during the civil war, the equipment was destroyed, and the premises were partially destroyed. After that, the printing house belonged to the Southern and Donetsk railways. The printing house was restored in 1924–1934. Then the third floor was completed and a freight elevator was launched. The last owner of the printing house was Kharkiv Printing House No. 2, which existed until 2010.
"The place has preserved this typographic spirit," says Olga, curator of the restoration project. ‒ In addition, I like the area where the premises are located ‒ the old center with low-rise buildings. And everything that surrounds this building, the press and the cultural center, is part of the same story.
Olga notes that she lived in this area for several years.
According to her, there was no lever here that could revive it as a cultural center. In this area, there is an old circus, Shapar's house, and a candy factory, but there is no "connecting element to create from all this one coherent, and most importantly - living history, which is very important for our city."
In Olga's opinion, this particular site could become this "beacon" and unite all the attractions together. The curator notes that the building itself has many architectural elements characteristic of the first half of the 20th century, including the red brickwork typical of factories and other industrial buildings that arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, the building has become part of Ukrainian and world culture, as well as the history of Kharkiv. Olga is convinced that even though the building has been completed, the place can be restored to its historical appearance.
"We didn't choose this printing house, it chose us," Olga smiles.
The goal of creating a new space is the sustainable development of culture and the support of civil society, explains Olga. It is also about creating a community that supports and joins initiatives, stands up for its rights, and works together to develop culture.
There is no place in Kharkiv where various cultural initiatives of the city could unite, create a large union, and work together on projects, says Olga. In her opinion, the city has one problem: many cultural initiatives only reach the city level, but not national or international.
— We would like cultural initiatives to come to us to create projects that could be scaled.
In its work, the space team is guided by the following principles: openness to initiatives, political independence, promotion of the development of civil society, and respect for human rights.
To restore the cultural life of the city and attract young people, DRUK tries to support initiatives and cultural figures with affordable rent and hosting events.
The space already has its first resident — the Tvorche Nezhyt Gallery. Cooperation with the Nafta Theater is also planned. In addition, DRUK will host educational courses, theater studios, and other various events, the exact details of which are being kept under wraps for now. However, Olga shared that the Art Shelter will be allocated for these events.
The concept of a cultural center, namely: its content, principles of cooperation of cultural organizations, social responsibility of business, target audience — was formed by Olga a long time ago. In terms of administrative aspects, the center team worked with Alter Development, a development company engaged in the restoration of the building.
Currently, the building is at the stage of preparation for restoration works. A study of the house and the surrounding area has already been completed. Now the concept of the building is being developed. Then work on the sketch project will begin, and at the end, the working project will be processed. At the same time, says Olga, it is worth taking into account external risks in the conditions of war, so it is difficult to name the exact terms.
Work on the Center began two months before the full-scale invasion began. Then they had time to hold only one event ‒ the presentation of the album by the Ukrainian composer HSPD, which was released at that time on the Someone Records label. A presentation party was held in the Center and was attended by about 300 people. As Olga noted, it was an inspiring start. It was possible to resume work in May 2023.
Thus, a full-scale invasion affected economic opportunities and also changed plans for the development of a cultural center. Olga believes that the main challenge has become
the consequences of the invasion.
— I believe that the main challenges we faced are a change in the Center's target audience, an emphasis on shelter, etc. A lot has changed, except our desire to create this cultural center under all conditions.
Developing cultural centers during the war can be difficult. The team twice applied for grants for separate projects related to the repair and arrangement of the art shelter, but did not receive support from donors.
However, the team continues to work on the development of DRUK. Now they have a project to arrange a theater space.
— Grant opportunities also arise for our gallery from time to time. We have already used one of these: it was an exchange of artists, where our Kharkiv figures were exhibited and performed in the Lviv Gallery 31 Art Space. Soon the people of Lviv will come to exhibit at our place. But the cultural center project also needs foundations with great financial capabilities that understand how important it is to support such Centers in frontline locations. Therefore, of course, we are looking for funds that can financially help us both with the development of the cultural center and with restoration works.
A gallery is already operating in the new space, and there will also be a theater. Also, the basement renovations have begun ‒ a room for events will be equipped there, and it will also serve as a shelter.
- We called it Art Shelter. It will be possible to hold events there, open workshops, co-working spaces, and a lobby. We have plans to equip the yard when it is possible, we also dream of creating a comfortable cozy, and accessible library. There should also be premises where the offices of cultural, public, and other organizations will be located.
Olga says that the Center already has an art curator, thanks to whom exhibitions have begun, which are active not only in the Tvorche Nezhyt gallery but also throughout DRUK. In particular, the exhibition “February 31. Memory”, opened on March 1 under the curatorship of Tetyana Lytvyn and Magran Tata. Not only the gallery is involved here, but also the premises of other projects in DRUK.
In addition, Olga clarified that there will be curators from the theatrical, literary, and musical areas and a specialist who will develop the urban area.
In addition to the restoration of the building and the development of a cultural center in it, the team has a holistic vision for the development of the district.
— We believe that we can develop this district only together with other businesses, cultural centers, and public associations. To make it so that new interesting projects and businesses enter there so that when people go to our center, they can go to cafes and museums; they can rest, and participate in some activities along the way. We think it is to everyone’s interest in the area.
Because they all become stakeholders in the development of the district. Also, this approach stimulates the communication of all participants: businesses, authorities, cultural organizations, and civil society. And we can be the initiators of this communication.
According to the study of the urban projects office Urbanyna for DRUK, the appearance of the cultural center at Honcharivska 10/2 will contribute to the creation of new pedestrian routes and the revitalization of the historical area of the place, explained Olga.
— That is, if people go from the city center to our cultural center, they will probably pass through Kontorska Street. Because Poltavskyi Shliakh Street is very noisy due to trams, busy traffic, and gassy air; there are no trees. Kontorska Street opposite is quiet, and beautiful, with vegetation. The second option is that they will walk along the embankment, starting from Strilka Square, and then to the Honcharivska dam, cross the bridge, and also reach our cultural center. Now this embankment does not end with anything: that is, you just reach this dam and go back. Therefore, the appearance of our center forms a new pedestrian route and connects Kontorska streets and the embankment.
The team plans to give most of the premises to cultural initiatives, and the rest to business. In particular, they hope to adopt a socially responsible business whose values will coincide.
— I see the development of our cultural and community center as a big project in which business cooperates with culture, and culture cooperates with business. Globally, we plan not only to continue to develop Kharkiv as a cultural center but also to promote the release of Kharkiv projects to the All-Ukrainian and international levels. Because it is extremely important to develop and maintain culture precisely in those cities that are close to the front line, so that the citizens know who they are and can carry their culture, live in it, and pass on the cultural code to the next generations.
In addition, Olga shared that in the next two years, she wants to explore the cultural code of Ukraine due to the involvement of the cultural center.
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