In the square in the eastern part of Putiatynskyi Square in Zhytomyr stands the monument to the victims of the Holodomor of 1932–1933, popularly known as "The Crying Angel" (also referred to as "The Mourning Angel"). The sculpture has become one of the city's main memorial sites dedicated to the memory of the people who died during the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
The imagery of the monument is not built on a complex composition, but on a simple and emotionally understandable symbol — an angel covering its face with its hands.
History of "The Crying Angel" Monument
The memorial was unveiled on August 23, 2006, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Its creation was dedicated to honoring the memory of the victims of the Holodomor of 1932–1933, which claimed the lives of millions of Ukrainians.
The author of the sculpture is Oleksandr Kostiuk, and the architectural design belongs to Petro Perevoznyk.
The very establishment of the monument became part of reclaiming the memory of a tragedy that for decades during Soviet times was impossible to speak about openly.
What "The Crying Angel" Looks Like
At the center of the composition is a tall, full-length white sculpture of an angel. Its hands cover its face, creating an image of sorrow and boundless pain.
The figure stands on a pedestal whose shape resembles a hemisphere. At the base is the memorial inscription:
"To the bright memory of the victims of the Holodomor"
The restrained composition is not overloaded with decorative details. The main focus is specifically on the image of the angel, which symbolizes grief for the fallen.
The Memory of the Holodomor in Zhytomyr
The Holodomor of 1932–1933 affected not only the central and eastern regions of Ukraine — its consequences were also felt in the Zhytomyr region. Memorial sites like "The Crying Angel" remind us of this page of Ukrainian history and preserve the memory of the people who fell victim to the criminal policies of the Soviet regime.
Every year on the fourth Saturday of November, on Holodomor Memorial Day, residents of Zhytomyr bring candles, spikes of wheat, and clusters of guelder rose here to honor the fallen.
What to See Nearby
Putiatynskyi Square is located in the historical part of Zhytomyr, in the Old Town, so a walk to the memorial can easily be combined with exploring other city sights: the old streets of the center, the boulevard with a cascade fountain, and buildings connected to the history of Zhytomyr and its famous residents.
"The Crying Angel" should be seen not just as a city sculpture, but primarily as a memorial of remembrance. Its restrained imagery reminds us of a tragedy that Ukraine continues to comprehend to this day.
