Welcome to Kharkiv - Ukraine and to the 138th edition of the Forum Song Contest (FSC).
Theme: ‘Ukraine: Goddess Of Victory Nike’
Winner FSC July 2020
Congratulations! ^^
Theme: ‘Ukraine: Goddess Of Victory Nike’
Winner FSC July 2020
Congratulations! ^^
The Host city for this FSC #138-edition is : Kharkiv - Ukraine , also sometimes known as Khar
kov , the second largest city in Ukraine . In the north-east of the country it is the largest city of
Slobozhanshchyna historical region. With ca 2.2 million people Kharkiv is the admin centre of
Kharkiv Oblast region. It was founded in 1654 & after a start as small fortress it grew to a city
Kharkiv was the first capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, from December 1919 to
January 1934 , after which the capital relocated , to Kyiv. Presently , Kharkiv is a major cultural,
scientific , educational , transport and industrial centre of Ukraine. Industry plays a large role in
Kharkiv's economy. Kharkiv's industry today specializes primarily in machinery & in electronics
There are hundreds of industrial companies in the city , including the Morozov Design Bureau
& the Malyshev Tank Factory (leaders in world tank production from the 1930s to the 1980s) ;
Khartron (aerospace & nuclear powerplants automation electronics); the Turboatom (turbines
for hydro-, thermal- & nuclear-power plants) , & Antonov (varried aircraft manufacturing plant).
When it comes to the city's name , some sources offer, that the city was named after its near-
legendary founder , Kharko. Among other names there are Charkow, Charkov, Zakharpolis. Cu
ltural artifacts date back to the Bronze Age , as well as those of later Scythian, and Sarmatian
settlers . Evidence says Chernyakhov culture flourished in the area , from 2nd to 5th centuries.
In the early Middle Ages , the territory of the Kharkiv region , was inhabited by nomadic tribes :
Goths, Alans, Khazars, Pechenegs, Polovtsians. In the 8th century, the Slavs founded their sett
lement on the site of the future Kharkiv, which, in the 10th century, became known as the town
of Donets. This town was believed ruined, by Polovtsi & Mongols, in the 11th to 13th centuries.
The town was reborn as Kharkiv, founded by re-settlers running away from the war that engulf
ed Ukraine , in 1654 ( cfr. Khmelnytsky Uprising ) . The years before, the region was a sparsely
populated part of Cossack Hetmanate . The group of people , came onto the banks , of Lopan
& Kharkiv rivers , and an abandoned settlement. Leader of the re-settlers was Ivan Kryvoshlyk.
At first the settlement was self-governed under the jurisdiction of a voivode from Chuhuiv. The
1st appointed voivode from Moscow was Voyin Selifontov in 1656 who started to build a local
ostrog (fort) . At that time the population of Kharkiv was just over 1000 , half whom were local
cossacks. Kharkiv became the centre of a local Sloboda cossack regiment (militarized region)
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‘Ukraine: Goddess Of Victory Nike’
‘Mythology and a Symbol of Independence’
On Constitution Square in Kharkiv, Ukraine there is a magnificent monument to the Goddess
Of Victory Nike. It is one of the most important sights in the city and this monument is consi
dered one of the most beautiful , of this Goddess . The monument also has special meaning
for Ukrainians in their fight for independence, freedom and Victory - and has become a Monu
ment of Independence . In ancient Greek civilization , Nike was a Goddess who did personify
Victory . Her Roman equivalent was Victoria . Nike was the daughter of the Titan Pallas & the
Goddess Styx. Also sister of Kratos, Bia , & Zelus (Zeal) Her grandfather was famed Poseidon
..And Styx the daughter of Ocean was joined to Pallas & bore Zelus and trim-ankled Nike (Vic
tory) in the house. Also she brought forth Kratos (Strength) & Bia (Force), wonderful children.
Nike & her siblings were close companions of Zeus, the dominant deity of the Greek pantheon
According to classical (later) myth , Styx brought them to Zeus when the God was assembling
allies for the Titanomachy against the older deities. Nike assumed the role of the divine chario
teer , a role in which she often is portrayed in Classical Greek art. Nike flew around battlefields
rewarding the victors with glory and fame, symbolized by a wreath of laurel leaves (bay leaves)
Sculptures of Nike were extremely common in Ancient Greece and used both in secular public
spaces of many categories , as well as in the temples of other gods . She was often seen as a
miniature sculpture in the hand of Athena and Zeus . Nike was depicted, with famous athletes
symbolizing their victories . In public places as well as temples, she was depicted in sculpture
to commemorate victories in war, & competitions . While Nike was often depicted in sculpture
& often included in the cults of other gods, particularly Zeus & Athena , only a few sanctuaries
dedicated solely to her is mentioned. Pausanias noted that there was an altar solely to Nike in
Olympia close to the altar of Zeus Purifier & he also noted the temple of Nike in Athens On the
right of the gateway [ of Akropolis (Acropolis), Athens ] is a temple of Nike Apteron (Wingless)
Nike is, however, seen with wings in most statues and paintings , with one of the most famous
being the Winged Victory of Samothrace in the Louvre. Nike is the Goddess of strength , speed
and Victory. Nike is also one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek coins. After the
Victory at Battle of Marathon , Athenians erected the statue "Nike of Callimachus" (Dedication)
With the resettlement of the area by Ukrainians it came to be known as Sloboda Ukraine, most
of which was included under jurisdiction of the Razryad Prikaz ( a Military Appointment ) head
ed by district official from Belgorod . By 1657 the Kharkiv settlement had a fortress with under
ground passageways. In 1658 Ivan Ofrosimov became new voivode, with focus on tsar loyalty
The Kharkiv Fortress was erected around the Assumption Cathedral , and its castle was at Uni
versity Hill. It was between today's streets : vulytsia Kvitky-Osnovianenko, Constitution Square,
Rose Luxemburg Square, Proletarian Square, & Cathedral Descent. The fortress had 10 towers
incl. the Chuhuivska Tower, the Moskovska Tower, the Vestovska Tower & the Tainytska Tower
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was
included into Kiev Governorate . Kharkiv is specifically mentioned as one of the towns making
a part of the governorate . In 1727 , Belgorod Governorate was split off , and Kharkiv moved to
Belgorod Governorate , as a separate, administrative unit , Kharkiv Sloboda Cossack regiment.
Kharkiv University was established in 1805, in the Palace of Governorate-General . The streets
were first cobbled in city centre, in 1830 . A system of running water was established in 1870.
Kharkiv became a major industrial & (Ukrainian) cultural centre . In the next 100 years Ukraine
was often under Russian/USSR rule . Ukraine gained its cherished independence in year 1991
A well-known landmark of Kharkiv of today, is the Freedom Square (Ploshcha Svobody before
known as, Dzerzhinsky Square) , which is the ninth largest city square in Europe , and the 28th
largest square in the world . A large number of OrthodoxCathedrals were built in Kharkiv in the
1990s & 2000s. Gorky Park was fully renovated in the 2000s with attractions a lily lake & more
Kharkiv has a long industrial corporate history . Kharkiv is also the headquarters of one of the
largest Ukrainian banks , UkrSibbank. There are many large modern shopping malls in Kharkiv
and a large number of markets (incl. Barabashovo market , the largest market in Ukraine). The
Vasyl N. Karazin Kharkiv National University , the most prestigious reputable classic university
Kharkiv has 20 museums , 10 + theatres & many art galleries . Large music & cinema festivals
are hosted in Kharkiv almost every year . Of its many attractions are: Dormition Cathedral, Ann
unciation Cathedral, Derzhprom building (1st Soviet skyscraper built in 1928), Freedom Square
, Constitution Square, Taras Shevchenko Monument, Mirror Stream, & Sharivka Castle (Palace)
Other sights are: Kharkiv Zoo, the Children's narrow-gauge railroad, the World War1 Tank Mk V
Memorial Complex , the famous Monument of Goddess of Victory Nike , which , as mentioned
has become, a symbolic Monument of Independence (cfr. this FSC edition’s theme & banners)
and many more. Kharkiv is one of the largest transportation centers in Ukraine (by air/rail/car)
Kharkiv contains numerous parks & gardens such as the Maxim Gorky park, Shevchenko park,
Hydro park, Strelka park, Sarzhyn Yar and Feldman ecopark. The city has an abundant nightlife
with plenty of hotels , restaurants , bars and clubs. Kharkiv also is a city of sports with football
most popular ( FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv, et al ). The Kharkiv International Marathon is famous
Performers of “Cars”, their debut single released in May 2020, are the talented Norwegian sisters and twins The Ella Sisters. For more information and promotion of the entry (including lyrics in English) please check out the FSC Norway-thread and/or the FSC Promotions-thread! Hope you’ll enjoy it! 
