Children Launching Boats

Children Launching Boats is a small group of sculptures on Poshtova Square. It’s dedicated to the legendary founders of Kyiv — Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv — who, according to legend, built the city on the hills above the Dnipro. The monument shows the three brothers as children, playing with toy boats on a bronze map of Kyiv. Nearby, their sister Lybid sits on a bench, smiling as she watches them.

On holidays, the “children” are often dressed in themed costumes, which adds a playful touch to the square. At Christmas, they turn into angels, and on Independence Day, they wear bright embroidered shirts.

Over time, the sculpture has become one of Kyiv’s small but much-loved landmarks. It brings the city’s founding legend to life and adds a bit of surprise — you never quite know how the “children” will be dressed the next time you walk by.

Photos: from Wikipedia