Khmelnytskyi: Bohdan Khmelnytskyi has never been here. What amazed about the city

The trip to Khmelnytskyi was not only a fascinating discovery for the Blog 360 team but also their first trip after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Our journey began with a visit to the Khmelnytskyi Regional Art Museum, a communal cultural institution. This museum not only collects and preserves art masterpieces but also embodies an innovative concept of a collection aimed at promoting Ukrainian contemporary art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It has become a genuine cultural center where a shared space unites creators and art enthusiasts.

Continuing our journey, we visited Shevchenko Park, one of the locals' favorite relaxation spots. Here, history and nature intertwine in incredible harmony. The park is now considered one of the most picturesque corners of Khmelnytskyi. Its history goes back more than a hundred years, and today, it has become a true monument of landscape art.

Our trip to Khmelnytskyi continued at an exciting pace. We visited the Museum of Photo Art, the first and only one in Ukraine. This extraordinary institution presents a unique collection of over 3500 exhibits, covering the development of photography and camera production during the 20th century. The museum was made possible thanks to the efforts of Konstantin Zhdanov, a Khmelnytskyi photographer who has been collecting this fascinating collection for many years. Here, you can see cameras, lenses, enlargers, exposure meters, and other photographic equipment, as well as old negatives, lithographs, and photographs that reflect the city's history and its inhabitants.

"The Flea Market in Franko Park is a place where time stands still, and you find yourself in a chaotic mix of history and antiques. The market offers a wide variety of goods: old records, rare Spanish candlesticks, weapons from the Second World War, accordions, gramophones, toys, coins, plumbing, paintings, and even bicycles. Every Sunday, collectors from all over the city gather here to sell and exchange various antique finds. Vendors set up their wares right on the sidewalks, and visitors have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of items.

This market is a place where every find can become part of your collection, where history and modernity intertwine in an atmosphere of curiosity and the opportunity to meet other antique lovers.

Our trip to Khmelnytskyi revealed several facts and stories that make this city truly exceptional. One of the main notable locations in Khmelnytskyi is Chekman Park, or as the residents of Khmelnytskyi call it, the "city park." It is here that the monumental work of Mykola Mazur, which began in the late 1970s, is located. The order from the Khmelnytskyi Regional Department of Internal Affairs to create a playground for children was the catalyst for this extraordinary story.

Between 1979 and 1984, on an area of four hectares, a three-dimensional composition of 13 metal sculptures, resembling large children's toys, was created in the park, designed to familiarize children with the basic rules of the road. With names such as "Helicopter," "Bicycle," "Steam locomotive," "Retro," "Lion," and others, these sculptures are made of scrap metal and can evoke surprise and admiration due to their unique appearance and functionality.

Khmelnytskyi's history is also filled with global successes. Among the most prominent and successful Americans of the twentieth century were natives of Proskuriv (Khmelnytskyi's former name), who gained recognition not only in the United States but around the world. Among them are the most famous expert in the treatment of depression, Aaron Beck, co-author of the "History of Civilization" and Pulitzer Prize winner Ariel Durant, and the first publisher of Superman and Batman comics, Jack Liebowitz. Their achievements have become a great source of pride for Khmelnytskyi.

This brief glimpse into Khmelnytskyi's history unveils various aspects of the city, from its artistic accomplishments to its global recognition. When visiting this city, we not only witnessed its beauty but also felt its grandeur and uniqueness. The history of Khmelnytskyi and its people becomes even more captivating as you delve deeper into this remarkable city.