Dobropillia. The "By the Stork" Nature Complex from the History of the Donetsk Land

Sometimes you walk along a country road, admiring the tidy homesteads and the front gardens in bloom, and suddenly you see something unusual for the Ukrainian backwoods. Where they remember the history of the village and its founders, where they value the labour of those who came before, the community has created, by its own efforts, historical displays and nature-protection areas. Local landmarks have become the calling cards of small settlements; people are proud of them, they cherish and nurture them, adorn and multiply them. And the old-timers put in their efforts not only for themselves -- a traveller too is curious to look in and learn something new about the cultural traditions of the village.

 

Dobropillia. The "By the Stork" nature-protection complex from the history of the Donetsk land

In the village of Dobropillia, Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, on Tsentralna Street, the "By the Spring" nature-protection complex began to take shape in 1989 thanks to enterprising residents.

The rest area is situated on the western side of the village, by the road in a picturesque little gully.

The area around the well was cleared, coniferous trees, shrubs and flowers were planted, an entrance arch was built and steps were made on the slope, up which you can climb into the woodland.

 

A well is a symbol of eternal life and rebirth, of strength, beauty and abundance. A well fed by a spring embodies the union of the masculine and the feminine.

In fairy tales and myths wells are described as gates to the underground kingdom; they are credited with a link to the underworld, with magical properties and spells. The healing water heals, relieves fatigue, adds strength and grants wishes.

 

A stork appeared above the well, and in the little nest the chicks began to chatter. Since ancient times a stork sitting on a roof has meant protection and patronage. The beautiful bird is renowned for its fidelity. Newly-weds and married couples come to the Dobropillia stork as to a herald of the continuation of the family line; they take photographs and make wishes, hang little padlocks on the nest and tie ribbons of happiness to bind their union forever. The place of rest and photo shoots has become much loved, and now it is called "By the Stork".

 

In 1999-2000 a chapel was raised on this spiritually important spot, so that everyone could come here with a prayer and light a candle before the holy image.

 

People come to the well not only on holidays and joyful occasions. In honour of the fellow villagers and all the residents of Ukraine who perished in the artificial famine of 1933, a stele and a memorial cross with a bunch of wheat ears have been set up.

Surrounded by fir trees, a war memorial has been created and the names of seven internationalist soldiers, residents of the nearest villages who did not return from the Afghan War, have been immortalised.

 

Great respect is due to the people, the founders and those who look after the upkeep of the nature-protection complex. Sadly, there turned out to be no information at all "By the Stork", not even a small plaque, and one would have liked to thank the founders and the followers of this good work.

Coordinates: 48°25'20"N 37°1'49"E