A bronze mini sculpture of Vasyl Hryhorovych Barsky, an 18th‑century traveller from Kyiv who left one of the most detailed descriptions of Cyprus of his time, has been unveiled in Larnaca.
The sculpture, a gift to the city, was created with the support of the cultural centre Obiimy Cyprus and the family initiative Sushko Philanthropy, marking a cultural milestone that underlines long-standing ties between Cyprus and Ukraine.
Barsky travelled across Cyprus on foot, lived on the island and documented it with remarkable accuracy, leaving behind notes that remain among the most valuable primary sources on early modern Cyprus.
The sculpture was installed as part of the Ukrainian project “Shukai!”, which for almost ten years has been telling the story of Kyiv through bronze mini sculptures. The Cyprus installation is the first to go beyond Ukraine’s borders.
This choice is closely linked to the deep historical connections between the two countries. Three hundred years ago, a traveller from Kyiv was among the first to describe and sketch Cyprus, while today more than 30,000 Ukrainians live on the island. The sculpture serves as a reminder that the connection between Cyprus and Ukraine has long existed and continues to grow.
Anna Sushko, co‑founder of Obiimy Cyprus and Sushko Philanthropy, said Cyprus has become a second home for many Ukrainians, describing the community as strong and welcoming. She noted that giving something back to the city carries particular significance and highlighted how cultural ties between the two countries extend across centuries.
Deputy Mayor of Larnaca Iiasonas Iiasonidis praised the presence of the Ukrainian community in the city, describing it as productive and highly educated, with a contribution to society, the economy and culture. He also pointed to similarities in historical experiences between the two countries and expressed appreciation for ongoing support and cooperation.
Who was Vasyl Hryhorovych Barsky
Vasyl Hryhorovych Barsky, who lived between 1701 and 1747, left Kyiv on foot in 1724 and travelled for 24 years, often without money and under difficult health conditions. During his journey he reached Italy, Greece, Mount Athos, Jerusalem, Egypt and Syria, and visited Cyprus five times.
Barsky described the island in rich detail, producing his own drawings and receiving respect partly due to his origins from Kyiv, which at the time was considered a major spiritual centre of the Orthodox world. He returned home in 1747 and died in the same year.
Lyola Filimonova, the project’s scientific advisor, noted that Barsky identified himself as a pilgrim on foot from Kyiv and consistently emphasised his origins. She added that he wrote about the countries he visited with respect, while dedicating particularly warm descriptions to Cyprus. According to her, his legacy reflects centuries-old ties between Cyprus and Ukraine and highlights the value of shared cultural memory.
Ceremony and location
The unveiling ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Ambassador of Japan Satoshi Iwasaki, representatives of the embassies of Ukraine and Poland, the representative of the European Youth Parliament in Cyprus Christos Parmakkis, Deputy Mayor of Larnaca Iiasonas Iiasonidis and Nana Asmeni, officer of the Larnaca Tourism Board. Members of the Cyprus Ukraine Friendship Society, the Ukrainian community and supporters of the Obiimy initiative were also present.
The sculpture is open to the public at Obiimy Cyprus, located at 12 Grigori Afxentiou Street in Larnaca. It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
About the partners
Obiimy Cyprus is a Ukrainian cultural centre in Cyprus that serves as a space for cultural exchange and as a focal point for the Ukrainian diaspora on the island. The centre promotes cultural diplomacy, supports the Ukrainian community and works to share Ukrainian culture internationally.
Sushko Philanthropy is a family initiative founded by Mykola and Anna Sushko. In the cultural sector, it develops educational and cultural hubs worldwide, supports talent and ideas and contributes to environments where people can live, learn and create.
Shukai! is a cultural and historical project that tells the story of Kyiv through bronze mini sculptures. Over nearly a decade, 52 sculptures have been installed across Kyiv, attracting millions of visitors. The Cyprus sculpture, the first outside Ukraine, marks the beginning of a new chapter highlighting Kyiv’s global connections, its stories and the people behind them.
