A somber reminder of the early days of the brutal Russian invasion now stands as a beacon of unity and rebirth in Milwaukee’s sister city of Irpin, located on the outskirts of Kyiv.
The memorial installation was unveiled last August on the site of the destroyed Romanivsky Bridge, known as the “Road of Life.” It has since captured international attention for its unique lighting design.
The installation also received top honors in the “Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design” category at the LIT Lighting Design Awards, regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the field of illumination.
By bringing worldwide recognition to a corner of Ukraine scarred by Russian war crimes, the installation offers both a powerful statement of resilience and a tribute to those who endured the bloody occupation.
HOW IRPIN’S SACRIFICES SAVED KYIV
During the earliest phase of the Russian invasion in 2022, Irpin emerged as a crucial defensive stronghold at the edge of Kyiv. To prevent Russian forces from using a direct route into the capital, the Ukrainian military made the strategic decision to destroy the Romanivsky Bridge.
Its demolition effectively cut off one of the main avenues the invaders could have used to advance, creating a bottleneck that forced them to seek alternative and less direct routes. The tactic also crippled the enemy’s key supply and transport corridor.
Despite relentless artillery strikes and ground assaults that ultimately damaged 80% of the city, Irpin’s defenders held firm. Their sacrifices played a decisive role in stalling the momentum of the Russian offensive and saving Ukraine’s capital from being captured.
The destruction of the bridge also inadvertently projected a powerful message to a global audience in those early and volatile days of the invasion. Photos of Irpin’s residents huddled under what remained of the obliterated bridge, waiting to cross the river during the evacuation, were some of the earliest images to document the civilian suffering caused by the Russians.
MEMORIES THAT ARE BOTH PAINFUL AND INSPIRING
The “Road of Life” is one of nine locations selected for a larger commemorative project called “Kyiv Region. Places of Memory.” Launched with the goal of creating something that would remain an indelible monument on Ukraine’s history, the initiative identified places where some of the most tragic events unfolded during the war in early 2022.
Irpin’s Romanivsky Bridge, once a vital escape route for civilians, was chosen as one of those places. The overall vision was to help people understand the difficult experiences of residents in the Kyiv region, both during the occupation and in its aftermath, and how to process the emotions connected to those events.
The unveiling of “Kyiv Region. Places of Memory” was fueled by a collective aspiration to give shape to memories that are both painful and inspiring. Each of the nine sites conveys a specific narrative, offering visitors insight into moments of immense challenge and instances of remarkable courage.
Among the nine locations, however, the Romanivsky Bridge site holds a special significance due to its role in saving countless lives during the height of the conflict. Referred to by many locals as the “Road of Life,” it became the only viable path out of Irpin for civilians when the city was under heavy shelling.
In recognition of its pivotal role in halting the Russian advance and the resilience displayed by its residents, Irpin was awarded the honorary title of “Hero City of Ukraine.” The title honors the city’s bravery, sacrifice, and strategic importance.
SYMBOLISM AND THE PRESERVATION OF MEANING
At the heart of the memorial is a visual element that has drawn global acclaim, a set of red threads, illuminated by pulsating lights, that connect the severed parts of the destroyed bridge.
The threads are more than just an artistic flourish, they represent the deep scars of war that have remained even after the rubble was cleared. The color red evokes the pain, loss, and immediate trauma of the invasion, while the pulsating glow alludes to the continuous heartbeat of a nation that refuses to succumb to Putin’s campaign of genocide.
By employing narrow-beam isolated strokes of light, the design focuses attention on each thread, transforming a space of devastation into one of somber reflection and unyielding spirit. The concept of “threads” also resonates with the broader Ukrainian experience.
Much like fabric stitches that hold torn material together, the red strands demonstrate how people cling to hope and unity even when their world has been ripped apart. Within the design, the stitches symbolize a healing process. It is neither simple nor swift, but it is steady, reflecting the resilience and persistent will of those who have survived the invasion.
For many people, the destroyed bridge has become a place of mourning, gratitude, and solemn remembrance. Despite the destruction of concrete and metal structures, the installation points out that the essence of a community — its spirit, will, and faith — cannot be broken.
The memorial was developed by Expolight, a team known for its innovative approach to lighting. Lead designer Mykola Kabluka worked in tandem with partners to realize a vision that would pay tribute to Irpin’s past while offering an emblem of hope for the future.
Completed on August 24, 2024, the “Road of Life” project was commissioned by the Kyiv Regional Military Administration. Together, the design team and administration emphasized that the installation should serve both as a memorial site and a rallying point for community renewal.
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF WAR AND SURVIVAL
Irpin’s broader narrative is closely intertwined with that of the Romanivsky Bridge. Civilians who managed to leave recalled harrowing journeys, crossing planks and debris with children in tow, unsure if they would make it to safety.
While other civilians refused to abandon their homes. Many spent 31 days sheltering underground, surviving repeated shelling that struck their roofs, shattered windows, and incinerated entire apartments.
By showcasing these personal stories, visitors and future generations will have the ability to understand the depth of hardships endured by ordinary people. It also offers insight into how cities like Irpin function under crisis. In many cases, it is a combination of shared responsibility, selflessness, and a sense of duty that holds a community together.
THE CITY’S ONGOING RECONSTRUCTION
Irpin was liberated on March 28, 2022, but the scars have remained, as the nation remains at war. Streets once filled with life were left deserted, their surfaces pockmarked by shells. Residential buildings bore the physical evidence of relentless bombing campaigns.
In response, local authorities, volunteers, and the international community embarked on a restoration mission. Construction crews and heavy machinery became a regular sight. By early 2023, an estimated 85 percent of Irpin’s original population had returned. The influx of returning residents underscored their determination to rebuild the city, transforming Irpin into a powerful example of Ukraine’s broader reconstruction efforts.
SISTER CITIES STANDING TOGETHER
Irpin’s resilience has been closely followed by its sister city, Milwaukee, where the community has followed and supported Ukraine’s ongoing challenges since the earliest days of the Russian invasion.
The bond between the two cities has transcended geography. Residents in Milwaukee have organized fundraisers, awareness events, and support drives to assist those displaced in Irpin and the broader Kyiv region.
The spirit of solidarity behind Irpin’s recovery has resonated deeply with Milwaukee’s population. The Mayors of both Irpin and Milwaukee have credited the sister-city relationship with fostering a unique understanding of each other’s cultural and historical experiences.
UKRAINE’S WIDER LANDSCAPE OF DAMAGE
The memory of war is still etched into the Irpin’s landscape, while reconstruction efforts help symbolize a fresh start. But the impact of the war reflects a much larger story of destruction in Ukraine.
Residential buildings, administrative offices, hospitals, and educational facilities across the nation have suffered catastrophic damage. By January 2023, more than 149,300 residential buildings were impacted in some way.
In addition, 330 hospitals and 595 administrative buildings were either destroyed or partially collapsed. Educational facilities were not spared, with more than 3,000 schools and university buildings damaged. At least 2.4 million Ukrainians found themselves without a proper home.
As reconstruction projects unfold nationwide, there is a growing emphasis on commemorating sites that have played pivotal roles. The site in Irpin has become one of the centers of Ukraine’s remembrance efforts. Its creative approach to honoring events — through light, design, and symbolism — offers a blueprint for how communities might process collective trauma.
By focusing on both the tragedy and the spirit that survived it, such memorials can serve as spaces of healing. Irpin’s installation also refuses to let the pain of war have the final word. Instead, it points to unity, the possibility of moving forward, and the power of remembering history in a constructive way.
BUILDING BRIDGES TO TOMORROW
For the residents of Irpin, “Road of Life” is a daily reminder that, while concrete and metal can be shattered, the human spirit is harder to break. As work continues on “Kyiv Region. Places of Memory,” each of the nine commemorative sites will tell its own story of sacrifice, bravery, and the cost of freedom. Together, they form a larger mosaic, capturing the essence of a people determined to overcome their deepest scars and find a path toward healing, one thread of light at a time.
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Andrii Avdieienko and the Irpin City Council
