Stryi authorities plan to restore 19th-century synagogue

A charitable foundation signs a cooperation memorandum with the Stryi City Council on restoring the synagogue. Photo: wz.lviv.ua

The Stryi City Council has signed a cooperation memorandum with the Spadshchyna.UA charitable foundation to restore the Great Synagogue and turn it into a cultural center, Vysokyi Zamok reported.

The historic 19th-century building, considered one of the largest surviving synagogues in western Ukraine, has long been in a state of disrepair. During the Soviet era, the building was used as a warehouse, while the removal of its vaulted roof in the 1980s significantly accelerated its deterioration.

Project organizers are currently seeking investors and partners to fund the restoration work.

“The memorandum lays the groundwork for joint efforts to bring in expertise, partners, and funding,” said Anna Havryliv, head of the Spadshchyna.UA foundation. “After decades of decay, one of the city’s most remarkable historic buildings has been given a chance at a new life.”

According to Havryliv, adapting the historic site for a new purpose will allow it to become part of the community’s contemporary life.

“We want to preserve the historic building and bring it back into the active life of Stryi by giving it a new cultural function. Adaptive reuse makes it possible to preserve the monument’s historic value while giving it a future and turning it into a resource for the community’s development.”

As the UOJ previously reported, Vinnytsia authorities plan to allocate UAH 46 million for the restoration of a synagogue.

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