The Ambulance. Sonia and Mini-sculptures series is back

Hey, guys!

Look who is back on the horse again! It's little Sonia and mini-sculptures ❤️ Yeah, it has been a while... New Year - new start, right? So let me remember what is it about.

In January 2021, I launched a series of short stories about mini-sculptures which are installed all around Kyiv as a part of "Shukai!" Project. Each little bronze sculpture tells its story which is a part of the story of Kyiv, modern and ancient. The sculptures were made with the funds of benefactors and installed in various places in Kyiv. Anyone can donate and give a mini-sculpture to the community as a gift.

"Shukai" is the Ukrainian transliteration of "Search". So you search for the mini sculpture, scan the QR code on the plate and read the story. Isn't it nice? Sonia likes to look for sculptures and take photos with them because they are nearly the same size. 😄

I was going to resume the series plenty of times. I had many images of them that had never been published. And I was thinking of how to do it, where to start. But after the last massive Russian shelling on Ukraine on Dec 29th, I have no doubts.

The Ambulance

If this post was published before the full-scale war against Ukraine, you would read something about charity, philanthropy and people who save lives. What did I know about it then? Nothing.

Now I sincerely admire their enthusiasm, courage, and devotion. They are knights, true heroes!

Rescuers and an ambulance are the first to arrive at the sites of rocket and drone hits. They go there immediately, not waiting for the air raid to clear. This year, the Russians introduced a new tactic. They launch the rockets again at the same target in a short while, and the targets of the second hit are the rescuers or ambulance. Actually, hospitals are always their targets.

But let's get back to the first Kyiv Emergency Medical Service the mini-sculpture is dedicated to. It was established in Feb 1881 (for the first time in the Russian Empire) as a "Group of Kyiv doctors, for night shifts" by the Head of the Kyiv branch of the Red Cross. Initially, they were 19. In addition, there was a free milk dispensing point for mothers in labor. From its foundation to the end, this service existed at the expense of charity contributions and was free for patients.

The first Emergency Medical Aid Rescue Station was opened on June 30, 1902. The station received everything necessary for successful operation thanks to local patrons and ... the Kyiv Society of Amateur Cyclists! This is an incredible coincidence since the Kyiv cycle track is located very close, no more than 200 meters. And there is another mini-sculpture dedicated to cyclists. I wrote about it in 2021.

Initially, the carriages were horse-drawn. The symbol of an ambulance was a six-pointed star. At that time, it was not yet associated with the Jews.

The ambulance changed its location over the years. At first, it was located in one of the buildings on Kreschatyk Street (the main street of Kyiv).

This is the photo I captured in 2021 in one of the Kyiv courtyards. The 6-point start is clearly visible at the bottom. The ambulance was located here in the 19th century. I wonder if the residents know what was here many years ago.

Automobiles appeared in the ambulance service only in 1913. Also, that is the year when they adopted the rule according to which other carriages would let the "ambulance" pass first.

The mini-sculpture says "We thank the doctors". The Coat of arms of the city of Kyiv is visible in the right bottom corner.

Over time, the six-pointed star evolved and became similar to a six-pointed snowflake. Now it's called "The Star of Life", a blue six-pointed star with a white border, in the center is the white Rod of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology.

The six points of it stands for revealing, informing, appropriate response, on-site assistance, assistance during transportation and transporting to the tertiary center.

This is it. You can read the story on the website of the project as well.

Interesting fact about Ambulance.

One of the best-equipped rescue stations in Europe was the Vienna Ambulance Station, which opened on May 1, 1883. Its creation was accelerated by the fire of the Vienna Theater, during which hundreds of victims were on the street for several hours, waiting for medical help. This made an impression on the eyewitnesses. After this tragic incident, the Viennese doctor Jarmir Mundi proposed to organize a permanent duty station of doctors ready to go to the disaster site and provide medical assistance.
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