Bulgakov Monument Removed in Kyiv Following National Memory Institute Ruling.

Removal of the Mikhail Bulgakov Monument

According to Espreso.tv: A monument to Mikhail Bulgakov has been dismantled in Kyiv, based on a determination by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory. The institute stated that the monument was linked to Russian imperial policies. The decision to remove it was made on December 18, 2025. Bulgakov is regarded as a writer who held a negative stance toward the Ukrainian independence movement.

The Life and Work of Mikhail Bulgakov

Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov was born on May 15, 1891, in Kyiv. His father, Afanasy Ivanovich, taught at the Kyiv Theological Academy, while his mother, Varvara Mikhailovna, raised seven children. Bulgakov graduated from university in 1916, having passed his final exam in June 1909. He studied at the medical faculty of St. Volodymyr University in Kyiv, an institution that played a significant role in his life.

During the Ukrainian Civil War, Bulgakov served as a military doctor. In 1921, he moved to Moscow, where he continued his literary career. One of his most famous works, the novel 'The Master and Margarita,' was finally given its title in 1937, and the premiere of his play 'The Days of the Turbins' took place in 1926. Mikhail Bulgakov died on March 10, 1940, in Moscow.

Debate over the Bulgakov monument continues.

Serhiy Vlasenko remarked: 'Let's talk about demolishing the Bulgakov monument in about 5-7 years. I am convinced that those who authorized and carried this out will feel ashamed.'

The removal of the Mikhail Bulgakov monument reflects shifting public attitudes in Ukraine, particularly in the context of reassessing historical figures and their impact on national identity. This decision has sparked discussions about the role of literature and culture in shaping national consciousness, which could lead to further actions regarding other monuments tied to imperial history. At the same time, the opinions of politicians and the public indicate that questions of identity in Ukraine remain highly relevant.