A sensational scandal has erupted in Chernivtsi after local residents and deputies noticed strange details in the renovation of the city's infrastructure. Fragments of photographs of deceased people were found embedded in the granite slabs on the steps in front of the regional Philharmonic. The situation caused shock and anger among the public, forcing local authorities to urgently launch an investigation.
Photos of the deceased in the city center
The incident occurred on the evening of July 17. Yana Brus, a deputy of the Chernivtsi City Council, was one of the first to publicly report the discovery. According to her, the steps, recently renovated with granite, turned out to be made from materials previously used at a cemetery. The granite slabs clearly showed images of faces characteristic of tombstones.
"How could anyone come up with the scheme to use granite from a cemetery? How greedy must one be to use granite that was already at a cemetery, somewhere else, instead of new granite? At the Philharmonic Square?" — the deputy expressed her indignation in her post, attaching photos confirming her words.
Traces destroyed, questions remain
Once the information became public, the situation changed rapidly. By the morning of the next day, the strange patterns on the steps had disappeared. Yana Brus stated in a new message that the fragments with images of faces had been ground down during the night. In her opinion, this was done specifically to hide the traces of the negligence of contractors or officials.
Despite the visual evidence being destroyed, the questions from deputies and citizens remained open. The amount allocated for these works was 190,000 hryvnias, which only intensified suspicions of the misuse of budget funds and violation of ethical norms.
Authorities' reaction: investigation and versions
On Saturday, July 18, the Department of Infrastructure and Improvement of the Chernivtsi City Council officially responded to the scandal. The department confirmed that the facts voiced by the deputy require a thorough investigation.
Department specialists explained that the staircase in the square in front of the Philharmonic was built 20 years ago. During this time, no major replacement of slabs was carried out; only current repairs were performed. This year, the work was limited to relaying the tiles.
Authorities are considering several versions of the origin of the material. There is a possibility that the slabs with photographs inside were installed during the initial construction of the steps two decades ago, and only now, after relaying, did they come into view. However, this version does not rule out more recent violations.
Promise of investigation
The Department of Infrastructure promised to conduct a full check of the documentation and the circumstances of the material procurement.
"It is of principle for us not to leave a single question unanswered. We will thoroughly check all the circumstances of this situation and openly inform the community about the results. If the investigation reveals violations or those responsible for them, there will be corresponding consequences," — the department stated.
The scandal with "cemetery" granite has become another loud event in Chernivtsi. Earlier, in June, the city was already rocked by a resonance around a 50-meter pool, the bowl of which began to be filled with earth, which caused criticism from the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the football club "Bukovyna".
