Kharkiv's New '50thParallel' Monument Celebrates City and University Milestones

A new monument called '50thParallel' was unveiled at the National Technical University 'Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute' on 22 August 2025. The ceremony marked the Day of the Hero City of Kharkiv and the university’s 140th anniversary. The structure stands near the Electrical Engineering Building, where the 50th parallel of northern latitude passes through the campus. The monument’s exact location was confirmed in 2023 by experts from the scientific centre of the state enterprise 'Kharkivstandartmetrologiya'. It consists of a three-ton labradorite stele with a globe 'spinning' on top, adorned with colour photographs of NTU 'KhPI' buildings on glass panels. The design was created by Ruslan Poedinets, a Kharkiv native and founder of BAZA STONE.

The opening ceremony drew representatives from the university’s rectorate, the Supervisory Board, staff, and Kharkiv’s leadership. Funding for the project came from the NTU 'KhPI' Alumni Association. The 50th parallel itself stretches across multiple countries, including Ukraine, Canada, Great Britain, France, and Germany, symbolising a global connection for the university. The '50thParallel' monument now serves as a landmark on the campus. It links Kharkiv and NTU 'KhPI' to other cities along the same latitude. The installation highlights both the university’s history and its place in a broader international context.