Research objective: to find out the attitude of Kherson residents to the city symbols.
Sample scope: 400 respondents.
Field stage period: June 20 – August 2, 2024.
Research client: Community Foundation of Kherson “Zakhyst”.
Key Outputs
1. Most Kherson respondents do not believe that the city’s current coat of arms should be changed (59% “no”; 21% “somewhat no”). Only 15% supported the change (6% “yes”; 9% “somewhat yes”). Those wishing to change the coat of arms would like to see the following elements and symbols on it: the Antonivskyi Bridge, a watermelon, (Scythian) sun, the
Dnieper, sea/marine symbols, steppe, symbols of Ukraine, and the Chumaks. Other ideas are related to the Kherson residents’ resistance to Russian aggression, and also to the Cossacks’ history in the south of Ukraine.
2.Respondents expressed the same opinion on changing the city flag: 56% prefer it unchanged, 25% would rather not change it. 5% answered that the flag should definitely be changed, and 8% somewhat agreed. The main change proposals are as follows: remove the coat of arms or the foundation date from the flag, change the color scheme (white to yellow,
make it brighter, warm colors, etc.), add other symbols (watermelon, wheat, a ship, or symbols of the indomitable Kherson residents).
3.The respondents were more unequivocal about not changing the city brand/logo, the “Scythian Sun.” 61% don’t want to change it at all, and 21% would rather not. Only 9% supported the change (4% – yes, 5% – somewhat yes). The proposed elements and symbols included the Antonivskyi Bridge, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Dnieper, marine symbols, symbols of liberation or military, etc.
4.The respondents responded positively to the next question on adding the “Hero ‑City of Ukraine” title to the Kherson symbols. 80% in total support this idea (60% – yes, 20% – somewhat yes).
5.The most popular unofficial city symbols for the Kherson residents include, first and foremost, a watermelon (59%), secondly, the Antonivskyi Bridge (56%), and thirdly, an anchor (22%). There is a big gap between the popularity of the first two symbols and all the rest. Other answers featured Svoboda Square, Buzkovyy Gai, Chornobaivka (Kherson) Airport, Kakhovka HPP, natural elements like mounds or the steppe, etc.
6.For the most symbolic Kherson historical figures, first place was taken by philanthropist John Howard (43%), while playwright Mykola Kulish (37%) came in second. The top 5 also included: artist Oleksiy Shovkunenko (20%), Kost Hordiienko, Cossack otaman of the Zaporizhzhia Sich (18%), and Hryhoriy Potiomkin (17%). A relatively high number of
people failed to answer (18%).
7.According to the answers, the colors associated with Kherson are blue (46%), green (44%), yellow (40%), blue (27%), white (18%), and red (16%).
8.The last question was about expressions or short phrases that could become a Kherson slogan. The word “indomitable” in various forms was the most popular, followed by “hero city,” “Kherson is Ukraine,” “unconquered,” “fortress,” and “the city of indomitable/unconquered people.” The usual city symbols were also mentioned: watermelons, the
sea, sailors, the sun, the Dnieper, etc.
9.Therefore, the main conclusion of the study is that Kherson residents generally would rather keep the current city
symbols. The only addition can be symbols of the honorary title “Hero City of Ukraine” – the flagpole top and the ribbon
of the honorary award.
You can read the full report by downloading it or read it in Ukrainian.
This research was conducted by the Zakhyst Kherson Community Foundation Charitable Organization as a part of its project implemented under the USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact. The consents of this research are the sole responsibility of Pact and its implementing partners and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government/
Reproducing and using any part of this product in any format, including graphic and electronic, copying or any other usage is suitable to reference to the sourc/
