ХБК - the Kherson Cotton Factory, was once a thriving textile enterprise in Ukraine. It was a source of pride for the city of Kherson and its residents, many of whom had family members that worked in the factory for generations.

 

The factory produced a wide range of textile products, including furniture, decorative items, clothing, and more. At its peak, it had a capacity of over 180 million meters of fabric per year and was the eighth largest cotton factory in Europe.

 

However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition to a capitalist system, the factory could not adapt and eventually ceased operations. But even after its closure, the factory remained an important part of the city's identity, with one district still referred to as "ХБК" and its memory kept alive through nostalgia.

 

In 2013, a popular shopping mall was built on the site of the former factory, providing a new gathering place for the community. But during the occupation in 2022, the mall was burned down by Russian invaders, leaving the community devastated and mourning the loss of their beloved gathering place.

 

As a tribute to the factory and its legacy, the artist Veronika Cherednychenko has created an art installation using fabric from the factory. The material is rare and precious, as the factory has been closed for over 20 years. This installation serves as a reminder of the factory's importance to the community and the impact it had on the city's history and identity. It is a way to keep the memory of ХБК alive, even in the face of destruction and loss.