Kirovohrad (Ukrainian: Кіровогрaд, [kirowoˈɦrɑd̪]; Russian: Кировогрaд, Kirovograd), formerly Yelisavetgrad, is a city in central Ukraine located on the Ingul River, the administrative center of the Kirovohrad Oblast. Population 239,400 (2004 est.).

History and Symbols

The history of the city foundation dates back to the year 1754 when St. Elizabeth’s fortress was built on the lands of former Zaporizka Sich in the upper course of the Inhul, Suhokleya and Biyanka Rivers. The historic name of the city Yelysavethrad was changed for Zinovyevsk in 1924, for Kirovo in 1934. The city was renamed Kirovohrad on the 10th of January, 1939.

Three blue stripes crossed in the middle of the fortress plan symbolize the fortification location in the meeting place of the Inhul, Suhukleya and Biyanka Rivers. 

During Soviet rule, the city economy was dominated by such enterprises as Chervona Zirka Agricultural Machinery Plant (which once provided more than 50% of the USSR need in tractor seeders),Hydrosila Hydraulic Units Plant, Radiy Radio Component Plant, Pishmash Typewriter Plant (de facto defunct nowadays) etc.

Landmarks 

 Guardian Angel of Ukraine-On the occasion of the  250th anniversary of the city and the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ Kirovohrad community decided to build a statue Guardian Angel Ukraine - the only one in the country. Monument architect Vitaly Kryvenko and sculptor Anatoly Goncharov installed on a granite column. Around the square stones laid. Along the perimeter columns at the foot visible inscription: "Take care, God, Ukraine."...

1754 Government of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna , in response to the desire of the Austrian Serbs to relocate the borders of the Russian Empire, allowed them to settle in the Ukrainian lands. So were based military settlement called New Serbia.
Place in the construction of the future castle was chosen in December 1752 on a hill right bank of the river Inhul expedition led by General IF Glebova . 

Kirovohrad Regional Art Museum was established in January 1993 at the art gallery and is located in the former passage - of architecture 1897

The current collection includes valuable paintings, drawings , sculptures, crafts and applied arts from ancient times to the present day. The museum collection includes works of famous artists and unknown artists Ivan Shishkin , O. Savrasova , V. Makovsky , D. Narbut Yablonska T. , P. Kodyeva , P. Pokarzhevskoho , A. Osmerkina , A. Foinitsky , D. Kozachinskoho , A. Nuremberg , P. Ossowski , many paintings and sculptures , decorative products and crafts.

Population 

In ethnic composition of the population are most Kirovograd Ukrainian - according to the last census Ukraine (2001), their relative share was 85.8%, thus, an increase compared to 1989 to 9% [17]. 

Numerous communities have Russians (12% of the total in 2001). Also living in the Belarusians, Moldovans, Armenians, Bulgarians, Georgians, Germans and members of other ethnic groups. At the representatives of all national communities Kirovohrad, Ukrainian and Russian in addition, accounts for just over 2% [18]. 

Culture, Leisure and Sport

  Culture Kirovograd

Kirovohrad is a significant cultural center center of the country - there are theaters, cinemas, Philharmonic, and numerous museums, 30 libraries, 9 cultural centers and leisure centers, 4 children's music school, one - art and art nursery school, a lot of music and folk groups, etc.

In 2011, Kirovograd won a dance capital of Ukraine.

Theater, music , cinema                  
      Theater Make Kropivnitskogo                                                                                                                 Cinema "Star"

Cinema "Star" in the city center

Kirovohrad ( Yelisavetgrad ) is known for the fact that it started the first Ukrainian professional theater group - the late XIX - early XX centuries in the local theater scene were the leading figures of Ukrainian scene - I. Tobilevych , M. Kropyvnytsky , M. Sadowski , P. Saksagansky , M . Starytsky , M. Zankovetska. Indoor theaters were Elisavetgrad domestic and foreign composers and musicians Franz Liszt, Modest Mussorgsky , Alexander Scriabin , Anton Rubinstein , Nikolai Lysenko and singer Feodor Chaliapin , Leonid Sobinov .