Maman, Maman (1969) Mum squared KYIV DESTINATION: Mother of the Motherland statue Kyiv has it's very own - and larger - Statue of Liberty - except it's viewed locally as perhaps more a symbol of Soviet domination. In a city that is destroying its Soviet past as fast as possible, her shield still has the emblem of the Soviet Union and there's a local debate on whether the shield should remain (to save costs), be adapted or whether the whole thing should come down. Consequently this is not the most popular destination with people from Kyiv, but if you are only coming once then it's a shame to miss the views. The Mother of the Motherland statue http://www.warmuseum.kiev.ua/_eng/museum/monument/index.html was built in the early 1980s out of titanium, steel and concrete. You can go up her at weekends for a great view of the city. There are two stages. You can travel up to the base of her skirt, or for a higher fee travel all the way up to the viewing platform ...