Lybid: the secret life & art of Kyiv’s forgotten river

She founded Kyivan Rus with her brothers Kyy, Khoryv and Shchek, but very little else is known about Lybid. Was she a pagan priestess or a warrior as some historians believe? Sculptor V.Z Boroday and architect M.M. Feshchenko created an iconic image of her with their Founders of Kyiv monument by the Dnipro in the capital. Far less known is the little river in central Kyiv which bears her name. According to folklore, the river started to flow from Lybid's eyes after she wept when she realised she would never find true love. The river, now partially forced underground, quietly flows hidden between thick concrete walls and rubbish-strewn bushes where hardy little lapwings build their nests. If Lybid could see her river today, she may be forgiven for weeping over its fate, as it is more of a filthy drainage channel than a river worthy of her name. But, despite being neglected and badly contaminated Lybid's river survives, and this legendary little river has become an important refuge for the city's homeless and a favourite haunt of Kyiv's graffiti artists.