TORV POP-UP URBAN SPACE OPENS AT KONTRAKTOVA
This weekend, the Embassy team joined Ukrainian and Danish partners for the official opening of TORV — a temporary pop-up urban space on the newly revitalized Kontraktova Square in Kyiv, a new place for sports, community gatherings, physical activities and mental peace.
The name “TORV” (from Danish) and “TORG” (from Old Slavonic) refers to a marketplace, reflecting the square’s historical role as a meeting point between Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Today, the space offers a flexible setting for community activities, public dialogue, and rest. The modular structures are temporary by design and made from sustainable materials, intended to remain in place for 1.5 years, and can later be relocated elsewhere.
Lars Olaf Søndahl-Petersen, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy, spoke at the opening, highlighting Ukraine’s role in defending European values and the importance of Denmark’s support: “What makes this support especially meaningful is that it extends beyond government. Danish businesses, civil society and individual citizens have also stepped forward of their own initiative — and today, we see these efforts coming together, joining forces with Ukrainian partners to create something truly impactful.”
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The space was designed by Danish urbanist Mikael Colville-Andersen, applying the principles of tactical urbanism — low-cost, fast, and flexible interventions that bring urban spaces to life. During his remarks, Mikael stated: “The technique of tactical urbanism is well known around the world. Low-cost, fast, effective interventions to bring urban spaces to life. We did the world's largest tactical urbanism project — and we did it on the most historic square in this proud capital — and we did it during a war, for the mental and physical health of Ukrainians.”
TORV was made possible through the generous support of Novo Nordisk, Denmark’s largest company. The initiative is part of the company’s “Cities for Better Health programme”, in partnership with Kyiv and Mykolaiv municipalities.
During the opening, Vlad Moroz, General Director of Novo Nordisk Ukraine, emphasized the importance of physical health and noted that TORV is the most ambitious of the company’s projects currently underway in Ukraine.
The Embassy also thanks Ukrainian NGOs DIY Ukraine and Active Ukraine, as well as the many local and international volunteers whose contributions were essential to the project’s realization.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Kyiv City Administration, the Podil District Administration, and Mayor Klitschko for their trust and cooperation in bringing TORV to life.
The full speech by Lars Olaf Søndahl-Petersen, Chargé d’Affaires, is available here: TORV-opening-speech