This wonderful monument is dedicated to the founders of Kiev. There are four of them: the brothers Kiy, Schchek and Khoriv and their sister Lybed. The monument was made by sculptor Vasily Borodai and the architect Nikolai Feshchenko. It is very traditonal for couples on their wedding day to throw bouquets of flowers over their shoulders on to the boat. If the flowers land on the boat, it is a sign of good luck for the future.
It is believed that Kiev was founded in 482 CE. The legend of Kyi, Schek and Khoryv speaks of a founder-family consisting of a Slavic tribe leader Kyi, the eldest, his brothers Schek and Khoriv, and also their sister Lybid, who founded the city (The Primary Chronicle). Kiev/Kiev is translated as "belonging to Kyi".