Kiev

Ukraine

PERSONAGES WHAT TO EAT MUST-SEE PICTURES

PERSONAGES

Hryhoriy Skovoroda

Hryhoriy Skovoroda was an outstanding thinker, poet, translator, pedagogue, composer of liturgical music, founder of Ukrainian philosophy. He graduated from the famous Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Skovoroda’s philosophical views mainly referred to ethics, intertwined with the ideas of Platonism and Stoicism. He considered self-knowledge to be the main sense of human existence. He wrote philosophical treatises and dialogues in a mixture of the Church Slavonic and Ukrainian languages, as well as songs in Ukrainian.

Lesia Ukrainka

Lesia Ukrainka was a writer, translator, folklorist, public and cultural activist, and a pioneer of the Ukrainian feminist movement. She was one of the most internationally acknowledged figures of national culture. She wrote poetry, epics, novels, essays, developed the genre of poetic drama in the national literature, and belongs to the short list of the most famous women in Ukrainian history.

“Don't count your chickens before they're hatched”

It is said to emphasize that you cannot depend on something happening before it has actually happened. Sometimes people rejoice prematurely and assume positive outcomes. But wise people say that over time a lot can change, you need to wait for the final results. Results should be made when the work is completed. This expression appeared due to the observation of peasants over the life of chickens. Many of these chicks, born in the summer, did not survive until the fall. They could die for various reasons: due to wrecking by predators, diseases, etc. Therefore, they said that chickens should be counted in the fall.

WHAT TO EAT

Borsch

Borsch is a signature dish of Ukrainian cuisine, which is greatly enjoyed all over the world. Ingredients for borscht vary significantly depending on the region of Ukraine. For example, in Podillia homemakers add beans to the dish, in the Poltava region — dumplings, in the South — flour, and in Slobozhanshchina there is a variation of borsch with beer.

Recipe

Varenyky

Varenyky is a popular dish in Ukraine. Traditionally, it was prepared by the whole family. Varenyky are made from fresh dough and a variety of fillings, such as meat, potatoes, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, cheese and many more. Their fillings can be salty or sweet, lean or meaty. Recipes vary greatly depending on the region. Thus, in Polissia, crushed beans are added to the filling, in Zakarpattia it is cheese, in Chernihiv region bacon crisps are added to the dish. Varenyky also have important folklore and even magical significance.

Recipe

Banosh

Banosh is one of the main dishes of the Hutsuls. This is a viscous corn porridge, cooked on cream or sour cream, seasoned with cheese, cracklings or porcini mushrooms. The recipe for making banosh is very simple, the secret is the main natural products and the sequence of actions.

Recipe

MUST-SEE

Ornek

In December 2021 UNESCO has adopted a decision to inscribe the dossier “Ornek, a Crimean Tatar ornament and knowledge about it" on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This act is evidence of its importance for the cultural heritage of humanity. The Crimean Tatars are the indigenous people of Ukraine. Ornek ornament, Crimean Tatar culture and art are a unique component of culture, art and history of Ukraine.

Pysanka

Perhaps, one of Ukraine’s most famous Easter traditions is artfully decorated Easter eggs known as ‘pysanka’. Ukrainians have been decorating eggs and creating these miniature jewels for countless generations. A great variety of ornamental motifs is found on pysanka. There is a magical element involved, an invocation to the gods and goddesses for health, fertility, love and wealth. Pysanka symbolizes the transforming of life and the basic principles of the universe.

Petrykivka painting

Petrykivka painting is a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, originating from the village of Petrykivka in Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine, where it was traditionally used to decorate house walls and everyday household items. Petrykivka painting is traditionally dominated by plant forms, particularly of flowers. The plant imagery is often combined with birds, and sometimes with images of animals and people, which are often depicted in somewhat fanciful form. In 2013 the Petrykivka painting as a part of the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.