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Kiev (also spelt Kyiv) is the capital of
Ukraine and one of the biggest cities in Europe. It has been standing on
steep hills overlooking the Dnipro River for more than 1,500 years.
Since then, Kiev has developed into a valuable center of East Europe
attracting foreign businesses and investors to its economic and natural
potential.
On this page you will see links that will help you discover Kiev Ukraine
and begin to appreciate my new adopted home. Kiev is truly on of the
most beautiful capitals of the world. Here in Kiev there are some of the
most beautiful and old churches of the world, fantastic cafes and
restaurants, as well as, some of the most welcoming people.
Kiev Ukraine map. See maps of city and UkraineThe center of Kiev is
packed with hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and three malls.
The center of Kiev is on of the safest cities in the world. I have lived
here and have never had any problems in the three years I have lived
here.
Every night, even in the cold weather, you will see hundreds of couples
walking arm in arm down the main streets long into the night. This is
the city to have a romantic walk and enjoy the thousands of beautiful
and wonderfully dressed people strolling and enjoying the architecture
and sites of Kiev Ukraine.
The main street Kreschatik has wide sidewalks with one side of the
street layered with two tiered sidewalks that has hundreds of old
chestnut trees and thousands of people romantically walking or sitting
on benches.
Churches and sites! You will have to spend a week to see all of the
fantastically preserved Orthodox churches. In the very center are the
complexes of Saint Sophia Cathedral molded after the great Sophia
Cathedral in Constantinople, and the huge Saint Michaels Cathedral, and
what ever you do, do not miss the Perchera Lavara, a entire complex of
churches that occupies an entire hill with underground catacombs of
mummified priests.
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Kyiv (also known as Kiev), a scenic city of close to 3 million people
situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine.
Ancient Kievan Rus, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy
during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a center of trade routes between
the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The city of Kyiv and the power of
Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders and the lands of
Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the west and
north: Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and
Russia. Once a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine's fate in
modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, modern
Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign
occupation.
Kyiv suffered severely during World War II, and many irreplaceable
architectural and art treasures were destroyed. Earlier in the 1930's
the Soviet authorities systematically destroyed many churches. Extensive
restoration has revived much of historic Kyiv. The city hit the
headlines in April 1986, when the nuclear reactor at nearby Chernobyl
exploded, but scientists generally agree that the city is now safe from
radiation effects.
Despite repressions, suffering, political turmoil, and ecological
disasters, Ukraine's spirit and national identity have never died. On
August 24, 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow, Ukraine proclaimed
its independence. As of 1994, Ukraine has diplomatic relations with over
135 countries and close to 60 diplomatic missions are established in
Kyiv. News correspondents, business representatives, and students from
all over the world reside in Kyiv, and the flow of foreign tourists and
official delegations is heavy year round. The resident American
community consists of Embassy personnel (including dependents),
correspondents, business representatives, clergy, professors, and
students.
The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. The Cathedral of
St. Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv were crowned in the years of
Kyiv's grandeur, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the
11th century. Overlooking the old section of Kyiv, Podol, stands the
Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew, much beloved by Ukrainians. The
Percherska Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves, a short trolley ride from
the center of town, has two 11th-century cathedrals on its grounds, in
addition to its world-famous catacombs, bell tower, and museum
collections. Close to the center of town stands the Golden Gate, a
structure which dates back to 1037. This recently reconstructed remains
of the former fortified wall of the city defined the limits of the city
in centuries past. Several blocks away, stands the magnificent
19th-century Cathedral of St. Volodymyr.
Theater buffs will find much to choose from here. Most performances are
in Ukrainian or Russian. The recently renovated Kyiv Opera House
presents very good opera as well as a broad repertoire of ballets. The
Kyiv Young Theater is very popular and stages innovative plays in
Ukrainian or Russian. The Ivan Franko Theater is the center of Ukrainian
drama, comedy, and musicals. This repertoire has just opened its 75th
season and includes brilliant versions of Aeneid and Teve Tevel, the
original version of Fiddler on the Roof.
The modern center with surviving parts of the old city are on the hilly
west, or right bank, of the Dnipro River. The main street, Khreshchatik,
runs between two steep hills. Parallel about half a kilometer west, is
vulytsya Volodymyrska, the main street of the Old Kyiv area (Staryj
Kyiv). From the north end of Khreshchatik, vulytsya Hrushevskoho rises
southeast along a ridge to the Caves Monastery at Perchersk. Woods and
parks cover most of the steep right-bank slopes. The capital's newer
sections stretch out on the flat left bank. These are characterized by
large housing developments and industrialized neighborhoods.
Ukrainian pottery, embroidery, and handicrafts are available throughout
the city, particularly in shops on Andrievsky Uzviz, at Percherska Lavra,
and St. Sophia's church. Quality and quantity vary from shop to shop. A
growing number of hard currency stores stock Western food, alcohol,
clothing, and electrical appliances. Most prices, in hard-currency
stores, are higher than those in the West, and availability of stock is
unpredictable.
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Kristina
Age: 23
City: Sumy
ID: 1569468
email me |
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Date Ukrainian women on a Kiev Dating Tour
Tour this wonderful city with beautiful Kiev women who are looking for
their special man.
Kiev women are not only very family-oriented; they are also passionate,
active and very romantic when talking about love, and they are serious
without being drama queens. Recall the traditional elegance of eastern
European culture and thinking, and you will get my point.
Ukrainian ladies along with eastern European ladies in general, are well
educated. Therefore with a Kiev woman you will be able to talk about a
variety of topics, and get a good grasp of who she is as a person. Also,
the women in Kiev are fond of both traveling and having fun. During your
dating tour to Kiev, you will be able to get to know the city, but we
both know you didn't came for a city tour. Therefore, how will we assist
you into finding your beloved one? First of all, we handle the
transportation from the airport to your hotel. Then soon you will attend
the three social events over the next few days, and later assist you in
arranging dates with these ladies and whatever else you may need.
The socials are very special occasions in which you could meet hundreds
of Ukrainian ladies who are there also trying to meet someone like you.
Like Anna, for example, who says: "I believe that mutual understanding
is of supreme importance in relationship. I love children and I would
like to have at least two kids. I am a kind, sincere, honest,
family-oriented and happy girl. I will give all my love, care and
affection to the man that will be with me. [That's why] I would like to
meet a nice, intelligent, clever, kind, honest, stylish man with good
sense of humor." It will be just a matter of being there and meet each
other.
You say your Ukrainian or Russian is rusty or non-existent, or maybe
your Kiev woman does not speak any English? No problem, our translators
will gladly give you a "tongue" to help. While there collect the phone
numbers of the ladies you are interested in and later arrange dates for
the rest of the tour.
Where to go with her? We talk about that below.
Come take a look at Kiev
Kiev's main attraction - apart from women - is its beautiful
architecture. It astonishes almost every tourist visiting. I'm not only
talking about the magnificence of its cathedrals (St. Sofia, St. Andrew,
St. Vladimir, for example) or the elegance of its palaces and
monasteries (like St. Michael's monastery or Marinskii palace); Kiev's
intense cultural activity makes the Opera house or - if you like sports
- the Stadium of the Dinamo soccer club two great places to see a good
game, too.
There is more. If you happen to go to Besarabska square, Podol district
or the Independence square, you will have some other plenty things to
see and do; and you will be able to take a lot of photographs if you
visit the art galleries, Ukrainian museums and the Kiev's central parks
(Central Botanical garden, Central park, HydroPark, Museum of History of
War, among others). I'm sure your date will be glad to show her homeland
city.
Moreover, after all that, your only pending 'musts' in Kiev will be
visiting the Golden Gate, Old Kiev, and Pirogovo. Pirogovo is an open
museum and something unique in Ukraine: Kiev citizens moved or built
replicas of the city's oldest buildings to this area, so it could serve
as a living evidence for tourists as well as a remainder of what Kiev
was years (and centuries) ago, which is to say that you will see small
villages representing the traditional architecture of many sites in
Ukraine. Bring two cameras or a couple of sets of batteries and a spare
memory drive. You will need them. Why? Because you will also want to
photograph your Ukrainian lady with you, don't you!?
Eugenia
Age: 25
City: Odessa
ID: 1570444
email me
Why date Ukrainian Women? Ukrainian and Russian
women are earthy, very real, and sincere with traditional values. These
ladies are very loyal and devote themselves to their men. Ukrainian
women are very affectionate. If Ukrainian lady likes you, she will show
you her warmth. You will immediately know she likes you. It is customary
for your date to reach for your hand, or hold you by the arm while
walking around. It is considered gentlemanly to open doors for a lady,
to seat a lady first, and to extend your arm so the lady can use your
arm for support.
Ukrainian ladies love flowers, especially roses. Never buy a dozen
flowers; instead, buy the odd number of it. Even numbers of flowers are
only given on sad occasions. Ukrainian women are interested in your
personal qualities. It's always good to remember that Your sincerity and
honesty are far more important then your checkbook. Ukrainian women are
seeking for men who are trusting, sensitive, caring, understanding,
compassionate and dependable.
Both Ukrainian and Russian women want their man to be happy and they
consider it their role to keep their man happy. Treat Eastern European
women with respect, honesty and love, and they will return that love to
you many times over. Ukrainian and Russian ladies discover foreign men
as leaders of the family, energetic, and able to protect and provide for
them and their children. Ukrainian and Russian women want to be mothers
and wives first and providers only if necessary. Ukrainian women are not
afraid of work, and they can work as flexibly as men. Are you seeking a
marriage minded single woman who will take care of you? Then come join
us to meet one of these beautiful women. Take your time. Use common
sense to help you choose the ladies you really want to know.
Remember, you're choosing a foreign women to marry and to be your
life-long partner. When you return to your country, continue to write or
call the woman you have serious feelings to. If you are still in love,
visit her country and invite your future wife to see your country. If
you are from US your fiancee can stay with you in the U.S. for 90 days
before you make a final decision for marriage. The visa of your fiancee
requires that you marry her within 90 days or she must return to
Ukraine. Russian Women.
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Yana
Age: 31
City: Lugansk
ID: 1569239
email me
# Do you know why Russian brides are the best? Read more...
# Ladies with Video! We now have a new option "Having Video" in our
search engine. If you check the box "Having Video", you'll be able to
find and see the profiles of ladies with videos! Get evidence that our
women are real and their photos are not retouched or altered.
# New page about Ukrainian cuisine! Ukrainian dishes show a
sophisticated simplicity based on pleasing combinations of fresh,
pickled, and smoked ingredients...
# We accept Visa and MasterCard payments. Please be advised that we use
the address verification system AVS . In order for a card purchase to go
through, the address should be the same one as on the card and the
postal index has to be exact. Without that orders will fail.
# According to Decree No.1008/2005 signed by the President of Ukraine,
starting July 1, 2005 visas are not required for the US citizens who
enter Ukraine within six months after their previous trip to Ukraine or
transit through its territory for a period of up to 90 days with a valid
American travel passport.
# A new FREE offer - Men's printed catalogs in the local offices - for
members and active clients only!
# We will now provide TWO replacement addresses for every one address
purchased through our agency that happens to be incorrect
# 1 new Russian women added Sunday August 22 2010 at 02:08 Click here to
see the list
# 0 old profiles updated with new photos
# Currently there are 10652 Russian women in our album. And 60181
previously listed women are no longer available.
# Ladies with Video! We now have a new option "Having
Video" in our search engine. If you check the box "Having Video", you'll
be able to find and see the profiles of ladies with videos! Get evidence
that our women are real and their photos are not retouched or altered.
# New page about Ukrainian cuisine! Ukrainian dishes show a
sophisticated simplicity based on pleasing combinations of fresh,
pickled, and smoked ingredients...
# We accept Visa and MasterCard payments. Please be advised that we use
the address verification system AVS . In order for a card purchase to go
through, the address should be the same one as on the card and the
postal index has to be exact. Without that orders will fail.
# According to Decree No.1008/2005 signed by the President of Ukraine,
starting July 1, 2005 visas are not required for the US citizens who
enter Ukraine within six months after their previous trip to Ukraine or
transit through its territory for a period of up to 90 days with a valid
American travel passport.
# A new FREE offer - Men's printed catalogs in the local offices - for
members and active clients only!
# We will now provide TWO replacement addresses for every one address
purchased through our agency that happens to be incorrect
# 1 new Russian women added Sunday August 22 2010 at 02:08 Click here to
see the list
# 0 old profiles updated with new photos
# Currently there are 10652 Russian women in our album. And 60181
previously listed women are no longer available.
Anastasia
Age: 20
City: Mariupol
ID: 1571711
email me
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Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe,
its official history dating back to the 5th century, although settlement
on this location was present since much earlier. By late 9th century
Kiev became the chef-lieu of the emerging state of the Eastern Slavic
tribes, and between the 10th and early 13th century, it reached its
golden age as the capital of the first Ukrainian state known today as
Kievan Rus, (Kyivan Ruthenia, or Rus-Ukraine), which predated modern
Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
In the middle of the 13th century Kievan Rus was overrun by the Mongols,
and later this century Kiev became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania,
and later the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1654 Kiev was liberated
from the commonwealth by Cossack Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, who then
promptly signed the city over to become a protectorate of Russia.
In 1775 it was completely annexed by the Russian Empire. The city
remained under Russian rule, with brief, but uncertain, periods of
independence in between 1918 and 1920. During these two centuries, Kiev
experienced growing Russification and Russian immigration. After the
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kiev became the capital of
independent Ukraine and is now quickly learning the role of a large
European capital.
According to the last census (2001) Kiev has a population of 2,600,000,
although it's generally acknowledged that, in 2006, that the population
is over 3 million. About 85% declare themselves as Ukrainians, 12% as
Russians, there are also Armenian, Azeri, Belarusian, Jewish, Georgian,
Polish, Romanian and Tatar minorities. Today, not only has the
population of Kiev likely increased, but also percentage of Ukrainians
declaring Ukrainian nationality, as a result of the strong nationalist
movement after the October 2004 Orange Revolution. Nevertheless, even
most ethnic Ukrainians in Kiev tend to use Russian more frequently than
Ukrainian both in business and in everyday conversation.
According to the national census taken in 2001 about 93% of the
population has secondary education, nearly 46% of them received higher
education.[1]
The average summer temperature is 24°C(75.2 ºF), and in winter is
-19°C(-2.2 ºF).
Russian is widely spoken in Kiev, particularly in business, including
shops and restaurants. The common English name for the city, "Kiev," is
a transliteration from the Russian language. The transliteration of the
city's name from Ukrainian is "Kyiv", and this variation is used in many
English language materials in the Ukraine.
LADIES GALLERY: ENTER
Kristina
Age: 23
City: Sumy
ID: 1569468
email me
Along a hilltop overlooking the Dnieper River in Kiev
stands the Mother Homeland, a titanium statue of massive proportions.
With her right hand she raises a sword, and with her left she holds a
shield emblazoned with a hammer and sickle. The statue, in the shape of
a robed goddess, is absurd, a grand gesture of the fallen Soviet system
that has yet to be replaced by anything as grotesquely magnificent.
I found myself at the base of this statue on my first trip to the
Ukrainian capital, in 2002. I had flown in for a friend's wedding, and I
couldn't take my eyes off the monument, its myth and history confounding
me. I swallowed champagne with the rest of the reception crowd as we
waited for the bride, a Ukrainian model turned photographer, to appear
with her American financier husband. Having climbed the statue from
within, the couple poked out from the top of the shield high in the sky.
The two then unfurled enormous American and Ukrainian flags, obscuring
the hammer and sickle, before releasing clutches of doves into the air.
Here was a gesture of another kind altogether—a moment that encapsulated
the new Kiev, where Western influences and Slavic traditions have united
to transform this ancient city.
Kiev has undergone furious change since that wedding day, and during my
subsequent visits, I've been able to witness the transition. The
fundamental event behind the city's development occurred in late 2004,
when pro-democracy citizens staged a mass street protest against
electoral fraud. The Orange Revolution awakened political hope where
before there was only the dread of power, and ushered Western-leaning
Viktor Yushchenko to the presidency. Political consensus has been
difficult to muster in the ensuing three years, but the hope for
significant legislative reform and social change exists nevertheless.
The overall restructuring of life here has led many people to believe
that Kiev—and all of Ukraine, with its 47 million citizens—is on the
verge of breaking out of its dull, post-Soviet mold and becoming
something altogether new and uplifting, part of the so-called "new
Europe." The adjustment in the general attitude has not escaped the
notice of international investors. From the beginning of national
independence in 1992, until 2004, direct foreign investment in Ukraine
totaled just $5.6 billion. But in the three years since Yushchenko's
ascendancy, that number has ballooned to $20 billion. Hyatt and Radisson
hotels have arrived in Kiev, along with the flagship stores of most
major fashion brands and carmakers. Newcomers now jockey for position
with local oligarchs whose cushy relations with the old apparatchiks had
until recently afforded them a stranglehold on commerce.
The spawn of Ukrainian émigrés who fled Communism have also been showing
up, and while exploring their roots they've transplanted values and
skills learned in Western democracies—how to conduct business
aboveboard, how not to intimidate rivals out of existence, how to deal
with a newly free press. This mix of people and manners presents a
strange new model of commerce—with rules of engagement altering by the
week—in a city whose people are known for their ability to make anything
happen for the right price, be it wealthy residents renting the entire
botanical garden for their own use or hiring the national ballet for a
weekend party at their dacha.
To anyone who favors real progress, Kiev's democratic leanings can only
be positive. But now that the Ukrainian state has dropped visa
requirements for Western travelers in an effort to drum up business and
draw closer to the West, Kiev stands one EasyJet route away from
becoming another perfectly polished tourist site of ancient churches and
digestible prices. Fortunately there is still time to catch Kiev with a
proper mix of old and new, as the energy of recent arrivals mingles with
that of natives who still see the world through a Soviet lens.
If it's orange, it's Kiev. In few places is a single color so loaded
with meaning. Ever since Yushchenko's political coalition chose orange
as its official color, it has gone forth into the country as the emblem
of reform. On a cold afternoon in midwinter, tangerine banners stream
down one of Kiev's many hills, carried by marchers spilling onto
European Square in the town center. Because Yushchenko has dissolved his
cabinet a few times and rival parliamentary factions are frequently
calling for elections, street demonstrations happen with great
regularity.
Nataliya
Age: 27
City: Kherson
ID: 1570105
email me
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Independence Day in Ukraine is celebrated on August,
24.
It’s one of the most popular and important holidays of the country and
it’s usually accompanied with fireworks and parades in all cities of
Independent Ukraine. This holiday has won a great popularity and
patriotic feeling in mostly all the cities of Ukraine.
Independence Day has a different meaning for different parts of the
Former Soviet Union after its collapse. Eastern Europe split into
independent countries. All of these countries have different days of
Independence and just like the beginnings of the USA some of these
countries don't put too much importance on this day.
We suggest as you get to know your Lady that you share your feelings
about this holiday and ask her how she feels about hers.
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Our dating and marriage agency is based in the Midlands, UK (07980
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programme that we categorically and unequivocally confirm a ladies
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With our guidance and support, your dating and relationship potential
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Kiev is one of the biggest cities in Europe. It is a bustling capital of
independent Ukraine, its administrative, economic, scientific, cultural
and educational center. This scenic city with population of over 3
million people is located on the shores of the Dnepr River.
Kiev is a city of invaluable historical and cultural monuments, a
city of great events and outstanding people. Everyone will find
there something especially interesting for himself.
The art and architecture of Kiev are considered world treasures.
Many famous artists, poets and writers estimated the unique
beauty of this city. The most renowned landmarks include:
Cathedral of St. Sophia with outstanding mosaics and frescoes
dating back to the 11th century; Kievo-Percherskaya Lavra
featuring several monasteries and cathedrals; Golden Gate of
Kiev, which date back to 1037; Ukrainian Baroque Church of St.
Andrew; the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral of St. Vladimir;
and many other attractions. Kiev is often referred to as "the
mother of all cities" by Russians and Ukrainians. It is one of
the oldest towns in Europe. In the historical center of Kiev you
can feel the spirit of the past everywhere.
Kiev is distinguished for its rich cultural life. Theater
lovers will find many theatres offering various theatrical
programs. Most performances are held in Ukrainian or
Russian. The recently renovated Kiev Opera House presents
very good opera as well as a broad repertoire of ballets.
Ivan Franko Theater is a center of Ukrainian drama, comedy,
and musicals. A lot of various exhibitions are carried out
in the city's numerous museums and art galleries.
Kiev is also a scientific and educational center of
independent Ukraine. Various universities and science
academies including famous Kiev-Mogilyanskaya Academy,
which is one of the first scientific establishments in
Eastern Europe, are located there.
Being the largest city of Ukraine, Kiev is a leading
industrial and commercial center of the country.
Kiev's major industries include: food processing
(especially processing of beet sugar), metallurgy,
manufacture of machinery, machine tools, rolling
stock, chemicals, building materials, and textiles.
The development of Ukrainian economy gave impulse to
business activity of the city. There are a lot of
new office centers, banks, trade exhibition centers
and other commercial enterprises appearing in the
city nowadays.
Take a walk through the ancient streets of this
scenic city, feel its unique beauty and the
spirit of its past. For sure your stay in Kiev
will become one of your most memorable
experiences.
The Ukrainians are just fond of celebrating holidays. They strictly
observe the traditions of Orthodox and Soviet holidays and readily
accept Western holidays like St. Valentine Day, Halloween, St. Patrick's
Day and so on. A great number of holidays can be divided into several
groups - public, religious and just holidays. Public holidays are marked
with red in the calendar for you not to forget to have a good rest. When
a holiday falls on a non-work day, Saturday or Sunday, the nearest
Friday or Monday is a day-off.
Jan 1 New Year's Day
...is no doubt the main holiday of the year. According to the most
recent polls about 90% of the Ukrainians have called it their favorite
holiday, everybody impatiently waits for round the year. People decorate
the New Year Tree, cook festive dinners, buy presents, go to numerous
New Year's parties that are generously held not only at the end of
December but also in the first two weeks of January. There is a saying
that a person will spend the year the way he has welcomed it, so many do
their best to have fun on the New Year's Day. One usually spends this
day or, to be more precise, evening and night with his family or
friends. The local channels show loved-by-all Soviet films and a few
minutes before midnight, the annual festive address of the President to
his nation is broadcasted. This bright holiday is loved by people of
different ages, but it is especially dear to children. They believe that
Ded Moroz, or Santa Claus, comes this night and puts gifts under the
tree, of course if they haven't been naughty in the old year.
Jan 7 Orthodox Christmas
...Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the
Gregorian calendar, used in Europe and North America. Therefore the
Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on January 7, 13 days later than the
Catholic world. A very important religious holiday, Christmas wasn't
celebrated under the Soviets almost during the whole 20th century and
only at the end of 1990s it was resurrected. On January 6th, Christmas
Eve, many families gather for Sviata Vecheria (Holy Supper). The
twelve-course meal is dedicated to Christ's twelve apostles. The
traditional meals included are kutia (home-made bread with honey and red
poppies), borsch (beet soup), vushka (dumplings filled with onions and
mushrooms), a variety of fish, vareniki (dumplings filled with cabbage,
potatoes, or prunes), andholubtsi (stuffed cabbage). In the last few
years many forgotten traditions like Kolyadki (masked children going
door-to-door to receive candy in exchange for traditional songs and
jokes) have being reviving.
Jan 13 Old New Year's Day
...The strangest holiday of the Slavonic calendar. In fact, it is also
connected with the conservatism of Slavonic people. After the 1917
Revolution, Russia and Ukraine switched to the western calendar. Before
that time they have been 13 days behind the rest of the world. However,
even though the official calendar was switched, many people did not want
to change and others refused to celebrate New Year before Christmas. The
celebrations are not of such an enormous scale as the ones of the New
Year's Day and it is not a day off.
Jan 25 Tatiana's Day
...or Students' Day. The holiday originates to the 18th century. In
1775, on the day of Maiden Tatiana the Martyr Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
signed the regulation about the foundation of Moscow University, which
went down into history as the first Russian University. In the 18th and
19th centuries this day was celebrated as the Day of Foundation of
Moscow University, but already in the second half of the 19th century it
became a holiday of all the Universities and students. Today, Tatiana's
Day is a kind and cheerful holiday, when students enjoy the freedom,
youth and coming vacations. Those who have been students decades ago
remember their old good days at universities.
Feb 14 St. Valentine's Day
... When the so-called Iron Curtain fell down, people of the Former
Soviet Union saw that there are a lot of nice European and American
holidays and have eagerly adopted some of them. There is no point in
describing Ukrainian St. Valentine's Day as there is practically no
difference from the Western holiday of the same name.
Feb 23 Former Red Army Day
...Men's Day In Soviet times it was the holiday of all those who had
ever served in the military. While the Soviet Union was rather a
military state, about 90% of men were at some point connected to the Red
Army, so later it became a holiday for men. It is not a public holiday
in Ukraine, but most women make some presents to their male relatives
and friends and do their best to please their husbands and boyfriends.
March 8 Women's Day
...Originally introduced by the Communists, this holiday has lost its
political content and has become a cultural tradition. On this extremely
popular holiday men are expected to do everything around the house and
give their women the possibility to have at least the only day off from
all that cleaning and cooking. Men present chocolate, flowers and small
gifts to their wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, female friends and
colleagues.
Apr 1 Fool's Day
...or Humor Day People play tricks on their friends and if they have a
sense of humor then everybody have fun. The best tricks are considered
the ones made before midday.
Orthodox Easter
...The major holiday of the Orthodox religious calendar. It is usually
about two weeks after Catholic Easter. For many people this holiday
starts with church attendance on Saturday evening, where the festive
church service is held and the father, or Orthodox priest blesses
kulichi (traditional Easter cake) and pisanki (painted Easter eggs). The
father greets the congregation repeating many times over: "Christ is
risen!" and the congregation replies in chorus "Indeed He is risen!"
During the day people visit relatives and closest friends and present
them with Easter basket, filled with kulichi and pisanki, which are
believed to posses a spiritual power. Everybody greets each other with
"Christ is risen", then follows the answer "Indeed He is risen!" and
exchange with triple kiss, the so-called Khrystosuvanni.
May 1 Labor Day
...or May Day. Under the Soviets, it was one of the greatest holidays of
the year - with colorful demonstrations and celebration of the workers
and kolkhozniks, or collective farmers. Today, practically nobody
bothers with parades, transparency and that entire Soviet staff (surely
except for some energetic old people, who try to revive those "good old
days"). People just stay at home and rest. Nevertheless, this remnant of
Communism is unlike to die in the near future.
May 9 Victory Day
...Owning to the closeness of this holiday to May Day, often the first
week of May is weeklong holiday for the whole country. It is a very
important holiday for all the Ukrainians, while you hardly find a
family, which would not suffer from Nazis in the World War II. Large
military parades are held, wreathes and flowers are put on graves of
soldiers and those who died in war. Family and friends congratulate
veterans who wear their uniforms and medals on this day.
Kiev Day
...Each Ukrainian city has its City Day, the day when the city was
founded. Kiev Day is usually celebrated at the last weekend of May.
During two days various performances of popular actors and musicians are
held. Many people from suburbs and even other towns come to Kiev to see
performances, walk along nicely decorated streets and have a great time.
The celebration is usually accomplished with fireworks at about 10 p.m.
Holy Trinity Day
...It comes fifty days after Easter and celebrates the Descent of the
Holy Spirit who poured himself out on the apostles. On this day people
decorate their houses and apartments with greenery, which is a reminder
of the new life that comes through baptism. The wildflowers blessed on
the festive church service are dried up and kept behind the icons, as
they are believed to possess special spiritual powers. For example, if
the mistress of the house puts dried flowers in the garret, they will
protect the house from fire. On Holy Trinity Day young girls make
garlands and throw them in the river or lakes to foresee the future. If
the garland sinks, the girl who made it will die in the following year,
if not, she will get married. This tradition originates from the pagan
holiday celebrating the beginning of summer, which was forbidden after
the Christening of Kievan Rus.
Jun 28 Constitution Day
...It is quite obvious that this holiday commemorates the signing of the
Ukrainian Constitution that took place in 1996. As this holiday is
rather new there are no particular traditions of celebrating it. For
example, in Kiev on the Constitution Day on Maidan Nezalezhnosty Square
concerts of popular Ukrainian singers are held. Besides, on this day you
are sure to hear the hymn of Ukraine, broadcasted on radio or TV or sung
by people in the street.
Aug 24 Independence Day
...In 1991 Ukraine became independent from the USSR and was proclaimed a
Sovereign State. The Independence Day is usually celebrated with
festivals and military parades. If you have a possibility, visit the
performance of military orchestras that is quite interesting.
Sep 1 Day of Knowledge
...The first day of the new school year. Children go to schools;
students go to universities and institutions, where on this day
different celebrations are held. The most spectacular events are at
elementary school. Well-dressed first-year children, bringing flowers
for their first teacher, gather in the schoolyard or in the school to
listen to the first bell ringing. A first-year child, usually a girl, is
carried by a graduating student, usually a boy, and she rings a bell,
thus, opening a new school year.
Nov 7 October Revolution
...Once a great Soviet holiday, since 2002 it ceased to be public, but
you still can see some communist pensioners marching with red flags and
transparencies in Kiev's streets.
Lyudmila
Age: 37
City: Kharkov
ID: 1569616
email me
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