Ivan Kupala Day is one of the most expressive traditional holidays in Ukraine. It is still very popular among many locals, especially those living in the vast Ukrainian countryside. This pre-Christian rite, which is celebrated at the summer solstice, around June 24, signifies the connection of people with “Dazhbog” - the Slavic God of the Sun. Originally, Ivan Kupala Day was a joyful fertility festival honouring the light energy of the sun that was believed to provide people with good harvest, beauty, love, and healing powers. Later, the holiday was even accepted by the Orthodox Christian Church and included in the Church Calendar.
vyacheslav
Borscht, a deep red beet and cabbage soup, is popular all around Ukraine. The recipe might slightly differ by regions, but the main ingredients still remain the same - cabbage, beets, potatoes, onions, garlic, sour cream, and dill. Depending on a season, borscht can be served hot and cold, with cold varieties often being light or vegetarian.
All the fans of the Russian soap opera ‘Ne Rodis Krasivoy’ (Don’t Be Born Beautiful) should rejoice the actress who played the main character Katya Pushkaryova in the famous TV series, Nelli Uvarova, will soon reappear on Ukrainian TV screens, this time hosting a talk show on NTN channel, The Beauties, which will air in September. The aim of the show is to discuss various problems faced by the fairer sex, including relationships with men, raising children and more. But whatever the program deals with, its success is guaranteed after all, Uvarova is currently one of the most popular women in the CIS. Continue reading ‘Russian star to host a show in Ukraine’
The end of summer is usually the season for big sales, and how appropriate! It’s just the time to get a new wardrobe, and why not do it without breaking the bank? Yet there are also places that always sell clothes at a considerable discount outlet stores. And while regular boutiques are likely to lower prices on their spring and Continue reading ‘Outlet shopping guide’
A Day Without a Mexican
I don’t know if it should be considered a conspiracy or coincidence, but the fact that the two movies showing in English on Ukraine’s wide screens this week both deal with Mexicans is hard to overlook. Continue reading ‘Two Mexico-themed movies to screen in English’
You have to approach a restaurant named “Exotica†with slightly raised eyebrows. Making my way to Pier 6, off Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska, images flashed through my mind of sushi served on the recumbent bodies of naked women or a smoky Kyiv cabaret. Continue reading ‘Culinary adventures at Exotica’
FILM
FRIDAY 25
Premiere: “Lady in the Waterâ€
Indian-born writer and director M. Night Shyamalan, known for his mystical stories with unexpected endings such as “The Sixth Sense†and “The Village,†presents his new film. It stars Bryce Dallas Howard, who skillfully portrayed the blind girl in “The Village†Continue reading ‘DJ Mylo to spin at Yevropeyska Ploshcha - 7 Days in Kyiv’
Dear Friends,On March 3, 2004 Radio Continent was taken off the air. I have been informed by Serhiy Sholokh is giving us a present for Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Sholokh wrote, “Yes, it is my present for all of you, MY DEAR FRIENDS for the Independence
Day!!! And you have to turn you FM radio to 94.2. It is new frequency, new
license, new life of Continent. But….. some day 100.9 will be back like
only JAZZ FM!!!”
Day!!! And you have to turn you FM radio to 94.2. It is new frequency, new
license, new life of Continent. But….. some day 100.9 will be back like
only JAZZ FM!!!”
Please let all your friends know about this…
Best regards,
Vasyl Pawlowsky
I heard it quite a few times before and I assume it’s true – one of the things that strike a newcomer to Ukraine as exotic are the outdoor markets. Of course, there are similar things in the West as well – flea markets for instance. However, in the former Soviet countries Continue reading ‘Market guide’
FILMS
“Breakfast on Plutoâ€
“Strange boy†Cillian Murphy stars as the much stranger character Patrik “Kitten†Braden in a movie by Irish director Neil Jordan whose most famous work to day is “Interview with the Vampire. Continue reading ‘Felix Da Housecat back in Kyiv - 7 Days in Kyiv’
