Ukrainian Guide » Western Ukraine

EURO 2012 stadiums in Kyiv and Lviv to be commissioned on time

Valeria — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:56:14 +0000

The Olympic National Sports Complex in Kyiv is currently around 77% finished, while the stadium in Lviv (western Ukraine) is 55% complete, according to Nazariy Yunyk, the head of the department for the preparation of stadiums, training centers and accommodation facilities at the National Agency on Preparations for EURO 2012 (UkrEuroInfraProject).

He said that the stadium in Lviv was to be commissioned in mid-October 2011. As for the Olympic stadium, the exact date of its coming into operation can be determined only after the cable system is installed. “But, according to preliminary estimates, the expected date for commissioning the stadium is late August or early September this year,” he said.

He added that during preparations for UEFA EURO 2012, on each of these objects the constructors had managed to eliminate the backlog of six months. “At present, our key task in preparing for EURO 2012 is to switch from construction to project management,” Yunyk said.

Earlier, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said that there were delays in the constriction and reconstruction of EURO 2012 stadiums in Kyiv and Lviv. He said that it was “likely (the stadia) would not be ready for June this year” as planned in the schedule for the event to be jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland. But he said that this would not hamper preparations for the tournament. “They will be ready by October at the latest, there will be sufficient time to test them from the month of October,” said Infantino. “We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. But in the end it will be a magnificent celebration of European football,” he added.

European integration school opens in Rivne

Valeria — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 12:54:18 +0000

The principles of effective operation of Euroclubs in Rivne region (western Ukraine), functioning in 25 secondary schools, were mastered by the heads of those public entities at the School of European Integration. It was founded by the International Renaissance Foundation, with the assistance of experts of the Ukrainian European Community Studies Association (UECSA) and a regional library, an UKRINFORM correspondent reported.

According to one of the coordinators of the project, Eugenia Solovyova of Latvia, boys and girls have also improved their knowledge about the EU, its structures and social activities of their peers abroad.

The participants in this educational tour during the training familiarized themselves with the relevant programs of the volunteer movement and gained the skills necessary to Euroclub activists for interaction with the authorities and the media in advocacy work on the peculiarities of Ukraine’s integration into the European community.

Truskavets introduces tourist tax

Valeria — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:38:52 +0000

Tourist tax will be collected from guests in the resort city of Truskavets (Lviv, western Ukraine).

As reported by the city council, the tax rate is set at 1% of the cost of stay, excluding VAT. It will be paid by the people who dwell in hotels, motels, hostels.

Tax-exempted are those who arrived in the town on business, children, disabled, war veterans, Chornobyl cleaners, as well as vacationers under permits at sanatoria and boarding houses.

The price does not include expenses for meals and services.

As reported, earlier the introduction of the tourist fee of 1% was declared by authorities in Lviv, Kyiv, Ternopil, Kamianets-Podilsky, Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa and Yevpatoriya.

Ukrinform

Exhibition “Rescued Treasures” kicks off in Lviv

Valeria — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:57:20 +0000

An exhibition of the works of art of the 17th-19th centuries, entitled “Rescued Treasures,” has kicked off at the National Gallery of Lviv (western Ukraine).

The exposition was prepared by the Lviv branch of the National Research and Restoration Center, as well as the departments of research and scientific restoration. The exhibition presents the results of the work of restorers for the last few years.

Visitors to the exhibition can see, in particular, an iconostasis of the 17th- 19th centuries, 17 icons of the 17th-18th centuries, three sculptures of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as early printed books.

Head of the Research Center Taras Otkovych said that every museum in Ukraine had dozens and hundreds of exhibits that have to be restored. But the number of restorers is small, while the number of museum treasures, fortunately, is great.

The collection exhibited in Lviv is only a small part of the works of art that have been restored in recent years. Ukrainian restorers insist that if the restoration work continues at the same pace, then this work will take 200 or 300 years.

Visit the exhibition and enjoy the works of Ukrainian ancient culture.

Ukrinform

Human chain formed on Paton Bridge to symbolize unification of eastern and western Ukraine

Valeria — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:50:24 +0000

Representatives of Ukraine’s youth patriotic organizations formed a human chain on the Paton Bridge in Kyiv on Saturday to symbolize the unification of western and eastern Ukraine.

An Interfax-Ukraine reporter said that a group of young people, beating the drums and holding national symbols and the flag of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, were moving from the left bank of the Dnipro River to the center of the bridge.

Another group of young people, holding national symbols and the flag of the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic, were moving from the right bank of the river.

After meeting at the center of the bridge, both parties joined hands and formed a human chain to symbolize the unification of eastern and western Ukraine.

The event ended with the singing of Ukraine’s national anthem.

According to police, over 600 people participated in the event.

The declaration of unity between the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UPR) and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic (WUPR) was announced on Sofiyska Square in Kyiv on January 22, 1919. The WUPR became part of the UPR on the basis of the declaration. However, as a result of the difficult international and domestic situation, the unification of Ukrainian lands was not realized, and their administrative organs continued to function independently.

Ukrainian Unity Day was established in 1999 by a presidential decree to mark the political and historical significance of the unification of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1919 into one independent Ukrainian state.

Almost half of Ukrainians regret about the demise of the USSR

Valeria — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:42:47 +0000

According to a survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating”, approximately 46% of Ukrainians regret about the disintegration of the Soviet Union. In turn 36% of Ukrainians don’t regret.18% of Ukrainians find difficulty in replying.
There is a clear age trend in response: the younger the respondents, the less they regret about demise of the USSR.19% of youth and 69% of pensioners regret in Ukraine.
In the regional aspect sociologists says that most people who regret are living in Donbass (65%), South (58%) and East (55%), and least of all – in Western Ukraine (18%).
More women have nostalgia for the Soviet Union (49%) than men (42%) and more urban residents (48%) than rural area (40%), more faithful UOC-MP (59%) and atheists (47%) than believers of UOC-KP (41%) and Greek-Catholics (17%).
In this case, more regret respondents whose native language is Russian (57%) than those for which the family is Ukrainian (37%) or both languages (49%) more than the Russians by nationality (69%) than Ukrainians (43 %). In addition, the higher the education level of respondents the less they regret about ollapse of the Soviet Union.
At the same time 41% of Ukrainians believe that the collapse of the Soviet Union could have been avoided.
The survey took place in December 2010 (2000 respondents surveyed, the error did not exceed 3%). Audience research: Ukraine’s population aged 18 years and older.

Source – focus.ua/society

Quick Facts on the City of Lviv

admin — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:44:15 +0000

The city of Lviv is located in the western part of Ukraine, at the shores of the Poltava river, 80 kilometres away from the border of Poland. Currently, its population is about 735,000 people, most of whom are ethnic Ukrainians speaking the Ukrainian language.

â€¢ Lviv’s date of birth is derived from the first written mentioning of this city in the medieval chronicles – the year of 1256. Tradition states that the city was established by King Danylo Halytsky and named after his son Lev (Lviv) Danilovich Halitsky.

â€¢ Within 1272 – 1349, Lviv was a capital of an independent Galicia-Volyn Principality. Ceased by Poland in 1349, it became a part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and stayed under the Poland rule until 1772. Within the period of 1772 – 1918, the city belonged to Austria and Austro-Hungary and was called Lemberg.

â€¢ Until 1939, Lviv was a highly cosmopolitan city with diverse population, rich European culture, and thriving religions, including Jewish synagogues and Roman (mostly worshipped by the Polish), Creek (typical for the Ukrainians), and Armenian forms of Catholicism.

â€¢ After being under Poland again for a short while, the city of Lviv was invaded in 1939 by a tandem of the Soviets and German Nazis and, after the end of the Second World War, in 1945, was annexed by the Soviet Union.

â€¢ Under the Soviet rule, Western Ukraine was kept on a tight leash. Most churches were closed, with the only remaining open one being the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Lviv. The official use of the Ukrainian language was mostly banned throughout most Western Ukraine.

â€¢ With the collapse of the Soviet Empire, Lviv became a part of independent Ukraine on August 24, 1991.

â€¢ Lviv’s historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

5 Major Ukrainian Rivers

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:52:56 +0000

The major Ukrainian rivers are of such a great importance for Ukraine that without the rivers Ukraine would not even exist. Some of the rivers enabled the fine crops on the fields throughout the ages, while others were very important trading routes for the ancients. So, here we go.

1. Dnieper (981 km on Ukrainian territory)

Photo Credit: Dit is Suzanne [without computer, again...]

The biggest river in Ukraine Dnieper flows from Smolensk region of Russia through Belarus until it finally falls into the Black Sea. Having played a greatly important historical role (was the way from the Baltic to the Black Sea) Dnieper has not lost its importance nowadays. Apart from the fresh water it counts more than 50 species of fish and is the basis for numerous hydroelectric power plants DneproGES in Zaporozhye being the most known.

2. Pivdenny Bug (853 km)

South Bug is a river on the south west of Ukraine. It is the fifth biggest river in Ukraine and the biggest purely Ukrainian river. It flows through the step and forest-step territories known for their oldest geological formation on the territory of Ukraine. It’s because of this South Bug has so many rapids and is a famous rafting spot in Ukraine.

3. Dniester (692 km)

Photo Credit: Pavel Oleinik

It flows in Western Ukraine and Moldova on the place of the prehistoric Sarmat Sea. Important for the fresh water and hydroelectric power plants. It is planned to use it for irrigation, hatchery rearing, navigation and recreation.

10 Best Ukrainian Universities

admin — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:19:57 +0000

Well, to be frank you’ll not find any University from World’s top 200. Though be sure to find Ukrainian graduates in best world’s scientific organizations, laboratories in major enterprises, everywhere. And here is where they come from.

1. National Taras Shevchenko University

Photo Credit: tini_329

This one is considered the best of the best of the best. Well, it looks like they teach everything on earth, being extremely strong in law, journalism, linguistics, philosophy, biology and many other domains.

2. Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Photo Credit: camillaua

Well, they are sort of nationalistic, though everything in American style. I would not choose this place for myself, no point to study biology to become a programmer. It’s a bit too much. Though their economists, analysts, lawyers, PR specialists are highly appreciated.

3. Kharkiv National University

Photo Credit: Ainstainer Group

A sort of National Taras Shevchenko University, but in Kharkiv. Nothing special in fact.

Short topic about Lviv

admin — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:18:17 +0000

Lviv is a very poetic city steeped in legends both ancient and relatively new! Narrow medieval streets paved with stones, architectural decoration done in different styles â€“ all preserved in its original form. In ancient times Lviv was the capital of a mighty Slavic state called the Galicia-Volyn principality. Being a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then Poland contributed to the formation of the cityâ€™s unique image.

In spite of all the whims of history the city has not lost its Ukrainian spirit, and thank God, Lvivâ€™s delicate architecture has not suffered from monstrosities of the Soviet Era. So it is no wonder that the central part of the city is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage. You can admire monuments of different eras created by the combination of numerous national cultural traditions in this open-air museum for hours.

The cityâ€™s unperceivable Bohemian aura seemed to magnetically attract unconventional people. There were a lot of geniuses among them including the Polish poet Adam Mitskevych, Ukrainian historian and philosopher Mykhailo Hrushevsky, biologist and the inventor of typhus vaccine Rudolf Vigel, author of classic of Jewish literature Shalom Aleihem, famous fantasist of the 20th century Stanislav Lem and many others looked for inspiration for their creative and scientific work in Lviv.

The proud and beautiful medieval city of L’viv has been the “Western Ukraine capital of culture” for three centuries. Founded in 1256 by Danylo Halytskiy, a prince of the Galicia-Volhynia principality, this city of 850,000 is only 50 kilometers from the Polish border. Under the long reign of Danylo’s son, Lev (1264-1301), L’viv came to be the capital city of the Galician-Volhynian Kingdom. It is full of culture & hostorical significance to Ukrainian history. One can find in Lviv the most beautifull architecture in Eastern Europe and it is no wonder that many who visit the city leave with lasting memories & love for Ukraine. In the below articles you can read of the proud history of this marvel of a city that all Ukrainians claim with pride & suggested tour of views not to be missed.

By Lviv.Biz

Lviv History

According to the ancient chronicles Lviv was founded in 1256 by the Prince of Qalicia and Volyn Danylo Romanovych, who named the town in honour of his son Lev. The centre of old Lviv was on the site of today’s Old Rynok Square. Situated on the crossroads of trade routes, Lviv grew fast, and soon became an important centre of commerce and crafts. Its location in the middle of Galicia-Volyn principality gave the town a considerable strategic value. In 1272 Prince Lev transferred the capital of the principality from Qalych to Lviv. In 1349 Lviv was captured by the Polish King Kazimierz HI, who ordered it to be moved more to the south. The new town was built to the plan of a traditional European settlement: a central square surrounded by living quarters and fortifications.Not only merchants were attracted by the wealth of Lviv. In those days Tatars, Moldavians, Turks, rebellious Polish nobility were attacking Lviv, and the defences were a vital matter. Basically the system of fortifications was completed in 1445; it comprised the Higher and Lower Defence Walls with a ditch between them; a deep moat filled with water, which protected the town on the northern, eastern and southern sides; a defence rampart, 16 metres high; the High and Low Castles. The river and impassable swamps shielded Lviv from the west. However, with the advent of firearms, such fortifications could afford little protection, and they underwent drastic alterations. High walls were replaced by lower and thicker ones; in place of towers with narrow embrasures, designed mainly for archers, there appeared basteas (semicircular defence structures with an open space in place of a roof on the top), two of which have been preserved until the present day (in Pidvalna Street and in Brativ Rogatyntsiv Street); earthworks became very common. The last significant addition to the town defences was the Royal Arsenal, constructed in 1639-1669 (13 Pidvalna Street).

The High Castle, built by the Polish King Kazimierz III, heavily fortified and located on a steep hill, 300 metres high, remained inaccessible for more than 300 years. It was only in 1648 that the High Castle was seized for the first time, by the Cossacks of Maxym Kryvonis. In 1672 Turks captured it almost without a fight. Later, little was done to save the Castle from decay, and in the 1870s it was dismantled, with a segment of its southern wall being preserved.

The Lower Castle, famous for its beauty, rebuilt after 1565 to replace earlier wooden ones, was located on the site presently occupied by the national Museum and Maria Zankovetska Theatre. Here in 1537 King Sigismund I the Old signed the Order which put an end to the absolute monarchy in Poland. The Swedish King Karl XII stayed in the Lower Castle in 1704 after capturing the city. A royal residence, the Castle also served as a prison for Polish nobility.

The devastating fire of 1527 razed Lviv to the ground, leaving only two structures: the Town Hall and one other building; the survival of the latter was attributed to the protection of the Holy Virgin. So intense was the fire, that it destroyed even stone structures and melted church bells and artillery guns. Although the ban imposed on wooden construction in 1540 was not too strictly observed, the buildings which appeared later were largely built of stone. The most common type of building was a three-storeyed one, with three windows on each floor. The walls were covered with carpets, which later gave way to plaster. Furniture, mostly made of oak, solid, intricately carved and lavishly decorated; oriental carpets on the floor; kitchenware of silver and tin (which used to be almost as expensive as silver); glassware, often of coloured glass; clocks in bronze or gilded wood â€” these were to show the wealth of a house-owner. Paintings and books were not scarce in the town. Preference was given to Italian and Dutch painting; libraries with dozens or hundreds of volumes were quite common. The largest known library, with 1,200 books, belonged to John Alembek, the author of the first description of Lviv (1618), who died in 1636.

Without sanitation, the town was prone to epidemics. From the 14th to the 18th centuries 51 epidemics were recorded in Lviv. The largest toll was taken by the so called Black Years of 1620-1623, when two-thirds of the local population died. Food was plain as elsewhere in those days; the typical menu consisted of cereals and vegetables. Fish was very popular. Trade in salted fish was one of the main sources of income for the Lviv treasury, with quality control being stringent. Only two species of fish out of dozens produced were awarded a quality certificate. Oriental spices, extremely expensive in Europe (for example, black pepper cost twice as much as gold in Western Europe), were cheap and accessible in Lviv, which was one of the few cities enjoying the right to the exclusive storage of oriental goods, which meant that such goods were to be sold to the local people for prices set by Lviv. In case of non-compliance, the whole caravan was confiscated.

Local town people loved good drinks. Among the popular drinks in Lviv were gorilka mead. Wine was very common. In addition to wine which came from Greece, Spain, Italy and Hungary, the city was manufacturing its own wine: vineyards were planted on the site of today’s Lysenko Street and Klepariv. But the favourite drink was beer, which in those days was exported even to Bavaria. It took six weeks to transport Lviv beer there, and it did not spoil. Hardly any modern drink would stand such a test. Disturbances were quelled in the city by local guards called “tsipaky”. The name came from their main weapon, a military frail, in Ukrainian called “tsip”. There were 24 of them. Although their formal task was to patrol the city gates at night, in fact, they acted as a city police force. In case of serious riots, four haiduks, personal guards of the town Burgomaster, intervened. Court decisions were carried out by an executioner, whose nickname, the Man Mot Too Kind, became his formal title. The job was not badly paid; however, very few volunteered to take that position, as the holder, together with his family, was doomed to general hatred and contempt.

Little is known about what Lviv cemeteries of 14th-18th centuries looked like. There were seven cemeteries located near the churches. The Catholics were buried next to the Catholic cathedrals; the cemeteries of the Assumption Church and of the Armenian Cathedral served as a burial ground for the Orthodox and for the Armenians, respectively. The Jewish cemetery, dating from the 14th century and destroyed by the Nazi in the beginning of the 1940s, occupied the site of the present Krakiwsky Market. The rich were buried in church basements; the poor â€” near the church. The tombstones, made of bronze, marble or alabaster, usually presented a sleeping man or woman. Such tombstones can be seen in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Jesuit and the Dominican Churches. The coffin carried a tomb portrait, which after the funeral was moved to the church. The collections of Lviv History Museum and of Lviv Picture Gallery contain about 10 such portraits by unknown masters, which still impress the viewer with their vivid colours and deep psychological insight. Cemeteries, located on 36 hectares of the enclosed space, presented a danger to the health of people, and in 1783, on the order of Joseph II, they were dismantled and moved outside the city’s boundaries: only one â€” Lychakivsky cemetery â€” has been preserved until the present day.

The text from â€œOld Lviv Streetsâ€, Lviv: Svit, 2001. ISBN 966-603-048-9