I have driven past the village of Herynia in the Dolyna district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region many times. Having not very much free time, I decided to call in at this village, which lies beside the Dolyna — Stryi road. In recent years it has grown and become a suburb of Bolekhiv. I knew even earlier that a river of the same name rises in this place and divides the village into two parts. The residents tend their vegetable gardens and their households and work in Bolekhiv.
Walking past the handsome houses, it was impossible not to admire the garden decoration. Wooden mills, crane wells, carts with hay and pumpkins, all sorts of sculptures and little fountains. Box, thuja, chrysanthemums and other wondrous plants are planted along the paths. The old houses are used for household needs, as workshops or as a store.
I met a boy of about 10, who told me very politely and in detail where the village council and the church were and how to get there.
The Church of the Ascension of the Lord was built in 1990 on the site of one that had been burned down. The wooden church was destroyed on the orders of a former local policeman who was carrying out the instructions of his communist superiors. A surviving wooden bell tower remains in memory of that sanctuary.
Beside the church stands the priest's house, built in 1947, a former reading room. By the road a sculpture of the Mother of God meets and blesses you.
The centre of the village is adorned by a monument to the Fighters for the Freedom of Ukraine and a bust of T. H. Shevchenko, erected in 1996 for the village's 625th anniversary.
By the village council there were women, one of them the secretary. They told me that Herynia has a long and interesting history and that many photographs are kept. A pity there was so little time. I was invited to come as a guest to the village festival. Often I have received invitations to events and simply to a cup of coffee, very hospitable people live in these parts.
I had to be going, and one woman walked me to the bus stop by a short way, telling me about the village choir she sings in. Not long ago they acquired new and very beautiful costumes. They travel to other places with concerts. Many times here I have had the chance to see performances by amateur groups, which every village club has. Wonderful repertoires, national costumes, splendid musicians and performers — here, Ukraine, are your talents!
My companion wished me a good journey and went off to the shop. And I photographed the wayside chapel as well.
The trip was short in time, but full of discovery. I am sharing my impressions with you.
This story is also available in Ukrainian: Гериня. Історія і пам'ятки села на Долинщині
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