Bili Oslavy. In Mariika Pidhirianka's homeland they preserve the memory of the folk enlightener

On the birthday of the poet, playwright and folk teacher Mariika Pidhirianka (29.03.1881 – 18.05.1963)

I thank the director of the Mariika Pidhirianka Museum, Vasyl Yuriiovych Levytskyi, for the opportunity to visit this remarkable cultural institution in Bili Oslavy, for creating the exhibitions and preserving the museum collections, and also for an enlightening tour. 

When little ones are learning to speak, poems help develop their language culture and thinking; from poetry collections children discover the sound and meaning of words. In the language of artistic imagery, writers converse with young readers, which helps improve memory, logic and communication. 

In the village of Bili Oslavy in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, the memory of the children's writer and educator Mariika Pidhirianka is preserved. The central street and the local school are named after the celebrated Ukrainian woman, a literary museum has been created, and memorial plaques have been installed in honour of the renowned native.

 

Bili Oslavy. The Mariika Pidhirianka Museum

Lviv. The Honey Cave. Not just architectural landmarks

When picking the top iconic places to get to know Lviv, most people will mention palaces and townhouses, cathedrals, museums and parks. In the eastern part of the city there is a little-known landmark worth visiting for lovers of geology, speleology and motocross.

 

Vorokhta. The «Karetnyi» Bridge – a narrow-gauge railway landmark and one of the viaducts of the Hutsul village

The Carpathian Mountains, emerald primeval forests and mountain villages conceal many exceptional curiosities and unexpected gifts. At the starting point of the route up to Chornohora from Vorokhta via Zavoiela, where the mountain stream Nyzhnii Bakhonchyk merges with the unruly Prut, a narrow-gauge bridge from 1895 has survived.

 

Vorokhta. The «Karetnyi» Bridge. 1895.

Protect the Beauty! Don't Pick the Spring Flowers!

The sun warms the earth, nature awakens from its winter sleep, and the world around comes to life and turns vivid. Sunbeams rouse the adornments of the forests – the first heralds of spring. We receive this priceless gift of nature every spring.

 

Crocus glades