New Year Cards. A Fairy Tale and the Wait for a Miracle

The New Year and Christmas are the most beloved holidays of kindness and of dreams coming true. Looking at old New Year cards from the family relics, you recall the atmosphere of winter days and the expectation of a miracle on the eve of the holy evening, the family celebration, the merry holidays and the parties with carnival costumes and presents.

 

Serhiivka. The Holy Sergius Convent and Its History

The Holy Sergius Convent is situated in the village of Serhiivka of the Sloviansk district, 10 kilometres from Kramatorsk.

Serhiivka, Donetsk region. The Holy Sergius Convent

Dachne. How Do You Live in a Village Where All Is Closed?

"My dear and guiltless land!

For what does the Lord punish you,

Punish you so hard?"

T. H. Shevchenko. Hosea. Ch. XIV.

Travelling around the corners of our country, meeting people, getting to know the history and the notable sights of towns and villages, you always see something moving that surprises and astonishes you. The Ukrainian people are famed for their industriousness and hospitality, for their rich traditions and centuries-old history. The nature of Ukraine has been sung by writers and painters. But most of our villages frighten you with their empty streets and abandoned houses. The infrastructure in the small settlements has been destroyed, there are no pharmacy points and no shops, the schools and kindergartens are closed. How unlike Ukrainian villages are to the European hamlets with their chalet-style villas.

The village of Dachne of the Mezhova district of Dnipropetrovsk region lies on the bank of the Vovcha river.

 

M. D. Leontovych and Pokrovsk. The Shchedryk Composer

Pokrovsk positions itself as the town in which the world-famous composer Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych lived and worked. By the entrance tothe Yuvileinyi park, in 2018, the second monument in Ukraine to the brilliant conductor, musician and teacher was unveiled.

Pokrovsk. Donetsk region. The monument to M. D. Leontovych

Hryshyne. The Oldest Church in an Old Pokrovsk Village

The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God in the village of Hryshyne was built in 1804 and is the oldest church in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region.

 

Hryshyne, Donetsk region. The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God

Vinnytsia. A promenade along Soborna. Beauty + history

In recent years Vinnytsia has several times been recognised by the inhabitants of our state as the most comfortable town to live in in Ukraine. Decent roads and a well-organised system of municipal transport, the preservation of the architectural heritage and green oases, cycle paths and benches with solar panels, and of course fountains, fountains.

 

Vinnytsia. A view of Soborna Street by the Central Park

Vasylivka. Rescuing the Ruined: Houses, School and Club

The Ukrainian hata is a sacred treasure of our people and a symbol of Ukraine. Artists and poets have dedicated their works to this unique village dwelling. The image of a little whitewashed cottage surrounded by apple and cherry trees, blooming mallows and marigolds, is inseparably linked with the roots of the Ukrainian people. Examples of folk architecture are gathered in open-air museums inPyrohiv, Lviv, Uzhhorod, Prelesne, but even now one can see genuine examples of cultural heritage in our villages. In the village of Vasylivka, Mezhova district, Dnipropetrovsk region, a house from 1888 has preserved its architectural features and the richness of folk traditions.

 

Vasylivka, Mezhova district, Dnipropetrovsk region.

Travel Routes. 10 Small Towns of Ukraine

There are many amazing small towns in Ukraine worth seeing. When planning a one-day trip, a few hours are enough for inquisitive travellers to get acquainted with the notable landmarks and traditions of these wonderful places, which are increasingly included in popular tourist routes.

Zhovkva. Lviv region. Viche Square. A view from the clock tower of the Town Hall

Zaporizke, Slavne, Ukrainka. A Photo-Journey in Mezhova

I shall begin my journey through the villages of Mezhova district from a road sign on the boundary of the district centre of Dnipropetrovsk region.

 

A road sign on the T-04-28 road in Mezhova district

Zhelanna Station. A Tour for Railway Workers' Day

A station that goes by the name Zhelannaya

The steppe, the heat, and dust above your head

And that is all the lyrical data

Of a certain Donetsk station.

The railway stations on the Avdiivka-Chaplyne route have names that are alluring to a traveller — Mezhova, Udachna, Zhelanna. Zhelanna station is located in the settlement of Zhelanne in the Yasynuvata district of the Donetsk region, between the stations of Hrodivka and Ocheretyne.

 

Zhelanna railway station. The settlement of Zhelanne, Donetsk region