Ukraine . . . History and Overview . . . Language . . . Folk and Fine Arts . . . Folk and Fine Art for sale . . . Folk Traditions and Religion . . . Food . . . Travel and Tourism . . . Destinations and Sightseeing . . . Current Events . . . Helping Organizations . . . Sources of Additional Information . . . Books . . . Language Aids

Welcome - Vitayemo.Ukraine is the largest, but one of the least-known countries entirely within Europe. With great natural beauty, a rich culture and warm and hospitable people, it's a wonderful country to visit. Many visitors to this newly independent, developing country come for business, educational and medical exchanges, charitable works and missionary activities rather than to sightsee. For them, this web site provides background about the country they'll work in, including information onculture, language, and travel. If your purpose is tourism, you'll find lots of wonderful sights and cultural and recreational opportunities in Ukraine, so be sure to check out the Travel and Tourism section below.

Place names on this web site are transliterated from their Ukrainian Cyrillic according to the transliteration system of the U.S. Board of Geographical Names, which is used by mapmakers around the world. Kyiv, rather than Kiev, is the transliterated name of the Ukrainian capital city; Odesa's Ukrainian spelling uses only one s, not two.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Map of Ukraine and its oblasts from Travel to Ukraine. Country map and other data from WorldAtlas.Com

The Ukrainian flag . . . The tryzub

The flag represents a blue sky over a field of grain or sunflowers and the trident (tryzub) is an ancient symbol of Ukraine.

National Anthem: lyrics and instrumental music

• Developing a Ukrainian perspective is necessary in understanding Ukraine's unique history,which dates back 1500 years. Some more detailed history from Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) and American Embassy in Kyiv.

• The Ethnologue web site lists ethnic groups and languages spoken in Ukraine.
• The Ukrainian Alphabet is a Cyrillic alphabet.
• Listen to the sounds of the Cyrillic characters.
• Roman Zakharii presents a history and resource list of the Ukrainian language.
• From grad students in Ukraine: fundamental Ukrainian language lessons online.
• A list of instruction books and tapes to help English speakers learn Ukrainian.
• Learn basic Ukrainian phrases (in word and sound) from Zenon Iwasykiw, who also has the Ukrainian Amusement and Diversion Page for readers of Ukrainian Cyrillic.
• From Roman Zakharii, Ukrainian word lists in the following languages: English; Polish plus English; Swedish plus English; Norwegian; Italian and Turkish , a language which has contributed many words to Ukrainian. http://www.personal.ceu.hu/students/97/Roman_Zakharii/turkce.htm
• From Roman Kosarenko on the UAZone web site selections of Ukrainian poetry in Cyrillic and English.
• Language Technology
  • Want to add Ukrainian language support to Windows 98? It's easy. Use the mouse to click, in succession, on Start (normally at lower left of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen), then on Settings, then on Control Panel, then on Keyboard, then on Language, then on Add, then find Ukrainian, then click OK twice. You will need to put your Windows 98 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive if it isn't all on your hard drive. Now clicking on the little taskbar icon (at lower right) that reads EN will change to UK, and vice versa. If you don't know the Ukrainian keyboard you'll have to practice a lot or else "hunt and peck."
  • For other Cyrillic fonts and keyboard utilities, both Windows and Macintosh, go to the Brama web site.
  • To translate from English to Ukrainian or vice versa go to http://cybermova.com/cgi-bin/onlinedic.pl
  • Looking for computer programs for translating into Ukrainian? Palm Gear has a simple, handheld shareware program.
  • The Yevshan Catalog offers some language aids such as electronic dictionaries, translation aids, and tutorials for learning basic Ukrainian.

• To get an idea of the range and quality of Ukrainian folk arts, preview colorful excerpts from the magazine Narodne Mystetstvo (Folk Art of Ukraine) by the National Union of Folk Art Masters of Ukraine. Subscriptions are available.
• A listing of museums in North America and Ukraine with fine collections of folk arts.
• Scholarly articles about the development of Ukrainian art from the 15th through the 20th centuries from the Sunflower Art Gallery.
• From the UKROP web site in Kyiv a fine discussion with photos of various folk arts, including music, architecture, painting, and costume.
• Check out the web site of Olexandra Pryveda. Her diverse art includes psyanky and works from silk, straw, granite and other materials.
• Artistic renderings of Ukrainian history, culture, science, folklore, religion, and natural history can be found on beautiful Commemorative Postage Stamps. Also check out The Ukrainian Electronic Stamp Album and Roman's Olynyk's philatelic e-zine.
• Highly recommended reading is Welcome to Ukraine, a beautiful, lavishly ilustrated magazine with interesting articles on Ukrainian history, culture, religion, and tourist attractions.
• Traditional Ukrainian folk dress is among the most colorful and aesthetecally pleasing costume in the world. For a more expert examination of regional dress go to the Ukrainian Museum-Archives of Cleveland's web site. A series of commemorative stamps shows costumes from several different areas.
• Also from the Ukrainian Museum-Archives of Cleveland are a discussion and examples of regional differences of embroidery designs. More examples of Ukrainian embroidery designs and clothing and a man's and a woman's early-20th-century wedding costume.

• For a basic understanding of the history, symbolism, technique and photos of regional differences of pysanky, check the web site of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives of Cleveland.
• Another very good pysanky site is from Pysankarka Luba Petrusha.
• Ready to try making your own pysanky? All you need is patience, a steady hand, and a few supplies, says artist Ann Morash on her Learn Pysanky site. Artistic talent doesn't hurt either. Take a look at wonderful illustrated instructions by Olga Kaczmar.
• Beautiful eggs and discussion of the meaning of the symbols by artist Sofia Zielyk.
• simple pysanky patterns from different regions of Ukraine. From the Kolomiya Museum of Hutsul Folk Art more beautiful pysanky with a description of the designs. Some more photos of pysanky. Unique contemporary designs and variations of traditional designs by Ihor Slabicky.
• Unbelievable! TheWorld's Largest Pysanka.

Music and Dance

• Learn about the Ukrainian national instrument, the bandura from the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus web site.
• From UKROP listen to 37 authentic folk songs and here's some more songs. Simply lovely to hear!
• This boys' dance troupe performed at Kyiv's annual birthday celebration.

Visual Arts

. . .

Vodokhreshchi - Spas - Pokrova

These posters are copyrighted by Ilona Shytyk, the artist.

• Whimsical, colorful paintings by renowned folk artist Maria Pryimachenko. More by Maria and her biography.
• Some examples of Ukrainian painting during the Soviet era. More Soviet Realism . These are beautiful!
• Watercolors and tapestries by Cherkasy artist Neonila Nedosyeko.
• Woodcuts by Jacques Hnizdovsky are in numerous museums.
• From western Ukraine, a few examples of Hutsul woodcrafts and artwork, ceramics and more woodcrafts from craftmakers in the Carpathian Mountains .
• A fantastic selection of folk and fine arts are shown on the Items For Sale page.

• Folk traditions are strong all over Ukraine. In the heart of Ukraine, Tania Diakiw O'Neill witnessed a first haircut ceremony and Natalie Kononenko documented traditional wedding rituals.
• Folk and religious celebrations are pictured on a new series of postage stamps.
• NEW An exhibition of folk icons of Ukraine from the 18th and 19th centuries is touring the U.S. and Canada.
• Well organized information and news about all churches and religions in Ukraine by the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, a project of the Ukrainian Catholic University.
• Photos of synagogues and memorials show signs of Jewish culture in Ukraine.
• Easter is the most important holiday of the Christian Church in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Christmas traditions are also very rich and colorful. Site 1 ... Site 2
• The history and some examples of A H Ukrainian Icon Painting.
• Two photos of Ukrainian Orthodox churches.

• Borshch is the great Ukrainian soup, renowned world-wide.
• Vareniky is another quintessential Ukrainian food. Vareniky wit, whimsy, and recipes from Dr. Mryon Hlynka.
• Ukraine is also noted for its bread. Photo of village woman with home-baked bread.
• Several dozen authentic recipes Joanne documented when she visited her relatives in Ukraine.
• Not like mama made: herring a la Kiev, jellied veal roll, and many other authentic recipes direct from Ukraine written both in English and Cyrillic Ukrainian.
• Christmas Eve recipes. More than a dozen traditional meatless Ukrainian dishes, including borshch, stuffed cabbage, and dumplings.
• Traditional Easter recipes: meat, cheeses and breads.
• Photo of Kyivsky torte and two torte recipes.

To prepare for a trip to Ukraine, the fourth edition of Language and Travel Guide to Ukraine, Hippocrene Books, Inc., may be found at Amazon.com. It may be in some bookstores too, though it's out of stock at the publisher, and an updated edition is scheduled for September 2010.



• Going to Ukraine soon? Check Yahoo! News for today's weather and the forecast for the next four days for destinations throughout the country.
• Need to phone Ukraine? Here's an alphabetical list of Ukrainian cities with their city codes.
• Travel agencies specializing in Ukraine. Check out their interesting and informative web sites.
• You NO LONGER NEED A VISA to visit Ukraine for up to 90 days within of period of 180 days The U.S. State Department's special travel information for Ukraine includes safety and security issues, but not to worry - you will feel safe in Ukraine. Check out the InfoUkes web site for additional travel advisories, some from Canadian sources.
• For background about Ukraine, updated information for those planning to visit or work there, and photos from all over the country, don't miss TryUkraine.com written by an ex-pat with many years experience living in Ukraine.
• UkrainianTravel is a lively mailing list whose members share an interest in travel to Ukraine. Members exchange travel tips and report on their trips to Ukraine.
• Ukraine's currency, the hryvnia, was introduced in September 1996, replacing the temporary currency, karbovanets, at the rate of 100,000 karbovanets = 1 hryvnia. Since then the hryvnia has dropped in value. The National Bank of Ukraine web site gives the official exchange rate of the hryvnia against foreign currencies.

• Going to Kyiv? View dozens and dozens of lovely photos on travel photographer John Farrar's Virtual Kiev site; also check out the extensive photo archive from about 15 years ago in the UAZone Photo Gallery. The Kyiv City Guide is a comprehensive guide on what to see, what to do, where to eat and shop and much more. If you love to dine out, check out the Lasoon Internet Catalog of Kyiv Restaurants for a detailed description and ratings of over 500 restaurants. For more traveler's information, check the Welcome to Ukraine Travel Guide. For a daily guide to popular cultural events check out the Internet version of What's On: Your No.1 Guide to Kyiv. And be sure to study the Subway Navigator for the fastest way to get around the city.
• Kyiv (formerly Kiev), Ukraine's capital city, is known as the Golden Domed City because of its beautiful churches. The new symbol of Kyiv, St. Michael the Archangel, was unveiled in May 1995, replacing the previous symbol, the kashtan (chestnut) leaf. A statue of St. Michael the Archangel was erected in downtown Kyiv, but has since been replaced by newer monuments. Here are a few of our favorite photos of Kyiv. Take a tour of Ukraine's leading tourist attraction, the Pecherska Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), founded in 1051. The Lavra's 40 buildings represent eight centuries of art and architecture. It's now part museum and part functioning monastery.
• Lviv is the charming cultural center of western Ukraine. Some photos from Lviv, including the old -- its Austrian era opera theater -- and the new -- a Holocaust Memorial. The Leo Photo web site shows the beauty and variety of this charming city with a large collection of new images.
• Odesa For up to date information of what's going on, this is the city's official website. This Odesa site includes lots of photos, interesting historical information, and some miscellaneous and fun stuff.
• Crimea is a beautiful peninsular resort on Ukraine's Black Sea. Beaches, mountains, vineyards, charming towns and cities with layers of history make it a tourist dream. For beautiful photos and information about planning your visit, go to the following sites: Sightseeing Excursions and Outdoor Activities and Discover Crimea.
• Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, is the country's second largest city. Once a center of Ukrainian intellectual and cultural life, it became highly Russified. The Kharkiv city web site shows tourist attractions, beautiful aerial views, a subway map of Kharkiv, and lots more.
• Take a tour of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine's third largest city.
• Vinnytsya is a large, pleasant city in central Ukraine.
• A pretty city in western Ukraine is Ivano-Frankivsk.
• The medieval fortress city Kamianets-Podilskyy is the site of much archeological activity and a wonder to see.
• In the beautiful, unspoiled, Carpathian mountains, you can spend a vacation with a family. Check out the Rural Green Tourism Association website to learn all about this scenic region of Ukraine, and a list of homes to stay in.

Personal travel stories give an immediacy to Ukrainian destinations. Please be aware that Ukraine is a rapidly-changing country and some of the sights and experiences described may be outdated.

• For those tracing family A Philadelphia resident offers a fascinating account of tracing her Ukrainian roots and finding many relatives in Forgotten Ancestors: A Journey to Western Ukraine . Wonderfully detailed and photographed.
• Photos and a brief account of my June 2006 trip to Ukraine. As always, the borshch was great and the sightseeing fascinating.
• Here's a photo album of our July 2000 vacation in Ukraine. Places shown are Cherkasy, Lviv, Karpaty Mountains, and Kyiv.
• Some impressions of Kyiv by Peter Roetzel.
• Interested in western Ukraine? Don't miss Gerry's photos and Jerome's detailed traveler's diary.
• Read Joseph's advice about hiking in the Carpathian Mountains.
• Read about Frank's visit to Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Chernivtsi.
• A wonderfully detailed account of Kathy and Bill Clark's trip to western Ukraine and Kyiv in 1997.
• The Peace Corps is active in Ukraine. Read a volunteer's story about her experiences in Nizhyn, in the Chernihiv oblast.
• Tour leader Orysia Tracz tells of wonderful cultural and arts discoveries in Ukraine.

Current Events

• Viktor Yushchenko, inaugurated President of Ukraine on January 23, promises a democratic, reform-minded, European-oriented government. Check out the official web site of the President of Ukraine and some photos of Kyiv Awaiting the Inauguration by activist Andriy Ignatov.
• Another Kyiv photographer, Helen Salamakha offers her November 2004 photos of the Orange Revolution.
• Ukrayinska Pravda, Ukraine's leading online newspaper, was the main source for non-governmental-managed news before the Orange Revolution. A paper co-founder, Olena Prytula, received a US National Press Club award. (The murder of the other co-founder, apparently by the corrupt previous administration, is still under investigation.)
  Other Internet news media sympathetic to the Orange Revolution are Maidan: An Internet Hub for Citizen Action Network in Ukraine , and the Internet TV Channel site.
• Public Radio , a news and current affairs site based on the principles of western journalism, is one of 30 Ukrainian internet-based news sources and the "first internet-radio in Ukraine."
• The Kyiv Post,an English-language newspaper based in Kyiv, is updated daily with diverse news stories. Free areas include editorials and cultural events.
• The Ukrainian Observer, an English-language daily news and entertainment magazine by an expat in Kyiv covers politics, business, and culture, with commentary, jokes, and lists of Kyiv entertainment, restaurant, and shopping.
• The Kiev Day is a publication of the Ukrainian Press Group.
• Brief summaries of today's leading news stories from Ukraine in The Eastern Economist. "Ukraine's first business and investment weekly."
• News and issues from a Ukrainian-American publication, the Ukrainian Weekly.
• Yahoo News presents a compilation of important stories from leading news sources around the world, updated daily.
• BBC news front page does a good job covering news and issues in Ukraine.
• The Central Europe Review covers the top stories in Ukraine.

• Games and Sports News
• The 2002 FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Chess Championship in Moscow, which started with 128 of the best chess players in the world - almost all of them grandmasters - came down to a head-to-head 8-game match between two Ukrainians: Vasily Ivanchuk (who defeated the previous world champion, Viswanathan Anand of India, to make the finals), 32, and Ruslan Ponomariov, 18 (who at 14 had become the youngest grandmaster in history, although the record is now held by Bu Xiangzi of China). Ponomariov won the title in 7 games by a score of 4 1/2 to 2 1/2, winning two games and drawing the other five. Along the way Ponomariov defeated one chess player from China, one from Bulgaria, one from the Netherlands, and three from Russia. You can read about the championship at the FIDE web site or go to the Ukrainian Chess Online web site or to Ruslan Ponomariov's own web site.
• Summary of how Ukraine did in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Ukraine won 23 medals (3 gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze) at the 2000 Summer Olympics, in 13th place. Check the list of medals
• 2002 Winter Olympics. Ukraine sent 70 athletes to the Winter Games, who competed in 11 of the 15 winter sports. Ukraine won no medals at all, compared to two in 1994 and one medal in the 1998 Winter Games.
• 2006 Winter Olypics saw 53 Ukrainian athletes in Turin Italy. The team took a bronze medal for ice-dancing and a bronze for the women's 7.5 kilometer sprint in the biathlon. Also, Ukraiians finished in the top-10 in five other events. See the official team ranking at the Olympic Web Site.

• Check out Ukraine's Olympic Medals in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Ukraine did very well, with a total of 23 medals -- nine gold, five silver, and nine bronze. Among the gold medal winners was Yurij Belonog in the shot put competition, which was the first event held at the ancient games site at Olympia.