Unit 2. Kyiv (Kiev)

Pre-reading task

1. Brainstorm information about Kyiv.

2. Read the text to find out whether the following statements true or false.

• Kyiv is one of the oldest cities of Europe which is situated on the Dnipro River.

• Kyiv suffered severely during World War II, and many irreplaceable architectural and art treasures were destroyed.

• Due to repressions, suffering, political turmoil, and ecological disasters, Ukraine's spirit and national identity have changed drastically.

• Kyiv has very few pieces of the art and architecture that can be considered to be the world treasures.

• The Percherska Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves has two 11th-century cathedrals on its grounds, in addition to its world-famous catacombs, bell tower, and museum collections.

• The main street, Khreshchatik, runs between two steep hills.

• The capital's newer sections which are characterized by large housing developments and industrialized neighbourhoods stretch out on the flat left bank.

• Ukrainian pottery, embroidery, and handicrafts can be quite rarely seen in the streets of Kyiv.

TEXT

Study the definitions of the following words.

Principalities – a country that is ruled by a prince.

Far-off capital – a city which is located a long way from a certain place.

Irreplaceable – means too special, valuable, or unusual to be replaced by anything else.

Repression – cruel and severe control of a large group of people.

Suffering – serious physical or mental pain.

Turmoil – a state of confusion, excitement or anxiety.

Ecological disaster – a sudden event that causes great damage to nature.

To be crowned – having something or somebody on top.

To renovate – means to repair a building or old furniture so that it is in good condition again.

Ridge – a long area of high land, especially at the top of a mountain.

Theatre buff – someone who is interested in theatre.

Pottery – the activity of making pots, dishes etc.

Embroidery – a pattern sewn onto cloth, or cloth with patterns sewn onto it.

Handicraft – an activity such as sewing or making baskets, in which you use your hands in a skilful way to make things.

Kyiv (also known as Kiev), a scenic city of close to 3 million people situated on the Dnipro River, is the bustling capital of Ukraine. Ancient Kievan Rus, which reached its greatest period of ascendancy during the 11th and 12th centuries, was a centre of trade routes between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The city of Kyiv and the power of Kievan Rus were destroyed in 1240 by Mongol invaders and the lands of Kievan Rus were divided into principalities located to the west and north: Galicia, Volynia, Muscovy and later, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Once being a powerful force on the European scene, Ukraine's fate in modern times has been decided in far-off capitals. As a result, modern Ukrainian history, for the most part, has been defined by foreign occupation.

Kyiv suffered severely during World War II, and many irreplaceable architectural and art treasures were destroyed. Earlier in the 1930's the Soviet authorities systematically destroyed many churches. Extensive restoration has revived much of historic Kyiv. The city hit the headlines in April 1986, when the nuclear reactor at nearby Chernobyl exploded, but scientists generally agree that the city is now safe from radiation effects.

Despite repressions, suffering, political turmoil, and ecological disasters, Ukraine's spirit and national identity have never died. Ukraine proclaimed its independence on August 24, 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow. As of 1994, Ukraine has diplomatic relations with over 135 countries and close to 60 diplomatic missions established in Kyiv. News correspondents, business representatives, and students from all over the world reside in Kyiv, and the flow of foreign tourists and official delegations is heavy year round.

The art and architecture of Kyiv are world treasures. The Cathedral of St. Sophia, where the princes of Kyiv were crowned in the years of Kyiv's grandeur, has outstanding mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 11th century. Overlooking the old section of Kyiv, Podol, stands the Ukrainian Baroque church of St. Andrew, much beloved by Ukrainians. The Percherska Lavra, the Monastery of the Caves, a short trolley ride from the centre of the city, has two 11th-century cathedrals on its grounds, in addition to its world-famous catacombs, bell tower, and museum collections. Close to the centre of town stands the Golden Gate, a structure which dates back to 1037. These recently reconstructed remains of the former fortified wall of the city defined the limits of the city in centuries past. Several blocks away, stands the magnificent 19th-century Cathedral of St. Volodymyr.

Theatre buffs will find much to choose from here. Most performances are in Ukrainian or Russian. The recently renovated Kyiv Opera House presents very good opera as well as a broad repertoire of ballets. The Kyiv Young Theatre is very popular and stages innovative plays in Ukrainian or Russian. The Ivan Franko Theatre is the centre of Ukrainian drama, comedy, and musicals. This repertoire has just opened its 75th season and includes brilliant versions of Eneida and Teve Tevel, the original version of Fiddler on the Roof.

The modern centre with surviving parts of the old city are on the hilly west, or right bank, of the Dnipro River. The main street, Khreshchatik, runs between two steep hills. Parallel about half a kilometer west, is vulytsya Volodymyrska, the main street of the Old Kyiv area (Staryj Kyiv). From the north end of Khreshchatik, vulytsya Hrushevskoho rises southeast along a ridge to the Caves Monastery at Perchersk. Woods and parks cover most of the steep right-bank slopes. The capital's newer sections stretch out on the flat left bank. These are characterized by large housing developments and industrialized neighbourhoods.

Ukrainian pottery, embroidery, and handicrafts are available throughout the city, particularly in shops on Andrievsky Uzviz, at Percherska Lavra, and St. Sophia's church. Quality and quantity vary from shop to shop. A growing number of hard currency stores stock Western food, alcohol, clothing, and electrical appliances. Most prices, in hard-currency stores, are higher than those in the West, and availability of stock is unpredictable.

Several examples of traditional Ukrainian food beloved by Ukrainians and the guests of the country are Varenyky (small dough pies stuffed with meat, potatoes, cabbage or fruit), Ukrainian Borshch (beet soup) with Pampushki (soft rolls soaked in fresh crushed garlic and oil), Deruny (potato pancakes), Holubtsi (cabbage roll stuffed with meat), and Mlyntsi (stuffed pancakes).