| Ask anyone what Ukraine's culture is. Someone | | | | territory of Ukraine. In 1990 two historical objects |
| will mention Ukrainian folk songs and dances. | | | | Kiev-Pecherska Lavra Monastery and St. Sophia |
| Another will remember Ukrainian language or | | | | Cathedral dating from XI century were enlisted on |
| national cuisine. Their answers will never be the | | | | the UNESCO's World Heritage List. |
| same. Why? There is nothing more intangible in | | | | More than 600 museums introduce remarkable |
| this world than culture. It is impossible either to | | | | facts and outstanding personalities of Ukrainian |
| describe it as a whole or to define its | | | | history and culture. |
| components. The culture of any society includes | | | | More than 150 thousand monuments of culture, |
| too many aspects making any attempt to define | | | | archaeology, history, reflect memorable or heroic |
| it extremely complicated. | | | | events in the life of the Ukrainian state. |
| All of us have our memories. They save | | | | Ukraine culture absorbed the diverse and rich |
| information about our past experience, people we | | | | heritage of more than 110 ethnic nationalities |
| ever met, positive and negative emotions we | | | | which live in the country. 77.8% of its population is |
| went through, etc. Our memory warns us (never | | | | Ukrainians, 17.3%-Russians, 0.6%-Byelorussians. |
| do it again!), educates, helps us to adjust our | | | | The majority of Ukraine's people are bilingual. |
| social behavior to feel safe and comfortable in | | | | They don't need any interpreters to understand |
| everyday life. The same does culture for the | | | | each other. |
| society being its historical memory. | | | | Very many regions of Ukraine have preserved |
| Ukraine's culture is at least 1,500 years old. Over | | | | their ethnic originality. You have a great |
| the years it accumulated experience of many | | | | opportunity to get acquainted with national |
| generations of people who have lived in the area | | | | traditions, folk songs, dances, and to taste |
| of present Ukraine. They formed a base of | | | | famous Ukrainian meals: borsch, vareniky, |
| modern Ukrainian culture: moral and spiritual | | | | holubtsy, etc. |
| values, language and beliefs, literature and music, | | | | For such a long period of its existence Ukraine |
| traditional holidays and superstitions. | | | | culture has accumulated a lot of treasures to |
| Ukrainian culture has common historical roots with | | | | demonstrate to researchers or tourists who visit |
| Russian and Byelorussian cultures. All three | | | | Ukraine. The numerous monuments, ancient |
| nationalities originated from the same home - | | | | defensive fortresses, museums, and excavations |
| Kievan Rus. During its 1,500 - year turbulent | | | | of ancient towns will keep you busy for a long |
| history Ukraine culture experienced considerable | | | | time while visiting Ukraine. But there are other not |
| influences of other cultures. It came a long way | | | | less curious and exciting parts of Ukrainian culture. |
| from Paganism to Christianity, suffered from | | | | Over the centuries, generation after generation |
| invaders, survived collapse of the Soviet Union, | | | | has developed their own rules of social behavior, |
| which completely transformed the lives of all | | | | traditions, customs, taboos, and superstitions. |
| those who once lived there. In spite of a dramatic | | | | They are reflected in national folklore, songs, |
| history, Ukraine has preserved its cultural heritage | | | | dances, unwritten code of etiquette. Through |
| from the early times of its existence. | | | | them you will be able to understand the real soul |
| About 80 % of the monuments of Kyevan Rus | | | | of Ukrainian people. Just be attentive and gaze. It |
| epoch (IX - XII centuries) are located in the | | | | will be opened to you. |