Category: Ukraine

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Pray for Presidential Elections

Ukraine HandThis is election weekend in Ukraine for a new president. Our eyes and hearts are looking there this weekend. If you have a few minutes, we’d appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the people and nation of Ukraine today and tomorrow!

Paul Unguryan spoke about the current situation in an email announcement, “Today, Ukraine is going through trials and is in a crisis caused by many negative factors and external destructive forces. All these factors lay a heavy burden on the shoulders of each and every Ukrainian family. Because of this, many people are in confusion and fear. In these hard times we need help and protection from the Lord to overcome the current challenges. Now only nationwide prayer to God can save our country and bring peace in the hearts and pick up the alarm.”

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Pray for Ukraine!

Screenshot 2014-02-19 15.40.48This was the hospital that our youngest son was born in! Wow! Pray for Ukraine!

What could push so many people to protest? What would it take for you to protest your prime minister or president? Exactly. Their president has not led the nation in fairness or sacrifice but out of selfish gain! Pray for Ukraine!

If you want to see events live on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_LFrMcoEm4#t

Twitter English Updates:
https://twitter.com/euromaidanpr

Online English News:
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-feb-19-live-updates-337098.html

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Places to See: Kyiv

Kyiv (Russian: Киев) is Ukraine’s capital and one of the world’s most beautiful and ancient cities. It is Europe’s eighth most populous city after Moscow, London, Paris, Instanbul, St Petersburg, Berlin and Madrid. The city was founded in the 6th century and in the middle ages was the capital of a powerful East European state, Kyivan Rus, and was also the political centre of all the slavic lands. The city is famous for its magnificent golden domed Orthodox cathedrals, two of which, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and St Sophia from the 11th century are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

 

Museums

State National Chernobyl Museum – Haven’t been yet.

Peregova Historical Museum – Massive outdoor experience.

State National Aviation Museum – About 50 planes, all outdoors, can enter a few of them if you pay.

Microminiature Museum – Mykola has about 20 micro miniature pieces of art in a little room, some are quite amazing! (inside the Lavra)

National History Museum – Haven’t been yet.

National Art Museum of Kyiv – Haven’t been yet.

 

 

Churches

St Sophias –

St Michaels –

St Andrews –

Pechersk Lavra –

 

Entertainment

Dream Town Aquapark – Excellent Water Park with a huge kids area.

Nemo Dolphin Show – Haven’t been yet.

Circus – Haven’t been yet, mostly a winter event.

Opera / Ballet – Great experience, great value.

Kyiv Zoo – Great for kids with lots of parks and a petting zoo. Not so many animals.

Quest Room – 1 Hour to get free of the room through logic puzzles and riddles. Great for groups of 4-5. Kids can do it to, strength not required.

 

** There are lots of other activities available like bowling, parks with rides and beaches, etc.

 

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Places to See: Lviv

Lviv (Russian: Львов), The city of Sleepless Lions was founded by King Danylo in the 1256 and is known as the cultural centre of Ukraine. Being located in the centre of Europe it has always been a tempting prize so it is no surprise that it has been under control at different times to Poland, Habsburg emperors and the Russians. After WWII Lviv ended up in the Soviet Union and is now the informal capital of Western Ukraine. Since the 14th century Lviv’s heraldry has exploited the image of the lion (in Ukrainian the words “Lviv” and “lion” sound similar) and there are about 4500 sculptures, reliefs and paintings of lions in the city.

 

Landmarks

Lychakivsky Cemetary (Lychakivsky Ysvyntar) – Enormous cemetary and surrounded by beautiful gardens.

High Castle (Vysokyi Zamok) –

Market Square (Ploshcha Rynok) – Enjoy the European flavour. Climb the tower for a city view.

Shevchenko Monument – Unmistakable black wave sculpture by Opera.

 

Museums

 

 

 

Churches

Latin Cathedral (Roman Catholic) – Church by Market Square, Jesus is sitting down.

Armenian Cathedral – Never been inside.

Dominican Church (now Greek Catholic) – Beautiful inside. Only God be the Glory.

Dormition Cathedral (Orthodox) –

 

Entertainment

Gloria Jeans Coffee – Great atmosphere. Find the big circle mirror.

Kriivka Restaurant – Password: Glory to Ukraine. Authentic Ukrainian experience!

 

 

** Of course, there are lots of other things to do as well – coffee and chocolate are the things to find here.

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Culture Guide to N. America

When it comes to living in far off places there are so many things that we have to learn. So when I read an article about what people need to learn if they are coming to Canada or America I thought it kind of interesting.

HSBC has a culture guide by country which is what inspired the McLeans article.

Highlights:

– (CAN) don’t compare Canada with America
– (USA) [Don’t] stand too close to someone you’re speaking with, lest you impose on their sense of personal space
– (USA) When Americans say “Yes” or “No” they mean it. “Maybe” means “It might happen”; it does not mean “No”.
– (CAN) Most Canadians prefer business to be concise, and meetings begin with a minimal amount of small talk.
– (USA) You may be told to make yourself at home, and you’re expected to do so, and to ask for anything you require.
– (CAN) Communication is moderately indirect. Although most Canadians can disagree, they prefer to do so with tact and diplomacy.
– (USA) Americans often used sporting analogies that are not easily understood such as (Ballpark figure, Play hardball or Drop the ball).

Sadly, HSBC has no country guide for Ukraine.

 

 

 

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Welcome Basket- Soup Anyone?

Our friends are out of town for a little while so we are planning to leave a small welcome home basket in their apartment for when they return. We were thinking some fruit, chocolate, maybe a few canned drinks.

Today as we told our Ukrainian friend about our plans to put a little welcome basket in their place she asked us, ‘Will it be Borscht?’ (the local Ukrainian soup). We laughed at how two countries customs can be so different. Yum! Borscht would be a great welcome home gift!

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Happy 1530th Birthday

What!? 1530? Are you serious? Well, whatever Wikipedia may claim, Kyiv celebrated their 1530th birthday this weekend, marking its birth at 482 AD. That was just a little before the babushka that sits on the park bench was born (not seriously).

It gives a whole new perspective on old. At least it does for me. Of course, when you walk throughout the city, there are only a few places that are older than 100 years, like the Pechersk Lavra with mummified priests and monks and the golden gate which was the grand entrance into the city.

Of course, throughout the city are statues to heroes of Kyiv’s history, including Bogdan Khmelnytskyy (Cossack leader), Lesia Ukrainka, St Volodymyr, Yaroslav Mudry (Yaroslav the Wise), Princess Olga with Cyril & Methodius (creators of the cyrillic script), Taras Shevchenko and more!

And Kyiv isn’t even near the oldest city in Europe! But when you come visit, expect to learn a little bit of history because its part of the very fabric of Ukrainian society, celebrated with holidays, festivals and monuments.

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EuroCup 2012 Poland-Ukraine

One of the largest football (soccer) events in the world is happening here in Ukraine. What does it mean for this nation? Will it be a great success? Is it even really such a big deal? YES! Every 4 years the best 16 national teams from across Europe play for the cup. At it will be held here in Ukraine and jointly in Poland.

The capital and infrastructure outlays for this event are unparalleled here. This event, at this time, has propelled Ukraine forward by 20 or 30 years. Rarely do games of any kind (like the Olypmics, etc) ever make money for the host countries or cities and it will almost certainly generate a deficit in dollars. But the gain in roadwork (beautifying, signage, surfacing), in air travel (new terminals), train travel (the first hi-speed train between the major cities will launch for this event), and in every aspect of tourism is incalculable.

Europe, possibly even the whole world, is watching. This is a defining moment for Ukraine and eastern Europe in general. Will it be a success? In some aspects we have already seen sad failures. The hotel industry hiked prices early on hoping for a windfall, but instead they pushed international fans away into the waiting arms of Poland. Never mind the political mess that surrounds Yanukovich and Tymoshenko. That situation has almost single-handedly contributed to the breakdown of talks between the European Union and Ukraine (the EU did not sign a major agreement this year based on Yanukovich’s imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko). That has led in turn to many European leaders boycotting the games here in Ukraine (including the final which will be held in Kyiv).

Can Ukraine turn it around? Hope is not lost yet. Fans will still come. Will they have a great experience – hopefully so! If ordinary citizens choose to treat visitors with respect and courtesy. If business owners charge fair prices for their services. If the police do not look to make money personally while doing their job – keeping the roads safe.

There is hope that EuroCup 2012 will be a success and that fans, both local and international, will have a great time!

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Basic Info

* Most of this info was taken from the Ukraine article on Wikipedia.

Ukraine’s Capital and largest city is Kyiv (Kiev/Київ). Other major cities include Lviv (Lvov) in the west and Donetsk and Kharkiv in the east.

The only official language is Ukrainian but Russian is spoken east of Kyiv.

Almost 80% of Ukraine’s population is ethnically Ukrainian, and another 17% is ethnically Russian.

Government
The President is Viktor Yanukovych. The Prime Minister is Mykola Azarov and the Speaker of Parliament is Volodymyr Lytvyn. The Legislature is called Verkhovna Rada.

Historical Formation
– 882 Kievan Rus’
– 1199 Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
– 1649 Cossack Hetmanate
– Nov 7, 1917 Ukrainian National Republic
– Nov 1, 1918 West Ukrainian National Republic
– Dec 30, 1922 Ukrainian SSR
– Jun 30, 1941 Second Declaration of Independence
– Aug 24, 1991 Independence from the Soviet Union

The total area of Ukraine is 603,628 km2.
The 2010 population estimate is 45,888,000.
GDP Per capita is approx. $7,233.
Ukraine’s Currency is called the Hryvnia (UAH) and is approx 1 USD = 8 UAH.
Time zone Eastern European Time (UTC+2) but switches to DST in summer (UTC+3).
The International calling code is +380.