http://www.ukraine.com/blog/ en 2008-08-05T11:11:50+01:00 hourly 6 2008-08-05T11:11:50+01:00 http://www.ukraine.com/blog/andriy-shevchenko-football-star-from-kiev 2008-08-05T11:11:50+01:00 en Editor Miscellaneous Ukrainian-born Andriy Shevchenko is a talented football player who currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League. Shevchenko is widely considered to be one of the world’s most effective offensive players, earning the position of top scorer of the Italian Serie A leagues in both 2000 and 2004. He was the recipient of the Ballon D’or in 2004 and in the same year was included in the FIFA 100 – a list compiled by renowned Brazilian striker Pelé. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/wto-membership-means-new-rules-for-visitors 2008-07-29T10:52:14+01:00 en Editor Features Following a fifteen year battle to increase economic growth, improve living standards and establish a European Union free-trade area in an effort to be approved as a World Trade Organization member country, Ukraine has reached its goal. World Trade Organization members meeting in Geneva in February approved the accession agreement which required that Ukraine ratify the accord by the latest 4 July, and having done so, the country would become a WTO member thirty days later. Ukraine lost no time in fulfilling their obligations, and became a fully-fledged WTO member on 16 May 2008. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/the-beautiful-tradition-of-a-hutsul-wedding 2008-07-22T10:33:10+01:00 en Editor Features Despite the far-reaching changes in the world at large, mainly brought about by the frantic pace of technological advances, some communities are most reluctant to let go of age-old traditions. This is something that travelers are grateful for, because it is generally age-old traditions that make different communities unique and fascinating. The Hutsuls of Ukraine are just such a community, treasuring the traditions which have been passed down through generations - and few celebrations bring out the value and beauty of tradition than a Hutsul wedding. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/zarvanytsia-home-of-a-religious-relic 2008-07-15T11:27:57+01:00 en Editor Features At first glance the village of Zarvanytsia looks like a quaint settlement surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the Strypa River. Situated in the Podilia Valley, the village seems almost forgotten amongst the natural wonders of the region. However, in truth, it is all but disregarded for the village of Zarvanytsia is the keeper of one of the most precious icons of Ukraine – the Mother of God. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/natalka-poltavka-a-legendary-tale-of-love 2008-07-01T12:06:49+01:00 en Editor Features Ukrainian writer, poet and playwright, Ivan Kotlyarevsky’s renowned play, Natalka Poltavka, has certainly stood the test of time. Written in 1819 and first performed on stage in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, in 1821, Natalka Poltavka (Natalka from Poltava) has been made into a number of films, both in Ukraine and abroad in the early to mid 1900s. The story was also the inspiration and basis for the operetta by Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko, which premiered in 1889 and is still enjoyed today. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/paul-mccartney-concert-in-kiev 2008-06-24T13:16:15+01:00 en Editor News Undeterred by the lightning, thunder and torrential rain, Sir Paul McCartney gave a memorable performance in front of a crowd of about 350,000 fans in Kiev’s Independence Square. After greeting the drenched crowd in Ukrainian, Sir Paul launched into the well-known Beatles hit “Drive My Car”. Thanking the cheering crowd for coming out in the rain and telling them how great it was to be in Ukraine, Sir Paul went on to entertain his fans with 33 hit songs from his days with the Beatles and as a solo performer. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/medical-tourism-in-ukraine 2008-06-17T13:10:03+01:00 en Editor Miscellaneous There is a growing trend on a world-wide scale for people in need of medical care to travel across international borders to obtain the best, and most cost-effective, medical care available. This is generally referred to as “medical tourism” or “health tourism” and is a combination of healthcare and leisure, aimed at rejuvenating the patient mentally, physically and emotionally. Ukraine is the medical tourism destination of choice for many who are in need of dental work, eye surgery, cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery and relief from a host of illnesses. Ukraine offers world class medical facilities, as well as the ideal surroundings to aid a rapid recovery. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/stroll-down-khreschatyk-of-kiev 2008-06-10T12:34:18+01:00 en Editor Features Khreschatyk is the main street of the bustling city of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The street is not only the business and administrative center of Kiev it is also a popular place for tourists and Kievans alike. During weekends, as well as public holidays, the street is completely closed to road traffic, and pedestrians can stroll around at their leisure as they enjoy the many sights, including top class department stores, restaurants and cafés. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/fun-in-the-sun-at-arcadia-beach 2008-06-03T11:01:06+01:00 en Editor Features Situated on the shores of the Black Sea, the seaport city of Odessa, Ukraine, is a popular tourist destination. There are many places of interest to visit, including the Tolstoy Palace, Vorontsov Palace, Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, as well as a number of museums dedicated to local folklore, fine arts and literature. The most notable of the many beaches that are popular with Ukrainians and tourists alike, is Arcadia Beach. http://www.ukraine.com/blog/journey-through-the-history-of-andrews-descent 2008-05-27T12:45:21+01:00 en Editor Features The street in Kiev, Ukraine, that is known as Andrew’s Descent is an eight hundred and fifty meter long street that is located on a steep incline and winds its short way between the hills of the city. It is a street that oozes history and nostalgia through the cracks of its cobble-stoned surface, and each building on either side is eccentric, fascinating and hides the secrets of its own unique story. One building on Andrew’s Descent holds the key to all the treasures on the street, past and present – the Museum of One Street.