Yalta’s Exquisite Massandra Winery
Located outside the town of Massandra near Yalta in Crimea, Ukraine’s oldest winery has been producing superb wines for over 100 years. The subtropical climates of the region together with the protective shield formed by the surrounding mountains create perfect conditions for grape cultivation. Add to this the expertise of Massandra Winery’s wine-makers and the ingeniously crafted cellars in which the wines mature, and it becomes clear why the fortified and dessert wines produced at this historic winery have earned international acclaim.
Features - Editor - 22 July 2008
The Beautiful Tradition of a Hutsul Wedding
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.
Features - Editor - 01 July 2008
Natalka Poltavka – A Legendary Tale of Love
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.
