Describe yourself and anything about Ukraine that you know?!

[stevenal_73]

Hello Everyone! I hope that this message in not too personal and is rejected. Ihope that this goes well with everyone. OFcoarse , if it does not, then you need not post a message. I am curious to know where each person in here is from, age, birthday,and what everyone does. In other words, your story! Also, I am not very familar on the country of Ukariane and I thought about getting some books about it. If fact, I am at the university library now. It seems as if I live here, sometimes. I would prefer to hear the information from you and any information about the area you live in...eg.Poland-Beata and Bill-Hungary. or use to since Bill lives in the US now. I want to document the information on Ukraine so that I can add it to my own library. What is the capital of Ukraine?...When did it become an independent country?....How is the geography of Ukraine?...How is the language related to Russian?....What is your favorite part of Ukraine? Why?Etc...Anything else you want to add? This can be said about the country that you come from or area you live.....What is the history of Ukraine? Where did the people come from? What is it`s connection into Europe`s history? What is everyone`s hobbies? Etc....I hope everyone takes this seriously because I am sincerely interested in everyone....(?) I hope to hear from everyone in the future.

[andrewblow]

Hello again Steve,
As an Englishman, I must admit that I had very little knowledge of Ukraine, until invited to take a christian youth summer camp in '95. My first move was to buy copies of the 'Lonely Planet' and 'Rough Guide' range of travel books, which gave invaluable help and advice. Then I simply learnt from experience by visiting, listening, watching, being open to the fact that I was the guest....it was not my country, but the welcome I received and the joy I experienced each year means that I am going back again in August 2000 for another camp!!.

I fly into the Capitol KIEV, and the difference from the West is immediately noticable. I do not want to be derogatory on board, so I will leave things to your imagination, but simply to be stopped at road-blocks, etc., is.....ermm...novel!"

But the people >..... those I have met are the most wonderful, friendly people and I have to drag myself away each time when I leave. I can honestly say that I would put my life into their hands any day with no worries. Obviously I cannot speak for all Ukrainians, but those that I am privileged to call 'my friends' are genuine to the core.

I travel by road (10 hours) or train (16 hours) to Chernivtsi in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. The scenery is beautiful, but not dramatic. I have to learn 'Ukrainian time', which is basically...when everyone is ready!! I find that only the trains and church services ever start on time !!.

I hope others can add to my remarks.
ANDREW.

[steve_vlasenko]

Hi,
I'm an English Ukrainian and have work with and in Ukraine since 1994. My Partner is also an English Ukrainian. Our focus is England, that is why we never refer to ourselves as Diaspora.
However, particularly reference to your last chap, I find it extremely depressing when I see the plethora of evangelical western Christian organizations trying to convert the heathen Ukrainians. If it was about God I could live with it, but it ain't it's about power. They, too an organization, seem to have missed the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox religions that survived and prospered under the most evil oppression.
My request to these people is to leave Ukraine alone, stick to your own home lan; or you feel it necessary to go over, instead of taking money from poor people give it to the children of Chernobyl.
That is probably enough ranting...
My Family are from Kyiv, When I'm there I live in Kyiv, so I guess my favorite part of Ukraine is Kyiv.
Finally I also recommend people too learn as much as they can about this most beautiful of countries.

[B_Ungaro]

Greetings StevseVlasenko,
I think that ole Andrew has a Humanitarian
side to his Missionary Work. Any work in that area is worthy of recognition. On the Religious side of his activity I have a small
concern. I read in one of your papers that
the Church in England will be dead within
Fourty Years. (I guess they have a way to
forcast such things) If that is the case,
ole Andrew should stay home or better yet,
bring in some missionaries from UKRAINE.
I just had to write this.
Good Luck

[StasUA]

Originally posted by stevenal_73:
Hello Everyone! I hope that this message in not too personal and is rejected. Ihope that this goes well with everyone. OFcoarse , if it does not, then you need not post a message. I am curious to know where each person in here is from, age, birthday,and what everyone does. In other words, your story! Also, I am not very familar on the country of Ukariane and I thought about getting some books about it. If fact, I am at the university library now. It seems as if I live here, sometimes. I would prefer to hear the information from you and any information about the area you live in...eg.Poland-Beata and Bill-Hungary. or use to since Bill lives in the US now. I want to document the information on Ukraine so that I can add it to my own library. What is the capital of Ukraine?...When did it become an independent country?....How is the geography of Ukraine?...How is the language related to Russian?....What is your favorite part of Ukraine? Why?Etc...Anything else you want to add? This can be said about the country that you come from or area you live.....What is the history of Ukraine? Where did the people come from? What is it`s connection into Europe`s history? What is everyone`s hobbies? Etc....I hope everyone takes this seriously because I am sincerely interested in everyone....(?) I hope to hear from everyone in the future.

Hi Stevenal_73,

Well, I am 14 years old, I live in New-York, I was born in capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. I love all of Ukraine, I cannot love one part more then the other.

Ukraine became an independent state in a year of 1991, when 98% of population voted for seperation from Russia.

Now about History of Ukraine, it is impossible to write even history of Ukraine in general here. Anyway, heres something from it:

Capital of Ukraine, which is also first Ukrainian city is Kyiv, it was settled in 5th century on the river Dnipro. Kyiv is the first city in that region. Later, I think in 9th century, Kyiv became a successful country, which was called "Kyivan Rus". That was a beginning of a country of Ukraine, although it wasn't called Ukraine. From what I heard and know, Kyiv was largest European city at 10th or 11th century. Then one King had many children, and decided to give each one of them a city. After he died, his children started wars against each other, and what was once Great Empire, was left in misery, there was no unity, and so when Tatar-Mongols came they destroyed city by city, while those were still fighting against each other. Kyivan-Rus fell, some emigrated north and settled city of Moscow, which later led to creation of Russia. Tatar-Mongols didn't take Moscow, because it was too far north, so while Kyiv was opressed by enemies from the East, Moscow grew in the north. Then Mongols were beated, and they left Ukrainian lands, but people from Moscowy no longer considered them Ukrainians, they were a new nation, that didn't want Ukraine to be independent. They occupied Ukraine and then long centuries of "non-existence" took place. In 1918 Ukraine became independent again, by in one year communists attacked Ukraine, and Ukraine fell under Russian control once again.

[stevenal_73]

StasUA....my very kind friend, I must say you are seem very kind and sincere and also you are very educated and mature for 14 years of age , my friend. Thanks for all of the info. I appreciate it very much.

[StasUA]

Thank you, and you're welcome But I do not think that I am sincere

[This message has been edited by StasUA (edited 25 June 2000).]