Festivals, Cuisine, Wooden Churches, Sacre Heritage, Traditions and Customs
The area between the Tysa and the Cheremosh, the Pryt and the Dnister, the Zbruch and the Sian Rivers has always been considered by Ukrainians as the land of promise. This is the place where unique and typical Ukrainian culture, tastes and character that differ from others in terms of variety, were born. The truth is that it is still possible to admire indigenous culture, cuisine and traditions, just choose the right destination for your vacations.
Whim is a quite typical Ukrainian trait of character, designated to get everything you want right now and on the spot. The recipe to satisfy this thirst is concealed in attending Carpathian festivals and other mind-boggling destinations. The adventure-seeking tourists should not miss a nice opportunity to stop by Meadow Sheep Festival, the event when the mountain people see off shepherds and the sheep herds to the highland meadow, where they are supposed to spend whole summer until the first snow covers the mountains. This is an extraordinary event - the local musicians play trembitas, the best village cooks prepare traditional yummies, old and young perform Hutsul dances and sing songs, impressing guests and tourists with ethnic cultural diversity. [Within a couple of weeks another interesting events are looming – the Sheep Cheese Festival, the Cheremosh Folk Fest, the Unizh Art Festival. These rustic events enable the spectators to become 100 percent participants of great festivities and art performances the ones that have thousand-year history.
Ukrainian spiritual heritage is a mixture of pagan and Christian traditions. The Dovbush Rocks, a.k.a. Ukrainian Stonehenge, and the Pysanyi Kamin are both respected and worshipped as much as Maniava and Hoshiv Monasteries. By the way, you may notice a great deal of Hutsul churches and chapels while travelling around Hutsul Land.
The Ukrainian military pride is encrypted in remote and hidden bunkers locally known as “skhrons”, of guerilla army (URA). Ask an average local in villages of Zelene or Lupa, and you will hear a lot of staggering stories about liberation movent of Ukrainian Resistance in the middle of 20th century. Finally, you will have a chance to eyewitness the history of the region in the lovely village of Konochava, Transcarpathia Region, the destination of ten ethnic museums and even more. The village breaks all records in terms of artifacts, being exhibited there. You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a lecture and master-class at Sheep Cheese Making School, located on one of highland meadows. The cheese making craft is believed to be on the verge of extinction in many regions of contemporary Europe, however is it carefully preserved and cherished here.
So, welcome to the Carpathian little wonderland!! When was the last time you had this much fun?
