In a big political shakeup, the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been granted independence from Russia.  Such developments will undoubtedly encourage a renewed sense of nationalism in Ukraine and a greater sense of self-identity. Perhaps, given the new political climate, old medieval religious centers such as Chernihiv, located two hours […]

Uzhgorod, which is now part of Ukraine, used to be known as Ungvar and was a Hungarian settlement. Underneath the museum, visitors may visit a subterranean dungeon which once formed part of the city’s fortifications. An old medallion honoring Franz Joseph and the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. To this day, Uzhgorod […]

Around Uzhgorod in the Carpathian Mountains, one may encounter the Rusyn people.  One of the Rusyn clans, the Hutsuls, have their own traditional clothing.  In Kyiv’s National Historical Museum, one display showcased a folkloric Hutsul vest. In Uzhgorod, I went to the ethnographic museum for a peek into rural life. […]

Uzhgorod, a small town lying twelve hours from Kyiv by train, has an offbeat history.  At one point, the city formed part of the old Austro-Hungarian empire as evidenced by the statue to Maria Theresa. After World War I, Uzhgorod was incorporated into Czechoslovakia and near the town center there’s […]

From a cultural perspective, Lviv is considered to be one of the strongest centers of Ukrainian nationalism.  To the outside observer, such local expressions of nationalism seem to range from the benign and folksy to the somewhat jarring. Embroidered dresses can be found for sale in the tourist center of […]

The western Ukrainian city of Lviv, which was formerly known as Lemberg when it formed part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, feels more akin visually to central Europe. Lviv prides itself on its cosmopolitan coffee shops and chocolate.  Art deco or art nouveau buildings peek out here and there.

How will people ever become aware of the political legacy of Nestor Makhno, an anarchist leader during the Ukrainian Civil War?  Not by visiting Kyiv’s Museum of the Ukrainian Revolution, that’s for sure.  As an attendant explained to me, the museum’s intention was to simply showcase the Ukrainian Republic as […]

One thing’s for sure, Ukrainian magnate Viktor Pinchuk never fails to disappoint.  Hosted once again in the grand Kyiv Arsenal Museum, this year’s Yalta European Strategy (or YES) meeting featured the usual defense hawks and conservative commentators (for a rundown of last year’s YES conference, featuring my extensive commentary on […]