Origins and History of Ukraine
The lands that make up Ukraine’s modern territory are home to thousands of mysteries and the stories of hundreds of peoples, states and cultures. Over the centuries, heroic and dramatic plots have taken place here – the formation and destruction of civilizations, the intermingling and confrontations of nations, wars, revolutions, cultural decline and revival.
Historians have long been drawn to choosing metaphors to describe this region. It has been called ‘the gates of Europe’ as many people, cultures, tastes and religions have entered Europe through Ukrainian lands. It has also been regarded as ‘the cradle of many peoples and cultures’ because Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, Tatars, Belarusians, Roma, Russians, Bulgarians, Greeks, Armenians, Germans and Romanians lived and worked alongside one another for centuries. Continue reading here.
Want to know more about the history of Ukraine? Here is a short introductory course in the history, culture, and society of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present:
“Ukraine: History, Culture, and Identities”
The Ukrainian Institute, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and EdEra present the first online course on Ukraine’s history and culture in English.
“This free course will lead the participants through a thousand years of Ukrainian history, from the Middle Ages Kyivan Rus’ to the declaration of independence at the beginning of 1990s. It aims to provide basic knowledge of Ukrainian history and culture as well as reveal Ukraine’s role in European and world history and dispel stereotypes. It consists of video lectures and supporting materials providing a timeline, glossary, and a list of suggested readings on particular topics.”
Ukrainian Language Learning
Duolingo
Free online program to learn Ukrainian in short lessons and practice your reading, writing, and speaking with ease.
Free Ukrainian Language Podcasts
Free Online Course: Study Ukrainian
Ukrainian Cuisine
Photo: klopotenko.com
Ukrainian cuisine is known for its delicious tastes, traditional cooking technologies and generous ways to serve guests. It is an important part of the country’s culture and lifestyle. Yonderbound’s global ranking put Ukraine among the 20 best countries in the world for food.
Nowadays, Ukraine keeps its economic leadership as a guarantor of food security in the world. Ukraine exports a significant share of agriculture products, including crops, corn, sunflower oil, cereals, soya, meat, among others. Learn more about Ukraine’s cultural relations with other nations, as reflected in its cuisine, from a book about culinary diplomacy published by the Ukrainian Institute and Їzhakultura. Continue reading here.