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CultureGrams
Kids Edition
2014
Ukraine
Ukrayina
A farmer in the town of Mezhyrich dug up the jawbone of a mammoth in 1965. More digging revealed several huts
made of over a hundred mammoth bones that dated back about 15,000 years, some of the earliest prehistoric
human shelters ever discovered.
Ukrainians wear their wedding ring on the ring finger of their right hand instead of their left.
Kiev's Arsenalna station is the deepest metro station in the world, at 346 feet (105 m) underground.
In 1710, Ukrainian statesman Pylyp Orlyk introduced what many historians believe to be one of the earliest known
constitutions in the world.
It is considered disrespectful to speak to a superior with one’s hands in one’s pockets or with arms folded across
the chest.
Ukraine is one of the few areas in Europe where people eat corn on the cob.
Ukraine is known worldwide for the delicate art of Easter egg painting, called pysanka.
Leaving food on the plate after a meal is considered wasteful. Asking for second helpings is a way of honoring the
host.
Ukrainians always eat dessert with a spoon, not a fork.
One of the most famous Christmas songs, "Carol of the Bells," is based on the Ukrainian folk song "Shchedryk."
Flag
The flag of Ukraine, most recently adopted on 4 September 1991, features two
horizontal stripes, blue and yellow. The upper stripe of blue symbolizes the open sky,
and the yellow stripe on the bottom stands for the wheat fields of Ukraine.
National Image
The Trident (a three-pronged spear) is the country’s official coat of arms. Along with the
Ukrainian flag, the Trident was officially banned during the Soviet period, but it has
survived as a symbol of Ukrainian independence.
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 233,032
Area (sq. km.): 603,550
Ukraine used to be a part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), but it
gained independence in 1991. Located in southeastern Europe, it is slightly smaller
than France or the state of Texas. Southern Ukraine is dominated by steppes (flat,
treeless grasslands) with rich soil. Ukraine’s flat terrain and black soil make it a
productive area for growing crops. In the far south, the Crimean Peninsula borders the
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Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Forests are found in the Carpathian Mountains in the
southwest and in the northern parts of the country. Europe’s largest wetlands (Pripyat
Marshes) are located in the north, near the Dnieper and Pripyat rivers. Ukraine has cold winters and warm summers. The average daily temperature in
Ukraine in January is around 22°F (-6°C). In July the daily temperature averages about
69°F (20°C). The weather in Crimea is milder.
Population
Population: 44,573,205
About 78 percent of the people consider themselves ethnic Ukrainian. The next largest
group is Russian (17 percent). They live mainly in the east and in Crimea, where they
make up two-thirds of the population. Smaller groups include Jews, Tatars, Poles,
Germans, Hungarians, Romanians, and Greeks. More than two-thirds of Ukrainians live
in cities. Kiev, the capital, is the largest and oldest city.
Language
The official language is Ukrainian, a Slavic language written in the Cyrillic alphabet. The
Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters, compared to 26 letters in English. Some of the letters
look and sound the same as English. Others are very different. There have been times
when Ukraine has been controlled by foreigners, and the Ukrainian language was
banned. People were forced to use the language of the conquerors. During the Soviet
period, Ukrainian was discouraged, and Russian became an official language. Russian
is no longer as common, but it's still widely spoken. Russian is the main language of
ethnic Russians and some other ethnic groups. More than half of the population is
bilingual (they speak two languages). Minorities often also speak their own languages,
whether Polish, Hungarian, or Romanian. New language laws guarantee ethnic
minorities the right to use their native language for public business.
Can You Say It in Ukrainian?
Hello
Vitayu
(vee-TIE-you)
Good-bye
Do pobachennya
(doh po-BOTCH-en-ya)
Please
Proshu
(PRO-shoo)
Thank you
Dyakuyu
(dee-YAH-kwee-you)
Yes
Tak
(tahk)
No
Ni
(nee)
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Religion
Most Ukrainians are Christians. They belong to Orthodox, Greek Catholic, or Roman Catholic churches. Although
communism encouraged people to give up their religious beliefs, many Ukrainians maintained their religious heritage.
Once religious freedom was allowed again in the late 1980s, Christianity began to make a comeback. Ukraine has a
growing number of Protestant and other Christian churches. Jews now represent less than 1 percent of the population,
but there was a much larger population prior to World War II.
Time Line
AD 600
600s
Slavs settle in what is now Ukraine
822
Prince Oleg conquers Kiev, which becomes known as Kievan Rus
988
Vladimir the Great converts to Christianity and establishes ties with the
Byzantine (Eastern Orthodox) Church
1200
1220
Mongols invade the region
1240
Mongols again invade the region and occupy Kiev
1400s
Cossacks establish their first communities in southern and eastern
Ukraine
1700
1775
Russia defeats the Cossacks; Ukraine becomes a Russian province
(similar to a state)
1876
Teaching and publishing in Ukrainian is banned (outlawed)
1900
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1917
The monarchy falls
1918
Ukraine declares independence from Russia
1922
Ukraine is forced to become part of the Soviet Union
1927
Joseph Stalin becomes the leader of the Soviet Union
1929
Collectivization (when small privately-owned farms are replaced with
large government-owned farms) begins
1933
A famine, the result of Stalinist policies, causes the loss of seven
million lives
1937
Stalin begins an era of purges (eliminating intellectuals and political
opponents through execution or deportation)
1941–44
Germany invades Ukraine; more than five million Ukrainians die in the
fighting, and most of the Jewish population is destroyed
1985
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the leader of the Soviet Union
1986
A deadly nuclear accident occurs at Chernobyl
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1991
Ukraine declares independence from the USSR; Leonid Kravchuk is
elected as the first president
1993
Ukraine ratifies (approves) the first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
(START)
1996
A new democratic constitution is adopted
2000
2000
Chernobyl is shut down permanently
2004
The Orange Revolution takes place; hundreds of thousands of
protesters take to the streets, many of them wearing orange or carrying
orange flags, to protest election results
2005
Viktor Yushchenko becomes president
2008
Ukraine’s steel industry is hit hard by the global financial crisis, which
weakens the country's entire economy
2010
Viktor Yanukovych becomes president, promising to work on joining
the European Union (EU) as well as improve Ukraine’s relationship
with Russia
2013
Tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of Kiev and other
cities to protest the government's sudden decision to abandon the EU
association agreement; protesters accuse the government of giving in
to pressure from Russia
PRESENT
Kievan Rus
People have lived in the area of present-day Ukraine for thousands of years, but the Slavic ancestors of today’s
Ukrainians did not begin to settle the region until the seventh century AD. Some of these Slavic tribes eventually joined
together to form the state of Kievan Rus, which both Ukrainians and Russians claim as the origin of their cultures. An
early leader, Vladimir the Great, converted most of the population to Christianity in 988 and established close ties with
the Byzantine (Eastern Orthodox) Church. Located along important trade routes, Kievan Rus became one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe.
There were great advances in education, law, art, and architecture. However, by the 12th and 13th centuries, rivalries
and conflict within Kievan Rus had weakened it to the point that Mongol invasions in 1220 and 1240 brought about its
destruction.
Kozaks
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The Mongols controlled the eastern part of Ukraine while Poland and Lithuania ruled
the west. Eventually, the Mongols were forced out, and by the mid-1500s, Poland
controlled the majority of Ukrainian lands. The Poles tried to introduce Roman
Catholicism to the region, but it clashed with the people’s Eastern Orthodox beliefs, so
they rebelled. One group of rebels called Kozaks (or Cossacks) was noted for its
people's bravery and love of freedom. Their military strength made it possible for a
Kozak state to be created in the east in 1654 (the west remained with Poland), and it
lasted for about a century. In 1775, during the reign of Russia’s Catherine the Great,
Russia defeated the Kozaks. Ukraine later became a Russian province (similar to a
state).
Stalin Years
Ukraine declared independence in 1918 but was taken over again by Germany in World
War I and then forced to become part of the Soviet Union (a country made up of 15
Soviet republics) in 1922. Under Soviet rule, Ukrainian life and culture came under the
repressive control of the government in Moscow. One of the worst periods occurred during the rule of communist leader Joseph Stalin,
who took private farms away from their owners and combined them into larger farms
that were owned by the government. Farmers and their families who disagreed with
these policies were deported (forced out of the country), imprisoned, or executed. The
government also demanded that a large percentage of the crops grown be given up for
storage in case of emergency. Unfortunately, after giving a large portion of their crops
to the government, there wasn’t enough food left over for people to live on. Stalin’s
policies caused the holodomor (famine) that took seven million lives between 1932 and
1933.
World War II
In 1941, the Nazis invaded Ukraine. Some Ukrainians thought that the Germans would
help them break free from communist rule, but they quickly realized that the Germans
had other intentions. Ukraine suffered terribly at the hands of the Nazis. An estimated
one million Ukrainian Jews lost their lives. Millions of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians
died during World War II. Kiev and other Ukrainian cities suffered heavy damage as a
result of the conflict. Although German occupation ended in 1942, the Soviet Union
regained its control over Ukraine and the hope of independence was delayed again.
Chernobyl
In 1986, one of the worst nuclear power accidents in history took place at a nuclear
reactor at Chernobyl (north of Kiev). An explosion at the power plant released radiation
that killed many of the firemen and other workers who responded to the accident. A
radioactive cloud also spread across Europe, severely contaminating land and water in
Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. More than 300,000 people had to be evacuated from the
surrounding area and moved to other locations. The problems caused by the accident
were made worse because the government at first tried to cover up what had happened
and didn’t warn people about the health risks of radiation. In June 2000, the government announced that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant
would be closed down permanently. It’s difficult to know exactly how many people have
died or gotten sick because of the accident at Chernobyl, but cancer and other
problems stemming from the incident continue to affect a large portion of the
population.
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Ukraine Today
By the late 1980s, the Soviet Union had begun to weaken, and in 1991, it collapsed.
The Soviet Union broke apart into 15 different countries. One of those was Ukraine,
which declared independence in August of 1991. However, the transition following
independence has not been easy. On the positive side, Ukraine reduced the size of its arsenal of nuclear weapons in
1993 and adopted a constitution in 1996 that gave more power to the people. There
have also been some political and economic reforms, including the Orange Revolution
in 2004, in which presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko and his supporters began a
massive campaign of street protests and demonstrations that led to Yushchenko’s
victory in a second round of elections called by the Supreme Court. Yushchenko’s
government worked toward joining the European Union. However, significant
challenges remain, including economic problems, corruption, political scandal, and
crime. The country also struggles to maintain a good relationship with Russia.
Games and Sports
As in many other countries of the world, soccer is the most popular sport in Ukraine.
Not only do they play soccer, but many Ukrainians attend professional soccer matches
to cheer on their favorite teams. Other popular sports include swimming, volleyball,
hockey, and basketball. In larger cities, gyms are available where people can go to box,
swim, or do aerobics. Hiking, skiing, and fishing are popular outdoor activities. On
weekends, young people enjoy leaving the city and camping on a riverbank or in the
woods.
It is generally uncommon for women to be interested in playing or even watching sports
like soccer or hockey or most other team sports. Such sports are generally considered
“male” activities. Women are much more likely to watch figure skating and gymnastics
competitions. In general, sports don't play a very important role in Ukraine. Although
P.E. classes are taught in Ukrainian schools, few schools have athletic teams and
competitions with other schools.
Holidays
Under communism, celebrating religious holidays in Ukraine was banned, though some
Ukrainians continued to celebrate them in secret. Now times have changed, and such
holidays are becoming more important. Christmas, celebrated on 25 December by
Catholics and on 7 January by Orthodox Christians, is particularly popular in western
Ukraine and rural (countryside) areas. Special church services are held on Christmas
Eve, and then people go home to enjoy a Christmas feast with their families. During the
Christmas season, children go door-to-door to receive candies and cookies in
exchange for performing koliadki (Christmas carols) and jokes.
The main winter holiday for most Ukrainians is New Year’s Eve, not Christmas. This is
when kids expect Grandpa Frost (the Ukrainian Santa Claus) to bring gifts and leave
them under the Christmas tree. New Year’s Eve is a big family holiday that starts with a
huge feast around 10 p.m., after which young children are put to bed. Then adults ring
in the New Year with champagne. The celebration continues until dawn. All the
presents under the Christmas tree are opened on the morning of 1 January.
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Food
Ukrainians eat a lot of bread and other foods made from grains, potatoes, and dairy
products. Pork and beef are the most common meats. Popular dishes include varenyky
(stuffed dumplings), holubtsi (cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat and rice), and
kasha (cooked or baked cereal). Kasha is served with either meat or poultry. Ukrainians
also eat a lot of stews and soups. The best-known Ukrainian soup is borsch. Borsch
usually contains cabbage, beets, potatoes, carrots, and sometimes meat. It can be
served hot or cold. Crepes and pancakes are also popular. Fresh fruits and vegetables
are available but very expensive in the winter, so in summer and fall, people try to
preserve them for the colder months.
Ukrainians eat a light snidanok (breakfast) in the morning before leaving for school or
work. The main meal, eaten in the afternoon, is called obid. It consists of two main
courses, the first being some kind of soup, the second containing meat or fish. The third
meal, vecheria, is eaten at 6 or 7 p.m., and family members usually eat it together. Most
people only go out to eat for special occasions because eating out is often expensive.
However, it is becoming more common for young people to eat out at least several
times a month.
Schools
Adult Literacy: 99.7%
The education system in Ukraine is in transition. For many years, the system was rigid,
and students did not have a lot of say in what they studied or where they went to
school. A lot of homework was required every day, and there were high expectations of
the students. The school system was set up in such a way that students stayed at the
same school with the same principal during their entire education (grades 1 to
12). Today, the system is changing and developing. Elementary schools have different
specialties, such as the arts or math, and parents can choose which school they want
their children to attend. Middle school programs are more general, though there are a
few hymnasiyi (specialized schools) if parents choose to send their children there. Most
high schools allow students to choose what they want to study, from math and physics
to economics or foreign languages.
Children are required to attend school from age six to fifteen, when they finish middle
school. Some teenagers then leave to look for work. But most prefer to go to high
school for three more years and then prepare to go to a university. Others choose to
work during the day and attend evening school, or train at schools specializing in
certain careers, or enter job-training programs. Universities are located in many major
cities.
There are no school buses in Ukraine, so young kids are usually dropped off and
picked up by their parents or grandparents, while older kids walk to and from school or
take public transportation. Education is considered very important in Ukraine, but
schools struggle because of a lack of funding.
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Life as a Kid
Housing is limited and difficult for many families to afford, so most Ukrainian kids live in
small apartments with their families. Often three generations—children, parents, and
grandparents—live in the same apartment. So it can get a little cramped. Family
members have to share rooms, and some may sleep on the couch. It is also very
common for grandparents to watch their grandchildren while the parents are at work.
Even though kids in Ukraine are often very close to their parents, they are expected to
“mind their place” with other adults, including other relatives. They do not speak until
spoken to, they address adults very politely, they do not interrupt adult conversation,
and they are supposed to be very quiet in public places such as stores, theaters, and
doctor's offices.
Family life usually takes priority over friends and other activities. Kids rarely are allowed
to go on sleepovers at a friend’s home or spend much of their free time apart from their
parents. If they do, it’s usually an organized activity such as a summer camp. In
general, being part of the family and the community is emphasized; individuality is
much less important. But as in many other countries, Ukrainian kids still like to spend
their free time watching television or using the computer. Most kids participate in
after-school activities such as sports, dancing lessons, music, or art. Some schools
even require kids to go to these activities in order to keep their grades up. Parents like
to keep their children busy and help them develop their talents.
Government
Capital: Kyiv
Head of State: Pres. Viktor Yanukovych
Head of Government: PM Mykola Azarov
Ukraine is led by a president, who is elected for a five-year term. Verkhovna Rada (parliament) has 450 members.
These members also serve five-year terms. The prime minister, who is named by the parliament, leads the
government. The country is divided into 24 oblasts (regions), plus there is the republic of Crimea and the cities of Kiev
and Sevastopol that are separate from these regions. All citizens may vote starting at age 18.
Money and Economy
Currency: Hryvnia
Ukraine has often been referred to as the “breadbasket of Europe” because of the
importance of agriculture in the region. The farmers there grow a variety of grains,
especially wheat and corn, as well as sugar beets and other vegetables. Beef and milk
are also important agricultural products. Where possible, many Ukrainian families grow
their own fruits and vegetables. Industry now makes up a much bigger part of Ukraine’s economy. Major industries
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include coal, electric power generation, metal processing, transportation, machinery,
and chemicals. Many Ukrainians struggle with high prices and a lack of good jobs. They
have to work very hard just to survive.
Getting Around
Public transportation is a good way for Ukrainians who live in cities to travel from place
to place. They can use streetcars, buses, and trolleys. Major cities also have subways.
Taxis are sometimes an option, but they tend to be expensive. In rural (countryside)
areas, people often travel by bicycle. When they need to travel to nearby towns, they
take buses or trains. Most Ukrainian families cannot afford to own cars.
Ukrainian Cultural Traditions
Ukrainians consider the arts to be extremely important. They believe that cultural
experiences should be available and affordable to people of all ages. So entrance fees
to most museums, theaters, circuses, and other cultural activities are inexpensive. This
makes it possible for ordinary families to attend a ballet, an opera, or a concert on a
regular basis, usually on weekends. School activities are also planned that focus on the
arts. Cultural activities are not as rare as they are in many other places in the world. Favorite events for children in Ukraine might be going to a children’s theater, a puppet
show, or the circus. Unfortunately, a lot of those opportunities are more available to kids
who live in the city since that is where the museums and theaters are usually located.
Kids in the countryside have fewer options, and they have to either find a way to travel
to the nearest city with their parents or wait for a school trip.
Learn More
Embassy of Ukraine, 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; phone (202) 349-2920; web site
www.usa.mfa.gov.ua/en.
© 2014 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. It is against the law to
copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by any
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