Kiev
1 3 Share TweetKiev is one of the hero-cities of the Soviet Union. This status was passed only to a very few towns, which had a major significance during the Second World War. And as we know WWII was one of the main topics in school, television and likewise propaganda.
Kiev is one of the hero-cities of the Soviet Union. This status was passed only to a very few towns, which had a major significance during the Second World War. And as we know WWII was one of the main topics in school, television and likewise propaganda.
The face of the city is due to this fact: you have a Park Pobedui (Park of Victory) with an eternal flame, an obelisk and a raduga (rainbow) which represents the friendship between the Russian and the Ukrainian people. Well…nowadays it is a bit different. Despite the fact of the independence of the country there is one half of the population which is pro-Russian, which subsequently lives in the east. Everybody close to the polish boarder is pro-European. And Kiev most of all. I like the city and you can feel glimpses of new times.
Since the orange revolutions there are always demonstrations in front of the parliament – little groups that are proposing something and celebrate the chance to do so. How fantastic is that. Democracy from below. But the situation is not as stable as it could be, because the eastern and European forces neutralize themselves. Since music-stars like VV, Okean Elsui or Ruslana helped Juschschenko to run for presidency, there are close bond between pop and politics. This is quite outstanding and adorable.
Youth culture is gaining pace as well. Youngsters wear base-caps the old school way and there is a vibrant skating-scene. So you could take your board with you and do your thing in the wide concrete squares of the city. There are huge avenues and vast space, so it’s perfect for that.
Like in many east European countries you can still get by quite cheap, as the local wages are not so high. But prices start to rise and there are quite a lot of posh hotels and stores. So whatever your budget gives you can have a marvelous time. If it comes to souvenirs you should get a “Tak” T-shirt, which is one remaining of the orange revolution and means “yes”. I tried to get a Lomo LC-A at the flea market but that ain’t that easy. If you spot one they will ask you for about 100 euros: because they have internet, too;) So you better order it at the source!
If it comes to cuisine there are really fantastic and fancy restaurants. But eventually it is only important for you to take a borschsch! The national dish is a soup made of beetroot and beef. Two B in one soup, that must be delicious! And don’t worry about the Chernobyl fallout. Most of it rained down on Belarussia and the Ukraine is almost clean! You should also check out the stadium of Dinamo Kiev, which is the home-club of Shevshenko. As a footballer it is a necessary, even more so, as there is a neat monument of the football legend and coach Lobanowsky. A few low fare carriers fly to Kiev already. Among them Air Baltic or Germanwings. But I can recommend a train-ride there from Europe. Even more so as it is environmentally friendly ;).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiev
geschrieben von wil6ka am 2008-05-09 in #Orte #art #culture #food #shop #location
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