Drohobych — A City Steeped in Salt
The Drohobych Saltworks is a historic gem of Galicia. It is often described as the oldest continuously operating…
Back to School with “The Day of Knowledge”
Each year on September 1st, Ukrainian primary schools celebrate “the day of knowledge.” A soviet tradition, it is…
Tights for Beauty and Tights for Onions
I remember wearing my favorite skirts all year round. When I was a young lady, the skirts hid…
The Lost Kopiykas of the Ukrainian Supermarkets
I like shopping in foreign supermarkets. Much like eating at McDonalds, it is a standardized experience, unconnected to…
Schengen, a New Wall
Schengen.” In Western Europe the word belongs to the jargon Made in EU and is rarely heard out…
My Ukrainian Name: “Alexander Gelmutovich Goedde”
I am used to my name changing abroad. My last name, ‘Gödde’, has one of the German ‘Umlaute’…
Gas, Water, Electric: The masters of the “central heating”
When I moved into my first apartment here in Ukraine, I was told that it had “central heating”.…
Ukraine … in Europe
Every Ukrainian knows that the center of Europe is in Ukraine, and you will often be told that.…
Two Steps Backward, Two Steps Forward
There are a lot of things that are unusual when you first come to a new country. Every…
Bath of the Orthodox Epiphany: Between Tradition and Religion
“For me, it is more a tradition than a religious celebration, though I am a believer.” Yura is…