HISTORY AWESOME KYIV 8 The Act of Dec- laration of In- dependence of Ukraine es- tablished Ukraine as an independent state Independence Day Independence day is celebrated on August 24th to commemorate Ukraine’s 1991 Declaration of Independence Leonid Kravchuk The Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was adopt- served ed by Ukrainian Parliament on August 24th 1991, establishing as Independent Ukraine’s first Ukraine as an independent state. On August 24th, Parliament President, from December called for an independence referendum to support the declara- 5th 1991, until his resigna- tion. The resulting referendum on December 1st 1991 was un- tion on July 19th equivocal — more than 90 per cent of Ukrainians voted in fa- 1994 vor of Independence with a high voter turnout of 82 per cent. Today, Ukraine’s Independence Ukraine had sought independence from the Soviet Un- takes on new meaning. Its cen- ion for decades and by the late 1980s, calls for democratic turies long fight Independence Day is Ukraine’s most popular holiday reform were overpowering. Several movements buoyed these for independ- and Kyiv is a great place to take it all in. Put on a vyshyvan- ence continues aims. The Ukrainian Miner’s Strikes between 1989 and 1990, with Russia’s ka (traditional embroidered shirt), drape yourself in blue invasion of East- and the Revolution on the Granite (also known as the Student ern Ukraine and yellow and head to Khreshchatyk for open air concerts, and its annexa- Revolution) in 1990 supported the cause of independence. tion of Crimea parades and other festivities! HISTORY AWESOME KYIV 10 Euromaidan Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity — a political, social and cultural transformation Kyiv’s “Maidan Nezalezhnosti” (Independence Square) Serhiy Nigoy- is a square — a meeting place to stroll, flirt, gawk and de- man rights and profound economic mismanagement led an was an Ar- bate. It has long been the focal point for numerous protests to calls for President Yanukovitch’s resignation. Through menian-Ukrain- ian activist. He and is quite simply, the centre of Ukraine’s political conscious- the cold winter months, Euromaidaners as they came to be was the first protestor killed ness. It was the site of mass protests against President Kuch- called, set up camp, barricades, kitchens, medical services, by shooting during the Hrushevskoho ma in 2001 and the Orange Revolution in 2004. an ‘open university’ and even a library to support the cause. riots in January Euromaidan gave At the end of November 2013, President Yanukovitch way to many Events came to a head at the end of January when several cultural initiatives. reneged on a promised trade agreement with the Europe- Among them protestors were killed. In the following month, more blood an Union, sparking a peaceful protest movement against ‘Artists Support was spilled — the regime’s brutal Berkut (Eagle) special forc- Ukraine,’ this hasty reversal. A subsequent violent crackdown on peace- aimed at turning es and government snipers killed dozens of men and women international ful protestors (along with the passing of draconian anti-pro- attention towards and wounded thousands. the current situa- test legislation) cemented broad scale support for political tion in Ukraine At the end of February, President Yanukovitch gave an ul- change. The scope of the protests evolved over the coming timatum to the protest movement — “pack up and leave weeks and millions of Ukrainians came out on the streets the Maidan.” But the Maidaners remained stalwart. They wer- to demand a democratic government. Widespread grievances en’t going anywhere. The deadline to leave came and went. Yanu- of government corruption, abuse of power, violation of hu- TOP PHOTO: OLEKSANDR KURMAZ, BOTTOM PHOTO: OLEKSANDR KURMAZ, RIGHT PHOTO: DMYTRO LARIN kovitch fled to Russia and a provisional government was formed. CULTURE AWESOME KYIV 14 Oleksandr Murashko One of Ukraine’s most internationally acclaimed painters — known for his vivid impressionism and compelling portraiture Oleksandr Murashko, Winter, National Art Museum of Ukraine, Kyiv Oleksandr Murashko — known for his colourful impressionist Oleksandr Mu- rashko received Oleksandr Murashko, Parisian cafe, works of art — had a difficult upbringing. Born out of wed- widespread inter- Kharkiv Art Museum national acclaim lock and unwanted, he lived with his grandmother in a small for his 1906 work “Carousel,” which town in Chernihiv region for his first seven years. He was then was awarded to paint. Gathering his courage, he asked Professor Adri- Murashko returned to the care of his mother, who had married the own- a golden medal yan Prakhov for help. Prakhov had noticed the boy’s potential was one of found- at the Munich ers of the Ukrain- er of an icon-painting workshop. This connection opened International during his time in the Cathedral, and together with Vasnetsov ian Academy Exhibition. of Arts (the mod- the world of art to the young Oleksandr. When the family This recogni- and Nesterov, helped Oleksandr get established in his chosen ern National tion led to invita- Academy of Fine moved to Kyiv, Oleksandr witnessed the painting of St.Volod- tions to the top profession. Art and Architec- ymyr Cathedral. The work of the great masters — Vasnetsov, exhibitions across Murashko’s talents were widely recognized. He studied ture). To enjoy Mu- Europe rashko’s works, Nesterov, Pymonenko — made a deep impression on him, at the St. Petersburg Academy and was a student in Ilya Re- visit the National Art Museum and he decided to dedicate his life to art. His stepfather, how- pin’s studio. He worked as a trainee artist in Paris and Munich of Ukraine www. ever, had a different plan for him: that Oleksandr continue and his work was exhibited across Europe. Murashko settled namu.kiev.ua icon painting for the family business. back in Kyiv where his artwork continued to evolve. He is particu- But Oleksandr could not be held back. He fled from home larly known for his compelling portraiture. Today, you can find and wandered the streets of Kyiv, taking up any opportunity his work exhibited in some of the world’s leading galleries. CULTURE AWESOME KYIV 24 Left: Sviatoslav Richter in the Kyiv Philarmonic, Viktor Marushchenko 1980. Photo: Viktor Marushchenko. Right: Kyiv, Lenin Museum, Enlistment into the This Kyiv and Berlin based photographer Little Octobrists, 1987. Photo: Viktor. Marushchenko is widely acclaimed — featured in solo and group exhibits around the world Top: Viktor In 2004, Vik- Viktor Marushchenko’s family moved to Kyiv from Novosybirsk Marushchenko. a trip to Switzerland, the Director of Lausanne’s Musée de tor Marushchenko in 1951, when he was just five years old. Despite Victor’s long Self-portrait l’Élysée (Museum of Photography) saw Victor’s photos and sug- founded a School of Photography held interest in photography, he didn’t think that his hob- gested that he should participate in a festival of Eastern in Kyiv: www. marushchenko. by could actually be a career until one of his photographs European photography in 1990. It was an auspicious meeting. com was published in Culture and Life in 1975. With this accom- The festival launched Marushchenko’s career and he started plishment behind his belt, Victor switched tracks — he left receiving invitations to exhibitions around the world. his career as an engineer behind and started a degree in jour- Atmospheric desolate Chornobyl landscapes, scenes nalism. At the same time he persistently submitted his works from the life of Donbass inhabitants, urban storylines to various editorial boards. His tenacity paid off and he was of- from the outskirts of Kyiv are some of the themes featured fered a press photographer position at Soviet Culture. in his work. The way Marushchenko portrays Ukrainian re- Working in the newspaper allowed Marushchenko to trav- ality is reserved, yet vivid. His contemplative shots make el extensively and build his photography portfolio. During a strong impression. FOOD AWESOME KYIV 30 “Kyiv Perepichka” is open every day from 8.30 a.m. 9 p.m. Kyiv Perepichka At the crossing of Bohdan Khmelnitsky and Khreshchatyk Streets, you’ll always find a queue for Kyiv’s legendary fast food In Ukrainian national cuisine, on the go. The vendor’s thin paper perepichka is a delicacy of fried napkins — now, as ever — do little sough dough. Kyiv Perepichka takes to keep hands clean from the deep this mouth-watering treat and adds fried delicacy. a twist — the dough surrounds Over the past 30 years, the cen- a sausage and is deep-fried. It’s Ky- tre of Kyiv has changed a lot. There iv’s take on a sausage role. are so many new cafés, restaurants Kyiv Perepichka first opened and fast food outlets, and yet, people in Soviet times, in 1981. The greasy, still flock to Kyiv Perepichka. If you’re delicious snacks were sold out looking to try this great combina- of a small kiosk in a prime loca- tion of national dish and classic tion in front of the Central Universal hotdog, grab a spot in the line near Store at 3a Lenin street, (now known Kyiv Perepichka’s window. And don’t as Bohdan Hmelnytskyi Street). worry — the line moves fast. Kyivans took an immediate liking The hard-working, experienced staff to the tasty, nourishing and cheap ensure that your wait is rarely longer perepichka, which could be eaten than 15–20 minutes. PHOTO: DMYTRO SHYTKO PLACES AWESOME KYIV 45 “Mother Motherland” Monument A massive female warrior stands guard over Kyiv On Victory Day of May 9th, 1981, the General Secretary of the “Mother Moth- erland” is a part Communist Party — Leonid Brezhnev — unveiled “Mother of the Museum of the Great Pa- Motherland.” Original plans would have seen this monument triotic War com- plex found at 44 gold-plated.