Lidiya ZOTOVA, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
Khersones is a unique coastal natural monument at the Crimean foothill. Khersones was founded in 422-421 B.C. by Heracliots who had come from the south Black Sea coast city. It was called Khersones Taurical (from the Greek 'Chersoneses' − a peninsular). The Greeks named the whole region (modern Crimea) after its inhabitants, the Tauri.
In a century Khersones turned into one of the largest centers, it was the City-State of the Northern Black Sea Region. Politically it was a slave-holding republic with the democratic form of governing, and its social-economic function was to be a center of trade, handicraft and culture. Its population has reached 20 thousand people.
Since the 5th century A.D. Khersones has been a member of Byzantine Empire. In 988, after a 9-months siege, the city was conquered by Prince Vladimir. Here Vladimir has adopted Christianity. At the end of the 12-14 century Khersones suffered from the Tatar Hordes attacks twice. In the middle of the 15th century the city stopped existing. In 1472 genuesus consul in Kaffa (Feodosia) called it 'an uninhabited place'.
At present there is a Khersones historical-archeological preserve in its place (the territory of Sevastopol). National Preserve of Tauric Khersones includes a large area. The buildings show influences of Greek, Roman and Byzantine culture. Buildings include Roman amphitheatre (the only one in Ukraine), a Greek temple, the city blocks, and an area of defensive walls with the Zenone Tower and many others.
Nowadays Khersones is interesting for its original coastal biocenosises and submarine archaeological material. It is often called "the Ukrainian Pompeii" or "Russian Troy".
There is st. Vladimir's Cathedral on the territory of Khersones. It was found in 1861. It had been building for 30 years (architect D. Grimm). During the World Wars it had been seriously damaged. It had been famous for its unique wall-paintings, but unfortunately, they were lost due to the damage. Despite the fact that it has nothing to do with the Khersones’ culture or history, it is a bright visiting card of this place.
Every year there are a lot of tourists visiting this wonderful place. Not only tourists, but also citizens of Sevastopol often come here for weekend. Thus, historical place also became a recreational facility.
December 2009.
12.08.2011 A million dollars for “the fifth element”: charming native of Kiev Milla Yovovich
Inessa BLYUM, journalist
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
Her full name is written in different ways in various sources. Or rather names, to be more exact. Militsa Bogdanovna (or Borgievna) in Russian and Ukrainian tradition, Militsa Natasha in Montenegrin tradition of her father, nice girl Milla and the Hollywood rescuer of the humanity — all these definitions are true for the native of Kiev Milla Yovovich.
19.07.2011 Sister-cities of Kyiv
Evgeniy SKIBIN, pathfinder
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
April 28 is the World Day of Sister-cities. There exist two versions about the appearance of the phenomenon. The first one points out the initiative of veterans of the French Resistance in 1957 when in Paris the first international non-governmental organization – the World Federation of Sister-cities was established.
13.07.2011 The Monument to the Founders of Kyiv
Inessa BLYUM, journalist
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”
Kiev has many symbols, starting from St. Sophia`s Cathedral and St. Andre`s Church to the bell tower of Kiev Pechersk Lavra and the Motherland Mother monument. “Ladya” — the monument to the founders of Kiev: brothers Kiy, Schek, Khoriv and their sister Lybid — has been on this list for three decades. This monuments doesn`t just embody the old legend. It holds its special place in the capital...
14.04.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Denmark in Ukraine Uffe BALSLEV: “WE HAVE BROUGHT “FAIRY-TALES” OF THE STATE OF DENMARK TO UKRAINE”
For many Ukrainians Denmark is associated with the image of a fairy-tale country. Not only because this oldest kingdom in the world gave humanity the great author of fairy-tales Hans Christian Andersen and the magic Mermaid, who meets guests on the seaboard of Danish capital Copenhagen and has become the unofficial symbol of the country. What surprises most is the miraculous combination of monarchy, democracy, market economy and real socialism — the subject of national pride of Danes.
25.03.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France in Ukraine Jacques FAURE: “I MEET COSSACK IVAN SIRKO ALMOST EVERY DAY…”
The French Embassy in Ukraine is located quite near St. Sophia`s Cathedral. Let`s turn over other common pages in the history of our two countries together with the Head of the Diplomatic Mission — the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of French Republic in Ukraine Jacques FAURE.
07.02.2011 Hard destiny of the residence: the main palace of the capital and peripetias of its “life”
Inessa BLYUM, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
When Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, who must have been the only Russian ruler, who treated Ukraine with respect, decided to build her palace in the city, it froze in expectation. The former capital of the Rus land finally got a chance to become governmental residence again. But these intentions were not realized…
18.01.2011 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bulgaria in Ukraine Dimitar VLADIMIROV: “INTERTWINED FATES OF OUR NATIONS CAN BE RETRACED FROM DISTANT PAST”
Every year on the 1st of March with great constancy Bulgarians pin so-called “martenica” – a little interlacement of white and red threads in bright tracery with a heart or a flower - to their clothes. Such tradition has been well-known only in Bulgaria for a long time. Although it is respected by all Bulgarians throughout the country, but most attention is paid to it by peasants – probably, it is them, who go through biggest difficulties in the epoch of changes at all times. That is why from times immemorial local peasants decorate even animals in their farmsteads with red and white threads of “martenica”: this serves evidence and hope that new spring, new changes in nature will bring joy and prosperity into the house.
06.01.2011 Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine Christoph BROON: “EACH CITY AND REGION IN UKRAINE OFFERS MUCH INTERESTING TO THOSE, WHO ARE ORIENTED TO LEARN MORE IN THE FIELD OF GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE AND HISTORY”
Switzerland is real paradise in the center of Europe. The country, associated with such notions as bank system, watches, chocolate, knives and ski resorts, attracts as the place of respectable pastime, a cozy area with high level of life, where, from the point of view of an ordinary Ukrainian, people live, wallowing in luxury. What do Swiss think about our country? How do they imagine Ukraine? What do they feel when they come here?
27.12.2010 Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Ivan YURKOVICH: “PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN GUARANTEES OF THE DIGNITY, WHICH THEY WERE ENDOWED WITH BY THE CREATOR”
Present-day Vatican, turning the eyes of its laymen towards tomorrow, often repeats Apostle Pavel`s words: “We are saved in hope”. And explains them: we obtain certain sense in hope. According to the Pope Benedict the Sixth, realization of dreams of Christianity is only possible outside “the prison of “I”, only within the unity called “we”. And if it is true, than our attention should be paid to the fact that in process of development of civilization there appears greater risk because of inadequacy of adoption of moral heritage of humanity by new generations. That is why it is so important to warn the world that “moral growth of humanity is necessary for progress to be real progress”.
20.12.2010 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Finland Christer MICKELSON: “SUCCESS OF FINNISH PROSPERITY WAS DETERMINED BY LIBRARIES AND SYSTEM OF EDUCATION”.
Almost a hundred years ago we lived in one state. Today Ukraine and Finland are separated not only by years, but by substantial distance in level of life of the two nations. Nowadays, Finland is one of the most developed countries of the world with the high level of income per head. And although its part in world production is not big, but it takes one of the first places in the world in size of gross national product (over 20 thousand $ per year).
18.12.2010 Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Republic of Cuba in Ukraine Felix Leon CARBALLO: “WE ACTUALLY CAME FROM DIFFERENT SHIPS AND BUILT A SHIP OF OUR OWN – NATIONAL”
It seems not long ago that no New Year passed for us without mentioning distant Cuba. Each time it felt like we entered a new year with cheerful smile of Cubans. On the Island of Liberty much was told about the 1st of January – Liberation Day in holiday editions of local newspapers, radio and TV. Unfortunately, the tradition of common New Year has perished. But many Ukrainians keep good and grateful memories about the island of Cuba − a “ship” in endless ocean.
18.09.2010 “The city of a hundred thousand roses”
Vladimir CHERNOV, journalist.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
Cities are much like people: there are not two similar ones in the world and some have pseudonyms along with their names. So, Sumy is called “City over Psel” and “city of a hundred thousand roses”. About 200 years ago, in this comparably small regional center tens of thousands of these tender flowers really delighted everybody with their odor. Then there came times, when local authorities neglected flowerbeds and loans and roses disappeared. But the pseudonym “the city of a hundred thousand roses” survived.
25.05.2010 Mystical places of Kiev
Mikhail KALNITSKIY, historian.
Specially for “Prime Excursion Bureau”.
The most famous site in Kiev for performing different weird witches’ Sabbaths in Slavonic folklore is likely Lysaya Hora (Bald Hill). At the same time it is acknowledged that its “classical” location is under Kiev. Even in the respectable prerevolutionary paper Kiyevlyanin one could read: “According to a popular belief on Bald Hill in Kiev witches from all over the world gather to celebrate, together with vampires, a Sabbath and ride in the air..; here new witches get acquainted with old ones and learn various magic from them”.
09.02.2010 The building of the National Academic Ivan Franko Drama Theatre
Mikhail Kalnitskiy - historian
Special for Prime excursion burau ltd.
The building of the National Academic Ivan Franko Drama Theatre is in the same name square near Khreshchatyk. Not long ago it turned 111 years old, which is quite an age for buildings of old Kyiv. But intense historical memory and great significance for development of theatrical art in Ukraine makes the theatre building in Ivan Franko square one of the most interesting Kyiv relics.
04.12.2009 Gogol in Kiev
Mikhail Kalnitskiy, historian,
Special for Prime Excursion Bureau ltd.
In the autumn of 1831 the first part of “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka” was published. At first sight the book resembled fashionable at that time “gothic novels” with devil, ghosts and other mystical things. But all this was enveloped in such vivid setting and with such wittiness that compositors were said to giggle while working. T
Khersones Taurical
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
