Culture news 
Summer 2011: A Day in Kyiv
Kyiv, July 25, 2011. An American college student Meghan Dano who is currently an intern at Worldwide News Ukraine volunteered to help show Kyiv from the perspective of a foreigner. She developed a one day excursion route along Kyiv downtown area. Meghan’s inspiration for the sightseeing trip came from her initial surprise at the magnificence of Kyiv upon her first days in the city.
The location of all the venues that Worldwide News Ukraine presents to you at this time is based in downtown Kyiv. Most of the sites are within a minute walk away from each other.
The tour started at the red building of the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, one of the major universities in Ukraine. “Hi, I’m Meghan. I’m from the US,” cheered Meghan at the camera. “I’m here to show you around Kyiv a little bit.”
After taking a short look at the university the tour proceeded to the National Opera House. Built in the mid-19th century the Opera burnt down 30 years later. “Kind of like the Phantom of the Opera,” suggests Meghan.
Notably, Kyiv is one of the largest cultural centers in Ukraine; during the summer streets of the city are full of music performers, TV shows filmed in the open air, and, occasionally, even movie sets. During the tour our team came across a movie set at the Opera House. A huge portrait of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was set up above the entrance of the Opera House and crowds of extras in the WWII uniform were promenading around the square.
Golden Gate – that’s where we are off to next. Built somewhere around 1037, destroyed and then rebuilt, the site is breathtaking. Climbing the stairs inside the building, Meghan seems to be determined to explore the venue: “We are going all the way to the top!” The landmark is one of the most ancient historic sites of Kyiv. It used to be a gateway in the ancient city fortress with gold-like material top that is said to have shined brightly and been seen from a mile away.
Kyiv is famous for its churches with astounding golden domes. “It’s actually amazing that it’s actually real gold on top of all these churches,” marveled our American guide Meghan while exploring Saint Sofia Cathedral.
A one-day adventure ended at Khreshchatyk Street and Maidan Nezalezhnosti [translated as “Independence Square” named to celebrate the declaration of independence in 1991 – ed.]. In late 2004 the historical Orange Revolution took place at Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Since the declaration of Ukraine’s independence Khreshchatyk Street and Maidan Nezalezhnosti have become the meeting spot for many gatherings, both political and cultural. Elton John and Paul McCartney held free open air concerts at the square over the last several years.
Despite being completely destroyed in the WWII, Khreshchatyk was rebuilt into a pleasurable site and was recently named the 16th most expensive street in Europe. It is home to many entertainment sites with crowds strolling down the street during the weekend. “They close down the street for the weekend, turning it into a pedestrian precinct where lots of entertainment takes place,” explains Meghan.
Concluding her journey through the heart of Kyiv downtown, Meghan was tired though eager to get to know Kyiv better. Our smiley guide gleefully concluded her one day tour: “I had a wonderful stay here and I hope I can share a little bit of Ukraine with everyone.”
According to wnu-ukraine.com
28 July 2011
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On March 16, new real identity rules imposed on China’s microblogging platform Weibo go into effect; dubbed “Weibocalypse” by China’s internet community . The Provisions on Administration of Weiboke Development (the Provisions) include core provisions in Article 6, which requires pre approvals by the Beijing city authority before launching a Weibo account, and Article 9, which requires that a user provide his or her true identity. Chen Jihong, a Beijing-based partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm said that “overall, the Provisions regulate not only issues of approval and true identity, but also general issues including compliance with the law and privacy protection”.
28.12.2011 Holiday Classic From Ukraine – Carol of the Bells – Goes Clay
Kyiv, December 28, 2011. A famous Ukrainian folk singer Oleg Skrypka performed a renewed version of the winter holiday classic Carol of the Bells originally composed by Ukrainian Mykola Leontovych. This new rendition of the world renowned tune became a soundtrack for the freshly released Ukrainian animation film Shchedryk.
13.12.2011 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL of GUITAR MUSIC "KYIV-2011"
13 to 18 December in Kiev will be start INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL of GUITAR MUSIC "KYIV-2011"
07.12.2011 Australia Contributes to Chornobyl Fund
Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd announced that his country would donate one million euros for the Chornobyl Shelter Fund. Minister Rudd made his statement at the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Vilnius on December 6, 2011.
28.11.2011 Ukrainian Subway Station Rated One of World’s Most Beautiful
Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate) station of Kyiv’s subway occupies 11th position on the list of the most impressive subway stops in the world, according to BootsnAll. The renowned community of travelers chose 15 subway stations in the world with the most outstanding application of art, architecture, culture, history, and technology.
22.11.2011 Festival Chervona Ruta Preserves Authentic Ukrainian Music
For the twelfth year in a row, the Ukrainian festival Chervona Ruta has opened the stage for the new talents performing Ukrainian music of different genres. The number of this year’s participants has set the record, bringing together 850 young musicians and performers. New to this year’s festival is the collaboration of performers from all regions of Ukraine.
22.11.2011 World of Rugby League: Ukraine celebrates five years in Rugby League
The Ukrainian Rugby League Federation (UFRL) is celebrating five years of the sport in the country.
17.10.2011 Ukrainian Painting Sets a New Record at London Auction
A painting by a Ukrainian artist set a new record at the Phillips de Pury & Co auction that took place in London on October 13, 2011. The art piece “Horse.Night” by Anatoliy Kryvolap was sold for USD 124,4 thousand which is the highest a painting by a contemporary Ukrainian artist ever grossed at an art auction.
03.10.2011 NSK "Olympic" to open a grand show
October 8 will be held the opening ceremony of one of Europe's largest sports complexes - NSK "Olympic".
29.09.2011 There will be held song festival in the Kyiv region.
October 1
at the Center for Culture and history, “Park Kievska Rus” (p. Kopach, Obukhov, District,
Kyiv region) will be a song festival" Slavic soul ".
12.09.2011 Europe’s Largest Fountain Opens in Ukraine
A unique musical illuminated floating fountain opened in the Western Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on September 4, 2011. The fountain is the world’s only floating fountain mounted in the natural body of water and by its technical parameters can only be compared to one such water facility in the world – the Dubai Fountain.
05.09.2011 Ukraine Wins Gold in Triple Jump at 2011 World Championships in Athletics
Ukrainian Olha Saladuha became gold medalist in the 13th World Championships in Athletics, held in Daegu, South Korea. Saladuha won the finals in the triple jump competition among females and became the world champion.
31.08.2011 Three Ukrainian Soccer Clubs Go into Europa League Group Stage
Dynamo (Kyiv), Metalist (Kharkiv), and Vorskla (Poltava) won Thursday’s second legs of UEFA Europa League play-offs. Vorskla became the first Ukrainian team to make it to the group stage in the season of 2011-2012.
31.08.2011 Two Giant Fish Images Across the Border Become a Symbol of Polish-Ukrainian Unity
A Polish artist Jaroslaw Koziara created two giant images of fish on the grass on each side of the Polish-Ukrainian border. The tail of the first image lies on the territory of Poland with its head on the Ukrainian territory. The second fish is positioned facing the opposite direction. The artist intends to send the message of unity of the two countries – nature and art know no borders.
19.08.2011 Kyiv to host flower exhibition for two weeks
The official opening of a flower exhibition in Kyiv will take place at 10.00 on Saturday, Aug. 20. The exhibition will run at Spivoche Pole in the Pechersk Landscape Park until Sept. 4.
