Kyiv — the Capital of Ukraine

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its history goes back to the 5-th century. Ancient Kyiv was a large commercial centre of the East Slavs. Its position on the important waterway helped its trade. The East Slav tribes united in a single powerful state, Ancient Rus. A great role in the history of Kyiv was played by Prince Volodymyr, who united Slav peoples. So Kyiv was made the capital of Ancient Rus and it lasted for nearly three centuries. Under the rule of Yaroslav the Wise Kyivan Rus with Kyiv as its capital reached the height of its power.

Kyiv is the largest ancient centre of national Ukrainian culture. It can boast of 20 museums, 1300 libraries, 41 theatres, 121 parks. Kyiv is growing, and it is being built, it also becomes younger and more beautiful.

But it is not only its old age and long history that make Kyiv stand out among other cities. It is a unique and extremely harmonious combination of historic values and ways of life that attracts crowds of people from all over the world to Kyiv.

Among the places of historic interest is St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersky Monastery, St. Volodymyr Cathedral, Church of St. Andrew, Golden Gates, Vydubetsky Monastery, Askold's Grave and many other ancient monuments attract attention of visitors.

The cultural life of our capital is rich and varied. There are a lot of fine museums in it: the Historical Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian Art, the Museum of Russian Art, the Taras Shevchenko Museum, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art, the Lesya Ukrainka Memorial Museum and others. Many research institutes and higher educational establishments are to be found there. Kyiv is also famous for its theatres such as the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre, the Opera House, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre, the Puppet Theatre and others. The famous Kyiv Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre has one of the best opera and ballet companies in the country.

Nowadays Kyiv is a large political, industrial and scientific centre. Its population equals 3 million people. It is situated on the banks of the Dnieper river, the longest river of Ukraine. The picturesque banks and hills, plentiful flower-beds with different flowers, wonderful beaches of the Dnieper river, Kreshchatic, one of the widest and most beautiful streets in our country — all this adds up to the beauty of the Ukrainian capital. One half of Kyiv's territory is occupied by gardens and parks, and in spring and summer time the trees and bushes are full of greenery, and the city looks like one huge park.

If only once you have been to Kyiv, you are sure to feel like coming back there again and again.

Glukhiv

I live in Glukhiv. Glukhiv is an ancient town founded in 992. Glukhiv has its long and glory history. During its history the town knew many famous and tragical times. As a fortress on the southern boundary of the Kyiv Rus Glukhiv defended the state from Polovtsy. Glukhiv was ruined by different enemies. It burnt in fires. It was conquered by Mongolo-Tatars and Poland. But each time it revived.

The XVIII-th century when the town became the capital of the left bank Ukraine may be called "The golden age" for Glukhiv. Magnificent palaces beautiful churches the unique singers school a well-known theatre were built in Glukhiv. Many famous people visited the town: Tsar Peter the First, T.G. Shevchenko, M.V. Gogol and others.

Now Glukhiv is not a large industrial city. It is a typical Ukrainian small town. The population of Glukhiv is about 40 thousand people. It is situated on the banks of the river Esman. Glukhiv is very picturesque with its cozy, calm and clean streets, in summer Glukhiv is buried in verdure.

In Glukhiv there are some plants and factories. There are also some secondary schools, a medical school, a technical college, 2 vocational schools, a sport school and an art school. There is a palace of culture, a hospital, museums, a stadium, bus and railway stations in Glukhiv.

Glukhiv is known for its Institute of Bast Crops which is very active in the field of hemp cultivation in Ukraine and Glukhiv State Pedagogical University which is the oldest in Ukraine. We'll celebrate 130-th anniversary of our University in 2004. Many famous people studied here. Among them are O.Dovzhenko, Vasylchenko, Palashchenko and others.

Glukhiv is rich in historical monuments, for example: the Saint Nikolai Church was founded in the 16-th century (now it is being reconstructed); the Saint Anastasia Church; Spaskaya Church and others.

Glukhivites are cordial, friendly and hard-working people who are proud of their town.