1. Learn new words.

representative – представник

harmonious – гармонійний

dome – купол

semicircular – півколо

to join – приєднувати

to extend – розширювати

2. Listen to the text, read, translate and retell it. The Building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

5 Mikhayla Grushevskogo St.

Built in 1936-1939 near the Mariinskyi Palace according to a design by architect V. Zabolotnyi, this building was meant to be for the Upper Representative Institution, which was formerly housed in the Verkhovna Rada Palace (Supreme Council). In 1945-1947 the building was enlarged with an annex on the side of the City Garden. Of all the administrative buildings in the Ukrainian capital that were built in Soviet times, the Verkhovna Rada building seems the most harmonious and the most human. The main facade is decorated with classical simplicity and clarity. Sculptural groups representing the Ukrainian people (sculptor V. Znoba, 1985) stand along the front of the facade. The building is crowned with a glass dome and a spire with a fluttering blue and yellow Ukrainian flag. The dome provides natural light to the 1300-seat session hall. The most notable feature of the interior is the picturesque ceiling “Blossom of Ukraine”. The Act of Independence of Ukraine was confirmed in the Verkhovna Rada on August 24, 1991. On June 26, 1996 the present Constitution of Ukraine was passed.

Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers Building

12 Mykhayla Grushevskogo St.

A grandiose monument to the Stalin epoch. The building was designed to house the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (NKVD), which at the time was all-powerful. Some people say that the building was made semicircular for security reasons – so as to make it impossible to shoot from around the corner. Eventually, though, the building was transferred to the government of the public. It was built in the period 1936-1938. The author of the design, architecturial academician I. Fomin, died at an early stage of construction, and it was completed by the architect P. Abrosimov. The giant building has a total volume of 235 000 cubic meters. It serves as an example of the active application of the legacy of classical architecture. The front faсade is decorated with original columns. The lower floors are faced with labradorite and the socle with polished granite. In general, the House of Government testified to the horrific might of the Soviet empire. At the same time, in spite of its size, the building is quite successfully “hidden” and has almost no negative influence on Kyiv’s historic landscape.

The Building of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration

11 Bankova St.

This imposing building rises over Lypky district. It was originally two buildings constructed for the headquarters of the Kyiv Military Corps (architect A. Shile, 1877). Then in 1936-1940 these were joined and extended (architect S. Grygoryev) to create the present monumental volume, which is decorated with a six-column Corinthian portico. From the end of the war until 1991, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine was based here. N. Khrushchov, L. Kaganovych, P. Shelest, V. Shcherbytskyi worked there. Now the popularly elected President of Ukraine performs his duties from here.