13. Read and retell the text:

KYIV

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and the seat of the Supreme Council and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Kyiv is one of the most ancient cities. In 1982 it was 1500 years old. It was called “the Mother of All Russian Cities”. It has the population of above 2.5 million people. Its total area is 790 square kilometres.

Kyiv lies on both banks of the Dnieper, one of the longest rivers in Ukraine. Spreading over the picturesque hills of the Dnieper Kyiv is immersed in green parks and gardens. It is one of the greenest cities in the world, it has 18 square metres of greenery for a person.

Kyiv is an industrial, scientific and cultural centre of Uk­raine. Kyiv is one of the oldest cities and has many places of interest. Among them is the Golden Gate, which is about a thousand years old. Once it was the main entrance to the city. At that time Kyiv was the capital of the feudal state of Kyiv Rus, a large and powerful state. On the Sophia’s Square there is St. Sophia’s Cathedral. In the square, in front of the cathedral, there is the monument to Bogdan Khmelnytsky.

There is the monastery ensemble, ICyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which was founded in the 11th century in Kyiv. Among the museums of Lavra is the museum of Ukrainian Folk De­corative Art, which comprises more than 50,000 exhibits. In the park of Immortal Glory there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, over which an eternal fire burns.

Also in Kyiv you can see the monument to T Shevchen­ko, the well-known poet and fighter for freedom. It stands in the park in front of the University. There are some other monuments in Kyiv — the monument to Lesya Ukrainka, the great Ukrainian poetess, the monument to N. Lysenko, the great Ukrainian composer and many others.

There are many fine museums in Kyiv: the State His­torical Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian Art and so on. Kyiv is a city of theatres. It is famous for its theatres such as the Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre and others.

Kyiv is the centre of science and education. Many scien­tific research institutes, colleges and universities are in Kyiv. Kyivites are proud of their city.

14. Read and discuss:

MY TESTAMENT T. Shevchenko

When I am dead, then bury me In my beloved Ukraine,

My tomb upon, a grave mound high Amid the speading plain,

So that the fields, the boundless steppes,

The Dnieper’s plunging shore My eyes could see, my ears could hear The mighty river roar.

When from Ukraine the Dnieper bears Into the deep blue sea The blood of foes ... then will I leave These hills and fertile fields —

I’ll leave them all and fly away To the abode of God,

And then I’ll pray. But till the day I nothing know of God.

Oh, burry me, then rise yet up And break your heavy chains And water with the tyrants’ blood The freedom you have gained.

And in the great new family The family of the free With softly spoken, kindly word Remember also me.

(Translated by John Weir)