Англ(2курс, 2 семестр)

WE ARE UKRAINIANS. TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

42. Read the text “We are Ukrainians” to get information about Ukrainian people, their traits, their national and cultural identities to be competent in further exercises and discussions.

One of the ways to get to know people is to learn about their ancient rituals and

rites.

Ukrainians have always been very hospitable people. Even in the distant past they welcomed their guests with bread and salt placed on an embroidered towel – this tradition has survived up to now. Ukrainians have an acute sense of unity with the soil, sky, Universe. Probably, the fact that Ukrainians have always been predominantly farmers helped them preserve very ancient traditions in spite of all the troubles and wars of the past.

There are quite a few of folk and religious holidays that are celebrated in Ukrainian villages. Some of these celebrations are very noisy, all of them are a riot of colours, they are entrancing, leaving no one indifferent. Taking part in them is like going back in time. These holidays throw back to the times when we, humans, were like one huge family, when we enjoyed gazing into the starry sky, when we could understand the language of grasses and animals, when our voices were so strong and pure that they could be heard by God.

Quite a few people living in urban areas would like to regain some of the joys and some of the simplicity of the country life, but it is so difficult to do. Would you like to see multi-coloured Hutsul dresses? Would you like to eat foods of the traditional Ukrainian cuisine? Would you like to listen to folk songs? Would you like to gape in admiration looking at the beautiful folk art objects?

To get all this you don’t have to travel from village to village because there is a wonderful place on the outskirts of Kyiv where you can come into contact with the eternal beauty of the spirit of the Ukrainian nation. The place is called Pyrohiv. It is there that the Open-Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Ethnography is situated. To walk through the Museum is to walk, as it were, through the whole of Ukraine, Ukraine concentrated on the territory of the Museum, Ukraine of the past and of today.

The six major sections of the Museum display exhibits that represent all the major historical and ethnographical areas of Ukraine. Architectural features of the country houses, churches, schools, taverns and other buildings that have been brought to the Museum from many parts of Ukraine or built there as exact replicas of their originals reflect differences in local conditions, modes of life, artistic inclinations. Ukrainian folk culture opens to the visitor in all of its manifestations. Come to the Museum and enjoy all the marvels concentrated there.

Comprehension Check

43. Answer the questions.

1.What qualities are characteristic to Ukrainian people?

2.What helped Ukrainians to preserve very ancient traditions?

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3.How do Ukrainians welcome their guests?

4.Where (in what museum) can one see all the major historical and ethnographical areas of Ukraine?

5.Do you think it is important to have ethnographical museums?

6.What would you say about their importance to Ukrainian people and to guests from abroad?

7.Have you ever been to the Open-Air Museum of Folk Architecture and Ethnography?

44. Complete the sentences.

1.One of the ways to get to know people is…

2.Ukrainians have always been…

3.They always welcomed their guests…

4.There are quite a few of folk and religious holidays…

5.Some of these celebrations are…

6.These holidays throw back…

7.Quite a few people living in urban areas would like…

8.To get all this…

9.To walk through the Museum is to walk …

10.The six major sections of the Museum display exhibits…

Vocabulary Focus

45. Explain the meaning of the following word combinations and use them to

46.Translate into Ukrainian and be ready to use these word combinations in your own sentences.

Ancient rituals and rites; to preserve ancient traditions; an embroidered towel; leaving no one indifferent; entrancing; to gaze into the starry sky; to regain some joys; on the outskirts; to come into contact with; taverns; replicas; to enjoy the marvels; to reflect differences; inclination; mode of life; manifestations.

47.Translate into English.

Далеке минуле; вишиваний рушник; гостре почуття єдності; вдивлятися в

зоряне небо; на околиці; дивитися з захопленням; виставляти експонати; захоплюючий; точна копія; стилі життя; пишність кольорів; обряди та традиції.

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48. Fill in the blanks with the words from the list.

regain; hospitality; rituals and rites; entrancing; marvels; mode of life; gape in admiration; preserve; inclinations

If you decide to visit western Ukraine, you will have a chance to see ancient Ukrainian ……. . People who live in this part of Ukraine managed to ……. them up to our times, and being ……. they make residents and guests ……. . Ukrainian dances full of colours, aspiration, energy and excitement ……. the true nature of the people. Here you can get acquainted with western Ukrainians’ ……. . On doing shopping you will realize that these people are very creative producing masterpieces which speak about their artistic ……. . You can feel their ……. and friendliness. Staying with a family you should try Ukrainian cuisine which is one of the ……. of the country.

49. Read the text about customs and traditions in Ukraine.

Things you should be aware of to understand Ukrainian culture.

Ukrainian customs and traditions absorbed the experience of many generations of people who lived in the country during its long history. Every new generation brought its own vision of every day rules of life to follow, creating what we call today a national culture. To understand traditions of Ukrainian culture you should be aware of a few things:

Traditions and customs vary regionally within Ukraine. There are significant cultural differences between city and village, western and eastern Ukraine.

You will find that some Ukrainian customs are compatible with your own. Some of them you will consider irrational or incomprehensible. They are neither "good" nor "bad". They just belong to another culture.

Unlike people of most western countries Ukrainians tend to express their emotions freely. No matter whether they are positive or negative. Don't be confused when you see that.

People in the streets don't usually smile too much, but very soon you will realize that an ability to form warm informal relationships is the main feature of the Ukrainian national character.

Let me introduce some Ukrainian customs and traditions from a standpoint of the person who belongs to the Ukrainian culture by birth and life experience. I hope it will help you to recognize real gems in the culture, which from the first glance looks different than culture of your native country.

National traditions are like a heart of the national culture. They determine the way people live: their language, religious belief, life values, social relationships, material goods - food, clothing, buildings, tools, etc.

If traditions are a heart of the national culture, the life values are its foundation. What are those ideas, beliefs, and aspirations which formed the foundation of Ukrainian customs and traditions?

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Ukrainians are traditionally family oriented people. Pretty often parents (or grandparents) live together with their children and help them to raise the kids. This tradition was a necessity when just a couple generations ago the majority of Ukrainians lived in the villages.

It is a Ukrainian custom that grandparents play a great role in raising children. They say: "Children are our future." Sometimes parents and grandparents sound overprotective. But without any doubt they try to do their best to bring their children up as decent people.

Music has always been an essential part of Ukrainian folk culture. Ukrainians have songs for every occasion and may break into song at the slightest opportunity. They say Ukrainians are born from songs and with songs. Ukrainian songs are very beautiful and mostly sad, and Ukrainian music has a well-established classic tradition. Since the 16th century songs and ballads were accompanied by a lute-like instrument called a bandura. Bandura players were called the “travelling news” as they described the contemporary life in their songs.

Dancing has always been a vital element of Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian folk dancing dates back to the pre-Christian era. During the Middle Ages, ritual dancing slowly developed into folk dancing, became the most common and popular entertainment. Today Ukrainian folk dancing is further popularized by numerous professional and amateur dance groups in Ukraine and abroad.

Folk handicraft arts are especially developed in Ukraine. Pysanky (the decoration of Easter eggs), woodcarving, ceramics, embroidery and weaving are well preserved and developed in many regions. Ukrainian women especially love to adorn pillow-cases, tablecloths, curtains and napkins. The patterns are usually geometric or floral, red, black and blue being the most popular colours.

Ukrainians usually wear western-style clothing. But on special occasions, they wear traditional folk costumes – white blouses and shirts decorated with colourful embroidery. Footwear includes high red boots for women and black boots for men.

Ukrainians are well known for their hospitality. They love to invite people to their homes or to visit their friends or relatives. Traditional Ukrainian customs are to put all the best food on the table and to feed the guest once he entered their home. Ukrainian parties are not about food only. It is a long process with plenty of eating, drinking, and conversation.

In Ukraine you will never meet such thing as militant feminism. A ladypoliceman twisting arms of some criminal will seem an absurdity to Ukrainians. According to the Ukrainian customs it is typically for older generations when the wife does the cleaning and cooking, while the husband is responsible for all "technical jobs". Among younger generations to work around the home together is more typical.

Ukrainian customs and traditions determine the style of public behavior. Ukrainians are brought up to avoid attracting attention to themselves. They usually speak quietly in public. To sit or lay on the floor is inappropriate in public places.

The traditional Ukrainian cuisine is rich in natural ingredients. You will always remember taste of tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, lettuce, onions, apples, grapes, peaches grown in the famous fertile Ukrainian soil.

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The Ukrainian customs and traditions in cooking are based on a combination of fresh or pickled fruits and vegetables, meat, mushrooms, and herbs. Often they include a great number of ingredients and their unusual combinations.

In Ukraine people tend to eat fatty food, such as whole milk, sour cream, butter etc. Sometimes people even go to villages to get whole milk because it is considered to be beneficial for children. Ukrainian people like to cook. They practically don't eat junk food.

The description of Ukrainian cuisine would be incomplete without salo (pork fat). Sometimes Ukrainians joke: "Salo is our national pride". Placing a thin sliced salo on black bread with garlic and salt will make it especially delicious.

Some curious facts about salo. In the mountains at high altitude alpinists usually lose their appetite. Very often they can't even look at food without negative emotions. Salo is practically the only product, which doesn't cause food troubles at high altitude.

It is hard to name a nation that would respect bread as much as Ukrainians do. During many centuries Ukrainians were strongly attached to their land and its fruits. Bread was regarded as one of the holiest foods. The cult of bread is well observed in Ukrainian customs and rituals.

Hosts often give their guests a loaf of bread with salt on the top. The ritual of offering a guest bread and salt is a ceremony of welcome which dates back many centuries. "The Bread and Salt" tradition is very symbolic in Slavic culture. It can symbolize many things. During wedding ceremonies in Ukraine instead of the customary wedding cake, traditional bread called Korovai, is served. It symbolizes a new-family birth and its future prosperity. Ukrainians can be very superstitious.

There are a lot of superstitions which are well-known: black cats, lucky horseshoes, broken mirrors, scattered salt, Friday the 13th etc. Sounds familiar, right?

Superstitions are the oldest beliefs in the world. They are rooted in the culture and touch every aspect of daily life: luck-fate, happy-sad, life-death, sanity-madness, good-bad and male-female. Everyone knows them and jokes about them. However, many who say that they don't believe them avoid breaking them because they "don't want to tempt fate". "Just in case."

As for Ukrainian customs, rituals and superstitions, we have to remember that for hundreds of years the Orthodox Church in Ukraine coexisted beautifully with ancient Pagan traditions. Superstitions are part of our cultural heritage. That's why elements of mysticism and irrationality are the noticeable part of Ukrainian mentality. Here are some examples of wide-spread superstitions:

Never shake hands, give keys or anything else in the doorway. It may bring misfortune to your guest.

Never leave an empty bottle on the table, but if a bottle is opened, drink up.

Try to sit between two people with the same name. It will bring you luck.

Don't be alarmed when somebody spits three times over his left shoulder or sits on

his luggage before going on a trip.

Most of those people love God, but try not to make the devil angry either. Just in case.

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Comprehension Check

50. Answer the questions.

1.What do we call “customs and traditions”? How are they formed?

2.How do traditions vary?

3.How do you understand the thought that some traditions are “compatible with your own ones” and some of them are “irrational”.

4.What are the life values in Ukrainian culture?

5.What characteristic traits of Ukrainians are mentioned in the text?

6.What do you know about Ukrainian cuisine?

7.Why is bread always regarded as one of the holiest foods?

8.What are the roots of Ukrainians’ superstitions?

51. Complete the sentences.

1.Ukrainian customs and traditions absorbed …

2.To understand traditions of Ukrainian culture…

3.National traditions determine the way people live …

4.Ukrainians are traditionally…

5.It is a Ukrainian custom…

6.Music has always been…

7.Dancing has always been…

8.The traditional national cuisine is …

9.There are a lot of superstitions…

10.Ukrainians are well known for …

Vocabulary Focus

52. Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations in English and use them in your own sentences.

53. Find in the text the words or word combinations which have the meanings similar to these ones in the exercise, translate them into Ukrainian.

View points; to change; difficult to understand; to exhibit a tendency to; precious things; at first sight; ambitions; basis; to grow children; fair people; important and necessary; to start a song; a lute-like instrument; “travelling news”; modern life; to decorate; with flowers; bellicose/warlike; irrelevant; to be devoted to; a good life; traditional bread; something that is not based on clear thought or reason; something that is based on old ideas of magic; in accordance; easy to notice.

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Speaking

54. Make up a dialogue using the word combinations below.

Ancient rituals; entrancing; artistic inclination; manifestations; to accompany; to attach to; prosperity; to be oriented; to be inappropriate; real gems; noticeable; to be further popularized; to be well observed; to be beneficial.

55. Close the book and try to remember as many facts from the article as you can. Speak by turns with your partner.

Writing

56. Write a short essay (up to 200 words) on popular traditions in Ukraine. Provide your essay with additional information.

THE TASKS OF UKRAINE ON THE WAY TO THE GLOBAL

INTEGRATION

57. Work in pairs. Speak on the following issues. Present your opinions.

1. What do you think the text is about?

2. What is your opinion on the main tasks of Ukraine in the sphere of reconstruction of the national economy?

58. Read the text “The Tasks of Ukraine on the Way to the Global Integration”. A. Get ready to do practical tasks and exercises paying your special attention to the vocabulary in bold. Be ready to speak on the following points.

characteristic features of the today world and main tasks of Ukraine in these realities;

Ukraine’s prerequisites to become a true partner in the global cooperation;

the tasks that stand before the government of Ukraine;

spheres of possible cooperation of the country in the world arena.

B. Make up the most suitable heading for each part of the article.

The Report by M. Z. Zgurovsky, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

1.

The main feature of the processes taking place in the today world is the global integation in economics, politics, in development of science and technology, environmental protection and social well-being. Ukraine being an independent state lives in the interconnected and interdependent world.

Under the existing conditions of globalization of economic life the industrialized countries in which science is the major factor in economic development ensure their progress by improving the existing technologies, techniques and methods and by consistent implementation of principally new scientific knowledge and

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technologies. International technological and scientific exchange, transfer of the intellectual potential are the characteristics of the present time.

2.

Ukraine’s joining the European and world integration processes is impossible without taking into account the geopolitical realities that to a considerable extent determine the today’s status of the Ukrainian economy and the forecast of its further development. Ukraine is situated almost in the center of Europe, in the West it has the common border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, in the South-West the borders are with Romania, Moldova; in the North and East - with Belarus and Russia. The territory of Ukraine, which occupies the area of more than 604 sq. km with the population of around 48 million people, is washed by the Black and Azov Seas. There are the Carpathian and the Crimean Mountains and the thick forests that encircle the vast steppes which are known as very fertile black earth (almost the richest lands of such type in the world). In Ukraine there are considerable deposits of iron ore, manganese, titanium, coal and phosphates. This fact has given an impetus to the growth of such branches of industry as metallurgy, machinebuilding, power engineering, mining industry, oil processing and chemical industry, aviation and space-craft industry, agricultural and food production.

The fifth part of the entire working population is engaged in agriculture, the fourth part of the production funds are concentrated here and almost 13 per cent of the gross added value of the country is produced here.

3.

It is obvious that Ukraine could become a prosperous country only under the condition of efficient and complete utilization of the land and resources that are in its possession. But it cannot be done without close cooperation with the economically developed countries through implementation, first of all, of advanced technologies and managerial experience.

Therefore, the strategic objective of Ukraine is to become a part of the international scientific and technological flows, which will make possible modernization of the country’s production and ensure competitiveness of the major branches of industry.

4.

The strategy of economic and social development of Ukraine foresees as the priority of the state policy, the structural reconstruction of the industry, development of the innovation model of economic growth, strengthening of Ukraine as a country with high technologies. The course aimed at the innovation development is based on the structural reconstruction of economy, technological updating of industry, wide application of achievements of science and engineering. The existing scientific and technological potential is still able to ensure economic progress of Ukraine.

It was presupposed by the fact that at the beginning of the market transformations Ukraine had considerable possibilities for development of its economy, in particular, in the scientific and technological fields. The available scientific and technological potential had many characteristics corresponding to those of highly developed countries. In some fields, such as material science, theoretical physics,

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mathematics, welding technology and biotechnology Ukraine is still among the leaders.

5.

The process of market transformations, which had not been adequately studied from the point of view of the control theory and had not been methodically grounded, resulted in a sharp fall of the gross production output during the first nine years and reduction of high technology production as well as scientific and research activities.

At the beginning of that period the following slogans were most popular "The market will sort out all the problems of the new country", "The West will quickly accept us to their community as an equal member". Any western product and the way of life in general were taken as the paragon which was to be blindly followed. Everything produced in the country from the very beginning was considered second rate having no prospects and noncompetitive. Foreign trade was growing quickly and uncontrollably. The immense sums of money taken from the Ukrainian economy were spent for procurement and purchasing of various western products including industrial equipment that, naturally, could not be modern and competitive. As a result, the Ukrainian scientists, designers and engineers along with their inventions were out of demand. The chain that had united science and education with industry for many years was broken.

6.

Ukraine has unique prerequisites for development of the modern civilized state. Its geographical position and climatic conditions are favorable. Ukraine has fertile soil. Out of 60.4 million hectares of its territory 41.8 million hectares, i.e. 69.3 per cent are agricultural arable lands. The agricultural production is one of the largest and most important sectors of economy. The availability of considerable mineral resources makes possible development of many branches of industry. The geopolitical situation of Ukraine, its natural conditions, and the available infrastructure dictate the necessity of planning and forecasting the development and implementation of new technologies at the national and regional levels. The statement of programs and development of many scientific and technical projects should be connected with the requirement of solving the strategic tasks of economic development of the country, meeting the demands of the market for scientific and technological products and the needs of the regions.

7.

Thus, a number of problems Ukraine is facing today can be sorted out only on the basis of close international cooperation. In particular, the global natural changes, the ruining influence of the man on the environment demand that the mankind and its international institutions should unite their efforts in elimination of the consequences and prevention of regional and global catastrophes. First of all, Ukraine is concerned with such problems:

First, liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe. It requires a complex of scientific and technological measures for utilization of the sarcophagus, restoration of the ecology on most of the territory of the Eastern-European region (Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Poland and other countries), putting out of operation the

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Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant itself and utilization of nuclear fuel. Sorting out this problem has global significance and requires the efforts of the entire international community as well as involvement of the advanced technologies of the mankind.

Secondly, solving the problems of contamination of the Black Sea and Dnipro river basin. These problems worry not only the countries of the Black Sea region, but also the countries of Europe and Asia. What is required is a sharp decrease of waste discharge into such big rivers as the Danube, Dnipro, Don, Southern Bug, Dniester and others. Here should be added the production of oil and gas in the Black Sea shelf and some other factors that influence the Black Sea pollution. The chain of hydropower plants on the Dnipro has already caused changes in the climate of Ukraine, and violation of the balance in at least one of them may cause a regional catastrophe. This global problem is to be resolved by the international community with involvement of the most advanced modern technologies.

Third, solving the problem of flooding and soil displacements in the Carpathian Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Climate warming, unjustified felling of woods, deviations from the accepted technology in dike construction result in tragic consequences for the entire region.

One country of this region cannot solve this problem separately. The negative effects on the ecology of this region can be reduced only by the common efforts with application of the progressive technologies and finding principally new technological solutions, restoration of agricultural lands etc.

8.

Ukraine, in its turn, having considerable scientific and technological potential can propose to the international community cooperation in the field of aviation and space technologies, resources and power-saving technologies (economically profitable heat power generating technologies), development of new substances and materials, materials with shape memory, bio-compatible materials ( materials with controllable functional properties), protection of natural ecosystems and improvement of life conditions (technologies of drinking water purification, technologies of agricultural waste processing and utilization), and others.

While estimating the technology development forecast in Ukraine two aspects should be taken into consideration.

First, the necessity of development of collaboration with the European bodies and organizations, first of all, in implementation of the programs of the interstate, regional scale taking into account the experience and international influence of the UNIDO [the United Nations Industrial Development Organization]. The forms of such collaboration may be the coordination by the UNIDO of cooperation in implementation of these programs.

Important is also legislative and legal support on part of Ukraine of the international scientific and technological cooperation.

The second aspect of the problem is connected with the internal improvement of organization and financing of the scientific and technological sphere in Ukraine.

Comprehension Check

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