Ukraine Kids' Guide

KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Ukraine

St. Andrew’s Church

Welcome to Ukraine

Ukraine is Europe’s second-largest country. Most of it lies within the East European Plain, with extensive coastline along the Black Sea.

Let’s learn about Ukraine from kids like you.

Anna lives in Sumy, in the northeastern part of the country. She is 8 years old.

Anna is a nickname. It is short for Ivanna, which means “God is

Anna likes to garden. She grows fruits and vegetables. After watching them grow, she harvests and eats them!

Anna uses a shovel to dig in the soil. If the garden is muddy, she wears boots. She uses a basket to collect the fresh produce and

Mykola is Anna’s brother. His name means “victory of the people.” Mykola is in secondary school. He is a good student.

Mykola likes wintertime. He enjoys sledding and playing in the snow.

Sledding is a popular pastime in Ukraine, where winters are cold and snowy. Parks throughout the country have special hills just for sledding.

Where in the World?

Ukraine shares borders with seven countries: Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Slovakia. The country’s terrain is mostly fertile plains and plateaus. The Carpathian Mountains stretch along western Ukraine, while the Crimean Mountains are found in the country’s southern Crimean Peninsula. Part of the Carpathian Mountains, Mount Hoverla is the highest point in Ukraine, standing at 2,061 meters (6,762 feet).

Nina lives in Odesa, a port city on the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. It’s known for its beaches and 19th century architecture.

UKRAINE

Olek lives in Kharkiv. It is located in northeastern Ukraine where the Uda, Lopan, and Kharkiv rivers meet. It is the country’s second-largest city.

There are four seasons in Ukraine, though its large size results in regional variations. The south’s Black Sea coast has a Mediterranean climate defined by mild winters with rainfall throughout the year. The northern region has a temperate, continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.

Polina lives in Chernihiv, located along the banks of the Desna River in northern Ukraine. It has warm, sunny summers but cold, snowy winters.

Ukraine’s diverse animal life includes about 28,000 species, including wolves, wildcats, roe deer, wild pigs, and wild sheep called mouflon. About 350 species of bird fly the country’s skies, while lakes and rivers teem with 200 kinds of fish.

Among Ukraine’s many national parks is Carpathian National Nature Park, the largest.

Ukraine’s woodlands, marshes, and plains are home to an extensive variety of plant life. This includes about 30,000 plant species. There are many grasses and shrubs while tree species include oak, pine, beech, elm, maple, and spruce.

Mount Hoverla

Located within Carpathian National Nature Park in the country’s southwest, Mount Hoverla is Ukraine’s highest peak at 2,061 meters (6,762 feet) tall. Hiking trails for different skill levels lead to beautiful panoramic views.

Lake Yalpuh

Located in the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa, Lake Yalpuh is Ukraine’s largest natural lake. The lake stretches nearly 63 kilometers (39 miles) from north to south and is a popular fishing destination.

Oleshky Sands

Referred to as the Ukrainian Sahara, Oleshky Sands is Europe’s secondlargest desert, located just inland from southern Ukraine’s Black Sea. The oval-shaped sandy area covers an area of more than 161 square kilometers (62 square miles).

Lake Yalpuh

Mount Hoverla

Oleshky Sands

History

1682–1725

The region is divided between Poland and Russia. Aligning with Russia, the Cossack people establish a quasiindependent state called the Cossack Hetmanate, the foundation of modern Ukraine.

1918

After the February Revolution, the Ukrainian People’s Republic is created, declaring Ukrainian autonomy within Russia.

650–1050

With a strategic location between Europe and Asia, the region becomes an important center of trade on the Silk Road, a network of ancient trade routes.

1775

Catherine II of Russia orders the Hetmanate to be destroyed, putting the area under full Russian control. She begins Russification, enforcing Russian language, beliefs, and traditions.

1996

The nation’s first constitution is adopted, establishing Ukrainian as the state language and legalizing the ownership of private property. The hryvnia is the country’s new currency.

1991

The Soviet Union collapses and the new Ukrainian Parliament issues the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine, leading to free elections.

2022

Russia launches a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, marking a major escalation to a conflict that began in 2014 with Russia’s takeover of the Crimean Peninsula.

2012

The European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement is formed, establishing political and financial support between the EU’s 28 member states and Ukraine.

People

Most of the country’s population are ethnic Ukrainians, who account for more than three-fourths of the population.

Taras has Russian ancestry. His lessons at school are taught in Ukrainian, but he speaks Russian with his family at home.

Other groups represented include ethnic Romanians, Belorussians, Crimean Tatars, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Poles, Jews, and Armenians.

Ukrainian is the country’s official language and is spoken by over one-half of the population. Russian is spoken by about one-quarter of the population.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity is practiced by most of the country, divided among its various denominations. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is the largest church in the country.

Small numbers of Ukrainians are Greek Catholic or Roman Catholic, while Protestantism, Judaism, and Islam are also practiced.

Yelysaveta’s family practices Orthodox Christianity. Her name is the Ukrainian version of Elisabeth. It means “devoted to God.”

Names

Nadezhda

Nadezhda is a Slavic name that

Alla is a Ukrainian name that honors St. Alla, a martyr of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Yuryi is the Ukrainian version of the name George. It means “farmer.”

Bohdan

Bohdan is a Slavic name that means “given by God.”

Name (Male) Origin Meaning

Aleksandr Greek defender of man

Anatolyi Greek sunrise

Andrei Greek manly

Mykhayl Hebrew “Who is like God?”

Nykolai Greek victory of the people

Serhei Latin servant

Vasylyi Greek royal, kingly

Vladymyr Slavic great ruler

Vyktor Latin conqueror

Yvan Slavic “God is gracious”

Name (Female) Origin Meaning

Anna Hebrew grace, favor

Elena Greek shining light

Halyna Greek serenity

Lyudmyla Slavic beloved of the people

Maryia Latin star of the sea

Natalyia Russian birthday of the Lord

Olha Ukrainian holy

Svetlana Slavic light, luminescent

Tatiana Russian fairy queen

Valentyna Latin healthy, strong

Learn Ukrainian

Ukrainian is spoken as a first language by about 70 percent of the population. It is a member of the Indo-European language family and a branch of the East Slavic group.

pryvit pray veet (Hello)

dobryy ranok doh-bree rah-nock (Good morning)

mene zvaty _____ men-ay zvah-tay ____ (My name is ___)

yak ty yahk teh

(How are you?)

ya holodnyy yah ho-load-nee (I’m hungry)

ya khochu pyty yah ho-jew put-ay (I’m thirsty)

bud’ laskal boud lahska

(Please)

tak tahk (Yes)

dyakuyu dah kew-yo (Thank you) ni nee (No)

do pobachennya do po-bahch-en-ya (Goodbye)

Holidays and Festivals

Ukraine has a rich and dynamic culture, and Ukrainians celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year.

Here are a few:

Independence Day

August 24 marks the anniversary of the day in 1991 Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union. It is celebrated with parades, speeches, carnivals, sporting events, concerts, fireworks, and more.

Holi

A new tradition for Ukrainians, Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter with a celebration to welcome spring. People enjoy feasts, music, and dancing, with revelers throwing brightly colored powders on each other.

Constitution Day

June 28 marks the anniversary of the day the Ukrainian Constitution was adopted in 1996. Ukrainians sing the national anthem and take part in patriotic events such as parades, concerts, and fireworks displays.

Holodomor

Remembrance Day

The fourth Saturday of November commemorates the deaths of millions of Ukrainians from 1932 to 1933 due to a forced famine by the Soviet Union. Church services and prayers commemorate the famine, and Ukrainians light candles to honor those who suffered or died.

Unity Day

January 22 marks the anniversary of the day in 1919 that the Treaty of Unity joined eastern and western Ukraine. It is celebrated mainly through commemorative events and speeches by government officials.

Food

Ukrainian food is based on the simple peasant dishes that have sustained the country’s farmers for thousands of years. Cultivating a wide variety of grains from the country’s fertile soil, generations of Ukrainians have built a way of life around agriculture, making their country the “breadbasket of Europe.” Ukrainian cuisine exemplifies eastern European food, where bread, potatoes, and meat are common staples.

Kutya

A cold sweet porridge often served on Christmas Eve, kutya is made of wheat berries, poppy seeds, and honey.

Kholodets

Kholodets is a jellied meat that gets its name from the Ukrainian word kholodnyy, meaning “cold.”

Borscht

The Ukrainian version of this beet-based soup includes meat and is served hot.

Varenyky

These savory dumplings are filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, and onion.

Deruny

Deruny are grated potatoes with onion that are fried as patties and served with sour cream.

Nachynka

Similar to stuffing, this baked cornmeal dish is usually served alongside meat.

Holubtsi

Baked in a tomato puree, Ukrainian stuffed cabbage rolls have a meat and rice filling.

Kapustianyi

This simple salad is made of chilled sauerkraut or fresh cabbage dressed with mayonnaise and oil.

Pampushky

Served as a sweet treat, pampushky are yeasted doughnuts that are traditionally filled with poppy seeds, prunes, or fruit jam. They are served brushed with butter, honey, or dusted with powdered sugar.

Total Time

Ingredients

3 cups (720 g) all-purpose flour

2½ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast

1 tsp (5 g) salt

1 cup (240 ml) warm water

1 Tbsp (15 g) sugar

110 min

Directions

6 7 8

2 Tbsp (30 g) jam of choice

2 Tbsp (30 ml) honey

Sift together the flour, yeast, and salt into a mixing bowl.

Add water and sugar, mixing into a soft dough.

Form dough into a ball, cover, and let rest in a warm place for 60 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a baking sheet.

Punch down dough, divide it into eight equal pieces, and form each into a ball.

Make an indentation in each ball, fill each with a teaspoon of jam, and shape into slightly flattened balls.

Place balls on a baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden.

Transfer pampushky to a wire rack, brush them with honey, and let cool for 10 minutes.

National Symbols

National Bird

White stork (common name)

Ciconia ciconia (scientific name)

National Day

Independence Day

August 24

National Flower

Sunflower (common name)

Helianthus annuus (scientific name)

National Animal

Common nightingale (common name)

Luscinia megarhynchos (scientific name)

National Flag

Approved – January 28, 1992

National Currency

Ukraine’s official currency is the hryvnia and kopiyka.

1 hryvnia = 100 kopiyok

National Anthem

“Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy” (“Ukraine’s Glory Has Not Perished”)

Lyrics by: Pavlo Chubynsky

Transliteration

Shche ne vmerla Ukraini, ny slava, ny volja, Shche nam, brattja - ukraincy, usmyzhnetjsja dolja, Zginutj nashi voryzhenjki, jak rosa na soncy, Zazhivemo y mi, brattja, u svoij storoncy.

Dushu j tylo mi polozhim za nashu svobodu

Y pokazhem, shcho mi, brattja, kozacjkogo rodu.

Dushu j tylo mi polozhim za nashu svobodu

Y pokazhem, shcho mi, brattja, kozacjkogo rodu.

English Translation

Ukraine’s glory hasn’t perished, nor her freedom

Upon us, fellow compatriots, fate shall smile once more. Our enemies will vanish, like dew in the morning sun, And we too shall rule, brothers, in a free land of our own. We’ll lay down our souls and bodies to attain our freedom, And we’ll show that we, brothers, are of the Kozak nation. We’ll lay down our souls and bodies to attain our freedom, And we’ll show that we, brothers, are of the Kozak nation.

Things to See and Do

Trukhaniv Island

This 450-hectare (1,112-acre) island, situated in Kyiv’s Dnieper River, is a popular destination accessible via a pedestrian bridge, boat, or by walking across the frozen river during winter. Activities include biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, and swimming.

Carpathian National Nature Park

Ukraine’s first national park and one of its largest, Carpathian National Nature Park features the 84 meters (275 feet) Huk Waterfall.

Kyiv Zoo

Founded in 1908, Kyiv Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals as well as 130 species of trees and plants. It features a bird pavilion (considered the largest in Europe) and big cat enclosure surrounded by wide ravines.

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves)

Encompassing monuments, bell towers, cathedrals, caves, and fortification walls, this architectural complex dates to 1051. The Orthodox monastery includes caves that were used as the abodes of monks and as burial places.

National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine

Located just outside Kyiv, this outdoor museum has more than 200 buildings to explore. It contains houses, barns, and working structures, as well as traditional wooden churches and a windmill.

Kyiv Academic Puppet Theatre

Puppetry is an art form in Ukraine, something that’s best understood after watching a performance at this imposing theater. All puppets used are the original ones designed when the theater opened in 1927.

Kyiv Funicular

Opened in 1905, this steep slope railroad connects historic Uppertown with the lower commercial neighborhood of Podil overlooking the Dnipro River. The trip between stations takes approximately three minutes, offering stunning views.

M.M. Hryshka National Botanical Garden

This botanical garden features more than 13,000 types of plants throughout its gardens, greenhouses, conservatories, and exhibit buildings. Species include everything from coniferous trees to roses and peonies.

Golden Gate of Kyiv

This historic gateway in the city walls of Kyiv was built in the 11th century. Designed and named after the Golden Gate of Constantinople, it now includes a museum.

Lake Svitiaz

Lake Svitiaz is Ukraine’s secondlargest natural lake as well as its deepest, at 58.4 meters (191.6 feet). It is part of a group of more than 30 lakes within Shatsky National Natural Park in the country’s northwestern corner.

Gu i d e

t io n

L o c a

Carpathian National

Nature Park

Trukhaniv Island

Kyiv Zoo

Lavra

Kyiv Pechersk

National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine

Kyiv Academic Puppet Theatre

Kyiv Funicular M.M. Hryshka National Botanical Garden Golden Gate of Kyiv Lake Svitiaz

Fun Facts

Serious About Sunflowers

Ukraine takes its sunflowers seriously. Not only is the sunflower the Ukrainian national flower, but the country is also the world’s largest producer of sunflower seeds. More than 16 million metric tons of sunflower seeds are harvested annually in the country.

An Egg-cellent Tradition

The tradition of coloring Easter eggs originated in Ukraine. Wax was originally used to make designs on the eggs, which were then dipped in dye and allowed to dry before the wax was removed to reveal the pattern.

First Constitution

In 1710, Ukrainian Pylyp Orlyk wrote what is thought to be the world’s first constitution. It was also the first document in Europe to establish the separation of government powers into three

Big Borderland

Ukraine is the largest country entirely within the continent of Europe. Slightly smaller than the US state of Texas, it encompasses 603,628 square kilometers (233,062 square miles). Ukraine’s name comes from a word meaning “borderland.”

long, the trembita is one of the world’s longest musical instruments. This alpine horn was widely used by shepherds in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains to communicate over vast distances.

Pyrohiv

Carpathian Mountains

Khotyn Fortress

Motherland Monument in Kyiv

Stone Railway Bridge, Vorokhta