Ukraine – The Tradition of Painting Easter Eggs

Ukrainian customs are heavily influenced by Christianity, which is the religion with the largest number of adherents in the country. Gender roles also tend to be distributed in the traditional manner, the grandparents playing an important role in the education of the children than in Western countries. The Ukrainian culture has been influenced by its neighbors to the west and east of the country, which is reflected in the fine arts, architecture and music.

The tradition of painting Easter eggs, known as Pisanka, dates back a long way in Ukraine. The eggs are drawn with wax to achieve forms, and then the paint is applied in order to color them, without covering the parts drawn with wax. After painting the egg, the wax is removed, remaining only the colorful shapes. This tradition is more than a thousand years old, before the rise of Christianity in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian traditional cuisine is based on chicken, pork, beef, fish and mushrooms.

Also, Ukrainians eat more potatoes, cereals and vegetables, both fresh and pickled. Among traditional Ukrainian dishes are vareniki (boiled dumplings with mushrooms, potatoes, cabbage, cheese or cherries), borscht and holubti (a kind of cabbage stuffed with rice, carrots and meat). Ukrainian specialties include Kiev chicken and Kiev cake. Ukrainian’s favorite drinks are stewed fruit, juices, yoghurt, mineral water, tea and coffee, beer, wine and horilka.

Kiev is the largest cultural, scientific and industrial center of Ukraine and is also one of the most attractive tourist destinations. The romantic atmosphere of the Dnieper riverbank is maintained and appreciated by historians, as architectural monuments of the world treasures. An old city, yet so modern that combines contradictory influences in a surprising way, attracts every year millions of visitors who never fail to fully explore it.

Always effervescent, alternating leisure and trade center with tranquil oasis of parks and charming gardens, Kiev has much to offer.