Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine

Like any other city Kyiv was born on the bank of a river. It happened more than 2000 years ago. The beautiful old legend about foundation of Kyiv tells about 3 brothers - Kyi, Shchek and Khoriv and their sister Lybid, who sailing down the Dniper saw the picturesque green banks and thought this place would be perfect for a new city. They settled there and named the place Kyiv after the eldest brother. The new city started quickly to rise on the hills among the dark forests, full of wild animals and rich meadows which provided good pasture for cattle.

Kiev grew larger and larger; it attracted many people from other cities, towns and villages. Rich people settled on the hills where the Princes’ palaces were built, while common people lived in the lower part of the city, known as Podil. Kyiv became capital city in the 9^th century with establishment of Kyiv Rus.

In the 10^th century Yaroslav the Wise, Prince Volodymyr the Great’s son expanded the city. He ordered many beautiful churches to be built, including the famous St. Sophia’s Cathedral (1037), a wonderful architectural monument which miraculously survived after all the invasions and fires and still charms the citizens and the guests of the city with its unique beauty. The Cathedral was erected at the exact place of the victorious battle with the Pechengs so that other generations would remember the deeds of their forefathers. It was not only a place of worship, it was also a place of learning and preserving the wisdom of the past, because it was the place where the first school and library in Kyiv Rus was founded. At the same time the first monks settled in the caves on the left bank of the Dniper, giving the beginning to another worship and amazing architectural beauty - Kyiv- Pecherska Lavra. It was an outstanding cultural centre of Kyiv Rus where many famous people lived and worked: the Chronical writers Nestor, Nikon and Joan, the painters Alimpiy and Grigoriy, the doctors Agapyt and Damian. Several times the Lavra was burnt to ashes by numerous invaders but each time it was restored, and now we can admire the wonderful churches and cathedrals of this architectural complex.

Another famous place in Kyiv is the Golden Gate which was one of the entrances to the city in ancient times and were usually opened to welcome very important guests. Now it has been turned into an interesting museum where you can wonder around and imagine yourself in medieval Kyiv.

Opposite St. Sophia’s Cathedral there is an impressive monument to Bohdan Khmelnitsky, the 17^th century outstanding Ukrainian statesman and military leader who played an important role in Ukrainian history. If you walk up Shevchenko Boulevard you will be amazed by the beauty of Volodymyr Cathedral, which icons and frescoes were painted by the famous artists Victor Vasnetsov, Mykola Nesterov and Mykhaylo Vrubel. In Andreivskiy Spusk your attention will be attracted by Rasstrelli’s masterpiece - Andreivska Church, and Mykhailo Bulgakov’s readers will find his museum just round the corner not far from the church.

Khreshchatyk, the beautiful many – faced, brightly- lit main street of Kyiv, hasn’t always been like this. Originally it was Khreshchata Dolyna covered with forests and ravines. At the beginning of the 10^th century the first wooden houses were built there, later stone buildings were erected. Practically all of them were ruined during the Great Patriotic War but later they were restored by the people of Kyiv. The street leads to Independence Square, the main square of Kyiv which now together with Khreshchatyk, is the favorite place of entertainment for the citizens and guests of the city.

Museum lovers will find hundreds of beautiful exhibits in the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts which contains valuable collections of Ukrainian icons, pictures and sculptures from the 14^th till the 20^th century, including some works by Taras Shevchenko. Some of his other paintings, manuscripts and personal belongings can be found in the Taras Shevchenko State Museum in Shevchenko Boulevard and in the museum in Kanyv, his burial place. Another rich collection of pictures and sculptures can be seen in the Russian Arts Museum, which is the third largest after those of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Theatre – goers will never be bored in Kyiv as there are theatres to all tastes: the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet House, the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theater, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theater, the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire, the Kyiv Philharmonic Society, the Musical Drama Theater and many others.

Kiev has always been a very important scientific, educational and cultural center. Among the best known higher educational establishments are Kyiv Shevchenko National University, Kyiv Polytechnic University, International Independent University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv state Conservatory and others. Kyiv is the home of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and hundreds of research institutes. It is also a huge industrial center but the air in the capital is not so polluted because of plenty of parks.

Exercises.

1.Answer the following questions:

1.When was the city of Kyiv born?

2.Who founded Kyiv?

3.Where did rich people settle?

4. When did Kyiv become the capital of Kyiv Rus?

5.What is Prince Yaroslav the Wise famous for?

6. Who founded Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra?

7. What kind of architectural monuments is Golden Gate?

8. Who was Bohdan Khmelnysky?

9. What is the origin of the word “Kreshchatik”?

10. What kind of exhibits can one find in the Museum of Fine Arts?

2 Decide which of these statements are true and which are false:

1.Kyiv was born at the sea coast.

2.The city was named after the eldest brother.

3.Yaroslav the Wise was Prince Volodymyr’ son.

4.St.Sophia Cathedral was built in 1037.

5.Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra was founded by the first monks who settled in the caves.

6.Lavra was never ruined at all.

7.Andreivska Church was built by architect Rasstrelli.

8.T.Shevchenko was buried in Kiev.

9.Kyiv Shevchenko University is one of the best high educational establishments in Ukraine.

10. Kyiv is a green city.

3. Complete the following sentences:

1.The beautiful old legend about foundation of Kiev tells about ________.

2.Rich people settled on the hills where the Princes ‘ palaces were built, while ________.

3.In the 10^th century Prince Volodymyr the Great expanded the city and his son Yaroslav the Wise _____.

4.St.Sophia Cathedral was erected at the exact place of ___________.

5.Lavra was an outstanding cultural center of Kyiv Rus where many famous people lived and worked:______.

6.Opposite St.Sophia Cathedral there is an impressive monument to ___________.

7.Icons and frescoes of Volodymyr Cathedral were painted by the famous artists _________.

8.Kreshchatik leads to Independence square _____.

9.Kyev has theaters to all tastes: ______.

4 Find English equivalents for the following Ukrainian word-combinations:

Софійський собор - Andreivska Church

Золоті ворота - Independence square

Володимирський собор - the Taras Shevchenko National opera and ballet House

Андріївська церква - the Musical Drama Theatre

Площа Незалежності – the Chaikovsky Conservatory

Музей російського мистецтва - Golden Gates

Будинок національної опери і балету ім. Т. Шевченка - St. Sophia’s Cathedral

Драматичний театр ім. І. Франка - Volodymyr Cathedral

Драматичний театр ім. Лесі Українки – the Russian arts museum

Консерваторія ім. Чайковського – the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama theater

Театр музичної драми - the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama theater

5. Translate from Ukrainian into English:

a) 1.Київ був заснований на берегах ріки Дніпро.

2. Існує дуже стара легенда про трьох братів - Кия, Щека, Хорива і їх сестру Либідь. Вони вибрали місце для майбутнього міста на берегах мальовничої ріки.

3. Собор Святої Софії був побудований Ярославом Мудрим у 1037 році.

4. Перші монахи поселились в печерах на берегах Дніпра. Вони заснували знамениту Києво-Печерську Лавру.

5. Золоті ворота були головним входом до древнього міста.

6. Хрещатик - головна вулиця Києва.

7. Київ - це важливий, освітній та науковий центр.

6. Discuss the following statements:

1.Kyiv is famous of its churches. Name some of them. Have you ever been there?

2.Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra is the cultural center. Why?

3.Kreshchatik, the main street of Kiev, is favorite place for tourists. Prove it.

4.Kyiv is a large scientific and educational center.

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