Ukrainian Culture - Blog Posts

Have you ever seen Ukrainian Discworld books?

this time, I would like to show you what books Ukrainians read.

it was...2017 (?) when Pratchett's novels appeared in Ukrainian; in 2019, I met these books for the first time.

I am not going to comnent the design (though I love it so much, it is cute and have minor spoilers for the content), but the useful point OUGHT to be mentioned.

as you can see, at the end of the books (I think... starting in 2021, this thing appeared at the end, in 2019 it definitely didn't) there is an infographic (?) that shows the number of series of the Discworld, their sequence and not yet translated novels (they are white, although I have already seen "Small Gods"...mmm ok).

is the translation good, btw?

honestly, I was surprised it is; however, there are remarks that sometimes report the impossibility of direct translating certain Pratchett puns.

and the last...it normally costs 10 dollars (which is expensive, honestly...but buyworthy).

that is how I (haha, let us say NORMALLY, though the war must not be a part of daily routine), again, NORMALLY live, and honestly, it is nothing comparing to the eastern part of Ukraine.

I just want you to know ruzzians try to kill us while yer tolerating em all year by year.

цю частину тексту я пишу лише для українців: тримайтеся, тримайтеся далі, тримайтеся, як на початку, щоб побачити кінець геноциду української держави.

art is political.

Students of Mykhailo Boychuk Art Academy drawing their school that was hit by russian missile

пан Адамцевич є автором “Запорозького маршу“, який ви не могли не чути, втім ви могли не чути й не читати й не чуткувати його біографії (зара я у вашому клубі, але до кінця дня (вечора ? та, вже вечір, з добрим ранком мене) я переведусі в клуб дізнавшихся його історію, тож запрошую puppy поглядом взятисі за руці й ноги (чи без тактильного контакту, йор віш) та перевестисі разом 👯). енівейс, якщо ви навіть прочитали перше слово і не дочитали до сюди, се знак, що варто подибати інформейшну по кобзарях, але дочитавши до кінця, ви точно знаєте, що се знак

Old Ukrainian bandura from the 1st half of the 19th century, which belonged to the real kobzar, Yevhen O. Adamtsevych (Євген О. Адамцевич, 1903/1904-1972)

Currently stored in the collection of the Kharkiv Historical Museum (Харківський історичний музей), ДР-68

There is a Cossack on horseback depicted on this beautiful musical instrument:

NEXT ONE

"Speak of the wolf and the wolf is (coming) into the house" (Про вовка промовка а вовк і в хату) This is literally the "Speak of the devil" but with with a wolf. People don`t even use the second part about the house. They just say: "Speak of the wolf". Perhaps comes from long gone supestitions of not mentioning dangerous animals as if to not "manifest" them coming to you. Its literally the reason the original word for Bear is lost. People genuinely were afraid to call the dangerous beast by it`s name, replacing it will nicknames.

There is a saying in Ukrainian: "Tell an idiot to pray and he`s gonna smash his head" (Скажи дурню молитися і він голову розіб'є). Sometimes you can just say the firs half since everyone already know the second one. It comes. Context is It comes from the tradition of bowing/kneeling during prayer. And it can have two meanings:

No matter how easy, simple or straightforward the task is, a stupid person will still find a way to screw it up...somehow. Kinda like the phraze "You had ONE job, dude!"

No matter how healthy, constructive, well-intentioned, moral, wize, demure or logical the idea/cause/midset, an idiot will still find a way to either: a) completely misunderstand/distort it/miss the entire point....and screw it up, or b) go copletely overboard with no measure....and screw it up

This isn`t even related to anything specific in my life or on the internet, i just REALLY REALLY wanted to share some cool sayings/idioms from my language. Maybe language and folklore nerds will like it. Maybe writers and worldbuilders will get some cool inspiration for the way characters speak. Maybe i will just spread the good will of funny shit in my language and culture. I will post some more of these

Almost forgot the last creature I made for the cryptid artbook project: the Chugaister from Ukrainian mythology. Described as a large bear-like man, naked and super hairy (with almost animal-like fur), that roams the Carpathian mountains. Despite his appearance, he is a benevolent creature and doesn’t seem attack humans unless provoked. In fact, according to tales, he’s quite friendly towards people. He doesn’t speak like humans, but if he encounters you camping in the forest, he will gladly join you to dance around a bonfire, engaging in a sort of friendly dance battle. He’s super chill overall, especially if you share your food.

Additionally, the Chugaister protects humans from evil spirits and dangers, including NIAVKAS.

You might have heard of "Mavka" from the cartoon "Mavka, the Forest Song." BUT Mavkas and Niavkas are separate beings in folklore (though there is some overlap). I remember reading these different interpretations of the same entity come from different regions (can`t find right now) , but generally:

Mavkas are benevolent, playful forest spirits, almost like forest nymphs with green hair. Niavkas, on the other hand, are described as having transparent skin on their backs through which you can see their organs, usually covered with long hair. They are considered extremely dangerous, akin to skinwalkers or certain types of Fae (if you’re familiar with Fae/Fey mythology).

- Where are all Ukrainian writers? Why there are so few of them?

Just one example of hundreds similar cases:

Geo Shkurupiy was born on April 20, 1903, a Ukrainian writer of the avant-garde genre. Shot by the NKVD (the Secret Police of the USSR) on December 8, 1937, in Leningrad. His place of rest is still unknown. His wife, Varvara Bazas, was assigned the WTM category — "the Wife of a Traitor to the Motherland". Together with their son Georgiy, they - as an "enemy of the people" family - were forcibly evicted from Kyiv by the Soviet authorities.

Here are two poems by Maksym Kryvtsov, a Ukrainian poet, who was killed defending Ukraine back in January. One of the poems is dedicated to a ginger cat that followed him around faithfully and later died with him. Please read his words, don't let them die too.

Long post about so-called Ukrainian “xenophobia” towards russians. If you’re not from East Europe\Ukraine - PLEASE, READ IT.

Me and my friends are really tired from seeing shit like this, so here’s simplest explanation to (almost) every popular agrument and answer to it.

Starting with definition. Xenophobia = hate for something foreign just because it is foreign. We DO NOT hate russians just because they're russians.

We hate russians for their warcrimes: both of the past and present.

(Litteraly the day I wrote this thread on Twitter it was another missile attack in the morning)

To put it plane and simple: russians and everything russia related aren't bad for just being russian: russians and everything russia related are bad because they destroying our lifes, cities, kill, rape, stole, occupy, torture and etc.

"But not every russian is related to military! Most of them against war!"

Oh? Really?

But even without numbers: you need to understand that more often so-called anti war russians are just ignorant to what their country doing. Be against war isn't about just words and position - it's about proving your position action. And by taking none since 2014, russians made it clear that they're okay with war.

"Anti war" russians most likely still paying taxes, and those money lately goes to army. "Anti war" russians, again, didn't do anything to stop war. Hell, most of liberal russians are direct imperialists.

So, if you see russian online and even if they're proclame themselves to be antiwar, in 99% cases they aren't.

Also, I simplifying most of things to better understanding, but you also need to know that without context of East Europe\russia-Ukraine conflict history a lot of imperialistic russian shit can pass though your ears. Just be aware of it.

"But how can they do anything against in such authoritarian country!"

Let's head back to simple math. According to russian sources, there was almost 15k detained (note: detained =\= convicted) for anti-war actions.

It all may sound scary... Until you look at looses of ru army.

So it is MUCH more safer in russia to be anti-war that is to be pro-war. Does it bother russians? Not at all.

and don't get me started on how lame it is for country with 144 million population to be afraid of abvously much lesser police force)

***

So, in summary:

Ukranians don't hate russians for being russians. Ukranians hate russians for being bloodthursty, ignorant mass who actively support war and\or don't do a shit to stop it.

Most russians, even "good" ones - likely a war supporter. Yes, they may not a straight forward z-one, but almost 100% an ignorant person who supports war by their money and absence of action against it.

We, Ukranians, have neither the strength nor the desire to look for a needle in our son's haystack.

Keep it in mind and please, do not get into conflicts, the nature and context of which you do not understand. Thanks for reading.

P.S Also there's a really good thread on Twitter that looks over this as a question of basic empathy, so please read it as well.

P.S.S And feel free to ask questions.

Not gonna lie, my morale is at the lowest point it's been since the beginning of the invasion. Russians are successfully occupying more and more territories and shell frontline regions every day. People are dying, our culture and herritage is destroyed. International aid dwindled significantly because of american bullshit. Mobilization law has been signed and there is a chance that my family members get conscripted soon. Don't even get me started on internal political problems. A bunch of articles in foreign media talking about our defeat and "peace talks" (what a joke).

It feels like there were no at least moderately good news in a while. On top of that, the feeling that we are screaming into the void is stronger than ever. I'm happy when I see a foreigner online supporting us and spreading the word, because it gets rarer. Ukrainians feel like none of what's happening gets outside our info bubble. Most likely no one but Ukrainians will see this post either. Honestly don't know what to make of all of this.

"russia has a great culture! where are the Ukrainian artists?"

russia killed them.

I really hope Jack Edwards chokes. "Oh look we made Dostoevsky number one bestseller on Amazon!" as if that fucking guy needed any hype. Maybe you can spend all this time and energy promoting books and authors that truly are not represented? I don’t know, make a video on Georgian literature, spend hours trying to find at least one English translation of the biggest Lithuanian authors? Of course, it’s going to be hard, all of the money was spend on English translations of Russian authors and all of us had only last 33 years trying to do anything to promote our culture while you all were simping for chauvinists, who hated the bare existence of us. Google at least the names of prominent Polish and Latvian authors. What are their names? What were they writing about? Could they afford to write about some highly intellectual suffering while their nations were balancing between life and death? Read the names of modern Ukrainian writers that were killed in the last 2 years. Who killed them? What would they think of Dostoevsky? Were they the "trembling beast" or "did they have the right"? Literature does teach a lot and for some reason the countries that were (are) under Russian attacks don’t like Dostoevsky, why his philosophical thought is so pathetic in our eyes? Do some research, then we’ll talk.

im so tired of seeing that Ukrainians are "white privileged." WHERE. WHERE THE FUCK. JUST WHERE. Ukrainians and Ukrainian culture whas been OPPRESSED. Ukrainian language and culture has been BANNED from everything by russia CENTURIES AGO. Ukrainian artists and writers have been KILLED AND OPPRESSED AND BANNED from writing literature in Ukrainian. we are literally being KILLED just because we are Ukrainian. what the fuck do you mean by white privilege.

Ukrainian culture by kumarik.k

"russia has a great culture! where are the Ukrainian artists?"

russia killed them.

💔 A Ukrainian poet and soldier, Maksym Kryvtsov, was killed by Russians at the front. He first volunteered for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2014. After the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022, he returned to its ranks to defend Ukraine.

Just yesterday, Maksym posted a photo with his new poetry book called "Poems from the loophole". It was recognised by PEN Ukraine, an NGO protecting freedom of speech and authors' rights, as one of the best Ukrainian books of 2023.

Shortly before his death, Maksym also posted a photo with his ginger cat on Instagram. The cat, to whom he had dedicated a poem, died with him.

Russia keeps killing Ukrainian poets and trying to destroy our culture. The evil must be held accountable for every crime, every life, and every word taken away.

Photos: Maksym Kryvtsov / Facebook

My favourite facts about crimean tatars:

The first ever institution of higher education on the territory of modern Ukraine was founded in Crimea: it was medrese of Khan Uzbek, founded in 1333. Currently only ruins remain of the building.

Crimean tatar women were the first in the islamic world to get the rigt to vote.

In 1917, the first Crimean tatar Kurultay (something alike to democratically elected parilament) included women.

Moscow used to pay tribute to the Crimean Khanate :)

In 2021, Örnek, the traditional crimean tatar orniament, was included in the UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. (Learn more here and look at the beautiful examples)

One of the most prominent human rights' activists on the territory of USSR was a crimean tatar Mustafa Abdülcemil oğlu Cemilev. He spent 15 years in prisons for this. He would later become the head of Mejlis (the highest governmental organ of crimean tatars) and is currently a member of ukrainian parliament.

2016 Eurovision winner, Susana Alimivna Jamaladinova, better known by her stage name Jamala, is a crimean tatar.

Maidan, which is the general word with which ukrainian call the anti-governmental protests, is a crimean tatar word.

Cheburek is a national crimean tatar dish.

My boi in national Ukrainian clothes and my part in DTIYS by @/linyvets_chan (Instagram)! Drawing this was fascinating, I'm happy with the result. Thank you, linyvets_chan, for such an interesting experience.

😄

Мій хлопчик у національному українському одязі й моя участь у DTIYS від @/linyvets_chan (Instagram)! Малювати це було прецікаво, результат мене радує. Дякую, linyvets_chan, за такий цікавий досвід.

Plyontanism (пльонтанізм) is art technique that was invented by Ukrainian artist Ivan Marchuk. The name Plyontanism comes from Ukrainian words 'plesty' (плести) and dialect word 'plyontaty' (пльонтати) that means the same process - to weave.

Incredible Marchuk's technique reminds of woven art or cobwebs. His art is mysterious and thrilling, it makes me feel goosebumps. It's like you see the world with Moira's eyes, who spins the thread of fate.

ukrainian clothes of 17-19 century by zinayida vasina

Winter in the Village of Opishnia by Serhii Vasylkivskyi, 1900s

Folk painting on the theme "Тікай, Петре з Наталкою, іде мати з качалкою" - "Run, Petro with Natalka, the mother is coming with a rolling pin" from the collection of the Ivan Honchar museum, XX century, part 2

"Український космос" Олега Шупляка.

Художник - Юрій Іванович Пацан.

don't worry everyone, we are not suicidal (mostly). The River One Song ends with "Я річку шукати чистеньку піду –шукатиму доти, поки не знайду". So, it's very life-affirming!

being ukrainian is a privilege because i get to go ніхто мене не любить ніхто не приласкає піду я у садочок наїмся червячків whenever i'm feeling down

Картини українського етнографа Івана Гончара, що зображають українців у традиційному одязі в побуті | Paintings by the Ukrainian ethnographer Ivan Honchar that depict Ukrainians wearing traditional clothes in everyday life

a folk song from chapayevka village, chornobyl region

this type of song is called голосіння (holosinnya — "keening"), and they are usually sang by women over the dead body during the period between death and funeral. in this song, the woman is mourning both her dead son, and the land that they were forced to leave due to the chornobyl disaster.

translation under the cut

We went there

The houses are overgrown

Can't see anything over the weeds

Oh my God

Thirty years had passed

Now I can't even recognize

Neither my house, nor my village

Oh my God, oh my God

Oh my son, my nightingale

My son, my little dove

How far they brought us

And I will never come to you again

And will never see you again

Oh, my land, my golden one

My land, my dear one

Oh, how far they brought us

That I can't come to you

Our roads, our paths are overgrown

And our houses, and everything

I can't even recognize

Not the village, nor any of our backyards

We got lost, can't even find our houses

Oh my God, oh my God

Reapers by Semen Prokhorov, 1922

Fandergs

While I wrote my review of Kotlyarevsky's "Eneida" in the side blog, here I will show my fan dragons based on "Eneida"!

This is Aeneas and Eavrial as Zaporozhian Cossacks. And I was really happy that FR have Finely Crafted Lute, which is very similar to Ukrainian kobza.

A short explanation of my layer by layer drawing of Central/Eastern Ukrainian folk attire, for anyone who might be interested.