Eastern Europe — Ukraine blog

Posts tagged Eastern Europe

Ukraïner shares stories of historical and modern Ukraine

The Google rabbit hole is one of my favourite places.

A few months back, I was looking for information about the lizhnyk, a traditional wool blanket from the Hutsulshchyna region of Ukraine. In January 2018, I was in Yavoriv, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and visited the home of a craftswoman who makes these blankets, and though I took some notes, I still wanted more info (and also was probably procrastinating doing something).

So I searched around online a bit, and I came across an article with video and photos on a website called Ukraïner. After learning more about the lizhnyk, I dove deeper into Ukrainer’s site—I was hooked. And you will be too.

Cities, Exploring Ukraine, Lifestyle, Language, TraditionsKaitlin VittAugust 29, 2019Ukraïner, Ukraine, Ukraine travel, Travel, Eastern Europe, Ukrainian history, Ukrainian diaspora Comments

Why I glare at you when you whistle indoors: A guide to Ukrainian superstitions

I have a few friends who said their babas warned them to never whistle indoors, and as kids, they thought it was just because their grandmothers thought they were annoying.

But lo and behold, there’s more to it.

There’s a belief among Ukrainians (and other cultures) that if you whistle while indoors, you’ll bring upon yourself bad luck and lack of wealth.

That’s why you’ll see me stop myself mid-pucker if I hear a catchy tune indoors, instead resorting to singing or humming. It’s also why I may glare at you (or perhaps look away to pretend it’s not happening) when you whistle near me and we are clearly inside.

Traditions, LifestyleKaitlin VittDecember 29, 2018Superstition, Ukraine, Lifestyle, Folklore, Folk stories, Folk beliefs, Ukrainian traditions, Eastern Europe, Eastern European folklore, Ukrainian diaspora Comments