PLACES TO VISIT

Ukrainians have made a spirited effort to preserve their cultural traditions and customs. There are many things to see and places to visit. We have listed our favorites for you below!

ART GALLERIES
Art Salon	Andriyivsky Uzviz 3 (Tel: 416-1237). Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, lunch break 2-3pm.
Khudozhniy Salon	Vul. Chervonoarmiyska 47 (Tel: 227-3730). Open: Tues-Sat 9am-6pm, lunch break 2-3pm.
Khudozhniy Salon	Vul. Entuziastiv 17. (Tel: 555-3994). Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, lunch break 2-3 pm.
Tsentralny Khudozhniy Salon	Vul. Khmelnytskoho 27. (Tel: 224-1660). Open Mon-Fri 10 am to 7 pm; Sat 10 am to 6 pm, lunch break 2-3pm.
Gallery at Taras Shevshenko- Museum	12 Taras Shevchenko Blvd. Open Tues-Sat. 10 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Good colection of contemporary artists.

THEATERS AND CONCERT HALLS

With over 20 theaters to choose from, one can see almost anything from ballet to opera. Performances are usually in Ukrainian or Russian. Government subsidies make opera and theater tickets very inexpensive.

Concert Hall "Ukrainian Palace"	Vul. Chervonoarmiyska 23 (Tel: 268-1584)
Conservatory	Vul. Karla Marxa 1/3.
House of Organ and Chamber Music	Vul. Chervonoarmiyska 77. (Tel: 268-5678)
Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theater	Ploshcha Franka 3. (Tel: 229-5991) Performances in this theater are mainly works by popular Ukrainian writers and playwrights such as Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, I. Karpenko-Kariy.
Lesia Ukrainka Russian Drama Theater	Vul. Bohdana Khmelnytskoho 5. (Tel: 224-9063/4223)
Philharmonic Society	Vul. Volodymyrska Uzviz 2.
Puppet Theater	Vul. Shota Rustaveli 13. (Tel: 220-9065). Going to the puppet theater is not only fun for the children, but entertaining for adult as well.
Sports Palace	Sportyvna Ploshcha 1. (Tel: 221-5793)
Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater	Vul. Volodymyrska 50. (Tel: 224-7165, 229-1169). The National Opera of Ukraine was built in 1919 and has since been beautifully restored. During the opera season many classics are performed - from the traditional Ukrainian opera "Taras Bulba" to Verdi's "La Traviata". The National Opera is home to a very good opera company, a ballet company of considerable talent, and expansive repertoire. Prices average 250,000 per ticket, so it's well worth your time.

MUSEUMS, RECREATION SITES, MONASTERIES

Ukrainian contemporary art includes painting and sculpture in a wide range of experimental and traditional styles. Icons and folk art are displayed in museums purchased in galleries and shops. There are several art museums with collections of Ukrainian and European art. There are also museums with good collections of archaeology, geology, botany, zoology and aerospace.

CENTRAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Timiryazevska 1. (Tel: 295-4527). Hours: 10am-8pm Mon-Sun. Founded in 1936 the gardens offer a glimpse of a collection comprising nearly 13,000 varieties of trees, bushes, and grass from five different continents. The 11th century Vydubychi monastery is still open to the public on the garden's grounds.

CENTRAL PARK

Volodymyrska Uzviz 2. (Tel: 228-3092). This park stretches throughout the center of the city and houses a number of parks and historical complexes including the Mariyinsky Palace, Askold Grave, and the monument to Prince Volodymyr. A breathtaking view of the Dnipro River can be seen from the park's terraces.

HYDROPARK

Peredimska Sloboda 10. (Tel: 517-1492). Over 900 acres stretch along this riverside park with sandy beaches along the Dnipro River banks. One can enjoy swimming, volleyball, tennis, badminton, sun bathing, or sailing on a rental boat. There is an open-air theater, coffee shop, restaurant, and beer bar. No entrance fee.

MUSEUM OF UKRAINIAN FINE ARTS

Vul. Hrushevskoho 6. (Tel: 228-6429). Hours: 10am-5pm, closed Friday. Spend an afternoon discovering Ukrainian folklore and tradition through art. One can get a glimpse of a valuable collection of ancient Ukrainian icons, paintings, and sculpture.

PECHERSKA LAVRA MONASTERY AND CATACOMBS

Vul. Sichnevoho Povstannya 21. (Tel: 290-7349). Hours: 10am-6pm, closed Tue. Established in 1051, this monastery is one of the oldest and most interesting in Kyiv. On the premises you can visit the caves where monks had been living and many other churches and museums. The miniatures museum and the Scythian gold collection are fascinating sights. For a beautiful view of the city climb up the stairs of the tallest belfry in Ukraine (315 ft.)

REPUBLICAN CENTER OF EXHIBITIONS AND FAIRS

Prospekt Akademika Hlushkova 1. (Tel: 261-7365). Hours: 10am-6pm, break 1-2pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Located in a big cozy park the center is the main site for major exhibitions and fairs taking place in Kyiv. The lovely tree- covered grounds is a nice place to take a stroll especially in summer when a variety of flowers are in bloom.

REPUBLICAN STADIUM

Vul. Chervonoarmiyska 55. (Tel: 221-5775). With a capacity of 100,000, this stadium is the largest in Ukraine, which includes a soccer field, running tracks, indoor stadium, gymnasium, an artificial surface ski-jump, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a sauna.

ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL

Vul. Volodymyrska 24. (Tel: 228-6152). Museum has been closed for one year because of political problems. To enter museum, you must go with tour guide. Built by Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1037, this church was established to glorify the wisdom of Christianity. One of the most interesting sights is the collection of frescoes and mosaics inside the cathedral.

UKRAINIAN MUSEUM OF FOLK ARCHITECTURE AND PEASANT HOMES

Pyrohovo Village. (Tel: 266-2416). Open daily 10am-5pm; closed Wed. Entrance fee $1.00; $10.00 per person for English-speaking guide. Located in the outskirts of Kyiv, this open air museum takes you through Ukraine's history as you walk through the original homes of the past which have been moved here from all corners of Ukraine and restored. Traditional Ukrainian costume and ceramics are on exhibit.

THE ZOO

Prospect Peremohy 32. (Tel: 274-6054). Hours: 9am-6pm, closed Monday. Founded in 1908, Kyiv's zoo is one of the largest in Eastern Europe. One can see over 3,500 specimens of animals and birds here. Amusement park and snack-bar.