Lviv, Ukraine

Lviv is a city located in the western part of Ukraine, whose historic city centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

The view over the Old Town

In 1340 Lviv was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland and belonged to the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland until 1772. Due to the Partitions of Poland, the city had been occupied by the Austrian Empire till 1918. After World War I, Lviv belonged to the Second Polish Republic and remained the part of it until 1939 when the World War II broke out. During the war, in July 1944 Lviv was liberated from Nazi occupation by Polish Armia Krajowa after the Lviv Uprising. Then Lviv was captured by the Soviet Red Army and became a part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Most of the Polish citizens living in the city were deported from Lviv by the Soviets.

Since 1991 Lviv is a part of the independent Ukraine.

Because of the history, a lot of Polish people have a sentimental attachement to Lviv, which belonged to Poland in the past. There are a lot of Polish people who were born in the city, studied there or their roots are connected with the city. In 1900 almost 50% of the Lviv population was Polish, but in 2001 the Polish population accounted for only 0.9%

I had a chance to go to Lviv on a one-day trip in 2004 as at that time I lived in the south-east of Poland, which is not far away from the Polish-Ukrainian border. It was a bit of a challenge to go there due to the Ukrainian police which could stop you anytime and prove you that there was something wrong with you car, bus or truck. The only way to drive away was to bribe them. We were told by the driver that it was the Ukrainian reality and you could disapprove of it, but at the end of the day you had to do what they wanted you to do. I really felt like Ukraine was a scary country and needed a lot of time to improve and develop not only as a nation, but that it would also require a lot of time to change people's behaviour to make this country a safe place to live without fear. 

The Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre

The Mickiewicz Monument

The Cemetery of the Defenders of Lviv

The Lykachiv Cemetery

Lviv is a city with a beautiful architecture, which reminds me of Polish one. However, we were told that there is no money to save Polish monuments or places of interests as Soviets had not cared about it. I felt quite sad as there were so many beautiful places but they were not in a good condition. I could imagine how amazing they would look like if they were renovated and definitely the city would be more attractive for the tourists.

I reckon that Lviv is constantly developing and I strongly belive the city is a different one that it was in 2004. It is such a beautiful city that it would be a shame to waste the heritage of the previous generations. As Lviv was one of the host cities during EURO 2012 I am sure that it is a different city right now.

Maybe you live in Lviv or have been there recently and can share with me your opinion about the city. I really would like to hear how the city looks like and how it is to live there nowadays.

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Edinburgh - Fireworks Concert 2013

On this freezing cold and windy evening of 1st September I had an opportunity to take part in the Fireworks Concert which is organised annually at the end of the International Festival in Edinburgh.

The concert takes places in the Ross Theatre in the Princes Gardens and you need to buy a ticket to enter the Princes Gardens. However, if you still want to experience the concert and watch the fireworks you can do it on Princes Street which is always full of people who come to admire the fireworks. 

This event is highly recommended as it is a real masterpiece. I have no idea how they do it, but fireworks harmonize with music so pefrectly that it is absolutely amazing. The fireworks are shot off from the castle which changes colours and looks stunning. This year at the very end there was a theme of Baba Yaga (a famous supernatural being in Slavic folklore), and the fireworks during the theme were absolutely fantastic.

Neither a photo, nor a video can convey what a human eye can see during the Fireworks Concert when all the fireworks are just over you head.This way or another, I would like to present some of the pictures from the event.

Despite the horrible weather, it was worth going there and experiencing the fireworks display as well as music.

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Edinburgh Festival Carnival 2013, Scotland

Today I had a chance to participate in the Edinburgh Festival Carnival, which is a part of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. It is a free event during which performers from around the world show their artistic talents in a parade on Princes Street and then in the Princes Street Gardens. 

Princes Street as well as Princes Street Gardens were packed with people who were impressed with the costumes and performances. 

Besides, the weather was fantastic again and we still have real summer here so I don't think that there was a better place than Edinburgh to spend Sunday today.

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Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Stratford-Upon-Avon, located in Warwickshire on the River Avon, is famous for William Shakespeare. The house he was born and spent his early childhood, which is a museum now,  is still located in Henley Street. 

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Henley Street

The Christmas Shop situated opposite the Shakespeare's Birthplace

New Place is the name of the last Shakespere's residence where he died. However, the house does not exist any longer as it was demolished in 1759. 

Shakespeare was baptised and buried in Holy Trinity Church. 

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The town is also famous for theatres like the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre. 

I simply love Stratford-Upon-Avon. It has got a great ambience and there is something special about the place. It is definitely my favourite place in the United Kingdom. I fell in love with this place from the first moment I went there. I always enjoyed being in Stratford, buying coffee at Starbucks and going to the river Avon to sit, watch the swans and relax.  Stratford-Upon-Avon has got a special place in my heart as I have got a lot of wonderful memories connected with the town.

I think that my favourite place in Stratford-upon-Avon is the river Avon with its pretty surroundings including boats, swans, monuments of Hamlet or Lady Macbeth and a bridge. There is no better place to rest or walk.

Swans on the Avon River

Christmas in Stratford

Another attraction in the town is the Stratford Butterfly Farm. 

The Butterfly Farm

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Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

As a result of a good weather which finally appeared in Edinburgh, I went to the Royal Botanic Garden last week. 

The Garden is located not far away from the city centre and can be easily reached by car, bus or on foot. It stretches for 70 acres, which to be honest does not tell me too much, but in other words it is big. 

You can admire there many different kinds of plants, trees, shrubs or flowers from around the world. It is believed that the Botanic Garden has got the biggest collection of Chinese plants outside China.

Admission to the Garden is free of charge. However, you have to pay for entering the glasshouse. 

In 2006 the queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, opened the Queen Mother's Memorial Garden. In four corners of the garden there are plants from Europe, Asia, North America and the southern hemisphere. There is also a pavilion, whose walls are covered with shells and the ceiling is covered with cones.

In the Botanic Garden you can not only become familiar with plants from different countries, but you can also walk, sit on a bench or grass and relax. 

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