Zaporizhzhya - European city
Nowadays Ukraine tries to become a part of European Union again. Geographically it`s situated in the middle of Europe, however historically Ukraine differs from European countries. Indeed some people think that Ukraine is really able to become true European.
As for me, I strongly believe that Europe begins deep inside us. In other words, talking about European style we keep in mind simple way of life, straight rules, pedantry and responsibility, of course. Unfortunately, it`s not typical for our people. Slavs like to show off living low, accuse somebody in their «sins», ignore rules, etc. In fact this behavior is unacceptable but we used to. In our country it`s normal to be selfish and take care of yourself only. People think that government should do everything for us but we can do nothing for it.
Nobody in Europe won`t throw rubbish on the street or evade taxes. However, there are exceptions. For instance, Ukraine is divided with two Dnipro’s banks and they say we must admit that people there are not similar. One of the features of this problem is connection with Europe for many centuries. As a result cities like Lviv or Chernivtsy have the similar architecture, culture, belief, temper and spiritual values. I`m sure they are worth being a part of Europe as it was historically for centuries. One cannot deny that left bank of Ukraine (including Zaporizhzhya) was under Russian control for a long time and that affected us badly.
It is no doubt that there are many patriotic, enthusiastic Zaporizhzhians. We also have our culture. I should note, that our city is pretty young, but we live on the land where our ancestors-cossacks made history of Ukrainian independence.
In conclusion, I can say that although Zaporizhzhya can`t be called European city nowadays but we live in a great time of changes, Ukraine is independent and now everything is in our hands.Therefore, if we pull together and start becoming Europe from ourselves, one day… earlier or later Zaporizhzhya will become European city.
Автор:
Курдюков Олександр, учень 10-А кл.
We live in the age of movements and fussiness. Stressful life has a bad influence on human health. It is not surprising that all people look forward to vacation. But in this case, the greatest part of them faces the problem. The aim is to choose a city, country, settlement, village where it would be pleasant to have a good time, to relax and recharge. The most popular places are seas, mountains, European countries. But unfortunately, everybody forgets about Ukraine, which, among other things, is situated in the heart of Europe. Tourists mostly visit Kiev - the capital of our country. Today I set a goal to familiarize you with the city of Zaporozhye, talk about its places of interest and prove that it deserves to be called a European city, show it as the cultural center of the Zaporizhzhya region.
Zaporizhzhya (Oleksandrivsk) is a city in southeastern Ukraine, situated on the banks of the Dnieper river. It is the fourth largest industrial center of Ukraine with developed machine building, ferrous metallurgy, chemical and construction industry. This unremarkable city has its own attractions.
Khortytsa Island is not just the largest island on the Dnieper river, which is located in the centre of an industrial city. It is a combination of natural diversity, historical and archaeological attractions, cultural and spiritual treasures of our ancestors. Guests can visit the Museum of history of Zaporizhzhya Cossacks and the reconstruction of the Zaporizhzhya Sich, see Scythian burial mounds, the Museum of stone products, stone sanctuaries under the open sky, ancient monuments of architecture. They can admire the remains of the Great meadows in Zaporizhzhya. They can admire the remains of the Great Zaporizhzhya Meadows. The island is rich in wonderful landscapes, steppes, forests, wonderful aromas of flowers, singing birds, slopes and cliffs, ravines and lakes. Walking, cycling or car trips will not leave you indifferent. In addition you can visit the Cossack theater "Zaporizhzhya Spas". Spas is the martial art of Cossacks. It is also a way of life, the tradition of education of the Cossack warrior - a faithful defender of his homeland. Worthy children of their glorious ancestors - the modern Cossacks are always happy to surprise you during the performances. You have the opportunity to enjoy the Cossack martial art, acrobatics, dancing, antics, jokes, incredible stunts, works with spears, swords, knives, sticks, walking on glass, stunts and trick riding on horses. The people of Zaporizhzhya region honor the culture, traditions and customs of their ancestors. They are always ready to show you all their knowledge and skills, offer traditional Ukrainian dishes and beautiful souvenirs. You can admire the Island during boat tours of the Dnieper. Magnificent views of the island, the Preobrazhensky bridges will leave a good impression. Guides will tell you stories about the history of the region, the grandeur of the Zaporozhzhya Cossacks, the nature of Zaporizhzhya, the difficulties of construction of the Dnieper.
Furthermore in Zaporizhzhya there are a lot of places for green tourism and active recreation. For example, oak grove. This is the central park of culture and rest. The citizens walk, have picnics, ride the attractions there. During the holiday festivals, concerts are organized. The sight of the park –the river channel, through which in several places spanned by bridges. Snow-white swans swim in the small pond. Lovers leave locks on bridges as a symbol of fidelity and eternal love. You can enjoy a boat ride. Another famous place is the Voznesenivskyi Park. Its territory is filled with picturesque rolling hills, winding paths, beautiful flower arrangements, fountains, gazebos and playgrounds. There is a lake in the park. It is also famous with monument of the great Kiev Prince Svyatoslav the Brave. Also tourists with children will be interested in visiting Zaporizhzhya city children botanical garden and a children's railway with dendropark, small zoo, winter garden, aquarium room, and terrarium. The city is also known for its 700-year-old Zaporizhzhya oak. Today it is a historical and cultural complex, which includes oak, a café, a church, several monuments, playgrounds and a beautiful park. Fans of extreme will be interested in visiting the arched bridge over the Dnieper river. Its height is 40 meters. Despite the beautiful view you can enjoy a jump from a height on the rope. This sport is called rope jumping. Security and the incredible emotions are guaranteed!! Art lovers can enjoy visiting the Fountain of life. Around the fountain there are several statues related to culture, history and life of the Ukrainian people. For example, Cossack Mamay, Chumakov, Keeper, Scythians, Steppe. Many artists come to showcase and sell their masterpieces. Thus, they form a gallery under the open sky. Fans of romance can visit the "Watch of lovers" on the Boulevard Shevchenko. It was built in 2003. Their dials and mechanisms are protected from snow and water, so the arrows always show the exact time. With the onset of each new hour chronometer loses an excerpt from the song "When spring comes, I don't know..." This song is considered the unofficial anthem of the city. There is also a park with beautiful fountains. Football fans can visit the "Slavutich-arena" stadium - the first sports complex of Zaporizhzhya. During its history it has seen many exciting matches with participation of leading Ukrainian and foreign football players.
Zaporizhzhya is famous for the longest venue in Europe. Soborniy Prospect (Lenin Prospect) is the main street of Zaporizhzhya city, located along the left bank of the Dnieper. The avenue passes through four city districts. Its length is 10.8 km. There are seven towers that adorn the houses. Some people call them cultural overkill, some people - architectural gem. They are a kind of symbol of the city. These towers glow at night and create the illusion of a fairy tale.
Moreover, Zaporizhzhya is famous for bridges. Preobrazhensky bridges are two bridges over the Dnieper river. They are situated between the island of Khortytsa right and left banks of Zaporizhzhya city. These bridges were built in 1949-1952 and named in honor of the author of the project - engineer-bridge builder Boris Preobrazhensky. Arch bridge connects the right-Bank part of the city with the island of Khortytsya. There are also two unfinished bridges. Their construction started in 2004. Today the construction is stopped. The Dnieper Hydroelectric Station - a visiting card of Zaporozhye. Its construction began in 1927, and the first unit commissioned in May of 1932. After the great Patriotic War it was restored and continued work in 1950. On the basis of the Dnieper in Zaporizhia metallurgical, chemical and machine-building industrial complex was created. The dam raised the water level in the river for 50 m.
There are many interesting museums and exhibition centers in Zaporozhye: The Museum of the History of Weapons, Zaporizhzhya regional Museum, the Museum of the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station, Zaporizhya Museum of applied ceramics, the Museum of Cossack fleet on the island of Khortytsya, Museum of technology Boguslaev ,Chaika Shipping Museum, Zaporizhzhya regional art Museum, Museum of antique automotive and military equipment - club "Phaeton", Natural history Museum of ZNU, ", "Art L", "Artzebs gallery", Exhibition hall of folk art, Exhibition hall of Union of artists, Exhibition hall of Zaporizhzhya branch of the Union of photographers of Ukraine, "the Tablet" (exhibition hall), "No Name Art" (the gallery) , "Mazal Tov" (Jewish community center name max Grant), "the Dresser" (the gallery) , "the Cossack, 7" (art gallery), "Kozak-Palace" (exhibition center)…
However, Zaporizhzhya is also famous for its theatres and concert halls. For instance, Puppet theatre, Theatre for young audiences, cabaret Aleksandrovsky district, the lab Theatre Vie, dance Theatre, Theatre named after Magar, «DSS» - "Dneprospetsstal" (Palace of culture, concert hall) Concert hall, Glinka (regional Philharmonic), the CIRCUS (Zaporizhzhya State circus), "Youth" (Palace of Sport).
The most famous religious points of Zaporizhzhya are the Svyato-Pokrovskiy Cathedral, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Kyiv temple Vedic culture Temple of God the Merciful Father, the Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists…
The most famous monuments and memorials of Zaporizhzhya are the monument to M. I. Glinka, a monument to Osip Gladkiy, the monument to Cossack Mamay, the monument to Bogdan Khmelnitsky, the monument to Ukrainian Pysanka, the memorial complex "Crossing", the cemetery of German prisoners of war…
People of our city take care of their physical health. visiting athletic arenas, swimming pools, rowing and water sports base, tennis courts, sports grounds, artificial turf, sports "Zaporizhaljuminbud", sports Palace "Youth", a modern football stadium "Slavutich-arena".
The city has youth school of Olympic reserve of handball, freestyle wrestling and judo.
In the super League of Ukraine play volleyball, football, basketball and handball teams.
In addition, the athletes of Zaporozhye achieve results in rowing, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, athletics, combined events (including the triathlon), sailing, water sports, gymnastics, martial arts, chess, and checkers.
Urban passenger transportation in Zaporizhzhya ensures the tram network, buses, route and ordinary taxis, commuter trains. The city has 2 ports and an airport.
Unfortunately, Zaporizhzhya has a lot of problems in various spheres. But this does not prevent the citizens to love their hometown with all their hearts, to preserve and enrich the achievements of the ancestors, enjoy the peaceful blue sky, beautiful nature, monuments of architecture.
To conclude, I can say that citizens of Zaporizhzhya are always glad to new acquaintances and guests and looking forward to visit everyone.
Автор:
Чехун Єлизавета , учениця 9-А кл.
When you are traveling throughout other countries you are always noticing some little details hiding somewhere on the streets of the city, something that makes this place special somehow. In European cities there are loads of them, actually. Bur we don’t mean only architecture wonders, when we say if this place looks like a European city or not. It’s taking a lot of work to keep up with standards, but Ukraine is ready, and so is Zaporizhzhya.
Starting with number one - the most basic and predictable of them all -roads! Have you ever tried to lay your head on a window while riding a bus in Europe? You should try it some time. Let’s just say one word: smooth. I think we should be heading for good-quality roads in our city too.
Zaporizhzhya can be thrilling at night. It’s breath-taking and so calming at the same time looking at Khortytsa Palace’s reflection in Dnipro from pier. I think we need more modern and tall buildings like those ones, to make us feel like little people in the pace of the city at day, and like young and bold citizens of the megalopolis at night.
But not only do we need to think modern, but also green! We have so many people been tired of their work in a stone jungle, so why don’t follow a European trend and scatter another park or two across the city? There are so many options for them! Dog parks, sport parks, flower parks, memorial paks to remember our history even. We already have some magnificent ones in Zaporizhzha, but we’re heading to to infinity and beyond, am I right?
