Traveling with Active Ukraine, you are able to experience our country as a local. You can get in touch with traditions, activities, and people who keep all these throughout centuries from generation to generation. Visiting a new country you might have different purposes and it’s great. If you wish to feel Ukrainian soul and get closer to its cultural and traditional side of our country, you have to try particular things and activities which make it special. Let’s see which master classes you can take in Active Ukraine.

Eggs painting

Location: the Carpathians, Lviv, Kyiv

Egg’s painting is very popular Easter tradition in Ukraine. Its roots reach many centuries ago. A painted egg is called pysanka. The drawings on the eggs symbolized the awakening of nature and life with spring’s coming. There exist a lot of different patterns, ornaments, and drawings depend on the regions of Ukraine.
You’re going to master the technique of egg’s painting and to enjoy the whole process.

Carpathians adventure tour for Pechersk School International, September 2017

Carpet weaving

Location: the Carpathians

Some villages in the Carpathians are well known for keeping a tradition of woolen carpet and blanket weaving. Participating in such a master class you’ll get to know how to transform sheep wool to a nice traditional blanket, how to make different kinds of weaves and ornaments, how to use special tools to produce blankets and carpets. The process of blanket weaving is very interesting because it involves manual work which makes all steps and the finished product more valuable.

During a cycling tour in the Carpathians, May 2013

Culinary 

Location: Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, the Carpathians

Tasting traditional dishes in a country you are visiting is one of the most needed and important things to do there. But it is even more exciting to be involved in the process of cooking a dish which you never tried before. Active Ukraine proposes you to join the local family for a special class on cooking Ukrainian food. You will learn how to cook borshch (traditional Ukrainian soup) and make varenyky (dumplings). You’ll be also able to prepare special dishes if it’s a holiday: Christmas kutya or Easter paska.

Our guests from Australia for a Mrs. Kateryna's culinary masterclass in Lviv, August 2014

Motanka cloth doll

Location: the Carpathians, Kyiv

If you want to have some experience of making cloth dolls, this master class is for you. It can be fun for children and for adults as well. People used to believe that these types of dolls made of cloth are a protection for Ukrainian families and they symbolized the connection between their generations. Motanka cloth doll is also a symbol of goodness and prosperity, of hope for the better. Join this master class with Active Ukraine in the Carpathians or in Kyiv and make your own motanka cloth doll.

Claudia from Canada during the Kyiv Off-the-Beaten Track tour, November 2013

Cheese horses produce

Location: the Carpathians

A tradition to make cheese horses has arisen hundreds of years ago in the Carpathian Mountains. When highland shepherds came back home after entire summer spent in mountains, they brought to their children and wives particular toys made from cheese. In that period these horses were made from sheep cheese. Nowadays Carpathian women keep tradition to produce cheese horses using cow cheese as well.

Taking this master class you will learn how to make cheese horses and you will taste them in the end.

Photo from: life.pravda.com.ua

Basket weaving

Location: Kyiv

In Ukraine, basket weaving has rich and old traditions. The main materials for producing baskets are flexible and elastic branches from trees, mostly from the willow tree. If you are in Ukraine on Easter holiday, you will probably notice how popular are weaved willow baskets here. Taking the master class you will learn a technique of basket weaving and you’ll try to do it on your own.

Blacksmithing

Location: the Carpathians

Blacksmithing is a kind of art that transforms metal on varied things. It was very important craft in Ukraine until the middle of XX century. But even now it is still important in a lot of villages. You can try yourself as a blacksmith in the Carpathians taking a master class. You will be able to make a horseshoe and keep it for luck.

Pottery

Location: the Carpathians

Didn’t you ever dream to try yourself to work on the potter’s wheel? If you did, so this proposal is exactly for you. Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Ukraine. You could find bowls, plates, cups, jugs and other clay products almost in every house in Ukraine. Different regions have their own techniques and methods in production. Some techniques in the Carpathians are unique and are used only there. Nowadays are popular ornaments with plants and also pictures from people’s lives.

During a cycling in the Carpathians trip, May 2013

Woodcarving

Location: the Carpathians

Woodcarving occupies a special place in the formation of traditional Ukrainian crafts. It is even hard to overestimate its impact on Ukrainian culture. Masters carved household stuff. Chests, tables, beds, bowls, plates were decorated with ornamental carvings. An important branch of artistic woodworking for Ukrainians was the production of folk musical instruments. It is a good challenge for you to try to carve your own object or some simple elements on the master class with experienced woodcarvers.

Playing folk music instruments

Location: the Carpathians

Folk musical instruments are one of the branches of traditional culture. Their origin, development, stylistic principles associated with folk ritual and life of Ukrainians. Carpathian Hutsuls are very good keepers of local traditions. In many Carpathian villages, you can still hear melodies of folk music very particular to this region.
On master class you will get know about folk music instruments, you will enjoy their beautiful sound and you can even try to play on some of them: trembita, drymba or cymbaly.

A self-guided cycling tour across Carpathians, August 2017