Warsaw Mermaid

Warsaw Mermaid

The 1659 coat of arms of Old Warsaw on the cover of one of Warsaw's accounting books.
Main article: Coat of arms of Warsaw
The mermaid (syrenka) is Warsaw's symbol[127] and, among other places, can be found on statues throughout the city and on the city's coat of arms. This imagery has been in use since at least the mid-14th century.[128] The oldest existing armed seal of Warsaw is from the year 1390, consisting of a round seal bordered with the Latin inscription Sigilium Civitatis Varsoviensis (Seal of the city of Warsaw).[129] City records as far back as 1609 document the use of a crude form of a sea monster with a female upper body and holding a sword in its claws.[130] In 1653 the poet Zygmunt Laukowski asks the question:
“
Warsaw of strong walls; why was the emblem Mermaid with sharp sword, given you by the kings?
”
—Zygmunt Laukowski[131]

1855 bronze sculpture of The Warsaw Mermaid in the Old Town Market Place
The origin of the legendary figure is not fully known. The best-known legend, by Artur Oppman, it that a long time ago two of Triton's daughters set out on a journey through the depths of the oceans and seas. One of them decided to stay on the coast of Denmark and ever since we can see her sitting at the entrance to the port of Copenhagen. The second mer-maiden reached the mouth of the Vistula River and plunged into its waters. She stopped to rest on a sandy beach by the village of Warszowa. Local fishermen came to admire her beauty and listen to her beautiful voice. A greedy merchant also heard her songs; he followed the fishermen and captured the mermaid.[132]
Another legend says that a mermaid once swam to Warsaw from the Baltic Sea for the love of the Griffin, the ancient defender of the city, who was killed in a struggle against the Swedish invasions of the 17th century. The Mermaid, wishing to avenge his death, took the position of defender of Warsaw, becoming the symbol of the city.[132]
Every member of the Queen's Royal Hussars of the United Kingdom light cavalry wears the Maid of Warsaw, the crest of the City of Warsaw, on the left sleeve of his No. 2 (Service) Dress.[133] Members of 651 Squadron Army Air Corps of the United Kingdom also wear the Maid of Warsaw on the left sleeve of their No. 2 (Service) Dress.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw

Alice

Upside Down House

Located in the town of Szymbark, Poland, this magnificent piece of architecture was conceptualized by the owner, Daniel Czapiewski.
Due to its unique design, it attracts thousands of tourists keen to see this bizarre specter. The house is a normal conventional double storey wooden house literally inverted upside down with the roof touching the ground.
In this scenario, we can see how an Architect’s decision during the design process can have a profound effect on the commercial viability and profitability of a building. In this case, the design uniqueness attracts thousands of tourists to the site every year. The designer modified the conventional house and put it upside down .The cost of putting up such a house is relatively the same as for putting up a house the same size and design on the right –side up. The cost-benefit of putting up the house up-side down far outweighs the opposite i.e. if the house was conventional. Just imagine-if the house was the right-side up, no tourists would have visited it and the tiny village of Szymbark would not have found its place on the map.
The use of wood for construction eases the flexibility in constructing the house at a few degrees slant. Wood is also light in weight hence easier to suspend and cantilever. From the pictures, notice that the curtains also open upside down to emphasize on the up-side down effect. The suspended cantilevered side also helps to drum in this effect, with the chimney used cleverly to act as support to the ground. Bituminous felt is used as a flat roof on top.
This house will forever be etched in the minds of many and will be true testimonies on how creativity can increase a thousand-fold the commercial viability of Real Estate at no extra cost.

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/upside-down-house-891730.html

Cathy

Andriyivskyy Descent

The Andriyivskyy Descent begins on the summit of the Starokyivska Hora (Old Kiev mountain) near the ornate late-baroque Saint Andrew's Church (which gave the street its current name). The street continues on down and descends to the Podil district were it ends at the Kontraktova Square. In the past times, the descent was known as Borychiv Descent mentioned as "Боричев увоз" (Borichev uvoz) by Nestor the Chronicler in his Primary Chronicle and in the 12th century poem, The Tale of Igor's Campaign (Slovo o polku Ihorevim).[6] The descent's current name is derived from the 18th century, at the time when the Saint Andrew's Church was erected atop the hill.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the street was mainly inhabited by merchants and craftspeople.[2] Although they are long gone due to the sweeping demographic changes[7] in Kiev during times of the late Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, the street is once again thriving thanks to its unique topology, architecture, rich history and also many gift shops and small art galleries showcasing various paintings and sculptures by Ukrainian artists. The descent is one of the favorite spots for Kievans and tourists alike.[2] It is also notable for the many festivals it holds, including various art festivals[2] and the Kiev Day celebrations on the last weekend of May.[8]
The street's location in the city and its landmark attraction has made it lately a highly prestigious area, with several new luxurious restaurants. However, the descent's sewer and water systems have not been changed within the past 100 years, thereby underlining the need for a new system to be installed.[9] Although, city authorities have not yet scheduled a new sewer project system to be installed.[9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andriyivskyy_Descent Cathy

The History of Pysanky

The art of the decorated egg in Ukraine, or the pysanka, probably dates back to ancient times. No actual ancient examples exist, as eggshells are fragile.
As in many ancient cultures, Ukrainians worshipped a sun god (Dazhboh). The sun was important - it warmed the earth and thus was a source of all life. Eggs decorated with nature symbols became an integral part of spring rituals, serving as benevolent talismans.
In pre-Christian times, Dazhboh was one of the main deities in the Slavic pantheon; birds were the sun god's chosen creations, for they were the only ones who could get near him. Humans could not catch the birds, but they did manage to obtain the eggs the birds laid. Thus, the eggs were magical objects, a source of life. The egg was also honored during rite-of-Spring festivals––it represented the rebirth of the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg, therefore, was believed to have special powers.
With the advent of Christianity, via a process of religious syncretism, the symbolism of the egg was changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of man. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose. With the acceptance of Christianity in 988, the decorated pysanka, in time, was adapted to play an important role in Ukrainian rituals of the new religion. Many symbols of the old sun worship survived and were adapted to represent Easter and Christ's Resurrection.
In modern times, the art of the pysanka was carried abroad by Ukrainian emigrants to North and South America, where the custom took hold, and concurrently banished in Ukraine by the Soviet regime (as a religious practice), where it was nearly forgotten. Museum collections were destroyed both by war and by Soviet cadres. Since Ukrainian Independence in 1991, there has been a rebirth of the art in its homeland.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pysanka

-Teacher Karl

Cuisine of Ukraine

Ukrainian cuisine is very much a part of the population's culture, lifestyle and customs. Well-known for its great diversity and amazing flavors, Ukrainian cuisine has had a number of influences including Russian, Polish, German and Turkish. Popular ingredients in the cuisine of Ukraine are meat, mushrooms, vegetables, berries, fruit and herbs. As Ukrainians are extremely hospitable their meals are served in very generous quantities.

Some of the best Ukrainian cuisine is actually very simple. Many ingredients are used in what many would consider unusual combinations, creating a unique and sumptuous dish. Considered the “breadbasket of Europe”, bread is a staple in Ukraine. There are dozens of methods used in preparing breads, which are often used in rituals. Dishes often contain pickled vegetables when these are not in season and certain dishes can only be made when ingredients are available. Pastries and cakes are popular, but not very sweet.

Below we provide you with a list of uniquely Ukrainian cuisine along with a description. Why not visit our recipes page to discover how you too can create these culinary delights.

Aperitifs

Borshch – beet soup often made with meat.

Ukha – fish soup typically with carp.

Hybivka – mushroom soup.

Vinigret – beetroot salad made with beans, peas and onions.

Oseledets – pickled herring salad with onion, sunflower oil and pepper.

Kapustianyi – sauerkraut salad with oil, walnuts and mayonnaise.

Paska – Easter bread.

Korovai – braided bread used in wedding celebrations.

Babka – Easter bread containing dried fruit.

Main Course

Varenyky – boiled dumplings stuffed with fruit, potatoes, cheese and cabbage.

Holubtsi – cabbage rolls stuffed with millet or minced meat with rice.

Blyntsi – crepes served with meat, cheese, fruit or caviar.

Pechenya – roast pork, lamb, beef or veal.

Studynets – jellied meat or fish.

Kotljetys – fish or meat fritters.

Deruny – potato fritters served with sour cream or cottage cheese.

Shashlyk – type of shish kebab usually with marinated lamb and vegetables.

Dessert

Tort – cakes often made with ground walnuts or almonds instead of flour.

Kutia – a Christmas dessert with honey, nuts, poppy seeds and wheat.

Zhely – jellied fruit.

Pampushky – fried dough, similar to doughnuts.

Beverages

Kvas – made from bread with a sweet-sour taste.

Compote – dried or fresh fruit drink.

Kefir – sour milk.

from:http://www.ukraine.com/cuisine/

by:Becky

Frédéric Chopin

Chopin was born in the village of Żelazowa Wola, in the Duchy of Warsaw, to a French-expatriate father and Polish mother and was regarded as a child-prodigy[5][6] pianist. On 2 November 1830, at the age of twenty, he left Warsaw for Austria, intending to go on to Italy. The outbreak of the Polish November Uprising seven days later, and its subsequent suppression by Russia, led to Chopin becoming one of many expatriates of the Polish Great Emigration.[7]

In Paris, Chopin made a comfortable living as a composer and piano teacher, while giving few public performances. Though an ardent Polish patriot,[8][9] in France he used the French versions of his names and eventually, to avoid having to rely on Imperial Russian documents, became a French citizen.[10][11][12] After some ill-fated romantic involvements with Polish women, from 1837 to 1847 he had a turbulent relationship with the French authoress George Sand. Always in frail health, he died in Paris in 1849, aged thirty-nine, of pulmonary tuberculosis.[13][14]

Chopin's compositions were written primarily for the piano as solo instrument. Though they are technically demanding,[15] the emphasis in his style is on nuance and expressive depth. Chopin invented musical forms such as the instrumental ballade[16] and was responsible for major innovations in the piano sonata, mazurka, waltz, nocturne, étude, impromptu and prélude.

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Chopin

by:Becky

Poland Kraków

Kraków (pronounced [ˈkrakuf] ( listen); in English also spelled Krakow or Cracow, pronounced /ˈkrækaʊ/ ( listen)) is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland and a popular tourist destination.[1][2] Its historic centre was inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites as the first of its kind.[3] Situated on the Vistula river (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century.[4] Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural and artistic life, and is one of Poland's most important economic centres. It was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Kraków from 1846 to 1918, and the capital of Kraków Voivodeship from the 14th century to 1999. It is now the capital of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
The city has grown from a Stone Age settlement to Poland's second most important city. It began as a hamlet on Wawel Hill, and was already being reported as a busy trading centre of Slavonic Europe in 965.[5] With the emergence of the Second Polish Republic, and throughout the 20th century, Kraków reaffirmed its role as a major national academic and artistic centre, with the establishment of new universities and cultural venues.
After the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany at the start of the Second World War, Kraków was turned into the capital of Germany's General Government. The Jewish population of the city were moved into a walled zone known as the Kraków Ghetto, from which they were sent to extermination camps such as Auschwitz and Płaszów.
In 1978, the same year UNESCO placed Kraków on the list of World Heritage Sites, Karol Wojtyła, archbishop of Kraków, was elevated to the papacy as John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, and the first ever Slavic pope.[6]

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak%C3%B3w

Penny