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„New Ways“ – With Friendship Force to the Ukraine
Kyiv from September 26th until 30th 2007
On arrival at Kyiv, the Capital of the Ukraine, the hosts from FF Kyiv
were awaiting us with an extensive visitors programme.
The picture of the inner city is marked by new housing for offices,
shopping and living and by western made cars however one can also find
a lot of huge sculptures as relics from the Soviet influence. We were
impressed by the numerous gold plated imperial roofs of the churches,
especially when sighting the city scenery from a boat ride on the
Dnjepr. We regarded it as a contrast programme when we had to use
magnifying glasses to identify art work in the Nanoworld at the
Miniature Museum and saw the astonishing and mighty Sophie-Cathedral
or the monastery of Pechersk thereafter.
After 4 days of overwhelming hospitality and interesting occurrences,
like the election of the Ukrainian Parliament, we took a train that
used 14 hours for the 800 km to Lugansk in the Eastern Ukraine close
to the Russian border.
Lugansk from October 1st until 6th 2007
Immediately after the welcome by the friends from FF Lugansk we
entered into their programme prepared for us.
Like on a state visit we went to the Chamber of Commerce, the Town
Hall, the State Parliament, the University, an elite school and a
successful middle class enterprise. We were quite impressed by the
level of education and the discipline of the schoolchildren and the
students of the DAL-University underlined their knowledge of the
German language by displaying small theatre scenes and showing their
interest for a visit to Varel. We went from a salt mine at 130 m below
to the world’s greatest wine and Champagne Producer’s Cellar at
Artemovsk and competed in an “international” Bowling Tournament.
After leaving a Cossack Museum and following a meeting with members of
the “German-Ukrainian Association” from Lage (Germany) we accepted the
arrangements of our hosts to visit a military cemetery at Bryanka as
somehow empathetic and as an hour of silence that also harmonised with
the outstanding evening concert in the city.
On October 5th we were invited to attend the official ceremony of the
15th anniversary of FF Lugansk where they spoiled us with masses of
local food and drinks. The next day we attended a press conference and
after a further farewell party we had to prepare for the return trip.
We entered the train to Kyiv with some emotional sadness, because we
have been welcome everywhere at any time and enjoyed hearty
hospitality, the food made the tables bending and it has been a long
time since we have did so much singing, laughing and dancing.
Kyiv on October 7th 2007
At Kyiv Main Station our friends from Kyiv picked us up again,
accompanied us to a brunch in a beautiful forest restaurant and
returned to the airport to catch the afternoon flights via Riga and
Hamburg and Varel.
Commentary of the Group:
From the beginning to its end the exchange had been perfectly
organised by the EDs from FF Varel.
Everybody had a very friendly relationship with their hosts and felt
safe in these East European countries. The curiosity to learn unknown
ways of life and cultures has been fully rewarded.
Kyiv before the election
Inside a polling station
The monastery at Pechersk
A picnic at the Pirogovo Open Air Museum
Before the train ride to Lugansk
Arrival at Lugansk
Students of the German class at the Dal-University
The Chapel in the salt mine
Lecture room at an elite school
As guests of the Cossacks
Reception at the Town Hall
Congratulations for 15th anniversary of FF Lugansk
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