Ethnographic complex "Ukrainian village"

Thirty kilometers from Kyiv, in the village of Buzova of the Kyiv-Sviatoshyn District, there is an ethnographic park-museum called “Ukrainian Village.” This park-museum is an entire complex occupying a fairly large yet compact area, designed in the traditions of Ukrainian culture of the 19th century.

“Ukrainian Village” is clearly divided into three zones.

The first zone is the church area, featuring the active Church of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki. The construction of the entire complex began with this church. Upon entering, visitors are surprised: although small from the outside, the church turns out to be unexpectedly tall and spacious inside. The golden-hued walls, the iconostasis, and the window frames are made of maple — a wood as hard as metal. Behind the church stands a parish school. Nearby is the grotto of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Life-Giving Spring.” The mosaic icon made of smalt is truly impressive, with exquisite stone carving and natural stone facing.

The second zone of the complex is the ethnographic museum. Its main attractions are traditional houses from six historical and cultural regions of Ukraine: Podillia, Middle Dnipro Region, Slobozhanshchyna, Polissia, the Carpathians, and the South. All the old houses can be explored both from the outside and inside. The effect of “traveling back in time” is enhanced by house caretakers sitting at the entrances, dressed in traditional regional costumes.

The Podillian house is particularly interesting: in its entrance hall under the roof, household tools and equipment are stored. The rooms are decorated with bright paper-cut ornaments (vytynanky) symbolizing love and remembrance of ancestors. In the sacred red corner of the house are icons adorned with embroidered ritual towels. The shelves display remarkable pottery, while the benches hold household tools and handwoven rugs.

The house from southern Ukraine contains a unique collection of tools for fieldwork, including a yoke for oxen, scales, and a set of weights. This house is made of clay, and the thickness of its walls at the base reaches one meter, creating a special natural microclimate.
Nearby there are barns, chicken coops, woodsheds, hay storage sheds, a bakery, a distillery, a blacksmith’s workshop, and a pottery workshop.

Specialists searched for buildings typical of various regions of Ukraine, dismantled them, transported them near Kyiv, and rebuilt them from scratch. All the roofs are new, except for one tiled house, which is covered with old authentic ceramic tiles. This museum is not a collection of lifeless exhibits but a living hamlet, with residents (staff), animals and birds, cultivated plants, and harvested crops.

The ethnographic park-museum regularly hosts exhibitions of modern craftswomen and artisans, various ethnic celebrations and festivals featuring folklore groups, as well as master classes in traditional crafts.

For example, those wishing to take part in a moonshine-making master class must register in advance, as these sessions are extremely popular!

Folk craftsmen working in the blacksmith’s workshop can also teach their trade.
There is always a line of children by the potter’s wheel, eager to attend an individual pottery master class.

The complex also includes a hotel, a kolyba (traditional restaurant), and a souvenir shop offering various handmade items made from natural materials. This is the third zone of the ethnocomplex.

In the middle of the territory there is a small romantic lake with floating plants and reeds, fish and ducks. At greater depths, meter-long representatives of four different species of sturgeon can be seen. There are many gazebos, benches, tables, small houses with barbecues and washbasins, and one gazebo is located almost in the center of the lake.

Especially for children, the territory of “Ukrainian Village” features playgrounds and a small petting zoo with goats, piglets, sheep, rabbits, and domestic birds. Children particularly enjoy being able to feed all these animals.

If you do not have your own car, the most convenient way to get to “Ukrainian Village” is by a regular bus from the Kyiv metro station “Sviatoshyn.”

It is also one of the popular places near Kyiv for Epiphany bathing on January 19.