Vyshyvanka for every day was embroidered, of course, much simpler and more modest. Festive clothes, on the contrary, were embroidered more thoroughly and richly. Ukrainian wedding vyshyvanka was, in general, the subject of a very special attention. Through mysterious language of the wedding embroidery, many wishes of family well-being were passed to young couple.

Whatever hard times the Ukrainian people experienced, the love of the traditional embroidery has never faded from them. Ukrainian people have cherished and multiplied national traditions of embroidery in creative workshops. With the help of thread and needles, Ukrainian masters have created unique pieces of recognizable worldwide Ukrainian attire.

According to Old Slavic traditions, you shouldn’t wear someone else's vyshyvanka. People believed that, in this way, you could "take on" somebody else's fate, but you wouldn’t give your fate in turn. You should not give anyone your embroidery as well. Traditionally, there were decorated with embroidery those pieces of clothes, through which, according to our ancestors, evil spirits could enter into the human soul. In fact, the main purpose of embroidery was a protective mission. Collar, cuffs, hem, and neck slit were embroidered with embroidery-guardian. The fabric itself was considered impregnable for evil spirits because it was manufactured with use of tools on which the incantatory pattern was presented in large quantities. Based on such concepts, it was important to give the edges of the garments, in the places where it is in contact with an open body, a protective function. Traditional embroidery was existed, namely, for this purpose. By the language of the mystical symbolism, traditional embroidery blocked the path of the negative forces through the edge of the garment to the man’s body and soul.

Our ancestors believed that as an embroidered towel protects every house the same an embroidered shirt protects man from evil thoughts and envious looks of bad people. You need to understand that this is not the archaic beliefs of people who are far away from technological progress. An important psychological aspect is used here: when a man walked into the house, the first thing, on which his gaze was directed, was embroidered towels. Thus, a man was distracted by the intricate patterns and, if he had an evil intention, he unwittingly let the evil force, which could harm the owners of the house, go out from his soul. Embroidered shirts had the same role. Colorful embroidery simply distracted an unkind look of the man with evil in his soul from the owner of the shirt. Thereby, looking at the patterns of embroidery, unkind person could forget about his bed thoughts. Based on these very practical considerations, both an embroidered towel and embroidered shirt were a real talisman for people and house.

There was a belief that if a shirt made ​​and embroidered with good thoughts and for a good life, it would reliably protect the owner. Women embroidered shirts for her sons and husband. If Ukrainian woman waited for someone from a long journey, she began to embroider a new shirt so that person could come back faster. Speaking about the lucky man, Ukrainian people often use the following expression "born in a shirt" (English equivalent is “be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth”). By using "a shirt",we mean, namely, embroidered shirt. Thus, it becomes clear that embroidered shirt has become very important household item in Ukrainian culture.

Elements of traditional Ukrainian embroidery are often used in the collections of Ukrainian fashion designers; thus, they popularize the national traditions of embroidery not only in Ukraine but also abroad. Embroidery is a symbol of health, beauty, purity of thought, and unity with the soul of our ancestors and Ukrainian nation.

The coast of the Azov Sea (Donetsk region) has always been a favorite destination for many people. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people spend their summer vacations and weekends on the Azov coast. Some people visit the Sea of ​​Azov to relax, others to treat and prevent diseases. Among other things, the Azov Sea has many advantages in terms of prevention of various diseases in comparison to other seas. To top it off, it may be noted that the coast of the Azov Sea is more suitable for families with children than, for example, the Black Sea coast.

The waters of the Sea of Azov contain a large number of chemical elements (up to 90 chemical elements!). These chemical elements can easily penetrate into human skin and exert their salutary effects on the human body while someone is swimming. Moreover, along with providing human body with the necessary elements, the Azov Sea waves can be used as a hydro-massage.

Besides, a moderate and stable climate of Azov coast allows you to take any course of sunbathing quite regularly. The sandy beaches of the Azov Sea can be used for medicinal purposes by taking sand baths. Finally, an unusual air of Azov region filled with useful substances and aromas is very healthy. The air is saturated with calcium, iodine and bromine. If you have problems with the thyroid gland or you’re a smoker, then you need to go to Azov. However, not only the air is saturated with beneficial micronutrients. The sand is rich in biological substances too. Hiking will strengthen your health, and sand baths will improve the overall tone of the body. The Sea of Azov is famous for its Siwash Lake that has healing properties. Only the Dead Sea in Israel, the Gulf of Kara-Bogaz-Gol in Central Asia, and the Great Salt Lake in America can compete with Siwash Lake. Siwash Lake attracts Ukrainians and foreigners for its healing mud baths, thermal springs, and curative brine. The water contains many useful minerals.

The whole set of the health factors of Azov Sea influences on the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and neuroendocrine system, normalizes metabolic processes in the body, and increases overall body tone.

You can be treated on the Azov Sea in several ways. The chemical composition of water and mud from the bottom of the sea can do it. Due to the high concentration of salt water, the Azov Sea has antibacterial properties that can cure various skin diseases. Useful chemicals are freely absorbed by the body, supplying it with everything necessary for normal life. A small temperature difference of air and seawater has a tonic effect on the body and, thereby, strengths it.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of divers from all over the world come to the Crimea to plunge into the underwater world of the Black Sea which is full of mysteries and adventures. For some people, diving in the Crimea is a rest that allows to forget about all life problems and enjoy the contemplation of regularity and slowness of the underwater world.

For others, diving is an opportunity to join a beauty, better understand the surrounding marine world and get bright aesthetic impressions in every dive. Besides, among those who like diving, there are enthusiasts who come to the Crimea to search for historical artifacts and treasures, to explore the remains of sunken ships and take a chance to touch the history, by having become a marine archaeologist while diving.

Diving in the Crimea is interesting for both novice and experienced divers. Throughout the Crimean coast, the scenery and relief of seabed is varied and interesting to divers by its underwater labyrinths that were formed after the volcanic eruptions and tectonic faults, heaps of fragments of rocks, lots of beautiful stones, shipwrecks that have lain at the bottom not only for a few years, but for thousands of years even.

Diving in the Crimea

The area of the southwestern Crimea, from Cape Sarych to Cape Lucullus, is particularly interesting as there are a lot of underwater objects here. For example, many ships were sunk during the Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856) and they’re still lying on the seabed in water area of Sevastopol and Balaklava. Diving in this area is a very exciting tour. Here you can see the ruins of the fortress walls and steps of the ancient Chersonesus that are viewed from under a thick layer of sand. You can still find fragments of ancient pottery there. Besides, you can explore grottos that keep maritime mysteries.

Off the coast of Balaklava, in the 30s of the last century, a dry cargo ship sank; the local divers have nicknamed him “The Greek Wine Ship”. Here, as well, the cannon balls that have remained from ancient times are lying at a depth of approximately 40 meters around the Ushakov’s Wall. Moreover, a real graveyard of sunken ships is hiding under the water near the cliffs of Shaitan beach. Here, the legendary ship “Black Prince” that carried the gold on board found its final resting place.

Many sunken ships rest at the bottom of the sea near Evpatoria.  Those are the German warships that were damaged during the Great Patriotic War; a submarine “Volga-Don” that was shot down by torpedo in 1943; besides, the ship “Crown Prince Alexei” that struck a mine in 1916 found peace here as well.

At a depth of ten meters of Cape Aya’s cliffs that are going down to a depth of 30 meters, there are caves, the length of which is about 20 meters. In one of the caves, at the very end, the springs of fresh water is coming out.

Tarhankut. Underwater Museum.

In the area of ​​Yalta, near the Swallow’s Nest, the underwater world is known for its mysterious caves and unexplored grottos. At the seabed not far from Alupka, an American plane that was shot down during the WWII is lying.  The Greek ship is lying off the coast of Laspi Bay. At the cliffs near Gurzuf, divers find pieces of ancient pottery and examine the remains of sunken ships. In addition, Cape Martyan attracts divers by its interesting underwater landscapes.

The shores of Feodosiya Bay attract divers too. At the beginning of the XX century, off the coast of Feodosiya, cargo ship “Jan Jores” and two other vessels sunk. Near Cape Chauda, the submarine “Pike” is lying. The underwater world of the Kara-Dag and cape Kiik-Atlama is extraordinarily beautiful.

The Crimea, definitely, will open for you its interesting and mysterious underwater world. And diving in the Crimea will become your favorite pastime. However, before you’ll start your underwater journey, it is necessary not only to have a good special equipment, but also take a training course from a professional instructor who will take care that you have taken away with you a lot of wonderful impressions from the underwater walks. In Crimea, there are numerous diving clubs that provide accommodation for tourists at their bases and organize interesting diving tours.

Have a nice dive!

Today, I’d like to tell about Olympic Champion in Artistic Gymnastics Lilia Podkopayeva who lives in Donetsk. In the history of Donetsk sport, she remains to be the last person, so far, who was able to reach the highest step of the podium.

She was born in Donetsk. Lilia was enrolled in gymnastics classes in early childhood. It’s not enough of the sheet of paper to list all the Lilia’s titles. Due to the exceptional talent and hard work Podkopayeva became the owner of 45 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals in international competitions only, not including the national championships. In 1995 in Japan, she became world all-around champion; in 1996 – all-around champion of Europe, and in 1996 – Olympic all-around champion in Atlanta. It should be added, Lilia Podkopayeva was only seventeen when she held the top titles at every level of competition. As a result, she became the first Ukrainian athlete ever who won multiple medals.

Having finished her career, Podkopayeva began an active public life. She founded the International Charitable Foundation “Health of Generations” and annual sports festival “Golden Lily”. There were written a lot of books about the life and sports achievements of this fascinating woman. Various films were made about her in many countries around the world. Her admirers from around the world devote to her poems and songs. Podkopaeva’s element “vault and a double front half-out salto” hasn’t been repeated by anyone yet. Admiring her talent, skill, hard work, and charm, fans call her Lady Pod in different parts of the world.

Lilia Podkopayeva continues to take the heights even after stepping out of the sport. She is not only the Olympic champion, a great mom, but as well, she is the most famous Ukrainian woman who has publicly engaged in the problem of children adoption. When she adopted her son Vadim, adoption has tripled in Ukraine! The same year, she gave a birth to her daughter Carolina.

Podkopayeva belongs to the people whose mottos is “life is a movement”. She opens the gymnastic schools in Ukraine. Every summer she is invited to the U.S. for training American children. She is a judge of international category. But most of her strength, energy, talent, kindness of her heart and warmth, she gives the younger generation of her homeland Ukraine.