Folk Culture
Most of Ukraine has some folk cultures traditions still remaining and others that have diminished.Ukraine encompasses cultural traits from both Western Europe and Russia. Ukraine's folk culture primarily exists in its rural areas rather than major cities.
Ukrainian Folk Art
During the Soviet era, the government often used the fine arts as propaganda, but Ukrainian culture was preserved through folk songs and legends. Folk songs are sung a cappella or are accompanied by instruments such as the sopilka (flute), volynka (hornpipe), and stringed bandura (similar to a many-stringed guitar or lute), which is Ukraine's national instrument. Ukraine also has some folk dances. The hopak is a fancy Ukrainian folk dance in which men jump, twirl, and kick, and women perform simpler movements. Ukrainian folk dance groups are very popular and performed all over the world.
Ukranian Folk Clothing
Embroidered clothing and tapestries are very well appreciated in folk clothing. Outside of urban centers, many women have sewing machines and make clothes for their families. They may also knit sweaters, hats, and scarves for the winter. The older generation dresses more conservatively. Elderly women in rural areas usually wear dresses and cover their heads with scarves. On special occasions (e.g., weddings, festivals, and holidays), Ukrainians often wear the national outfit. The most traditional item, called a vyshyvanka, is a shirt or blouse embroidered in one of several regional patterns, which has not changed for years. Popular culture has influenced much of the clothing in urban areas, however.
Ukrainian Folk Food
Women take much pride in their cooking, and usually make most items from scratch. They barely ever use processed food, despite being in food markets. Using a cookbook displays inexperienced and most dishes are made from memory. For centuries, the Ukraine was called "the breadbasket of Europe." Ukrainian folk cuisine stems from peasant dishes based on the plentiful grains and staple vegetables grown in the country. Staple crops include sugar beets, potatoes, grapes, cabbages, and mushrooms. These are often key ingredients in many of their dishes. In Ukraine, they have kept many of their traditional foods in tact.
Overall, Ukraine has remained pretty traditional and remained close to it's folk cultures. Popular culture has, however, influenced some aspects of their tradition such as their clothing. Some people have remained isolated from all the western culture as well, though. For the most part, popular culture has affected some folk culture but not a very great amount.
Ukrainian Folk Art
During the Soviet era, the government often used the fine arts as propaganda, but Ukrainian culture was preserved through folk songs and legends. Folk songs are sung a cappella or are accompanied by instruments such as the sopilka (flute), volynka (hornpipe), and stringed bandura (similar to a many-stringed guitar or lute), which is Ukraine's national instrument. Ukraine also has some folk dances. The hopak is a fancy Ukrainian folk dance in which men jump, twirl, and kick, and women perform simpler movements. Ukrainian folk dance groups are very popular and performed all over the world.
Ukranian Folk Clothing
Embroidered clothing and tapestries are very well appreciated in folk clothing. Outside of urban centers, many women have sewing machines and make clothes for their families. They may also knit sweaters, hats, and scarves for the winter. The older generation dresses more conservatively. Elderly women in rural areas usually wear dresses and cover their heads with scarves. On special occasions (e.g., weddings, festivals, and holidays), Ukrainians often wear the national outfit. The most traditional item, called a vyshyvanka, is a shirt or blouse embroidered in one of several regional patterns, which has not changed for years. Popular culture has influenced much of the clothing in urban areas, however.
Ukrainian Folk Food
Women take much pride in their cooking, and usually make most items from scratch. They barely ever use processed food, despite being in food markets. Using a cookbook displays inexperienced and most dishes are made from memory. For centuries, the Ukraine was called "the breadbasket of Europe." Ukrainian folk cuisine stems from peasant dishes based on the plentiful grains and staple vegetables grown in the country. Staple crops include sugar beets, potatoes, grapes, cabbages, and mushrooms. These are often key ingredients in many of their dishes. In Ukraine, they have kept many of their traditional foods in tact.
Overall, Ukraine has remained pretty traditional and remained close to it's folk cultures. Popular culture has, however, influenced some aspects of their tradition such as their clothing. Some people have remained isolated from all the western culture as well, though. For the most part, popular culture has affected some folk culture but not a very great amount.
Influence of Popular Culture
Influence of Popular Culture on Foods
Lower prices typically attract the attention of many people and are highly appreciated. Therefore, fast food chains are becoming more of occurrence in Ukraine due to the demand of these low prices and fast services. In 2012, McDonald’s totaled to 63% of Ukraine’s fast food chains, consisting of 75 outlets. Also, large cities tend to have special restaurants designated for Western cuisine, therefore, isolation of Ukraine does not occur whatsoever.
Popular Clothing
Clothing in Ukraine now promotes individualistic style as more colorful choices start to diffuse from the Western culture. Women tend to wear high heels and skirts or dresses as men typically wear a leather cap and jacket. Middle age men also tend to wear slacks and khakis, therefore people in urban areas dress very similar to people of popular culture.
Popular Art
Ukrainian folk art continues today, however contemporary art that is influenced by popular culture tends to occur in large urban cities. For example, Easter egg decorating originated in Ukraine. The tradition continues today, but is now a part of the popular culture for Easter in the US, and still remains as a social custom in Ukraine.
Popular Technology
Much of the same technology occurs in Ukraine as does the US and other western cultures. Smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy are widely popular among the Ukrainian population.
Music
Two forms of popular modern music would be Polissia Magic Pop and Kolomiya Rap. Ukrainian music went from a a cappella or light instrumental to being influenced by Western culture and technology, making music more digital.
Lower prices typically attract the attention of many people and are highly appreciated. Therefore, fast food chains are becoming more of occurrence in Ukraine due to the demand of these low prices and fast services. In 2012, McDonald’s totaled to 63% of Ukraine’s fast food chains, consisting of 75 outlets. Also, large cities tend to have special restaurants designated for Western cuisine, therefore, isolation of Ukraine does not occur whatsoever.
Popular Clothing
Clothing in Ukraine now promotes individualistic style as more colorful choices start to diffuse from the Western culture. Women tend to wear high heels and skirts or dresses as men typically wear a leather cap and jacket. Middle age men also tend to wear slacks and khakis, therefore people in urban areas dress very similar to people of popular culture.
Popular Art
Ukrainian folk art continues today, however contemporary art that is influenced by popular culture tends to occur in large urban cities. For example, Easter egg decorating originated in Ukraine. The tradition continues today, but is now a part of the popular culture for Easter in the US, and still remains as a social custom in Ukraine.
Popular Technology
Much of the same technology occurs in Ukraine as does the US and other western cultures. Smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy are widely popular among the Ukrainian population.
Music
Two forms of popular modern music would be Polissia Magic Pop and Kolomiya Rap. Ukrainian music went from a a cappella or light instrumental to being influenced by Western culture and technology, making music more digital.