Reunion Day Outing

Yesterday, I needed to go to the bank, so I boarded a minivan and headed downtown or Center (центр), as locals call it.  Miraculously, and only through sheer luck, I stepped off the minivan just a few meters from my destination.  Unfortunately, the bank was closed.  I do not know if it was closed because it was Saturday or because it is a holiday, Reunion Day.  Just a short walk north of the bank a small gathering of individuals were celebrating Reunion Day, a holiday which commemorates the unification of Ukraine on January 22, 1919.  The celebrants were listening to music and holding Ukrainian flags.  Nearby a group of policeman stood watching, though the gathering appeared peaceful enough.  I had read in the media that the central government had expressed fears of violence and had ordered monitoring by police, though nothing even close to a disturbance occurred here in Luhans’k, though I do not know what occurred in other cities. 

Since I was downtown, I took the opportunity to explore and take some photographs.  I walked north and then east toward Theatre Square (Театральна Площа).  From there I walked in the direction of the Luhans’k Museum of Local Lore.  I was absolutely freezing, so I went inside the museum (музей) to warm up.  Being a student of history, I was fascinated by the exhibits.  Unfortunately, I could not read the descriptions of the exhibits, but I was still able to get a basic sense of the natural and human history of Ukraine.  Rather than than just a rudimentary idea of events, I would like to have a deeper and more complete understanding of this part of the world and the people who live here.  I want to come back with someone who can read the inscriptions and describe the exhibits in greater detail than I can get on my own.  I did come away with a sense of the commonality and unity of the human experience.  Regardless of who we are or where we live, ultimately we are all the same and have similar experiences, tragedies and triumphs.

Luhans'k Museum of Local Lore

A cannon built by the Luhans'k cannon works in the
early 19th century for the Russian Navy. It sits in front
of the Luhans'k Museum of Local Lore.

My next destination was the park Sasha took me the week before.  I wanted to see it in the daylight.  It is located just north of the museum.  I took some pictures of the tanks which had been captured by the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, as well as the World War One memorial.  Once again the cold was getting to me, so I headed south toward Theatre Square in search of a place to get warm and have some lunch.  No, I am not a wimp.  I have lived in places such as Chicago and North Dakota, so I can deal with cold temperatures, but yesterday was just too cold for taking photos. 



WWI British Mark V Female Tank



WWI British Mark V Female Tank





WWI British Mark V Male Tank




WWI British Mark V Male Tank



World War I Memorial



I ended up at Mario’s Pizzeria, which wasn’t my first choice in a place such as Luhans'k, but it was right there, and I needed to get warm.  Practicing my Russian, I ordered a bottle of water, salad and cheese pizza and got exactly what I wanted.  I cannot carry on a conversation in Russian, but I can order food.  At least I won’t go hungry.  My lunch was very good.  My pizza (пицца) was nice, but the highlight of my meal was the salad (салат) of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, black olives and goat cheese. It was delicious (вкусно)!  I wish I had taken a picture of it.

My Margarita Pizza

I ventured back out into the cold to take a few more pictures before heading back to the East End.  I took some photos at Theatre Square (Театральна площа) before heading back toward Sovietskaya Street.





Russian Drama Theatre at Theatre Square 

At Sovietskaya Street, I was most interested in the Memorial to Ukrainian poet, artist and political activist Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861).  He was a very gifted writer, artist and a strong proponent of Ukrainian Independence and democratic reform.  His written work is regarded as the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature.  Incidentally, his portrait is on the Ukrainian 100 hryvnia note.  At the base of his statue was a bouquet of blue and white flowers in observance of Reunion Day.

Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861).  Note the 
flowers in the colors of the Ukrainian Flag

Here are a couple of other photos from my walk around downtown Luhans'k: