Today was a beautiful day to be out and about. We went shopping first thing for those necessities of the week. Getting to the store by nine (it is in a inside mall) meant that the store was not busy at all. This may become our new favorite time to shop. We were not getting much so it didn’t take long and we were home by ten. We put away the groceries and then went on our adventure.
This week we decided to go to a History Museum not far from our office. It was a great choice.
So we crossed the street after we got off the tram just a block from the office and walked up the middle of the street (Yavornytskoho Avenue (Karla Marksa)) It is a lovely place to walk. You can see a statue up ahead – we have not yet discovered who it is.
Here is a close up of the statue. Probably some great general or leader.
We think this is a school. Perhaps a college – there are lots of them around Dnepro
The Library – again one of many.
Dnepropetrovsk Museum of History
These statues are all around Dnepro and there is like a garden of them here next to the museum. Inside there is a section which talks about them – looked like they were excavated. However, we are not sure as we couldn’t read the words just looked at the pictures.
The first room showed all the restoration work that was done by the people who work at this museum. It was amazing and luckily you can take pictures so I did.
There are so very old paintings that have been restored and I am not putting up all I took but some I think are interesting. Like these.
The picture in the back on the left shows what this looked like before they restored it – like putting a puzzle together – amazing.
This cup was also a puzzle to put together.
This shows the before of a picture.
This is the after – it is a little blurry but you can see it is much improved.
A bottle that was fractured.
A wooden desk set restored.
Look at the glasses in this one – interesting – right?
A poster showing some of their restoration work.
This is a huge tapestry hanging on the wall in one room – it is quite amazing in color and detail.
I know this is a dark picture but I hated to take a flash in this room that was obviously protected with special lights. I thought the old carriage was very neat.
These are very old examples of vyshyvanka – the special embroidery that Ukrainians believe have special protecting powers.
Although the bed is very small – it is so cool with the pictures and all. I also like the nightclothes on display.
More clothes and more vyshyvanka – these are very old.
Close up of the vyshyvanka cloth in the background.
When Elder Morgenegg saw these he asked a very friendly guard if one was a balalaika. No she said that is a Russian instrument – these are Ukrainian. They are very cool either way.
This carriage was converted to a primitive tank – the gun is attached and it has a star and is labeled for the war.
Native Ukrainian dress – notice the plaid skirt under the overdress with balalaika trim.
This is an example of a much more modern room of probably a fairly wealthy family – most people would not have the luxuries in this room.
A tractor – nicely painted and preserved.
Much more modern dress – probably the 1920s or 1930s.
More vyshyvanka examples
So this room is part of their war exhibit – mostly this is World War II. I immediately thought of Rosie the Riveter. I know it’s not the same but the same determined look in her eyes.
This, I believe, was meant to show how a soldier who had to send messages might live – notice the vyshyvanka on the door. The woman who cleans says they give protection.
Back outside we are walking toward the river and that tall statue is the Victory Monument.
A clear view of the Victory Monument and the river.
On the way one of many rose gardens we saw.
Down the stairs to the Victory Monument.
Base of the monument with people from the war.
Top of the monument – the “lady victory.”
Date on the monument.
In early May there were celebrations all around the city on Victory Day. Last year I understand there were some injuries when the police and the people didn’t agree. This year the police presence was immense to protect all. There were still masses of people including many veterans who are all revered. Victory Day is a national holiday in Ukraine on May 9. It is a day to remember victory over the Nazi regime during World War II.
A bride preparing for a photo moment at the Victory Day Monument.
Tank Statue at the other end of the walkway going back to the office.
Just after we walked past the History Museum we noticed this sign and some interesting things inside (outside). So we walked in.
It is actually part of the Museum but all outside around the Museum.
All part of the Ukrainian way memorial.
War trash turned into war memorial art.
The sign says Donetsk – a town south of here that is once again in a war zone – this time with Russian.
More art.
I like this statue of the little girl giving the soldier an apple.
Sunflowers grow here in fields. They are considered good luck.
Battle for Dnepro
Back on the road here is a sign for the Renok we sometimes go to. There are lots of signs advertising it.
Just outside our apartment complex is this building. It is a Wedding Palace. We have only seen an actual wedding come out one time. They just redid the front. The grass is all artificial but it looks nice.
Activities across the street by the river. One is a tramp where you put on a harness and get to jump up and down with a bungee cord.
This is a caged tramp and a blow up castle.
So we are home and rested from a long walk. I hope you enjoyed going along.