Wandering the Edge

Ukraine has had a long history of embracing democratic institutions - beginning with the viche in medieval Kyivan-Rus, the Cossack rada that elected their leaders and the Central Rada that declared independence in 1918. In these modern times, we see the example of the Kyiv viche that supported and propelled the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014. What exactly was the viche and how did these democratic institutions evolve in Ukraine? Find out in this episode!

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A look at the theatric history of the Ukrainian stage: Marko Kropyvnytskyi as Ukraine's greatest directors, playwrights and actors who played more than 500 characters and worked to promote and popularize the Ukrainian stage in the 19th century. Then comes Maria Zankovetska - an actress of such renown that she played her own corpse. Solomiya Krushelnytska was THE Madame Butterfly and Wagner's prima donna while Serge Lifar was a popular and a revolutionary ballet dancer and choreographer in Paris. All of them had one thing in common: they were Ukrainian!

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Ukrainian nationalism was on the rise during in the interwar years in Poland, and the 1932 trial of Dmytro Danylyshyn and Vasyl Bilas proved to be as tragic as it was popular. But who were these two youths? And why was the trial so broadly talked about? What lasting impact did it have and more importantly - why was the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in the center of it all? Find out about this and more on this episode of Wandering the Edge.

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The bandura and the kobzari - those wandering bandura players - were important carries of Ukrainian oral history and culture. How did the bandura evolve to become the national instrument of Ukraine and where did those kobzari come from? Why were they important in Ukraine's historical memory of the Cossacks and why were they deemed such a treat to the Soviet Union? And how did the bandura find it's voice again in the Diaspora? Find out all of this and more on this episode!

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An interview with Dr. Sasha Dovzhyk about one of Ukraine's leading poetic and feminist voices - Lesia Ukrainka. Ukrainka, which was her pen name, began writing poetry at a young age, was first published at 8, was anti-Tsarist, passionately Ukrainian and fiercely feminist. In this discussion we talk about how her illness influenced her writing, what she saw of herself and how she saw her fellow females and fellow Ukrainians. Dr. Sasha is a prolific writer, activist and well - a happy wanderer who now splits her time between the UK and Ukraine. One of her many projects included helping to develop "Cassandra" - a play by Lesia Ukrainka, translated into English and performed in the UK. It was one of the many projects of the Ukrainian Institute London, and primarily under the leadership of Maria Montague.

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Who was Olena Pchilka and Petro Kosach? And why and how did they create such enthusiastically nationally-minded and feminist children, like Lesya Ukrainka? What type of family home did they create (both literally and figuratively)? And who else in this super Ukrainian family was so influential in the family life of Lesya Ukrainka? Find out in this episode, about the family life of Lesya Ukrainka and those family members who impacted her so greatly.

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Did you know that Ukrainian feminism is different from it's Western sister? What makes it so different and who has influenced the evolution of both Ukrainian feminist theory and practice? Find out in this latest episode, where you will also listen to me fan-girling over Martha Bohachevsky-Chomiak, whose book "Feminists Despite Themselves" is one of the most influential histories of Ukrainian feminism...well, ever! There's also a lot from Solomiia Pavluchko - who was a leading Ukrainian feminist scholar, until her untimely death in 1999.

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Medieval King of Kyiv - Oleh the Prophet - was probably a Varangian (aka Viking) who grabbed power and ruled from Kyiv. Some say he was the first emperor of the Kyivan Rus Empire while others call him a warrior king as he raided and received a favourable treaty with Constantinople. Only problem is that primary sources of his life and times are in short supply - the dark ages were really that dark in early Rus! How much of his history is real, how much imagined by Nestor the Chronicler 300 years later and how much do we actually know about Oleh/Helgi? Find out more in this episode!

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What does a travel writer (pictured in the episode cover art), a noble turned foreign royal, a Mohawk tribal chief, a navy man and a space explorer have in common? Well, they were all Ukrainians! This episode looks at some fascinating histories of Sofia Yablonska (1930s travel photographer and writer), Kateryna Desnytska (Ukrainian noble turned Siam princess), Ivan Datsenko (Ukrainian WWII fighter pilot turned Canadian Mohawk tribal chief, and might not be real?), Yuri Lisianskyi (19th century naval explorer who circumnavigated the globe) and Pavel Popovich (Ukrainian cosmonaut and first Ukrainian to leave planet Earth). All of them wandered the globe (and space) and left their marks on history and history and other peoples left their marks on them. 

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The Second World War tore apart the Second Polish Republic and was the main precursor to the creation of the Polish Home Army (AK) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). And while the relationship between Ukrainians and Poles was brutal and complicated during the horrific, anarchic years of the Second World War - both nationalities were targeted by the Soviet Union after it occupied the region. From the betrayal of the Poles during the Warsaw Uprising to the forced deportations of Ukrainians in western Ukraine - there were numerous examples of Soviet brutality that could have been confronted by a mutual Ukrainian-Polish unity. This episode looks at the local agreements that the AK and the UPA had that are examples of a joint Ukrainian-Polish underground union - which shows that both nationalities could have worked together.

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While Poland and Ukraine may have a very complicated history - there were moments of unity and cooperation between the two throughout history. This episode looks at one of these episodes in the 20th century which centres around the two leaders of their respective countries. Symon Petliura and Jozef Pilsudski have commonalities and differences - both knew what it meant to be under Russian occupation and both fought for their country's rights to exist. Both have a strained relationship with history and tried to work together but only one saw his country's true independence in the aftermath of the First World War. Find out more about these two titans of their respective nation's histories is this episode!

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How did Volodymyr Ivasyuk become a house hold Ukrainian name? Why were his songs so popular - and are still sung around campfires, dining tables and front lines in today's Ukraine? Why do they hold such a powerful place in Ukrainian hearts, so much so that his music is now considered Ukrainian folk songs? And why was he so dangerous to the Russian dominated Soviet culture? Find out in this episode all about Ukraine's most popular composer: Volodymyr Ivasyuk, the man behind Chervona Ruta, Vodohrai and many, many more songs that explore Ukrainian love and beauty. 

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Ukrainian emigration outside of Ukraine have been ongoing for centuries - both west and east. So many Ukrainians emigrated that they formed small Ukrainian communities who identified themselves as Ukrainians and many even wanted to join an independent Ukrainian People's Republic in the early 20th century. These colourful Ukraines: the Red, the Grey, the Yellow and the Green Ukraines were historically, actively Ukrainian. They all had societies, clubs, events, organizations and congresses (Ukrainians LOVE congresses) that swore to their identity. Unfortunately, most have been silenced. But you'll find their history in this episode. 

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Yaroslav the Wise had four daughters and six sons. His daughters were all married to European rulers while his sons decided to play game of the thrones of Kyivan Rus. Well, three of them did - anyway. Iziaslav was ruler three different times and was an European adventurer, while Sviatoslav was the wise one with a short reign and Vsevolod was the last, who ruled the longest. How did this complicated relationship of brothers and rulers come about and why did Iziaslav spend so much time in Europe? Find out in this latest episode!

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The Second World War saw some of the most terrible and inhumane episodes in human history. Millions of civilians and soldiers were dead by the end of it. Why is one month in 1941 so important for Ukrainian history? It showed the sadistic nature of the Soviet occupation and NKVD agencies with the mechanical murder of political prisoners sitting in Soviet prisons throughout Ukraine. It resulted in thousands of deaths and greatly influenced the suffering of many more. This episode explores how this massacre was allowed to happen (through Soviet leadership), how these prisoners were intentionally killed and the stories that many suffered through. 

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The Ottoman Empire is known, among other things, for its imperial harem. But a female slave from Ukraine turned the whole system of concubines on its head and ushered in an age of female domination. This was the famous and infamous Roxelana (aka Hurrem Sultan). One of the last of these great women was another Ukrainian - Turhan Sultan (or Nadiya). Another might have been Ukrainian - but I'm not 100% sure of her. In this episode, we explore their origins, how they got to Istanbul and how they goverened their respective courts. 

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Scott Bury is a journalist, novelist (from fantasy series to murder-mysteries to historical novels) and now podcaster. His Eastern Front Trilogy follows the story of his father-in-law, Maurice Bury - a Canadian who served in the Red Army from 1941 to 1945. Scott also has a new podcast, the only English speaking podcast that focuses on the Eastern Front of the Second World War - the Beyond Barbarossa podcast. We talk about all of this and how Russia's war today is reminiscent of the Red Army of the Second World War.

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The 1960's counter-culture in Soviet Ukraine was a bit more dramatic than that of the West: poets could were feared, the individual was on the rise and national awareness was creeping up into the national consciousness of Ukraine's students and intellectuals. Some of these dissidents were arrested, some killed but all of them influenced a generation of people and an entire nation. From a revolt over the destruction of a stained-glass window in Kyiv to theatrical protests against sham show trials - these artists weren't afraid of the all-powerful communist party; but the party was afraid of them. Take a look at these dissidents: their lives, their art and their influence in this latest episode.

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Volodymyr Monomakh was the prince of Smolensk, Chernihiv, Pereiaslav and finally the Grand Prince (aka King) of Kyivan-Rus from 1113 to 1125. How did this grandson of Yaroslav the Wise rise from the thousandth in line to rule the Empire? Find out in this episode along with how much the man loved to hunt (a lot, trust me, it was A LOT!), how he used diplomacy and warfare to solve his issues and how he is related to the English nobility! 

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A Russian princess turned famed front-line doctor meets a young strapping Ukrainian Colonel of the Ukrainian People's Army in 1919. They marry, have a kid, and get interned in two different prisoners of war camps, divorce but still see each other. Who were these two remarkable people? It was Khrystyna and Roman Sushko and this episode explores their lives individually and together and how they both influenced early 20th century Ukrainian history. 

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A verbal look at a very visual art form - we'll look at the evolution of Ukrainian dance. From a very pagan, spiritual dance form asking the gods for help to a modern, ballet-inspired whirlwind of complexity and FUN! We'll also get a look at the history of the hopak and how Ukrainian dance evolution diverged between Soviet-style Ukrainian folk and Diaspora Ukrainian folk dance and who was important in this process of evolution. Special thank you to Anna Sudyk Photography for the picture use!

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Who was this Cossack whom a Polish historian described as: "A lion's courage, the mobility of the snake, the cunning of the fox and the light-heartedness of the wind trembled in Bohun’s every vein. Freedom, space, the steppe and war were his element"? A man who was a stubborn independentist and believed that Ukraine should not rely on any other power but its own. This was a man who inspired generations of Ukrainian men and women (for two different reasons) - this was Colonel Ivan Bohun. We delve into his military history and tactical brilliance on the battlefiled and try to get a glimpse into his fierce stubborness! 

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A man born in one empire, studied in Italy and Germany, came back to Lviv which was under Poland for his vocation, lived through the Second World War, was put in a GULAG for almost 20 years and freed by the efforts of an American President, a Vatican Pope and a Soviet Premier. This was Major Archbishop (and Patriarch for many Ukrainians) Josyf Slipyj - the successor of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. His life was embroiled in politics, but he remained apolitical but supremely Ukrainian. What influenced him, how did he react to his imprisonment and what role did he play once freed from the Soviet prison of nations? Find out in this episode which concludes the sort of trilogy of Ukrainian religious history.

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A royal count who became a laywer who found his calling as a priest and became the head of his church at the age of 35! This was Metroplitan Andrey Sheptytsky - who came from a mixed Polish-Ukrainian family who valued the youth and Ukrainian national-consciousness. He was a man that didn't give the Vatican a dime of money but put it all back to his flock: by creating orphanages, hospitals and schools. He was admired as he was feared by imperialists, he openly condemned the killings that occurred on all sides of the Second World War and instigated a network of priests and nuns who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. And this episode is all about him - a man who followed the principle of the law of love in his teachings and leadership of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. 

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What is the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and how did it come about? Who were the main characters who made it happen, who sort-of lost his mind in the process and how was it received? This Union wasn't the first attempt to unify the Eastern and Western Christian churches but it made a great impact on Ukraine's religious history. We'll take a look at the beginnings of the Uniate Church (another name for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and why they're (still) perceived as a threat to Moscow's Orthodoxy. 

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Our first interview of 2022 is with researcher and historian Alik Gomelsky. Originally from Kharkiv, he is a member of the Canadian Author’s Association, co-founder of the Ukrainian-Jewish International Association and the author of "History: Unlearned Lessons", "Simon Petliura: Facts against Myths" and his latest: "Jewish-Ukrainian Relations. 20thCentury" (all in Ukrainian). His work is based on declassified KGB, CIA, Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and German archives along with memoirs. He focuses is mainly on historical events and personalities through the prism of Jewish-Ukrainian relations.

In this episode we look through the more troublesome history of Ukrainian-Jewish relations throughout the 20th century, including the widespread pogroms that occurred in the Russian Empire, the creation of the Ministry of Jewish Affairs under the Ukrainian People’s Republic, Symon Petliura’s stance on Jewish affairs, a look at Arnold Margolin (a very important Ukrainian-Jewish figure), Russian and Soviet attempts to create disunity among both ethnicities and a look into this current Russo-Ukrainian war.

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Ukraine's independence in 1991 could not have been accomplished without the 1990 Revolution on Granite. The Orange Revolution could not have been organized without the students in 2004. And the 2014 Revolution of Dignity was as much a student protest as a national indication of the nation's governance. How were students so organized that they stood up against some huge political obstacles? What happened during those revolutions and why were there so many? This episode looks at the history of student protest and revolution in modern Ukrainian history. Unfortunately, no tourism information as Putin has escalated his war against Ukraine because he's a dictator who detests freedom!

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Russian preside/dictator went on national television on Feb. 21, 2022 and showed the world that he was an insane despot. Three days later, on Feb. 24 at 5am Kyiv time, the Russian army began bombing Kyiv. This episode is a response to that crazy, delusional speech from Putin. There is a lot of swearing, because I'm pretty mad. There's no travel or tourist information and won't be until every Russian soldier get's out of Ukraine! 

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Due to the current Russia war against Ukraine, I've cut the travel/tourist topics from these episodes going forward until Putin withdraws his troops or basically dies. But I will still look at various historical topics, like in this episode: Nestor Makhno was a revolutionary anarchist during a time of complete chaos of the post-First World War Ukraine. He fought against various coloured armies and commanded the respect of his own "Black Army". The peasants who followed him, named him their "father" and the communists feared his reputation among those peasants. Who exactly was Makhno, how did he rule and why did he treat the Mennonite communities of Ukraine so harshly?

What is Russian imperialism and how does it differ from any other form of imperialism? Where did it start and why is it so focused on Ukraine? What is Putin, really and why is he so terrified of letting Ukraine go (even though we don't really want to be part of his "Ruskiy Mir")? Find out in this latest episode! We'll also discuss the historical ties of Russian imperialism with Ukraine and how it was used to not only belittle Ukrainians but also control their periphery colonies. Warning: there is a lot of swearing in this episode! 

Also - we'll take a look at a physical example of Russian imperialism right in the heart of Kyiv: the Pecherska Lava!

Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) was a Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, public, political figure, folklorist and ethnographer. He is seen by many as Ukraine's prophet and his poetry is the foundation of Ukraine' modern literature. He was an orphan, a serf, a Russian titled "Artist", an exile and a lonely figure that was surrounded by a group of literary friends who bought him out of slavery and also bought him his eternal resting place in Kaniv. Find out why this man is so important to Ukriane and Ukrainians - not only during his own time but in these modern times as well. Plus, you get to walk through the Taras Shevchenko Preserve at Kaniv, Ukraine!

These women were some of the firsts to become officers in any armed forces of the world - during a time of unimaginable turmoil that was the Great War. These veterans of the First World War had active lives before, during and after the war and impacted the history of Ukraine in the twentieth century. Some became leaders in various organizations, others went into politics while some just couldn't adjust to normal life. Why did they join the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces? What did they fight for? And what was their impact on Ukrainian history? This episode will look at all those questions, and answer a lot more! Plus, you'll get to walk through one of the most famous Ukrainian cemeteries: Lychakiv Cemetery.

In this week's episode, we have a discussion with Dr. Marnie Howlett - a Departmental Lecturer in Politics and Qualitative Methods in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University. We will be talking about her doctoral thesis dissertation titled “Re-Envisioning Nationalism from the Borderlands of a Borderland: An analysis of post-Soviet Ukraine," along with many, many other things including what is everyday nationalism, what role does foreign agency play and the importance of spacial dimensions. Plus, we get to talk about where exactly do we come from - is it important to have the passport or the cultural heritage? Plus, Marnie will let you know which cities are great to visit in Ukraine! Be aware however, the audio sounds weird, mainly because of the Zoom usage!

Gregory Orlyk or Gregoire Orlyk or Hryhor Orlyk - the Knight of the Swedish Order of the Sword, the French Order of Saint Louis and the Polish Order of the White Eagle. He was influential in 18th century European diplomacy and military affairs, criss-crossed Europe in various disguises and even wanted to create a Cossack Sich on the Rhine. And he wrote - A LOT! Find out in this episode about one of Ukraine’s unfortunate yet determined sons. Plus, get a walk through the most well-known Ukrainian fortresses with a long, long history – Khotyn.

Pylyp Orlyk, Ivan Mazepa's successor, wrote one of the first democratic constitutions in European history. He was also an exiled Hetman, a wandering diplomat and a endless optimist when it came to Ukrainian-Cossack independence. How did he rise in the ranks of the Cossacks and what were his diplomatic relations throughout Europe? This episode delves into that along with an indepth examination of the rumour of some Cossack gold care of Hetman Pavlo Polutobok. Plus, hear about some great Indian restaurants in Kyiv!

Hetman Ivan Mazepa is a controversial historical figure - but he was also the longest ruling Hetman of the Cossacks and the only one to die a natural death, in freedom. His life was a bit of a soup opera with some wild adventures throughout Europe, he had a bromance with Peter the Great which eventually turned ugly and he inspired some great writers like Voltaire and Lord Byron. So who was this great political and military leader and what did he do to become such a controversial figure? This episode will explore that and more. You'll also get some information about the tourist town of Baturyn - Mazepa's capital. 

King Danylo Halytsky or Daniel of Galicia or the King of Ruthenia or Danylo Romanovych or Prince of Galicia, Przemysl and Volodymyr - a 13th century mediaval noble with many titles. The son of a great "prince" and a foreign princess, a knight-king who ruled and expanded his kingdom, who fought the Golden Horde, reworked his armies, increased his kingdom's political and economic strength and was given a Papal crown - this was King Danylo and his life and feats are the focus of this episode. You'll also get to explore some of Lviv's great museums - a city founded by Danylo himself and named after his son Lev. 

The Brotherhood of Sts. Cyril and Methodius was a secret literary club including some of Ukraine's most prominent Romantic literary figures, including Taras Shevchenko, during a time where literary clubs were all the rage throughout Europe. In this episode, you will meet some of them but also get a glimpse at their impact for Ukrainian history and the Ukrainian national consciousness and how all of this was part and parcel of the wider Spring of Nations revolutions gripping Europe. Plus, you'll get some info about all the "intellectual" hot-spots of Kyiv!

Do you know how small the 11th century medieval European royal courts were? How did Yaroslav the Wise become known as the "father-in-law of Europe"? How his four daughters became influential among the Hungarian, Norwegian, English and French royalty? Well, this episode looks at Yaroslav the Wise's four daughters: Anastasia, Agatha, Elizabeth and Anne and how their marriages happened, what we know of their life stories and who their descendants were. You'll also learn about the various airlines that fly into the various airports of Ukraine and why the bankruptcy of AeroSvit was such a sweet, sweet moment!

Operation Frantic was a joint (sort-of) Soviet-American bombing operation at the tail-end of the Second World War. Using Ukrainian air bases that also housed the Germans and Soviets before them, the American bombers tried to help the Allied war effort by bombing eastern German targets, tried to get the German Luftwaffe's attention during D-Day and also dropped aid to the Poles during the Warsaw Uprising. How did the Soviets react to this, how did they screw up in defending their own allies and what did the American servicemen think about this joint operation? Learn more about this little-known Allied strategic bombing operation along with some great museums in Kyiv dedicated to planes, tanks and weapons! 

Did you know that the Scythians were a large influence on European civilization? That their military prowess lead them all the way to Egypt and against the famous of ancient rulers - Darius the Great and Alexander the Great? How about the Amazons - did you know they were active members of Scythian society? What's myth and what's truth about the famous women warriors? You will find out in this episode along with an explorations of Scythian society through the eyes of ancient Greeks, Romans and even Shakespeare! Plus, some great stories of traveling (modern) Ukraine via train!

How did Ukrainian music evolve throughout time? What influenced it and how was it changed by Soviet occupation? What is the "bilyj holos" or natural voice of Ukraine and what makes it so special? Find out all of this over some girl talk about what Ukrainian folk music means - from those of us who came from a village or even those who didn't step one foot outside the city until much later in life. In this special episode, Marichka Marczyk - Ukrainian ethnomusicologist, singer and folklorist from the famous Bozhychi, Kuku Shanel, Lemon Bucket Orkestra ensembles (and Balaklava Blues duo with her husband Mark Marczyk) talks all about her passion for folk music and why it's important to preserve it - a project she feels passionate about and even began an digital archive of called Folk Songs of Ukraine and can be found: https://folk-ukraine.com/

Who was Metropolitan Lypkivsky, the man who said this in 1919: "If you do not become united in the defence of your homeland, you will weep under Moscow captivity, as Israel once did under Babylon." Find out how he grew up, his history in the Orthodox Church, his rebellious insistance in creating an Ukrainian independence churce and his persecution by the Soviet authorities. Also, get a great tourist and historical lesson about Kyiv's magical St. Sophia Cathedral!

In this episode, we explore how and why Ukraine's oligarchs came to be through the prism of the theory of political economy. Which oligarchs own what, how did Ukraine pseudo-mafia state begin and how did communism influence it? There's also some frustrating stories of how Ukraine's state system works, from personal experience. Plus, you'll get a great tour of some of central Kyiv's most memorable pubs!

Why are Ukrainian weddings so awesome? How were these traditions created and how did they evolve? When do the couple begin their wedding journey and how does it end? And why is a barn involved? Well, in this episode we will marry Taras and Zoriana and go through the three stages of a Ukrainian wedding: the pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding craziness. We'll also learn about a huge open-air architectural museum in Kyiv - the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine! 

Who was part of the Red Renaissance - a group of Ukrainian communist artist-intellectuals who got to live in their own apartment building? This one buiding in central Kharkiv became Stalin's "Great Terror Lite" - before the terror of the late 1930's, Stalin managed to arrest, exile or execute 90% of the residents of this "Slovo" building. Why and how? Find out in this episode of Wandering the Edge along with some fascinating information about Ukraine's most prominent modernist, experimental theater group named after one of those artists killed by Stalin. 

Who were the registered and Zaporizhian Cossacks, what was their impact on Ukrainian culture, society, historical memory, military formations and psyche and why are they different from the Russians? This episode explains how those who fled serfdom to the wild, wild east of the Ukrainian steppes in the 16th century created a culture that still has a huge impact on Ukraine, that their imagery is as popular as it ever was. You'll also get to see how one man ignited a fire of an uprising, how history is perceived different through different eyes and why Ukrainians love their Hopak! Plus, you'll get all the information you want about Khortytsia Island - the largest island on the Dnipro River and home to an awesome living museum.

Marusia Churai, Ukrainian poetess from the 17th century, wrote a poem about poisoning her lover and then became a national icon. How did this happen? Why did her poems, turned songs, become an inspiration for a nation and how did them become some of the best known Ukrainian national songs? Find out in this episode which details the love-triangle Marusia got herself into, the death sentence she got out of and how her story has been debated and explored, most notably by Lina Kostenko in the 1970s. You'll also get to hear about the wonders of Kyiv parks!

This episode explores the story of Olha of Kyiv – saint, mother, queen, diplomat, reformer and warrior (probably). The woman whose revenge is part of history, who outsmarted the Emperor of Byzantium and who inspired the bloodiest weddings in the "Game of Thrones" world. This episode places her in a wider historical European world but also looks at her story through a more Viking perspective. Also, take a trip to Kyiv's St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery - outside of which you can find a great statue of Olha herself.