Long associated with its colossal neighbour Russia, it’s a country of varied landscapes and surprising cultural diversity.

The north of the state is dominated by forests. Its other two main features are wooded steppe with beech and oak forests and the treeless steppe. The River Dnieper divides Ukraine roughly in half, and flows into the Black Sea.

Currency

Hryvnya (UAH) = 100 kopiyok (singular: kopiyka). Notes are in denominations of UAH500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of UAH1 and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 kopiyok.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two round pins are used.

General business opening hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700/1800. Lunch tends to be at least one and a half hours.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2017 – December 2018 period.

2017

New Year’s Day: 1 and 2 January 2017
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 – 9 January 2017
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2017
Orthodox Easter Sunday: 17 April 2017
Labour Days: 1 and 2 May 2017
Victory Day: 9 May 2017
Trinitatis: 4 and 5 June 2017
Constitution Day: 28 June 2017
Independence Day: 24 August 2017
Day of the defender of the nation: 14 October 2017

2018

New Year’s Day: 1 and 2 January 2018
Orthodox Christmas Day: 7 – 8 January 2018
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2018
Orthodox Easter Sunday: 17 April 2018
Labour Days: 1 and 2 May 2018
Victory Day: 9 May 2018
Trinitatis: 27 and 28 May 2018
Constitution Day: 28 June 2018
Independence Day: 24 August 2018
Day of the defender of the nation: 14 October 2018

All information subject to change.

Lviv’s biggest Christmas event attracts around 100,000 festivalgoers, who munch their way through 50,000 doughnuts of every variety imaginable, from savoury to poppy seed to chocolate. Aside from doughnut gorging, there are nativity plays, a 4m-high Christmas star and a cutest angel contest.

A ginormous decorated Easter egg is the centrepiece of Lviv’s Easter fair. Souvenirs, hand-made goods and local produce are piled high on stalls lining prospekt Svobody. Visitors can pick up anything from wicker baskets to beeswax candles and try their hand at painting, puppetry and carpet weaving in craft workshops.

Families, usually clothed in national dress, flock to this popular festival celebrating Ukrainian Easter traditions. Hayivkas, special songs sung only at Easter, are performed on the main stage, along with folk dancing and music. Visitors can paint eggs, learn traditional dances and join in competitions.

Colourfully painted Easter eggs are dotted throughout Lviv in this nearly month-long art project. Famous artists, amateurs and kids all join in with the decorating before the delightful results are put on display in various public buildings and places. The eggs are eventually auctioned off for charity.

A spectacular, noisy parade kicks off Lviv’s annual City Day celebrations. Kids, stilt walkers, musicians, and locals kitted out in historical costume create a colourful carnival that’s terrific to watch. The weekend party continues with street artists, concerts and film screenings.

Renowned artists from around the world land on Lviv to play at this open-air summer jazz fest. Concerts, many of them free, take place in parks and squares throughout Lviv. Keep an eye on the programme for special masterclasses and jam sessions.

Blue and yellow flags and balloons adorn houses and cars for the annual Independence Day festivities. Street shows, art exhibitions and special events mark the occasion, with residents donning traditional embroidered clothing. A massive rock concert usually rounds off the day.

Ukraine’s biggest book fair encompasses a huge range of events for librarians, publishers, booksellers and members of the public. A packed programme of literary debates, readings, book signings and kids’ activities takes place in museums, galleries, theatres and cafés throughout the city.

World-class composers, soloists and ensembles join forces in this highly respected contemporary music showcase, on the go for two decades and hosted by the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra. Favourite 20th-century compositions and avant-garde new music are guaranteed to feature in the eclectic programme.

Carol singing fills the air at Lviv’s annual Christmas market, where pretty wooden stalls are crammed with all manner of enticing goodies, from handcrafted toys to embroidered Ukrainian shirts to beautiful ceramics. Shoppers can warm up with mugs of mulled wine and varenyky, traditional Ukrainian stuffed dumplings.