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I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my family and friends who are joining me for my Books and Bottles event. A special thank you goes to City News Cafe for their incredibly warm hospitality.

Your support truly means the world to me as I strive to help my friends in Ukraine during these challenging times. Sharing my stories is more than just a passion; it’s a way to connect and support those in my hometown who have loved ones courageously defending my homeland.

I sincerely hope you...

One of the legends from 400 years ago tells of a ghost in Lviv City Hall. The ghost appeared in the form of a black coffin that flew through the halls and rooms with a terrifying moan. No one could explain the appearance of the black coffin until one of the judges, known as "lavnyks" in ancient Lviv, who handled criminal cases, unraveled this mystery.

One day, the commission of judges, having not thoroughly examined the criminal case, sentenced an innocent man to death. After some time, the...

Here is another urban legend from the 20th century, this one about a mansion in Pohulianka. Around 1910, a young lawyer from Lviv fell madly in love with a woman, the owner of the villa "Pivonia," located in Pohulianka, and for two years, he lived with her in the villa.

The lawyer's friend, who was a well-known psychiatrist in Lviv, noticed severe mental disorders in his friend's behavior. During a friendly conversation, the lawyer complained to his doctor friend about a fatal, pathological...

Kyi Shcheck Khoryv is a legendary figure from Ukrainian folklore, primarily associated with the founding of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. According to the legend, Kyi and his brothers, Shcheck and Khoryv, were three Slavic princes who, along with their sister Lybid, discovered a majestic hill by the Dnipro River.

Impressed by the site's strategic location and natural beauty, they established a settlement there. Kyi, the eldest brother, became the leader and named the city after himself,...

This is the recipe for the borsch from Cafe Halushka, where Halia and Solomia had a feast.

I traveled to many parts of Ukraine and tried different recipes for our beloved dish. I am very frivolous with cooking borsch - as long as you can reach this famous balance of sweet, sour, and salty, you are fine. So here is my recipe for borsch - one of the thousands of them:

• baked beets 2-3 medium size
• Shredded carrots sauteed with one shredded parsnip, cubed onions, and garlic.
• One small cauliflower...

Every ending of a story heralds a new beginning. Halia not only gained answers to her questions but also embraced new challenges. This journey emphasizes the importance of support, empowering us to navigate obstacles and, in turn, become pillars for others facing their trials, regardless of their scale.

Moreover, this story is a quest for one’s roots, a source of strength during life's most challenging moments, to be celebrated and treasured as an integral part of our identity. It embodies the...

Thank you to our family and friends for joining us at City News Cafe. Though I'm not a professional writer, your support makes me feel like I truly am one. I hope you take the time to read my story, which reflects on the past and the present and offers a glimpse into the future—something that ultimately depends on us. I appreciate your encouragement and look forward to seeing you again when we present my second book, "The Complicated Art of Simple Solutions."

The characters in my contemporary fantasy story draw inspiration from Ukrainian folklore. Solomiya, often called Solya, embodies the spirit of a Mavka. Legends surrounding these forest creatures suggest they are the souls of children who have passed away. Various types of Mavkas exist, some being benevolent and others quite vicious. In Ukrainian pop culture, Mavkas are often portrayed as young women with green hair who inhabit the forest, acting as fierce protectors of Mother Nature. They are...

https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/f08b4d96127e4496974697442e62d93fsune?ref=dm_sh_9nvmqeM0Emwn7WfovTozKBbnn

I started working on this story in 2019 for my young niece, Daryna, who holds a special place in my heart and lives in Ukraine with her parents. At the time, I didn't know how this fantasy tale would unfold, but the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 left me with no choice. I felt compelled to finish this story as quickly as possible, realizing the fragility of human life and the importance of taking immediate action rather than delaying it for the future.

This is also my...

I’m not the biggest fan of crafting story synopses, but here’s my attempt to draw you in!

I’ve penned three captivating short stories, each brimming with unexpected twists. The first, intriguingly titled "The Case of the Unauthorized Release of Lost Souls," introduces an extraordinary teenage girl with an undiscovered superpower. As time passes, her identity fades, leaving the people of her world on the brink of forgetting her. But that's all I'm revealing for now—no spoilers here!

The first...

Once I came across this article about Ukrainian sculptor Vasyl Borodai who created the memorial to the founders of Kyiv.

"According to the memories of the artist's close ones, the prototype of Lybid was the sculptor's daughter, Halyna, who passed away at a very young age, making this work hold special significance for him.

The installation of the monument was dedicated to the celebrations of the 1500th anniversary of Kyiv in May 1982. Since then, the sculpture has been a true symbol of our...