Galicia Midwest | Updates

Books and Bottles event.

Galicia Midwest — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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 enjoyed the wine selection. The church wine, in particular, touched many hearts and inspired me to share it with even more people.

If you're interested, the complete trilogy is available in three books on Amazon.com. I invite you to visit my website, galiciamidwest.com, where I share deeper insights about the characters and their journeys.

Also, I encourage you to experience the warm atmosphere at City News Cafe, a true pillar of our community. Don’t miss the beautiful postcards featuring the art of Ukrainian artist Lana Husak; I believe you’ll find something that resonates with you.

Thank you for being part of this meaningful endeavor—it truly matters to those we are standing with.

]]>

The Legend of City Hall Ghost.

Galicia Midwest — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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 real criminal was found, but it was already too late—the innocent man had suffered. As a warning to the unjust judges, the black coffin appeared in the City Hall.

https://map.lviv.ua/statti/legendy.html

]]>

The Legend Of Sara Braga from Lviv.

Galicia Midwest — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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 sexual dependency on this woman. She was a beautiful woman, no older than 30. The psychiatrist became concerned about his friend's condition and seriously contemplated this extraordinary case, feeling an unbearable desire to help his friend at all costs.

While reviewing old medical histories, he stumbled upon the case of a lady from Pohulianka. It was noted that in 1875, she was diagnosed with psychopathic tendencies of a sexual nature, and at that time, she was 45 years old. Therefore, she would have been at least 80 years old by now. The psychiatrist decided to meet the owner of "Pivonia." This lady, named Sara Braga, came from an old Spanish noble family. During their meeting, he encountered a young, beautiful woman. At that time, the lawyer suddenly died from an unknown illness.

While conducting his investigation, the psychiatrist learned that Mrs. Sara had had six other husbands whose fates were unknown then. Understanding the danger of the situation, the doctor decided to settle in Pohulianka at the villa "Pivonia." He made numerous efforts to resist the seductive allure of the demonic woman.

Incredible efforts were required so he would not end up in Sara's bed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Sara suddenly started to age. Wrinkles appeared on her face, and her hair began to turn gray. Sara tried in every way to seduce the doctor, but he remained steadfast. One day, while rereading the Bible, he accidentally uncovered Sara Braga's secret in the book of Tobit. It spoke of a confident Sara from Media, who had seven husbands who had fallen under the power of the demon Asmodeus.

One evening, while sitting together in the living room on the sofa, the doctor read a passage from the Old Testament to Sara. With a terrible scream, she ran out of the living room. As he chased after her, he found her sprawled on the stairs. Death had caught up with Sara.

]]>

Galicia Midwest — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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, calling it Kyiv. The brothers are often depicted as heroic figures, embodying the spirit of unity and strength among the early Slavic tribes.

The legend is steeped in themes of bravery, exploration, and a deep connection to the land, reflecting Kyiv's cultural and historical significance as a center of power and trade. Over centuries, the tale of Kyi Shcheck Khoryv has become an integral part of Ukrainian identity, symbolizing the nation's roots and enduring legacy.

Lybid is an intriguing character in the legend of Kyi Shcheck Khoryv, often regarded as the sister of the three brothers who founded Kyiv. While her brothers are celebrated for their roles as warriors and leaders, Lybid represents wisdom, grace, and the nurturing spirit of the family.

In some versions of the legend, Lybid is credited with playing a significant role in the establishment of the settlement. She is often associated with the river Lybid, which flows through Kyiv, symbolizing her connection to the land and its natural beauty. The river is named after her, further emphasizing her importance in the lore of the city.

Lybid's character embodies the qualities of femininity, such as compassion and intuition, balancing the more martial attributes of her brothers. This duality reflects broader themes in folklore, where male and female figures together contribute to the community's strength and identity.

Though not as prominently featured as her brothers in many narratives, Lybid's presence adds depth to the founding story of Kyiv, highlighting the role of women in shaping history and culture. Her legacy lives on in the city's name and geography, reminding us of the vital contributions of all members of the family in the creation of Kyiv.

]]>

My own recipe for Ukrainian borsch I mentioned in the second book.

Galicia Midwest — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

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 florets - charred instead of regular cabbage.
Two red potatoes cubed medium.
Salt, pepper, thyme, and herbs to your taste.
White canned beans with aquafaba for the taste.
The base is chicken broth slowly cooked , then meat removed of the bones and added to the borsch in the end of the cooking.
The process is the same . The only raw ingredient is potato. It goes first, then I add the rest of the vegetables and let them slowly boil for 10 min. I serve my borsch with sour cream or labneh, toasted Lithuanian rye bread, and thinly sliced salo cured in salt and paprika.

]]>