Sightseeing in Kharkiv

The truth is that Kharkiv is not much of a tourist. At the same time all guests and visitors like it here. The features of the old Kharkiv and those of today's city merge into ……. created by the specific architecture of its buildings, squares and streets.

The most treasured pieces of architecture ……. in the central part of the city. In the former monastery yard there stands Pokrovsky Cathedral, the oldest stone building of the town. It was built in 1689. Pokrovsky Cathedral ……. to Constitution Square and is a valuable monument of the Ukrainian architecture of the second half of the 17^th century. This is a typical Ukrainian three-domed church.

……. it there stands another wonderful architectural monument Uspensky (Assumption) Cathedral (1771-1777). It is situated at the central part of the University Hill. It was built to commemorate the victory of Russian troops over Napoleon. This is the highest building in Kharkiv rising 89.5 meters tall. The gold bell tower has a ……., which melodious signal is heard hourly over the city. It is frequently called “the golden crown of Kharkiv”.

Today we can hardly imagine Kharkіv without the Shevchenko monument. Our Shevchenko was the winner among all-USSR competition of the Shevchenko monuments that ……. in the 30s.The monument faces the main city thoroughfare - Sumska Street. From his elevated position Kobzar is looking ……., and it seems as if he is alive again and is entering our life. This monument is inseparable from the surrounding park area named after T.G. Shevchenko. It is the oldest green area in the city centre. A water cascade, a colour and music fountain, a Movie and Concert Hall Ukrayina are located in the park. Not far from there Kharkiv Zoo is located. It …… in 1895 and now has 340 species of animals. Of great interest is the aquarium with exotic fish.

The stately the Glory Memorial was unveiled in Forest Park in 1977. It immortalizes the undying exploits of the Soviet people fighting against the Nazism. A majestic stele at the centre of the Memorial tells about the struggle, suffering, and joy of victory. A symbolic figure of Motherland stands nearby in mournful silence. The Eternal Flame ……. of the sculpture. Grey granite bears gold lettering: "Heroes never die. They become immortal and stay forever in our memories, in our achievements, in great deeds of future generations. The progeny owe life to them". 

The Zerkalnaya Struya (The Mirror Stream) is the visit card of Kharkiv. The fountain was built in 1947 ……. in the Second World War. It is located at Sumska Street, just opposite the Opera House. It is situated in a small but very picturesque garden good for taking a stroll or just sitting for a while on a bench, or arranging a date.

City's main square, Svobody Square, is the largest square in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. This is the ……., concerts, fairs, rallies, meetings, and other public events. The central part of square's circumference is occupied by the State Industry Building or Derzhprom. This is one of city's unique architectural and historic sights. It was built in 1925-1928 to become the first high-rise building of reinforced concrete in the country. Derzhprom consists ……. connected by passages running on different levels. Even nowadays Derzhprom remains the symbol of the city.

Exercise20. Work in pairs.

Match the sights from column A with their descriptions from column B. There can be two or more variants.

A B

Uspensky Cathedral	- the oldest stone building in the city; - was the winner of all USSR competition;
Svobody Square	- the symbol of the city; - was built to commemorate the victory in the Second -World War;
Pokrovsky Cathedral	- the first high-rise building of reinforced concrete in the country;
The Glory Memorial	- the typical Ukrainian three-domed church; - the highest building in the city;
The Shevchenko monument	- the largest one in Europe; - has a charming clock; - is frequently called “the golden crown of Kharkiv”;
Derzhprom	- was built to commemorate the victory of Russian troops over Napoleon;
The Zerkalnaya Struya (the Mirrow Stream)	- immortalizes the undying exploits of people fighting against the Nazism;

Exercise 21. Imagine you are an interpreter. Try to help the two people that can't communicate without you.

Foreigner: Excuse me, can you tell me what the name of this square is?

Kharkivite: Звичайно, це площа Конституції.

Foreigner: As I see there is much interesting here. The church in front of us is an old one, isn’t it?

Kharkivite: Так, ви маєте рацію. Це Покрівський собор – найстаріша кам′яна споруда в місті. Він був відреставрований декілька років тому і зараз має чудовий вигляд як зовні так і усередині.

Foreigner: And what about the cathedral on the left hand?

Kharkivite: Це Успенський собор – найвища будівля в Харкові. На дзвіниці знаходиться годинник. Через декілька хвилин ви матимете змогу почути їх бій.

Foreigner: Oh, it's wonderful! And what are these beautiful buildings in front of us?

Kharkivite: Більшість споруд, які ви бачите перед собою, збудовані архитектором Бекетовим. Як раз навпроти нас знаходится театр ляльок, а поряд з ним банк.

Foreigner: It's a pity, I don't have much time to be in your city. There are so many interesting places I'd like to visit.

Kharkivite: До речі, зліва від вас історичний музей.

Foreigner: I see. If I have some free time I'll visit this

museum. Would you tell me some words about these tanks?

Kharkivite: Авжеж. Зліва ви бачите англійський танк часів Світової війни. Такі танки використовувались у боях під час Громадянської війни в Україні у 1918 році.

Foreigner: It looks monstrous! And what about this one, on the right hand?

Kharkivite: Це відомий радянський танк Т-34. Він вважається кращим танком Другої Світової війни. Ми пишаємося, що Т-34 був розроблений та створений в Харькові.

Foreigner: Thank you very much. I'm lucky to meet you. You know so much about the city.

Kharkivite: Будь ласка. Бажаю приємно провести час у нашому місті. Всього найкращого!

Foreigner: Good-bye!

Exercise 22. Translate mini dialogues. Try to reproduce them in.

A - Excuse me, I live in Odessa and don’t know Kharkiv well

enough. Could you tell me how I can get to Shevchenko Park?

- With pleasure. You are in Constitution Square right now. It’s not

far from it.

- Would it be better for me to walk or to use transport?

- If you have much time, you could go straight along Sumska

Street. You will be able to enjoy majestic architectural buildings

of our city.

- How long will it take me?

- It will take you about 15 minutes. But you can take a cab if you

are in a hurry.

- Thanks a lot. The weather is wonderful and I have some free time

so I’d rather walk.

B - By the way what are you doing at the week-ends?

- I haven’t decided yet, but why?

- If you have no plans, let’s visit Pokrovsky Cathedral and the State

Historical Museum.

- Why not? I think it’s a good idea. I haven’t visited sights in

Kharkiv for a long time.

- When and where will we meet?

- I think it will be O.K at 10 o’clock at Radyanska Underground

Station.

C - Have you ever been to Kharkiv?

- Yes, I have. I often go on business here and know it very well

And you?

- It’s the second time my family is here on visit. My wife and I

have already seen a lot of sights of the city. But where could you

recommend to go with our children?

- I suggest that you should visit Gorky Park of Culture and Rest

and, of course, the Small Southern Children’s Railway.

- Could you tell me the best way to get there?

- Certainly, with great pleasure. Get by the #3 trolley-bus from

Universitet underground station and go as far as Gorky Park.

- Thank you for help.

Exercise 23. Write a note to a friend telling him/her how to get to your house from the railway station in your home town.

Use the expressions:

- So when you get out of the station, take number ... bus (tram,

trolley-tram).

- go as far as

- on your right (left)

- cross the street

- I live next door to

Exercise 24. Your friend also wants to know what you are going to do at the weekend. Include in your note a short description of sports, leisure and cultural facilities in your town.