While the whole country celebrates the Independence Day of Ukraine at the 24th of August, for all the Kharkiv'yans the party begins one day earlier, with the Day of the City that was liberated exactly this day 83 years ago. For me this day always remains an important reminder that I got lucky to be born and raised in the most beautiful city in the world. With this, I want to present some of the countless memories this place holds for me.
"The Starry Sky"
One of the most popular photospots in the whole city, the guarantee of Christmas mood and the pride of all the habitants. I remember walking under this installation every time when I walked in the city centre, and the feeling of almost child-like miracle never left me.
Amusement park in my district
The witness of every single rumor in my district, the only way to the culture centre and, after the recent renovation, an acclaimed spot of all the meetings and walks. In the late summer the alleys of the linden trees has a very specific aroma that makes your head spin.
Gorky Park
Café "Ekhat Nada"
I am not of the most nationalist views when it comes to Kharkiv, but neither in any other city of Ukraine nor anywhere in the Central/Western Europe have I ever seen a park as legendary as Gorky Park. Full of loud friend groups, entertainment, food places, green aisles of relax, forest, concerts, countless kiosks with small meaningless things that bring happiness to every child - this is only a small part of all memories I can recollect about this magic place. I lost the count of all birthdays spent there and paper cups of flavored sweet corn with cheese and mayo.
Wet and sloggy November, but it's warm inside, the smell of candles and something with cinnamon, pretend to read the menu card as if I never order the same. Snow in the window, a two-hours-long conversation while the coffee slowly goes lukewarm.
"7th Sklad"
The ultimate destination for warm summer evenings with open spaces to chill, live music to enjoy and good company to have. The 7th Sklad occupied a permanent space in my memory as a small oasis of peace and rest in the middle of the loud city, the drink specialities from "black&milk" for countless seasons and the cats (!) roaming around.