CULTURE
Ukraine is geographically located between Europe and Asia, so its culture exhibits both Eastern and Western influences. Modern Ukrainian culture has a lot in common with Russian and Belarusian cultures: all three nations have their historical roots and origination from Kievan Rus. They went separate ways starting in the 13th century.
Ukraine is home to a variety of nationalities: Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Jews, Moldavians, Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Tatars and Greeks - these are the groups that are predominantly represented.
Traditions:
The traditions are one of the most important components of any culture. And Ukrainians, like other nations, have many traditions. Ukrainian customs are based not only on Christian traditions, but on the pre – Christian (pagan) culture and religion. The Ukrainian society was basically agrarian at that time and had developed an appropriate pagan culture, elements of which have survived to this day.
Celebrations:
There are National Holidays ("no - business" days), Religious Holidays (regularly business days) and Just Holidays (different professional holidays, holidays adopted from other cultures, etc.) in Ukraine.
National holidays:
January, 1 - New Year Day
January, 7 - Orthodox Christmas
March, 8 - International Women's Day
In April - Easter, Holy Trinity Day
May 1 and 2 - The Day of International Solidarity of Workers
May 9 - Victory Day
June 28 - Constitution Day
August 24 - Independence Day
Alcohol:
The legal drinking age for alcohol beverages is 18.
Sports and Hobbies:
Ukrainian national sports are football (Ukraine and Poland will be hosts to the UEFA European Football Championship in 2012) and ice hockey. Also there are several basketball leagues, Rugby Union and many cricket clubs. Rhythmic gymnastics is considered one of the most popular sports in Ukraine.
Many Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts are among the top rhythmic gymnasts in the world. There are many clubs all over Ukraine. The most famous and strongest rhythmic gymnastics training school in Ukraine is the Deriugina School in Kiev.
Favourable Ukrainian hobbies are fishing and hunting.