“My modest Great Land”

Polish Chelm marks the 750th anniversary of death of Daniel of Galicia (Danylo Halytsky), with Ukrainians, in particular, Volyn residents, taking an active part in the events. Modern Volyn would be different, be it not for King Danylo who back in that time created the nation, the people, and the state. Entire Ukraine would be different.

In the previous issues of Route No. 1 dedicated to traveling, Mykolaiv region and Odesa, Den’s creative team started to conduct a thorough research of the Ukrainian space of freedom, its historical and modern components, people without which it would be impossible, personal histories of those who are building and broadening it today. In this context Volyn, its history and people, is a favorable topic which has no end.

Every village, town, or city here bears the traces of great History and now has to use them properly. The new issue of the glossy supplement, Route No. 1. The Calm Power of Volyn is about this. And not only about this.

“Volyn is not the largest territory of our country, but it is in fact a Great Land. It has something magical, and while reading history you understand: this is the fantastic fragment of Kyivan Rus’, Rus’ before Mongols which has survived,” Den’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna, who comes from this Great Land, writes in her traditional introductory column. “This is the only land which had a monarch of its own, King Danylo who in the 1200s, when our arrogant neighbors didn’t even exist, was shaping the nation, the people, and the state. Such moments chosen by history and time live for thousands of years, but contemporaries should put more effort to understand the meaning of the Lutsk Castle in our history. Or understand that Volodymyr-Volynsky is not a raion center, but a stronghold of the land, faith, and army – the winter residence of Volodymyr the Baptizer was located nearby. And when the world is perceived by people in such a way, this is the first ground for self-respect. Hence building of a decent present-day reality.”

If you don’t know this land, you should create your “personal guide across Volyn,” both geographic and intellectual. You can start your journey from the Museum of Icon in Lutsk, go to the Lubart’s Castle, residence of Radziwill princes in Olytsia, one of the first square bastions in Ukraine, Saint Assumption Monastery in Volodymyr-Volynsky, the only monument of architecture in Volyn which has been preserved since the time of Kyivan Rus’, and… the list is endless.

The new Route No. 1 will help you see the magical space of this land from various angles. Musician Oleksandr Polozhynsky; writer Volodymyr Lys; writer, philosopher, and Soviet political prisoner Yevhen Sverstiuk; football player Artem Fedetsky; director Oles Sanin, and others tell in this issue about “their Volyn.”

In the Route No. 1 you will read about seven wonders of Volyn, learn interesting facts about this region, and get to know the local cuisine. Den’s creative team who worked on the issue prepared for you original infographics about the Shatsk Lakes, a recipe guide, and many other “features” to finish the portrait of Volyn, a Great Land.

Inquire about the 24th issue of the monthly glossy supplement to Den, Route No. 1. The Calm Power of Volyn in newsstands on September 26 or order it on Den’s website.