Discovering Winter Wonderland 2012 in Western Ukraine’s City of Lviv

Lviv, December 30, 2011. A fairy tale that comes to life during the New Year and Christmas holidays takes place in the Ukrainian cultural capital, a western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Christmas fairs scattered all around the old downtown square offer everything from sparkly Christmas tree decorations to the finest local confectionary that simply melts on one’s tongue.

In a city locals refer to as the "big village", just because everyone knows everyone, Lviv takes its place as the cultural Capital of Ukraine, where you may find a plethora of shops and boutiques carrying items specific to the rich culture of the Carpathian peoples. Lose yourself in this Winter Wonderland down the weathered and aged cobble stone streets. Bask in the riches offered by the gifted inhabitants of this Antigua city. Explore your way through the holiday fairs that lure all with their permeating aromas of natural soaps and perfumes, traditional Cossack honeys, and delightfully decadent pampushky - mind you, that no words can explain, you must simply see for yourself.

Enter the holiday atmosphere booming at the city square where you can spectate upon the excited chatter and exchange of gifts. Yes, watch this all take place under the gorgeous and massive real Christmas tree that is beautifully decorated with hundreds of lights in front of Lviv’s very own Opera House. Divulge in the holiday brews both locally brewed with their signature Lvivske taste and imported from neighboring countries like Poland.

During this holiday, Lviv’s local businesses begin to thrive. An endless flow of tourists and local visitors pour into the many cafés and restaurants, looking for their holiday palate fix. “We have a mission here to create a special holiday atmosphere and make our customers believe that St. Nicholas and Santa Claus exist,” said Lesia Ionova, General Manager of Restaurant and pastry shop Veronica. Among a countless number of pastries, cookies, pies, torts and other decadent treats offered for the holidays, the most popular of their recipes is the traditional pampushky and makivnyk,” she said.

For many, the New Year takes on a variety of meanings. You could say its the start of the fresh and new and out with the old and blue. Many look at the New Year as the opportunity to begin a “New Year’s Resolution,” possibly to better ones health, relationships, or maybe invest more in oneself. There are plenty of meanings behind this special day and event, but one that stands above all else is the celebration of accomplishment, for all we've endured in the past 365 days of the last year. It's a turning of events, it's a new kiss, and even better yet it’s the start of a new beginning.