Summer in Zalischyky

After returning to Zalischyky we were fortunate to meet with the mayor of our town, Volodimir Stanislavovich. He was elected Mayor this March and is eager to improve many aspects of city. The meeting was helpful to us because we were able to hear the plans of the administration, so that we may work to help achieve their goals. Before WWI and WWII, this town was a getaway for Polish families during the summer. The Dneister River had a great beach and there was a resort and hotels throughout the city. While it will take time and money, which the administration doesn’t have at the moment, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the potential of this quaint city. We hope to initially translate the unofficial website for the city into English so that non Ukrainian travelers can learn about the area. It is really amazing to see the amount of effort being put forth now while the weather is good.
At the end of May the schools hold their “final bell” ceremonies. After this ceremony, all students are done with school for the summer except the students in the 9th form, ages 13-14, and 11th form, ages 15-16. These students have 2 weeks of studying and then another week and a half of tests before graduation. We were invited to the ceremony, which was definitely different from anything we had experienced before. The students were dressed up, similar to prom, and all had flowers that they gave to the director of the school, their class-master, and their parents. Each separate class performed a skit and also sang and dance. The most interesting was the skit involving a group of kids who were all using their cell phones, each taking a turn and pretending to be on the phone with the director. It’s pretty common for the kids to all have the most expensive phones and to have no shame in using them during classes. We were happy to see the kids all dressed up and ready to party with their parents and teachers after the ceremony. A little bit different twist from the scenario in the states where the kids graduate and their teachers are happy for them and also happy they won’t see them partying later.
The above picture is of our host mother, Oksana, and her fun loving dog, Elsa, who reminds us of a Sesame Street character.