One Hryvnia Bill - by Emily

Vladimir the Great Front     Did you ever wonder why certain people are on different bills?  I learned who is on the one Ukrainian hryvnia bill.  He was the Grand Prince of Kiev, the Prince of Novogrod and led the Kievan Rus people into being a Christian (Orthodox) nation.  His name was Vladimir the Great. Vladimir was born in 958AD and he spent his childhood with his grandmother, Olga.  I think it is cool that his grandmother is known as the first Kievan Rus person to be baptized.  Early in his life, Vladimir was not a Christian and had many wives.  He had many children, 9 daughters and 12 sons.  Many of his sons were princes and rulers of other territories.  His son Yaroslav the Wise is seen on the Ukrainian two-hryvnia bill.  Some of his relatives were also rulers of other countries, including Norway.            Vladimir became a Christian and was baptized in 987AD. He converted Kiev and Novogrod into Christian lands.  He even made his people throw their idols into the Dnipro River and made the people get baptized.  Vladimir was known by his generosity and he held feasts every Sunday for the people in Kiev.   He also had silver and gold coins made for his nation. Vladimir was a great leader of the Kievan Rus.  He died in the year 1015, but many things are the way they are in Ukraine today because of Vladimir the Great.                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back Vladimir’s Fortress   and Kiev

          On the back of the Ukrainian one-hryvnia bill is a picture of Vladimir the Great’s fortress in Kiev.  The fortress was destroyed in 1240 by Mongols.  However, the city of Kiev is still there today.  Kiev is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is the capital of Ukraine.  Ukraine’s president works in Kiev.  Kiev is the largest city in Ukraine and it is the eighth biggest city in Europe.  Kiev is Ukraine’s richest city and one of the most modern cities in Ukraine.  There are many new buildings and a good subway system called the Metro.  The Dnieper River goes through Kiev.  The Dnieper River is the largest river in Ukraine.  There are many historical places and museums in Kiev.

Independence Square July 2011

       

   I have been to Kiev many times.  One of my favorite places in Kiev is Independence Square.  Independence Square has many fountains and steps made of water.  There is a big clock in the ground and a bridge to walk across.  Independence Square is a beautiful place. 

Independence Square March 2014

However, it is not very beautiful right now because of the Maidan protests.  During Maidan many people came to Independence Square because they disagreed with president.  There were many fights and many things were destroyed.   This part of Kiev is a very beautiful place and I hope they fix it.