Travel
🏎️ Racing from lion to lion
Once again, I drove to the city of the lion, Lviv, by myself in my own car from the Netherlands — which has a lion in the coat of arms, although I've yet to spot one roaming there.
Wanno Drijfhout
Announcement
↩️ Alive and soon to be Lviving!
I'll be going back to Lviv in the summer of 2026! I was doubting for a while, but luckily, the universe conspired to show the errors of my ways...
Announcement
💝 All good things...
That's it, folks! The Ukrainian language course in Lviv is officially over, and so my time in Lviv has ended. I'm looking back to the time of my life!
Social
😎 Lviving the good life
Over the last week, I've truly had some very entertaining experiences — honey, chocolate, fighting on the streets, a fire-show, looking over the city from the city hall tower, and more!
Travel
🏭 Excursions through time and industry
We had two days of excursions in the first half of the course, mostly focused on ancient history and the environment. In the second half of the course, we visited various (old) sites with a bit more focus on local industry.
War
🍽️ From kitchen to cadet
Besides learning the Ukrainian language and culture, we also had a few opportunities to volunteer. As we volunteer, we learn more about the Ukrainian character.
History
📜 History of Ukraine
Ukraine has a very long but complicated history — closely intertwined with Austria-Hungary, Cossacks, Poles, the Golden Horde, and more recently through occupation by nazi-germany, russia and the soviet union.
War
🖕 russians send their regards
Ukraine has been suffering more intense air attacks by russia since the last few weeks — particularly 9 and 12 July. It's not just 'news' — it's noticeable for me personally, even in the 'relatively safe' city of Lviv.
History
✊ A dissident was born
Myroslav Marynovych, a soviet-era dissident, gulag survivor and exile survivor, shared with us his story — along with reflections on how today's war has roots in unpunished injustices of the past.
Language
🙇♂️ Study progress
I've been studying Ukrainian for four weeks now. In this fifth week, I'm really hitting the limits of what my mind can absorb. I've also had the chance to get to know the new group of people who joined the course last week.
Culture
🎭 Culturing along
More culturing happened recently! We had a vyshyvanka workshop and subsequently Ivana Kupala celebrations. We also visited the National Opera House to see a ballet and an opera.
Social
🎊 More fun with friends
Once again I've been fortunate to experience Ukrainian culture via my Ukrainian friend: seeing a performance, buying a vyshyvanka, having a typical Ukrainian dinner, and visiting the open-air museum.