did not read at the time the well-known work by Nikolay Vasilyevich Gogol entering for many years the school program for literature? Anyway, on almost each inhabitant of the former Soviet Union heard something about The Sorochinsk fair. Meanwhile, a fair this not fictional, and the most real, even today passing annually on the small homeland of the glorified Russian-Ukrainian writer, near the village Big Sorochintsa that is in the Mirgorod district of Poltava region.
Historically practically in each village of Ukraine, large fairs where people from neighboring farms and from villages gathered were regularly held. Here it was possible to sell something and to buy, exchange, meet distant relatives or acquaintances. Traditionally, the Ukrainian fair had great social value as there acquaintances were carried out, the new contacts and friends living in different settlements were started, had an opportunity to meet. Besides actually bargaining, it was possible to drink and have a snack here thoroughly as any fairground was surrounded by numerous shanks and taverns, food was on sale from counters, and fellings and respectable uncles tasted strong gorilka in the circle. Partly, all this is recreated today, thanks to the story by N.V. Gogol, the village Big Sorochintsa gained broad popularity not only among Ukrainians, but also among the population of other countries. And if in the same 19th century the fair in Big Sorochintsakh was only one of many, then this phenomenon to some extent the unique, drawing attention of both locals, and tourists today.
Actually, it is in its current form rather difficult to call the Sorochinsk fair a simple fair what they usually are. More likely, it is a peculiar ethnocultural festival where it is possible to make purchases and just to have a good time. History of a current fair is counted with 60-hkh years of the XX century, and it is carried out usually in the second half of August. It is possible to tell and so that today all Ukraine in a miniature is presented here – among exhibition ranks it is possible to observe characters from works by Gogol, picturesque Kozakov with long forelocks and with cradles in teeth, peasants in rolls and astrakhan caps, divchin in the embroidered dresses, with a beads, monist and with tapes in braids. It are the representatives of folklore collectives and just single enthusiasts not indifferent to history and the culture of the homeland. Here and there it is possible to listen to a bandura, a violin and other musical instruments, and, for some time, to feel transferred to the 19th century. With many of the met characters it is possible to be photographed easily for memory. And for lovers, we advise to visit the amazing place - a love tunnel)
What trade at the Sorochinsk fair today in? Mainly, the bulk of goods is made by objects of national crafts. Here and pottery which various samples are often got immediately on a traditional wattle fence, and baskets, headdresses, objects of national clothes, decorative hand-made articles bearing in themselves the Ukrainian subject, pictures and much, many other. Certainly, from here it is impossible to leave home without vyshivanka – the Ukrainian traditional shirt with a red decorative ornament at the edges of sleeves and a collar – and both men's, and female options are on sale. The embroidered bench hammers, wooden spoons, cherevichka, straw hats, other objects of a suit and life of the Ukrainian peasants of the past centuries – all this is presented here much. The fair can be of fair interest to owners of national Ukrainian restaurants, it is possible to buy the objects capable to make atmospheric surroundings of an institution here. Samovars, tubs, korchag, kegs, yokes, telezhny wheels and other things will well fit into a situation of modern tavern.
By the way, speaking about taverns. Besides purchases, at a fair it is possible to have a bite with taste in one of the institutions surrounding it. Externally the buildings which are at the fair and near it are rather picturesque. Here both bleached hatka, and wooden mills – are in them shops and also snackbars, cafe, small restaurants where it is possible to try traditional dishes of Ukrainian cuisine. Borsch and dumplings, fried sausage and, of course, fat clothes under a glass of gorilka – all this can be tried immediately, without departing far. At once the Gogol Big-bellied Patsyuk with appetite eating vareniki in sour cream is remembered. Trade in food and directly from counters, and here it is possible to get preservation, honey in cells and in banks, a pickles, jam, other products of long storage. Therefore, to any gourmet the fair is of undoubted interest, and to fans of Ukrainian cuisine – in particular. It to you not on Kazantyp to dance)
However, besides cultural and historical heritage, also other goods quite demanded are on sale at a fair today. First of all, it is building materials, agricultural stock, bags with fertilizers, the equipment, building materials and many other, necessary for successful farming or for works on the seasonal dacha. Therefore people go here not only with the purpose to have a good time, but also to look after for themselves the useful things capable to be useful in life. Here the products not only the Ukrainian producers, but also goods from other countries – in particular, from Russia are presented, to Belarus, Georgia and some others. So, for the Ukrainian farmers a fair – the phenomenon not only entertaining character, but also quite useful action. But if to you not enough fair you can visit also other much known points of Ukraine, for example the Palanok Lock that is in Mukachevo, or to visit fortress to Belgorod-Dniester.
And yet, the folklore component of a fair is of undoubtedly bigger interest to the tourist. Residents of the village Big Sorochintsa understood this moment long ago, and the infrastructure developed by them allows guests to plunge into the atmosphere of former Ukraine completely. There are mini-hotels arranged on a sample of old Ukrainian inns here it is possible to spend the night in a typical Ukrainian hatka with a straw roof, to have breakfast and dinner in shank, to look at a performance of the music and dancing bands executing national music and showing national dances. For the resident of the large megalopolis all this will be really unforgettable! During the fair, master classes in production of products of national craft, training in dances and the Ukrainian songs are held. In a word, hardly who will regret, having appeared at a Gogol Sorochinsk fair!