The second season of “Heritage That Inspires”, a series of cultural and architectural seminars, has officially launched at the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, located in Pyrohiv, just outside of Kyiv.
This year, L.Decor was proud to join a group of architects, designers, and cultural enthusiasts to explore the rich traditions of Ukrainian village life, construction techniques, and folk aesthetics — many of which continue to influence modern design today.
Architectural Inspiration from the Past
The seminar series is curated by Oleh Volosovskyi, a leading Ukrainian architect, founder of Loft Buro, and advisor to the Pyrohiv Museum. His goal is to highlight parallels between traditional Ukrainian rural architecture and today’s sustainable and human-centered design trends.
Each seminar explores a specific ethnographic region of Ukraine, featuring presentations by museum researchers and curators. Attendees dive into authentic construction techniques, architectural forms, community planning, and the intangible values behind them — such as craftsmanship, spirituality, and connection to land.
A Journey Through Ukrainian Vernacular Architecture
The first seminar of the season focused on the Central Dnipro Region, showcasing a fully reconstructed village sector with original 18th–19th-century homes and outbuildings. These weren’t just houses — they were part of a living system, complete with barns, storage sheds, community buildings, and even a tavern.
Participants explored how everyday life — cooking, heating, agriculture — influenced construction methods. From thatched roofs made of rye straw to stone grain mills and windmills, the museum presents a full story of Ukrainian rural innovation, shaped by necessity and ingenuity.
One of the seminar’s highlights was learning about the evolution of house types: from one-room clay dwellings to complex timber-framed homes with multiple chambers. Even a house design by Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s national poet, was discussed as part of the presentation.
More Than a Museum — A Place to Taste, Feel, and Connect
The museum spans over 320 acres (130 hectares) and includes nearly 300 historic buildings, many of them originals relocated from across Ukraine. Visitors can walk through real churches, schools, and workshops from past centuries, understanding not just the form but also the function of these spaces in community life.
Did you know that beekeeping was one of the most important trades in Ukraine before sugar became available? Or that village taverns, called “shynok”, were multifunctional hubs — not just for food and drink, but for town meetings, legal contracts, and even matchmaking?
One such tavern, restored and reopened as part of the museum’s living exhibit, became the final stop of the day — where guests enjoyed a traditional Cossack stew (“kulish”) and homemade treats, offered by the museum director Oksana Povyakel and the family-run brand Liamtsi.Kozatska.
Why It Matters Today
Each seminar creates a deeply immersive experience. Visitors gain not only academic knowledge, but a felt sense of what it was like to live in a Ukrainian village 200–300 years ago. The stories, sounds, food, and buildings all blend to form a living memory — one that continues to inspire contemporary Ukrainian design and identity.
Upcoming Events: Join Us This Summer
July 19 – Bukovyna & the Carpathians (curated by Vadym Nazarenko)
August 2 – Podillia & Windmills (curated by Anatoliy Boreyko)
August 16 – Poltava & Slobozhanshchyna (curated by Anatoliy Boreyko)
August 30 – Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Village (curated by Vadym Nazarenko)
Whether you’re an architect, designer, or simply curious about traditional cultures, this series is a rare opportunity to experience heritage in a hands-on way. Come see, hear, taste, and learn at one of Ukraine’s most remarkable cultural institutions.
