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What exactly does it mean to be Ukrainian? A thousand years ago, Ukraine was the heart of the Slavs’ first great civilization, one of the largest kingdoms in Europe. Since the 13th century, parts of Ukraine have been over-run and ruled by Mongols, Poles, Lithuanians, Hungarians, Austrians, Ottoman Turks, Russians, and Soviets. Ukraine finally achieved true independence in 1991. But Ukrainians are just starting to figure out what it means to be Ukrainian. The World’s Jason Margolis spent 10 days in Ukraine and reports on the quest for Ukrainian identity, exploring the nation’s music, politics, history, and humor.

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Ukrainian humor
September 15th, 2008

The brand of humor that made Seinfeld such a hit is often described as New York Jewish humor. It’s a little off-the-wall, neurotic, and self-deprecating. Perhaps bitter and pessimistic. And very funny. The roots of modern Jewish humor come from Eastern Europe. More specifically, it’s said if you want to go to where funny was born, go to Odessa, the city on the Black Sea.

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Family roots
August 4th, 2008

66 years ago this summer, the Nazis swept through the Ukrainian countryside. It’s estimated that they killed between 600,000 and 900,000 Ukrainian Jews during the Holocaust.The family of The World’s Jason Margolis is originally from Ukraine. He recently traveled to the place where his grandmother grew up.

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Vladimirets audio slideshow

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Famous battle
August 19th, 2008

299 years ago, Swedish forces battled the troops of Russian Tsar Peter the Great. The Russians won and the map of Europe was redrawn. But they fought in what is now Ukraine where plans for a major commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the battle are under way. And it’s stirring up a lot of old, frosty feelings.

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Economy draws Ukrainians home
July 28th, 2008

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Ukrainians left their country to find better jobs in the West. Now, some Ukrainians are reversing the pattern. They’re heading home because of new economic opportunities in Ukraine.

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Okean Elzy
July 15th, 2008

Ukraine’s most popular rocker is now serving in that country’s Parliament.

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Chernobyl tourism
July 24th, 2008

Chernobyl is the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident. When a reactor exploded there in 1986, it sent plumes of radioactive material across Europe. Chernobyl’s still largely off-limits. But the Ukrainian disaster zone has been turning into something of a tourist destination. Jason Margolis took the tour.

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Chernobyl audio slideshow

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Viktor Yushchenko
June 26, 2008

Four years ago, something terrible happened to Viktor Yushchenko while he was running for president of Ukraine. His face became horribly disfigured. Doctors determined he was poisoned by dioxin. At lot’s happened since then. Ukraine went through the ‘Orange Revolution’ and Yushchenko went on to become president. These days he face looks less damaged. Now it’s his political health that’s suffering. Jason Margolis has an update on the Ukrainian leader’s physical — and political — health. Listen:

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BBC video: the strange tale of Viktor Yushchenko’s face
Ukraine’s Viktor Yushchenko

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Thoughts on Ukraine
July 14th, 2008

Jason found beautiful architecture, clean streets, and a certain bluntness in Ukraine. Read his journal

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