Dear friends!

Today’s release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project is dedicated to the activities of Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve in the 1980s.

You will be able to observe photos that reflect different spheres of work of the institution employees during that period of time. In comparison with the Preserve’s activities in 1960s and 1970s, official meetings depicted in the photos occurred not that often. Most pictures reflect everyday work of the Preserve’s staff.

At the same time, the decade that we have selected for our today’s story, was full of important events that happened both in the life of the city/country and in the life of Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve itself. In 1982, Kyiv solemnly celebrated the 1500th anniversary of its founding. Due to this event the city received significant financial support from the central government. It was directed on different projects, including restoration of cultural monuments. Thus, Kyiv’s cultural heritage was not forgotten, which was rather positive. The flow of domestic and foreign tourists to Kyiv and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, in particular, grew significantly. Among them there were both, ordinary guests and distinguished personalities, such as UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, who visited Lavra to see its sights (photo 4). During the first years of this decade, until Chornobyl catastrophe in 1986, the number of visitors to Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve grew steadily. There were days, when the flow of tourists only to the Lavra caves was up to 6,000 people. Thanks to the tourist boom of that time, the Administration of the Preserve could greet a million visitor already in summer, six months earlier the end of the calendar year (photo 5). Due to this, the excursion and lecture work was seen as one of the most important directions in the Preserve’s activity in 1980s. All researchers of the institution without exception were involved in it: they conducted excursions, gave lectures or contributed to the work of the guides organizing advanced training courses for them (photo 6-12).

In 1988, the country celebrated the 1000th anniversary of Christianization of Rus. After a long break, a service was held on the territory of the Far Caves. In July, that same year, monastic life restored in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. We will talk about it later.

Our next release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project will be dedicated to the archaeological research of Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve in the 1980s.

Captions to the illustrations:

1. Near Caves are opened after repairing works. Present researchers: G. Marchenko, L. Pivovarenko, L. Gupalenko, I. Schultz, D. Zhdanova, K. Prasolova (Gereles), L. Kovaleva, Ye. Chorna, V. Shydenko, L. Kolganova. Yu. Kybalnyk, Director of the Preserve, is speaking, 1980.

2. Near Caves garden activities. Working researchers: A. Kolyada, T. Khorolska, Y. Skorokhod, L. Gupalenko. Mid-1980s.

3. Planting trees in the territory of the Far Caves. Working researchers: S. Cherepinsky, T. Kusok, M. Tkachenko, M. Matvienko, T. Mozharovska, O. Vorontsova, S. Kulinich, Ye. Cherednychenko. 1982.

4. UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim and his wife. The tour is conducted by G. Brusnikina. 1982.

5. Yu. Kybalnyk, Director of Kyiv-Pechersk Preserve, presents memorable gifts to a million visitor. Mid-1980s.

6. Waiting for the tourists. From left to right: G. Lytvynenko, O. Lopukhina, T. Malyshenko, N. Sveshnikova, N. Lupanova. Mid-1980s.

7. Guides standing on the Observation Platform: G. Lytvynenko and N. Sveshnikova. Mid-1980s.

8. Lecture work. Researchers: L. Dobroserdova, G. Kotova, L. Nastenko, V. Chaika. Early 1980s.

9. Researcher O. Lytvynenko gives a lecture. Late 1980s. Advanced training for guides. Early 1980s (Figs. 10-12).

10. Speaking is V. Nazarov, the researcher. The meeting is chaired by O. Koval, Deputy Director on Excursion Work, and Yu. Neiman, Head of Research and Methodological Division.

11. Speaking is S. Grabar, the guide.

12. Guides and researchers listening to the lectures: O. Lopukhina, G. Solomko, I. Horishnya, L. Zakharchenko, I. Semko, O. Pavlyk, L. Khalil, A. Kolyada, N. Yegorchenko, S. Grabar, L. Tkachova, M. Troyanovska, N. Lupanova, T. Lysenko, V. Kuchuryan.

13. V. Shydenko, Head of History Division of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is speaking. Late 1980s.

14. Funds inspecting commission From left to right - employees of the Preserve’s funds: chief curator L. Kovaleva (second), G. Lystopad (fourth), K. Prasolova (Gereles) (fifth), G. Marchenko (seventh), O. Udovenko (eighth), N Chenakal (eleventh), O. Mishneva (fourteenth). October, 1986.

15. Funds Divisiont employees. Late 1980s.

16. Another event in the Lecture Hall of the Preserve. In the photo: P. Darmansky, O. Zagrebelny, M. Vasiliev, O. Pavlyk, N. Bondarenko, N. Khomutova, G. Kotova, A. Babich, V. Andrushchenko, V. Neiman, T. Kusok, N. Gorska, V. Kolpakova, N. Romanova. Late 1980s.