Free Public talk & discussion about Kyiv’s Saint-Sofia cathedral
This autumn, the inaugural Ukrainian Culture Weeks in Oxford will take place. During the most challenging period for Ukraine since its independence, this three-day festival offers an opportunity to celebrate and honour Ukraine’s rich culture and heritage.

As part of the festival, Nelaya Kukovalska, the General Director of Sofia Kyivska National Reserve will be delivering a talk about Saint-Sophia Cathedral (Kyiv, Ukraine).

Saint-Sophia Cathedral, located in the historic centre of Kyiv, is one of the major monuments representing the architectural and the monumental art of the early 11th century. Designed to rival Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, Kyiv’s Saint-Sophia Cathedral symbolizes the ‘new Constantinople’, capital of the Christian principality of Kyiv, which was created in the 11th century in a region evangelized after the baptism of St Volodymyr in 988.

Join us for a historical overview of this unique monument of architecture and art, which has the biggest preserved collection of mosaics and frescoes of the early 11th century period.

During the meeting Nelya Kukovalska will talk about:
The history of the foundation and the construction of the temple;
The masterpieces of architectural art: mosaics and frescoes of St Sophia Cathedral, the wall paintings that have been preserved since the 11th century;
The family of the Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise, whose name is connected with St Sophia of Kyiv;
Family, cultural and political ties of Prince Yaroslav’s family with the Europe of that time;
The mystery story of the remains of Prince Yaroslav the Wise

For more information about other events that are part of the festival, see www.cherwell-college.co.uk/events
Date: 30 September 2022, 11:00 (Friday, -1st week, Michaelmas 2022)
Venue: Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street OX1 3AZ
Speaker: Nelaya Kukovalska (General Director of Sofia Kyivska National Reserve)
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public-talk-discussion-with-nelya-kukovalska-sheldonian-theatre-tickets-426726619807
Audience: Members of the University only
Editors: Laura Spence, Belinda Clark