Chersonesus
Ukraine has always had strong bonds with Europe, particularly with ancient Greece, also known as the cradle of European civilization. The first Hellenic colony – Borysthenida – was established here as early as the 7th century B.C. Olbia, Panticapaeum, Theodosia, Kerkinitidus, Thira, Niconius, and dozens of other towns were established later on. However, Chersonesus was probably the most famous Greek polis in the Northern Black Sea region.
It was a truly magnificent city with an agora, a theater, and its own coinage, also known for large-scale trade with nearly half of Europe. Rome, Byzantium, Kyiv princes, and Genoa ruled the city in turn for almost two millennia. In 1399, it was destroyed by the Golden Horde. Still, Chersonesus was so impressive that the ruins of the once powerful polis still continued to stand on the shores of the sea. In 2013, they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It was Chersonesus that introduced true European values to Ukrainian lands. “I will never violate democracy, and I will never allow anyone to betray or violate it.” This is a quote from the oath that citizens of ancient Chersonesus would make. Its very first lines are dedicated to democracy and its importance for every city resident. In two millennia, the ideas of freedom and justice still remain highly important for Ukraine.
Oleksandr Hladun
Oleksandr Hladun (Dunaewsky69) is an Ukrainian composer and multi-instrumentalist musician. Started as a grindcore drummer. From 1997 to 2001, Oleksandr played percussion instruments in a brass band. Solo electronic project Dunaewsky69 was founded in 1996. At first, the project was played by grindcore, noisecore and noise. After 2000, he began to perform electronic music, which is currently within the framework of IDM, ambient and techno. He calls himself "Productive electronic pilot". Oleksandr's achievements include more than a dozen albums, among which "Contiguity", "Nine Dark Waltzes", "Panepistimio".