Ukraine's tumultuous history has left it standing on unstable ground, wrought with the devastation of the 20th century's wars, famines, and other struggles. Today, life in Ukraine is moving forward, stepping out of the shadows of Communism and into a modern, urban, and multicultural light, finally gaining for itself a sense of national identity. Now a cultural hotspot that serves as a crossroads between Europe and Asia, Ukraine's traditions of yesterday are evolving into today's daily life and customs. High school and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to delve into Ukraine's modern society by looking at its religious practices, language conflicts, gender issues, education policies, and media censorship struggles, as well as its cuisine, holidays, literature, music, and performing arts. A thorough and unique investigation of this young country, Culture and Customs of Ukraine is an absolute must-have for high school, public, and undergraduate library bookshelves.

Coverage includes historical background, religions, language, gender, education, customs, holidays, and cuisine, media, literature, music, and Ukranian theatre and cinema in the 20th century.

A chronology, photos, and bibliography including print and nonprint sources supplement this work.

Adriana Helbig is assistant professor of music and affiliated faculty with the Center for Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University (2005) where she has also taught in the Ukrainian Studies Program. Her articles on Romani (Gypsy) music, post-socialist cultural policy, and global hip-hop have appeared in edited collections and journals such as Yearbook for Traditional Music, Current Musicology, and Anthropology of East Europe Review.

Oksana Buranbaeva is co-author of the book Cultures of the World: Dagestan and has worked for international organizations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She is a graduate of Columbia University's Harriman Institute, a leading center for the advancement of knowledge in the field of Russian and Eurasian studies.

Vanja Mladineo holds a Master's degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a Certificate from its East Central European Center. She has professional experience in the public and non-profit sectors and has done policy research in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She is a co-recipient of the 2006 AAAS Title VIII Honorable Mention award for an outstanding policy paper on Eurasian Affairs.