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[00:00.39] Ukraine is known for its historical landmarks like Saint Sophia Cathedral and Independence Square, big cities like Kyiv and Kharkiv, and the ports of the Black Sea.

[00:20.05] Few visitors, however, know about the small and picturesque villages of one of the largest countries in Eastern Europe.

[00:29.61] Today, we will learn about Tupychiv, a small village nearly 200 kilometers north of the capital city of Kyiv.

[00:38.38] Tupychiv is one of 11 small villages in the Chernihiv area. From the regional center of Chernihiv, visitors can take a bus or car to Tupychiv.

[00:53.78] The small village has no link to important historical events or possesses any major architecture.

[01:03.35] What it does have is nature.

[01:07.33] Tupychiv is surrounded by forests.

[01:10.78] The woods are more than just an ecosystem.

[01:15.03] They are a part of life for people in the area.

[01:19.81] Workers look after the forests to keep the trees, including birch, oak, pine, and fir, in order.

[01:31.24] In early spring, fresh green leaves blossom on the trees and bushes.

[01:37.88] The sound of birds singing fills every corner of the forest promising new life and joy after the cold winter day.

[01:48.77] In May, herds of cows wander to the forests to graze between the bushes and wood clearings.

[01:58.86] As the summer arrives, villagers ride their bikes to the forests to pick berries.

[02:06.30] Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are important sources of nutrition for villagers.

[02:15.33] They are also an important source of money for those who bring them to market.

[02:23.03] The quietest month in the forest is June when animals and birds have their babies.

[02:31.80] But the 7th of July is a special day in the forests of Tupychiv.

[02:40.56] According to legend, the ferns in the forests would only blossom one night a year, from nighttime on the 6th to daytime on the 7th.

[02:52.25] Those who could see its bloom would be given a gift to find treasures.

[02:58.63] But the night is also the time when evils in the woods would come out and only the bravest men would dare to go into the Tupychiv forests.

[03:12.44] Whether the story is true or not, villagers believe that the plants have a magic force on the 7th of July.

[03:22.80] So many hurry to the woods to gather medicinal plants or berries on that special day.

[03:32.36] When autumn comes, the forests turn into a palette of golden leaves on birches, flaming scarlet leaves of oak trees and dark green firs and pines.

[03:46.70] Villagers would go for a walk in the woods and come back with a basket of mushrooms and unforgettable memories.

[03:56.80] As for memories, no one in Tupychiv ever forgets the year 1933.

[04:05.30] That was the year Ukrainians suffered from hunger caused by Soviet policy.

[04:13.27] Thousands died of hunger but the people of Tupychiv and neighboring villages survived with berries, mushrooms, and edible plants found in the woods.