En Route with the Volunteers of SVIT Ukraine

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

A cemetery clean-up is not only about work. Volunteers who joined SVIT Ukraine’s annual ‘workcamp’ to clean the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) also have the opportunity to learn about the multi-ethnic past and present of western Ukraine, make friends and have fun. Yesterday, we went for an excursion to Jewish heritage sites in Kosiv, Kuty and Vyzhnytsia – and had a pick-nick next to the scenic village of Sheshory.

Kosiv crafts market

In the jungle of Kosiv Jewish cemetery

Kosiv Jewish cemetery

Pick-nick in Sheshory

Pick-nick in Sheshory – old farm house

Pick-nick in Sheshory

Kuty Jewish cemetery

Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery

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Time Traveling between Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina, Synagogues

Last Sunday, my friends and I continued our trip to Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). We had stops in Lysets, Bohorodchany, Nadvirna, Deliatyn, Kolomyia, Kosiv, Kuty and Vyzhnytsia to visit Jewish cemeteries, former synagogues, Hasidic courts and mass grave sites.

Lysets Jewish cemetery

Bohorodchany Jewish cemetery

Nadvirna Jewish cemetery

Deliatyn mass grave memorial

Deliatyn Jewish cemetery

Kolomyia – Old Jewish Cemetery

Kolomyia – trace of a mezuzah

Kolomyia – former synagogue at Orenstein Street

Kuty Jewish cemetery

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Kosiv today

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries

The volunteers of SVIT Ukraine, who clear the Jewish cemetery in Chernivtsi (Czernowitz), were out for a day trip today. On the itinerary was among others the Galician town of Kosiv – famous for its local crafts market – and its Jewish cemetery. In the densely overgrown cemetery we met an old man who was mowing grass with a scythe. He had a story to tell.

Kosiv Jewish cemetery

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Through Bukovina and Galicia with the Volunteers

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Meanwhile, I’m back home and still have to report the latest events of the recent journey. On Friday – our last day in Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) – Arthur and I have been on a day trip through Bukovina and Galicia with the volunteers of SVIT Ukraine. Vashkivtsi, Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz), Kuty and Kosiv were the places we went to.

Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz)

Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) – talking about what we saw

Kuty Jewish cemetery

Kosiv Jewish cemetery

Cooling down

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On the road with the volunteers

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Northern Bukovina

Today I was traveling with the volunteers who work at the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). Kosiv, Kuty and Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) were on the schedule. A journey through Hasidic wonderland. A wonderland that only exists in memories.

At the Kosiv crafts market

Kosiv Jewish cemetery

Kuty Jewish cemetery

Picnic in the Carpathians

Vyzhnytsia (Wischnitz) Jewish cemetery

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One has to imagine Sisyphus as a happy man

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Since six years volunteers from all over the world work in the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). What do they experience and what is the progress in cleaning the cemetery from rampant vegetation?

How to start? Making a plan …

Volunteers working

Mass grave in Storozhynets

Excursion to Kosiv

Excursion to Vyzhnytsia

Excursion to Sadagora

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A trip through Bucovina

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Christian Herrmann under Jewish Cemeteries, Northern Bukovina

Sunday is a free day for the volunteers who clear the Jewish cemetery of Chernivtsi (Czernowitz) of shrubs and vines. Today, an excursion is on the agenda. Vashkivtsi, Vyzhnytsia, Kosiv, Storozhynets and the local Jewish cemeteries.

Kosiv – Jewish cemetery

Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery

Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery

Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery

Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery

Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery

Storozhynets – Jewish cemetery

Vyzhnytsia Jewish cemetery

Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery

Kosiv – Jewish cemetery

Kosiv – volunteers having a break

Vashkivtsi Jewish cemetery

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South of Kolomiya

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries

May 1. Kolomiya turns out to be a pretty and lively town. We decide to stay a day longer than we originally planned, and to take a trip from here to southern Galicia. Yabloniv, Kosiv and Kuty are our destinations.

Kolomiya – synagogue

Kolomiya – market

Yabloniv – Jewish cemetery

Kosiv – Jewish cemetery

Kuty – Jewish cemetery

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The Kosiv Coincidence

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Christian Herrmann under Eastern Galicia, Jewish Cemeteries

In October 2012, I visited Kosiv with a friend, a former shtetl in Galicia – a popular craft market had lured us there. We found no Ukrainian kilim, but we discovered the Jewish cemetery. Back in Germany, Kosiv crosses my way unexpectedly again. Locations can follow you.