On Saturday, 9 November 2024, Media Center Directorate staff organised the second unique bus tour of the year —History of Kyiv through Centuries — attracting enthusiasts of historical excursions among diplomatic representatives.
The tour welcomed Mrs Cristina Micula, spouse of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania, staff from the embassies of Denmark, Romania, and Finland, and representatives of international organisations, including UNHCR and UNICEF.
During the tour, participants visited the National Historical Memorial Preserve Babyn Yar — an undeniable testament to a profound tragedy and a symbol of the Holocaust. Attendees listened to a story of the horrific massacre of Kyiv’s Jewish residents during the tumultuous days of World War II, when Babyn Yar became the site of over one hundred thousand executions of civilians, prisoners of war, underground fighters, partisans, hostages, OUN members, the mentally ill, etc.
Additionally, the diplomats explored the fascinating exhibitions of the ancient and mysterious St Cyril’s Church — Kyiv’s second most significant church after St Sophia Cathedral, dating back to the Kyivan Rus — and the Pharmacy Museum in Podil, founded by German pharmacist Johann Geiter in 1728, which had been operating for over one hundred and eleven years.
Employees of foreign missions were delighted and deeply reflected on what they saw and heard during the metropolitan journey.
