Beyond Landmarks: Everyday Kyiv with Cake, Airport, and Universities
This article is the second part of our look at the Ukrainian capital. While the first focused on history, culture, and landmarks, here we turn to other aspects of the city — its airport, iconic cake, leading universities, and the wider Kyiv Region. Together, both pieces give a fuller picture of a city that is not only historic but also modern, resilient, and full of life.
Kyiv Airport: Gateway to Ukraine
Today, traveling by air to Ukraine comes with challenges. Because of the ongoing war, Kyiv Airport — a term travelers often use when searching for flights — and other airports in the country are not operating regular passenger services. Before the full-scale invasion in 2022, the city was served mainly by Boryspil International Airport, the largest and busiest, and Zhulyany Airport (Kyiv International Airport), located closer to the city center. Both offered direct connections to major European destinations and welcomed millions of passengers each year. Now, they stand as symbols of resilience, waiting for the day when they can once again serve as gateways to the capital — and to Ukraine as a whole.
Kyiv Cake: A Sweet Symbol
Few desserts are as closely tied to a city as the famous Kyiv Cake. Created in the mid-20th century, it quickly became a national favorite. Made with nut meringue layers, chocolate glaze, and buttery cream, the cake is not just a treat but also part of family celebrations and cultural identity. Even during the war, bakeries continue to produce it, and for many Ukrainians, the cake has become more than a dessert — a small reminder of normal life and cherished traditions in difficult times.
Kyiv’s Green Spaces and Parks
Despite the challenges of recent years, Kyiv remains one of Europe’s greenest capitals. The city is filled with spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic riverbanks along the Dnipro. Locals love to spend time in Mariinsky Park, with its views of the river and the government quarter, or in Holosiivskyi National Park, a rare natural forest within city limits. In spring, Hryshko National Botanical Garden becomes a sea of lilacs and magnolias. These green spaces offer residents and visitors alike a sense of peace, continuity, and hope — even in difficult times.
Kyiv University and Higher Education
Education has always been one of the strengths of the Ukrainian capital. Today, several major institutions form the backbone of academic life. When people search for Kyiv University, they often mean the city’s most prominent schools, each with its own history and focus.
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Founded in the 19th century, Taras Shevchenko National University is the country’s leading research and teaching institution. Its striking red-brick main building has become a symbol of scholarship. Even now, many lectures are held online, and the university continues its mission despite the challenges of war, proving that education never stops.
Kyiv National Economic University
Specializing in economics and business, this institution has trained thousands of professionals in finance, management, and public policy. Classes have adapted to hybrid and remote formats, ensuring students can keep learning even when circumstances make it difficult to gather in person.
Kyiv School of Economics
Among the newer institutions, the Kyiv School of Economics stands out for its international partnerships and modern approach. It actively contributes research and policy advice to help the country navigate wartime challenges, making its work especially relevant today.
Kyiv Oblast and Kyiv Region: Beyond the Capital
The capital is surrounded by a diverse and vibrant area often referred to as Kyiv Oblast, also known as the Kyiv Region. Here, the pace of life slows down, offering landscapes of rivers, forests, and small towns. War has brought difficulties to many of these communities, but people continue farming, restoring local businesses, and supporting one another. For future travelers, this region will reveal not only nature and culture but also stories of resilience and recovery.
“Aerial view of Berezniaky and Dnipro river, Kyiv, Ukraine” by Maksym Kozlenko is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Conclusion: More Than a Capital
Airports, cake, and universities may not be as famous as ancient cathedrals or monuments, but they are equally important for understanding the city. They represent creativity, hospitality, and the drive toward the future. At the same time, Kyiv’s green spaces and parks remind everyone that nature, too, is part of the city’s identity — offering peace, beauty, and balance amid urban life. From the lilac-filled slopes of the Botanical Garden to the quiet paths of Holosiivskyi Park, these places symbolize resilience just as much as any landmark or institution. Even in wartime, all these elements — culture, education, flavors, and nature — show that the Ukrainian capital is not only a place of history but also a living hub of community and renewal. Together, they prove that life continues, adapting and holding on to traditions until peace returns.
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