Sorochyntsi Fair

Sorochyntsi Fair, 2007

Sorochyntsi Fair or Sorochynsky Fair (Ukrainian: Національний Сорочинський ярмарок, romanizedNacional'nyj Soročyns'kyj jarmarok, Russian: Сорочинcкaя яpмaркa, translit. Sorochinskaya yarmarka) is a large fair held in the village of Velyki Sorochyntsi near Poltava in the Myrhorod Raion (district) of Ukraine.

It was held five times a year during the Russian Empire, then went into a 40-year moratorium during Soviet rule. It has been held annually since its revival after Ukraine became independent in 1991, except 2020.

Following a Presidential Decree of August 18, 1999,[1] the fair holds the status of Ukraine's national trade fair.[2]

The fair is a large showcase for traditional handicrafts made by skilled craftsmen, including Reshetylivka embroidery, rugs, Opishnia ceramics, as well theatrical performers who re-enact scenes of village life from famous Ukrainian stories. In August 2007, the fair was opened by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.[3]

The historic Sorochyntsi Fair features in a number of Ukrainian and Russian works of literature and music, including "The Fair at Sorochyntsi", a short story by Nikolai Gogol, and The Fair at Sorochyntsi, an opera by Modest Mussorgsky.

  1. ^ "Smi". www.oga.mk.ua. Archived from the original on 3 November 2004. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. ^ Європейський Союз - Публікації
  3. ^ Traditional Sorochyntsi Fair officially opened in Velyki Sorochyntsi (Poltava region) today / News / NRCU Archived 2011-02-21 at the Wayback Machine