BoyYe Boyko Culture Festival, Urych

BoyYe is a festival of Boyko culture launched by the Tustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve in the village of Urych. The name plays on the word “Boyko” and also reads like a statement: Boyko culture exists and is alive. The idea is simple – to extend the story of Tustan from the medieval rock-cut fortress to the neighbouring Boyko village, which has kept its traditional timber architecture and farmed landscape.

The first festival took place on 13 October 2019, on the Feast of the Intercession and Defenders' Day, in the grounds of the Khata u Hlubokim local history centre. The organisers billed it as a family celebration and brought into the open air what you usually only find in ethnography books.

What the programme offered

• Folk music and dance. Musicians from nearby Boyko villages played and sang on stage and in the meadow – old local songs and tunes.
• Craft workshops. Visitors tried their hand at folk crafts, including weaving, while children made their own souvenirs.
• Boyko cuisine. Local dishes cooked to traditional recipes were served.
• Talks and customs. Ethnographers spoke about Boyko heritage, and performers re-enacted parts of a wedding and a traditional evening gathering.
• Children's meadow. A separate area with games and creative activities for the youngest guests.

Why go to a Boyko festival

The Boyko land is one of the least promoted ethnographic regions of the Carpathians. Unlike Hutsul celebrations, its traditions rarely make it to big stages, so events like this are a rare chance to hear live village singing, see genuine costumes from nearby villages and talk to craftspeople. The festival was part of the “World of Carpathian Rosettes” project, supported by the Poland–Belarus–Ukraine cross-border cooperation programme, the Ministry of Culture's “Small Towns – Big Impressions” programme and the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

Experiencing BoyYe outside the festival

Even if no festival is scheduled, you can feel the spirit of Boyko Urych at any time. The Khata u Hlubokim centre is open daily, and its village-history exhibition displays the kind of objects, costumes and photographs around which the festival programme was built. Groups can book a guided tour and folk-craft sessions, while independent travellers can combine the house with a walk to the Tustan rocks and through the village. The reserve announces new events on its website and social pages, so watch for news in autumn.

Practical information

• Venue: Urych village, Khata u Hlubokim centre, near the Tustan rocks.
• Dates: the first festival was held on 13 October 2019. There is no information about regular editions since then, so check tustan.ua for the next BoyYe or other Boyko events.
• Reserve phone: +380 67 671 3345.
• Even outside the festival, Khata u Hlubokim is open to visitors daily, and group workshops can be booked in advance.

Please confirm by phone before your trip.

Getting there

Urych lies about 120 km south of Lviv. By car, drive via Stryi and Skhidnytsia, a few kilometres away. By public transport, take a bus from Lviv to Skhidnytsia or Boryslav and continue by taxi. For a big celebration it is best to arrive in the morning.

Website and social media: tustan.ua · youtube.com

Photos: tustan.ua.