It was already two years ago, on the third Saturday of October (the 18th, to be exact), that the first post appeared on Facebook: “The Kharkiv Moniaki Art and Cultural Association raided Kontorska Street. For old Kharkiv keeps beckoning us, beckoning us…” It was then that the first articles appeared, along with the very idea that would later become the “Alluring Kharkiv” foundation. Natalka Zubar and Viktor Garbar provided us with invaluable support during our first steps, for which we owe them our traditional heartfelt thanks!

For us, it was an extremely eventful and very challenging year. There were achievements, and there were losses. As always, we tried to delight you with original content and show you a DIFFERENT, authentic Kharkiv—the one we love so much. We raced at breakneck speed toward the city that called and beckoned to us, all the while trying not to lose ourselves. Of course, we didn’t succeed in everything we set out to do. However, over the course of this year spent with you, we have certainly grown up a lot.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported the “Alluring Kharkiv” Foundation and to those who have ever been a part of it. As always, the foundation plans to delight its readers with interesting content and projects. Some of these will be announced in the near future.

This year, we decided to forego any public celebrations and return to where it all began. So as you read these lines, we are, just like two years ago, wandering through our beloved old Kharkiv, enjoying its autumn beauty. Of course, our city is always beautiful, but in the fall it’s especially so. However, on this undoubtedly wonderful day, we cannot leave our readers without a gift. That is why we invite you to admire the amazing patterns from Mykola Samokysh’s beautiful album, “Motifs of Ukrainian Ornament.”

Happy anniversary to you! Happy anniversary to all of us!