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Here a wedding includes a mandatory parade on decorated horses for both women and men. All locals, without exception, know romantic stories about the love of Dovbush and Marichka, and older people always take off their hats in front of the monument to this opryshko (a mountain rebel of the 18th-19th centuries). Until recently a portrait of the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Joseph, was hanging next to the icons in every house in Kosmach. And there is still such a portrait in the old-timers’ houses! This village has always been a magnet for seekers of Hutsul authenticity. Those who get disappointed in Ukrainian patriotism should come here to recharge their batteries. Because everyone here is ready to tell true and semi-legendary stories about the assassination of Dovbush, the Kosmach Republic of 1944 and the victory over the NKVD General Derhachov. Looking in the eye of facts, we can say that in Kosmach there are 3 thousand folk artists for 6054 residents, so in each house you can get acquainted with some craft or art. At any time.

Highlights of the tour:
Horse riding on the carts (sledges) through Kosmach;
Exploring the world of Hutsuls through participation in the process of creating traditional clothes by Kosmach masters;
Humour, positivity and energy in communication with ordinary residents of Kosmach;
See the unique manufacture with your own eyes: the creation of the tsymbaly (the hammer dulcimer) – the kings of the traditional trio of musicians;
Breathtaking natural landscapes.

DAY 1. The First Acquaintance with Hutsuls

Arrival at the Kosmatska Pysanka estate. Checking-in. Enjoying the comfort and a picturesque atmosphere. Dinner. Discussion of plans for the weekend (whom to visit, what meetings to choose).

DAY 2. A Hutsul Land Insight

An early rise and hearty breakfast. Horse riding on the carts (sledges) through Kosmach. Feel somewhat carnival, rhythmical but full of creativity life of the locals. Visit several local craftsmen and craftswomen. It will be interesting to meet sincere masters and to trace the full cycle of making Hutsul clothes. In zapaskas (elements of clothing for the lower half of women’s bodies) and long embroidered shirts, in which they boldly ride horses, going to weddings in different parts of the huge village. At several manor houses of Kosmach local women knit kapchuri – thick woolen socks that serve as comfortable footwraps/protectors for Hutsul postoly – local leather shoes. Lunch. After lunch, if you are lucky, drop in to see the craftsman who creates postoly – among three thousand artists of Kosmach and, perhaps, in the whole country he is the only master who still practises this craft! In the brass-maker’s workshop you will see how leather belts are made – cheresy, as well as how Hutsul bartky (axes) are decorated. Make yourself a gift. Create your own pysanka (an Easter egg) in the studio of the famous craftswoman of Kosmach pysanka. Return to the estate. Hutsul dinner. You can additionally order the traditional trio of musicians and dance.

DAY 3. The Lifestyle of Local Residents

Breakfast. Take a walk around the estate. Go to the village of Kosmach. Learn more about the creation of the well-known Hutsul musical instruments. Visit the manufacturers of the tsymbaly (the hammer dulcimer). Pay attention to the details of this labour-consuming and responsible process. Kosmach is one of the unique locations in Western Ukraine where the tsymbaly are made for music schools, and another tsymbaly workshop is located in Lviv. Find out from which timber and why precisely from it this musical instrument is made. How many strings do the tsymbaly have? Moving to the house of the traditional trio of musicians and a master class on playing Hutsul instruments – the trembita (the wooden alpine horn), the dudky (the pipes), the floyara (a more perfected form of the sopilka/flute), the violin. Dishes made of local products prepared on the grill for lunch. End your staying in Kosmach with panoramic photos at the Vedmezha Hora estate and continue discovering the lifestyle of local residents of Kosiv district next weekend. Checking-out and departure.

Kosmach Artisans