Mykhailo Syrokhman on inclusion of Transcarpathian churches in the list of UNESCO: “They have long deserved international recognition”

Today, something, that can be considered a remarkable event for Transcarpathia and its historical and cultural heritage, happened: two old wooden churches – in the village of Yasinya and Uzhok – are officially listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thus, the Church of the Ascension (Strukiv) in the village of Yasinya in Rakhiv district and the church of St. Michael in Uzhok, Velyky Berezny district received worldwide recognition. And hence, protection. In addition. this event will give rise to bigger attention to the issue of wooden churches of the region – its invaluable gems that have long deserved honor and protection and have every reason to be symbols of Transcarpathia.

Of course, uzhgorod.in congratulated on this news the man who probably feels the happiest of all about that.

Defender and researcher of Transcarpathian wooden churches Mykhailo Syrokhman said that he was infinitely happy about this event, and commented that, in his opinion, Transcarpathian wooden church should have been included to the World Heritage List back in the 1990s – it would have facilitated their preservation and would have finally deservedly made them a symbol of the region."Well, better late than never. And I’m glad about their choice. The Uzhok church is incredible: so archaic, so original, a gem of Boyko style, and there are not many of them left. The church in Yasinya is simply perfect. It seems to be the lowest among the Hutsul churches. And yet it is the most poetic, skillfully made and wonderfully fits in the landscape".      

Information of uzhgorod.in:

Church of the Ascension (Strukiv) in the village of Yasinya in Rakhiv district and the church of St. Michael in Uzhok of Velyky Berezny district of Transcarpathia became contenders for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012. In Ukraine there are about 2 thousand objects of sacral architecture, most of them are in the West – only in Transcarpathia there are more than 120 of them. Poland and Ukraine have decided to join forces in the struggle for international recognition. The two countries submmited to the headquarters of UNESCO a joint cross-border application "Wooden Churches of Carpathian region of Ukraine and Poland." 

According to researcher of Transcarpathian wooden churches Mykhailo Syrokhman, the Church of the Ascension in Yasinya is one of the best wooden churches of Hutsul land: "There is some magic in the ratio of side and central parts, smoothly hewn frame logs, shingle roofs and small lanterns over them. You have to walk around the church to have a spatial picture of it, to appreciate every part of it. On the door frame there is a carved decorative composition with three crosses, the date of construction – 1824. Unfortunately, icons were crudely redrawn. In 1994, an additional room of wood was attached to the Western frame."

Wooden St. Michael church in Uzhok has been a pride of Transcarpathia since 1745. This is one of the most interesting buildings in Boyko style.