Savka House
Savka House is a museum of Ukrainian rural life, located 10 km (6 mi) from Kyiv at Novi Petrivtsi village. The museum features an old Ukrainian house made of clay covered with straw. Highlights of Savka House include numerous ancient household items: tiny glass bottles, ancient shoes with wooden nails which “cost like a cow”, various pots, wooden wheels, a large wooden bowl for making bread. In the yard there is a real smithy, a boots workshop, a pottery, three old bee hives, a kitchen garden and an old well.[1][2]
The museum's working hours are on weekends, preliminary arrangement is necessary. The excursion program includes Ukrainian traditional performance, tales on Ukrainian customs and Ukrainian dinner.[1]
History
The origins of Savka House date back to 2002, when local folklorist and enthusiast Fyodor Shklyarov decided to transform his family homestead into an open-air museum. Concerned about the loss of traditional rural ways of life, Shklyarov began collecting authentic household items, tools, furniture, and costumes from neighbouring villages and farms. Initially, the project was modest and received visitors mostly from nearby settlements. However, as interest in ethno-tourism grew in Belarus, Savka House attracted wider attention, becoming a popular destination for school excursions, cultural tours, and foreign tourists curious about the rural Belarusian heritage.[1][3]
Cultural significance
Savka House is more than a static museum — it operates as a hub for cultural revitalisation. Folk music performances, harvest festivals, culinary workshops, and traditional craft classes are held throughout the year.Visitors are encouraged to engage in hands-on activities such as baking bread in a wood-fired oven, weaving on handlooms, and forging simple tools under the guidance of local artisans.[4][5]
Community engagement
In recent years, Savka House has expanded its role within the local community. Educational programmes for schools are held regularly, focusing on local dialects, folklore, and environmental stewardship. The museum works with local schools and cultural centres to organise seasonal events, such as Maslenitsa festivities, midsummer Kupala Night celebrations, and winter carol singing.[2]
By encouraging younger generations to participate, Savka House plays an important role in ensuring that traditions are passed down and adapted to modern contexts. The initiative has also provided supplementary income and job opportunities for local craftspeople and guides.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Етнографічний музей "Хата Савки"". Петрівська сільська рада. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Етнографічний музей "Хутір Савки", Нові Петрівці". iGoToWorld. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Хутір Савки". Discover IF. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Етнографічний музей «Хутір Савки» — Відродження культури". vKorzinu.com.ua. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "«Хутір Савки» етнографічний музей". Ridna Kraїna. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Cultural experiences in Belarus – impact of tourism". USCIS Guide. Retrieved 5 July 2025.