The Legend of Kyiv Poster

£53.00 GBP

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The design on the poster was created as part of a collaboration with Kyiv-based illustrator myfabstory.

This illustration, named The Legend of Kyiv, is the first piece in the Old Patterns, New Stories collection, inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidery. This first piece represents Kyiv’s past, looking back to when the city began, more than 1,500 years ago.

The illustration depicts brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and their sister Lybid — the legendary founders of Kyiv. According to the 12th-century Primary Chronicle — the principal historical source on the early history of Kyivan Rus' — the four siblings were Polianian Slavs whose ancestors had settled along the Dnipro River.

Kyi, the eldest, gave the city his name. The illustration shows them standing together on the banks of the Dnipro River, with the "first brick" of Kyiv.

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Product details

Designed in Kyiv, in collaboration with Kyiv-based talent myfabstory.

Paper weight: 189 g/m²
0.26 mm (10.3 mil) thick
Black frame made from semi-hardwood alder
Acrylite front protector
Hanging hardware included
Blank product components in the US sourced from Japan and the US
Blank product components in the EU sourced from Japan and Latvia

Shipping info

Note: This product ships from outside Ukraine. When ordered with "The Power Within" magazine (shipped from Ukraine), you'll receive separate packages and be charged accordingly for each shipment.

Ukraine: 15-20 business days
US, EU, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan: 2-11 business days

To ensure faster delivery, items may be shipped from different locations around the world. Please allow 3-7 business days for processing, with delivery taking up to 17 business days depending on availability in your region.

This product is made specifically for you, which is why it may take a little extra time to deliver. Making products on demand helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

Kyiv-based artist Kateryna Stepanishcheva drew on Kyiv's traditional embroidery motifs to create three illustrations representing the city's past, present, and future for our Old Patterns, New Stories collection

Story behind the design: Past

To depict Kyiv's past, illustrator Kateryna Stepanishcheva drew from the founding legend of Kyiv, as recorded in the 12th-century Primary Chronicle (the principal historical source on the early history of Kyivan Rus'). The legend names brothers Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid, as the founders of Kyiv. The four siblings were Polianians, whose Slavic ancestors had settled along the Dnipro River.

Most scholars believe the four siblings are mythological figures rather than historical ones, yet their names remain written into the city's landscape to this day: Kyiv bears the name of Kyi, the oldest brother; two of its central hills honor Shchek and Khoryv; and Lybid is a river flowing through the city.

The illustration depicts the siblings standing on the banks of the Dnipro River. At the center of the design, Lybid hands her brother Kyi a brick inscribed with the word "Kyiv." The four are framed by flowers and plants drawn from traditional embroidery motifs.