Hidden throughout Bukovel is an open-air collection of sculptures inspired by the mythology, folklore, and traditions of the Carpathian Mountains. These remarkable artworks were created during the "Echoes of Carpathian Legends" sculpture symposium, held at the resort in 2013.
The project brought together sculptors from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Ternopil, Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk, and even Tel Aviv, Israel. Their shared goal was to transform Carpathian legends into lasting works of stone.
Long before the first chisels touched the rock, the artists immersed themselves in Hutsul folklore, preparing sketches and exploring local stories. Yet the stone itself became an unexpected creative partner. Carpathian sandstone, layered with flint and iron-rich minerals, revealed changing colours and varying levels of hardness that often inspired the artists to rethink their original concepts.
Rather than resisting the material, they embraced it – and each sculpture became a dialogue between imagination and the mountain itself.
Created by Andrii and Gulnara Shevchenko from Kharkiv, Spirit of the Mountains consists of two interconnected stone forms. One portrays a young shepherd playing the sopilka while watching over his flock. The other reveals the mystical Spirit of the Mountains, drawn by the melody and appearing before the young musician.
While developing the sculpture, Gulnara found inspiration by comparing the mythology of the Ukrainian Carpathians with the legends of the Pamir Mountains. Today, the artwork can be found at the Upper Residence near the Kurin Restaurant.
Israeli sculptor Ihor Braun created Family by transforming two mountain peaks into symbolic male and female figures. Their gently inclined heads are connected by a cat, a timeless symbol of both independence and the comfort of home.
For sculptor Roman Vilchushynskyi from Ternopil, nature became the inspiration for Enchantress – a tribute to the feminine force that gives life and fills it with warmth. His original concept featured a seated woman playing the drymba, a traditional instrument closely connected with the region's musical heritage. As the work progressed, however, the natural structure of the stone revealed a completely different figure. The sculptor embraced this unexpected form, allowing it to become his artistic portrait of the Carpathian landscape itself.
The symposium also produced several other sculptures celebrating local traditions and folklore:
- Master of the Land by Mykola Lampeka (Kyiv);
- Kolomyika by Bohdan Freiv (Dolyna);
- The Road to Dzvinka by Yurii Mysko (Lviv);
- The Pearl of the Region by Liudmyla Mysko (Kyiv);
- The Cuckoo Maiden by Nataliia Lieikina (Lviv).
In addition, Bohdan Hladkyi from Ivano-Frankivsk created the wooden sculpture Mavka, which can be seen at the Lower Residence near the Felicita Restaurant.
Thanks to the exceptional durability of Carpathian sandstone, the sculptures have withstood years of mountain weather, becoming a lasting part of Bukovel's landscape.
As you explore the resort, take a moment to discover these remarkable works. Each sculpture tells a story where mythology, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the Carpathians meet – and where ancient legends continue to live in stone.