Perhaps some of you merely knew Ukraine from its other things: its deep culture, delicious food, warm locals, splendid nature. Some, though, may understand its architectural roots and political history; CNN described the country as "a former Soviet nation struggling to find its identity between Russia and western Europe", though they acknowledged it as a hidden gem. And it is.

In this month's Signpost issue, aligning with the themes of the other articles, we present some high-quality pictures of the Ukrainian landscape, before the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, arranged poetically. Perhaps this classic song can be a good companion while scrolling through this. Indeed, the message still holds true. May peace be given a chance.

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  Carpathian National Nature Park, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
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  Potocki Mausoleum Chapel, Pechera, Vinnytsia Oblast
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  St. Nicholas Church and cells, Zakarpattia Oblast
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  Ruska Street, Lviv
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  Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, Kamianets-Podilskyi
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  Bohdan Khmelnytsky Monument, Kyiv
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  March of Defenders on Independence Day, Kyiv
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  Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, Odessa
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  Vydubychi Monastery, Kyiv
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  Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, Chernivtsi
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  Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Lviv
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  Cape Atlesh, Tarkhankut Peninsula, Crimea
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  Kyiv view with various cultural heritage monuments
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  Shore of the Syvash
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  Carpathian Biosphere Reserve
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  Kamianets-Podilsky Castle
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  Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, Lviv
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  Carpathian National Nature Park
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  Sula River, Sumy Oblast

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  Mount Hoverla, Eastern Beskids

• More featured pictures of Ukraine
• Give Peace a Chance, the song linked earlier