As is now traditional, Kyiv City Hall presented the populace with a variety of “specialties” — free burgers, chips, soft drinks — and all kinds of shows on the last weekend of May marking Kyiv Day. Independence Sq. was, of course, the venue of gala concerts starring Andrei Makarevich and Yuri Shevchuk (both from Russia — Ed. ) among others. In fact, pop shows were staged all over the capital. There were also “races under chestnuts,” beer-drinking contest, and a very important religious event, the ceremony of opening St. Michael’s Cathedral. Needless to say, law enforcement authorities were on red alert, with militiamen to be seen on practically every corner and street crossing. A lot of Kyivans, young and old, could relax and enjoy themselves on that occasion, taking part in funny contests and partaking of the benefits of domestic advertising campaigns.
Possibly, some ended the day feeling exhausted by the hot sun and hustl ing and bustling crowds. This was probably true of refined individualists, ones loath to be part of the crowd, tortured by murderous decibels emanating from giant speakers. Others might assume that Kyiv Day, intended as a mass entertainment, an opportunity to meet with favorite performers and artists, a way to help people meet the end of the spring in an especially pleasant way, turned into a citywide carousel. But who is to blame except those that preferred boozing to exploring impromptu art shows or listening to musicians or dancing?
Old savage instinct at play? Maybe. It is in evidence everywhere. We saw it on Kyiv Day, but previously we watched it in Moscow, St. Petersburg and especially during last year’s tragedy in Minsk. There is ample evidence of it in the West.
Well, perhaps everybody would be better off without beer contests on Kyiv Day or any other similar occasions, good as such contests are for publicity? Perhaps art shows on Andriyivsky Uzviz and Kostelna St. should have been staged at least a week earlier? And may be fewer pop shows or not so much emphasis on them? In a word, this year’s Kyiv Day offered the municipal authorities enough food for thought. And the same applies to the residents. We must work out a way to make this occasion a real holiday, rather than an occasion to get drunk and wake up the next morning with all the attendant symptoms.
(For more see next issue)
