Maksym Shcherbyna is a young and promising journalist from Zaporizhia. In the city he is known not only as a contributor of the newspaper PravDA and Hromadske TV Zaporizhia. Maksym is a columnist in Ukrainian online publications and works with foreign mass media.
Recently his photo from Zaporizhia Euromaidan entered the list of the best shots of 2014 of Turkish Agency Anadolu. “This is the victory of entire Zaporizhia. On the whole, there are many photos from Ukraine,” the journalist wrote in his Facebook account. However, he is the only Ukrainian whose photo entered the Anadolu list.
Maksym Shcherbyna started to cooperate with the agency last February, during the Euromaidan. “They are following mostly the events in the Islamic world, but when everything started in Ukraine, they became very interested,” the journalist said to The Day. At first he was helping his Turkish colleagues to find people to talk about the situation in the Donbas, found photos, and made photos himself.
How did the Anadolu find you?
“In winter, when Euromaidan was underway in Zaporizhia, I posted a text in my blog which went viral: 1,100 views. Since then I have made many new acquaintances with journalists. Some of them recommended the Turks to call me.”
When was this photo made?
“That was a usual shooting session for me. I made 30 to 40 shots, but I don’t know why they chose namely this one. The photo selected by Anadolu was made on April 13, on ‘Egg Sunday,’ like people called it. This was the biggest pro-Russian meeting in Zaporizhia. It gathered many people with St. George’s ribbons. But the activists of the local Maidan, patriots, and just pedestrians, gave them quite an interesting reception. The adherents of ‘Russian world’ were kept for 6 to 7 hours in one of the central squares of Zaporizhia by people who threw flour and eggs at them. Compared to Donetsk or Luhansk, everything was quite loyal. Of course, journalists were making videos. At that time the event produced an ambiguous reaction: some said it was inhumane. But now, as I look back, I understand that was the optimal solution of the problem. After April 13 the pro-Russian moods in Zaporizhia considerably decreased. The most passionate adepts of the Russian world left for the DNR and LNR and found jobs there: either of an ‘MP,’ or a ‘minister.’”
There have been many provocations after Maidan in Zaporizhia, but the city stood. In your opinion, what was the role of the residents in this?
“Recently the march to commemorate Volnovakha victims gathered lots of people in Zaporizhia.
“However, you shouldn’t overestimate the role of the city residents. There are several layers: no doubt, it was the strong Euromaidan, which was one of the strongest in the east of Ukraine. As a result, the activists formed the core which was able to solve problems without involving the local authorities. Besides, Zaporizhia is a region which differs historically from Donbas, and different processes have taken place here. We had Sich and Cossacks.
“Zaporizhia was mistakenly ascribed to the east. There is an important factor: there was no ‘fifth column’ to rely on. The most of the money allotted for the ‘pro-Russian’ movement in Zaporizhia was stolen.
“On the wave of Euromaidan, the upsurge of civil society, many people earned reputation and achieved something. Someone became a member of parliament, another one – the prosecutor of the oblast. Although these people continue to be pro-Maidan-oriented, they are busy with their work. But there are no more real achievements in the city.”
What role was played by regional journalists?
“The society had a demand for information, which is why journalists have become interesting and needed. When previously the society didn’t have such need, the journalists were not heard. Besides, a huge number of events were happening: we have never worked so intensively. Those who expressed important and needed thoughts got into the focus of attention.”
The Day’s FACT FILE
Anadolu is the largest international news agency of Turkey. It was founded in 1920 by state figure Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Presently the agency has offices in 27 countries.
