Kyiv Day is when you do not just walk in the street but do so loving this street, the houses and trees lining it, and the people walking past. You love them because finally you have the time to realize it.
Traditionally, on Kyiv Day residents of the city and guests walk down to Khreshchatyk. It is hard to say whether they do because all the key events of the holiday take place there or because the city authorities organize these events there because most people gather on the main thoroughfare.
Kyiv Day is a traditional holiday, with shashliks, beer, ice-cream, and balloons sold literally at every step, amateur concerts, and the invariable gala show on Independence Square at night. Another tradition has taken shape over the past two years: handing out little white flags with greetings from the Finance and Credit Bank. A publicity stunt? But it feels great to watch smart young men on roller skates maneuver through the crowd and approach you, smiling, greeting you, and handing you a small flag. Times may change but little flags and balloons are invariably associated with red-letter days.
This year, among the flag-giving roller skaters were practically all FCB employees and executives — from secretaries to members of the board. Incidentally, FCB was the only of six banks in Kyiv allowed by the City Hall to stage this publicity campaign on Khreshchatyk the weekend before last. Vadym Chankin, deputy chairman of the board, told The Day: “We love Kyiv, its past, present, and future realities. Today we are making our small contribution in embellishing this city and keeping its people in a good mood.”
