#4|JAN28|2011

Best of Kyiv

Check out the winners of the 10th annual contest

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The Kyiv Post’s 10th annual Best of Kyiv awards banquet was held on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the InterContinental Hotel. This edition of the Kyiv Post, because of the special Kyiv Post supplement attached, went to press at 3 p.m. on Jan. 27, six hours ahead of the usual deadline. See www.kyivpost.com or www.kyivpost.ua for the latest breaking news.

World in Ukrain Ukraine explores the nation’s ties w with Australia. Æ13

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vol. 16, issue 4

What we and don’t

Young people make a wish in front of the Fountain of Dreams with the gold domes of the cathedral of St. Michael – the patron saint of Kyiv – in the background. People go there to stick wet coins against the jutting ledges, look each other in the eyes and make a wish. If coins stick, the wish will come true. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

BY B R I A N B ON N E R BONNER@KYIVPOST.COM

In the spirit of the 10th annual Best of Kyiv awards, Kyiv Post staff members offer our opinions about what we love and don’t love in this ancient capital, home to more than three million people.

The Kyiv Post’s Best of Kyiv awards is a tradition that annually honors the outstanding people and places that make Kyiv such a great place to live.

But exactly what is so great about it?

There are sharp divisions on the newspaper’s staff. I am among those who wouldn’t want to live anywhere

Inside:

else. I get disbelieving reactions from many Ukrainians when I say this.

But, as an American, I have been to many of my nation’s big cities and lived in its capital, Washington, D.C., only 10 blocks from the White House. I found it charming, but also boring, selfimportant, sterile and expensive. I also once turned down a job in Moscow, where I’ve spent a lot of time. I like its grandeur, but it’s just too cold, too big and too impersonal.

The world has almost 200 national capitals, and I have been to less than 10 percent of them. So, somewhere in the world, there may be a capital that feels more like home than Kyiv. But

LOVE about Kyiv

Read about Kyiv’s best businesses and most outstanding individuals in this edition’s special Best of Kyiv supplement.

News Æ 2

Business Æ 6, 7

Opinion Æ 4, 5

Lifestyle Æ 8 – 13, 16

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January 28, 2011

Editorial staff: +380 44 234-65-00 news@kyivpost.com

after getting a taste of Minsk, Almaty, Colombo, New Delhi, Vienna, London, Paris, Budapest, Prague, Vientiane, Bangkok, Amsterdam and Brussels, I can say that they don’t measure up to Kyiv, despite all those “quality-of-life” indexes that put Kyiv closer to the bottom.

Of course, my view is not shared by many Ukrainians on the Kyiv Post staff, some of whom are longing to live abroad. “I would prefer loving Kyiv from some faraway place,” said staff writer Svitlana Tuchynska.

But all of us found plenty to love and also not to love (hate is such a strong word) about this place.

Employment/Real Estate/ Classifieds Æ 14, 15

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For a complete list of the 10 best and 10 worst things about Kyiv from Kyiv Post staff members, go online at www. kyivpost.com. To make your own list of 10 best/10 worst things, e-mail news@ kyivpost.com and please put “Best & Worst of Kyiv” in the subject line. We will publish excerpts.

Here are some things we love about Kyiv: Architecture Kyiv, founded in 862 A.D., is renowned for its beautiful – but crumbling and neglected – buildings and streets. We love the House Æ8

JANUARY 28, 2011 Vol. 16, Issue 4 Copyright © 2011

by Kyiv Post The material published in the Kyiv Post may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. All material in the Kyiv Post is protected

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2 News

January 28, 2011

Will whistle make its way into Euro 2012 games?

Kyiv Post Staff – A contest entry to become Ukraine’s unofficial mascot during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament has drawn comparisons with the controversial South African vuvuzela horn made popular during the 2010 World Cup for its loud sound.

The mascot’s inventors have positioned the cuckoo bird-shaped clay whistle as a cultural branding opportunity for Ukraine. But entrepreneurs must have one eye on a potential repeat of the commercial success of the plastic vuvuzelas, which generated an estimated $20 million for their primarily Chinese manufacturers.

Called zozulytsia, the whistle is the brainchild of seven Ukrainian graduates from the International Federation of Football Associations’ master’s program in Kyiv, run by a Swiss university.

Oleksandr Kucheriaviy, one of the creators, said the instrument had a soft, pleasant sound, unlike the irritatingly loud squeak of the vuvuzela.

In his Kyiv Post blog, Kucheriaviy said the zozulytsia dates back 7,000 years to the Trypillian civilization, a people who are part of both Ukrainian and Polish history.

“We want visitors to leave having discovered some of Ukraine’s historic heritage and not just associations with Chornobyl or (footballer Andriy) Shevchenko,” Kucheriaviy told the Kyiv Post on Jan. 25.

With tens of thousands of fans set to descend on the country for the Euro 2012 tournament, which is less than 500 days away, pundits have speculated that the instrument could be a popular souvenir.

A cuckoo bird-shaped whistle made of ceramic, the zozulytsia (five of various sizes seen above) is being proposed by a group of Ukrainian sports enthusiasts as the unofficial mascot of Ukraine for the Euro 2012 soccer championship (Courtesy).

The Ukrainian Euro 2012 Information Agency, organizers of the contest to find an unofficial mascot,

said they expect to announce the winner from more than 100 entries by the end of January.

www.kyivpost.com

Will Yanukovych get warm or cold greeting in Davos?

Kyiv Post Staff – While attending the 40th annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Viktor Yanukovych is scheduled to be joined on Jan. 28 by his Polish counterpart, Bronislaw Komorowski. Both will attend a luncheon devoted to Ukraine and are expected to discuss bilateral relations as well as the Euro 2012 soccer championship. Both nations are jointly hosting the tournament.

Sponsored again by Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk, the Ukrainian luncheon has become a regular event at the Davos forum. It is again expected to be attended by high profile businessman and politicians from across the globe.

Yanukovych arrived in Davos on Jan. 27. Presidential Administration chief of staff Serhiy Lyovochkin said the Ukrainian president will also attend a European Energy Future session to discuss the importance and relevance of building broad international support to improve safety at Chornobyl, site of the world’s worst nuclear accident.

During the Davos forum, Yanukovych is expected to be questioned about his commitment to democracy and establishment of a progressive investment climate in Ukraine. In recent weeks, his administration has faced rising international concern about antidemocratic tendencies that have flourished in the first year of his presidency.

Investors have increasingly complained about worrying trends in Ukraine’s already horrible investment climate. Grain traders say exports restrictions are unjustified while quotas have been issued non-transparently. Energy firms cried foul about unfairness after a murky company imported massive amounts of oil products duty-free thanks to a controversial court ruling.

www.kyivpost.com

3

January 28, 2011 Advertisement

European Business Association News

,EADERS 4ALK Leaders Talk: Today we interview TomĂĄĹĄ Fiala, Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Capital, EBA President. ! NUMBER OF COMPANIES HAVE EXPE RIENCED A CERTAIN POST CRISIS GROWTH IN (OW CAN YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR COMPANY BUSINESS DYNAMICS IN THE YEAR THAT PASSED

ING OR EXTRACTING BRIBES FROM COMPANIES SO THEY WOULD HAVE A LOT TO LOSE AND WOULDNlT BE EMPLOYABLE IN THE FUTURE BY THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS BY ANY PRIVATE BUSINESS

!NOTHER THING WHICH ) THINK IS IMPORTANT IS THE DECLARATION OF EXPENSES NOT ONLY BY OFFICIALS THEMSELVES BUT ALSO BY THEIR FAMI 4/-™h &IALA

LIES 7HILE THE AFORESAID WOULD HELP COMBAT #HIEF %XECUTIVE CORRUPTION ON THE DEMAND SIDE APPROPRIATE /FFICER OF $RAGON PENALTIES SHOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR COM #APITAL %"!

PANIES SEEKING TO BRIBE SO AS TO MAKE SURE 0RESIDENT SUPPLY DRIES UP AS WELL 4HIS WOULD REALLY BE A HUGE PUSH FORWARD FOR 5KRAINE HELPING IT #APITAL MARKETS HAVE A MORE PRONOUNCED CLOSE THE GAP ON #ENTRAL %UROPE CYCLE THAN THE REST OF THE ECONOMY WHICH 7HAT NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS MIGHT MEANS THAT DURING THE CRISIS OF AND DEVELOP IN 5KRAINE IN AND FURTHER EARLY CAPITAL MARKETS CORRECTED MORE 7HAT SECTOR MIGHT BE THE BEST BET FOR SHARPLY THAN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE 4HE INVESTORS STOCK MARKET DROPPED IN DOLLAR TERMS BY OVER AND BONDS BY TO /VER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE SEEN INVESTORS RETURN TO 5KRAINE 4HE COUNTRY GIVEN ITS 7ITH THE 5KRAINIAN AND WORLD ECONOMIES LOW COST PRODUCTION BASE REMAINS AN ATTRAC STABILIZING THE CAPITAL MARKETS EXPERIENCED TIVE DESTINATION FOR COMPANIES THAT WANT TO A MUCH FASTER RECOVERY ALREADY IN PRODUCE HERE FOR THE %5 MARKET ,IKEWISE

3INCE HITTING THE BOTTOM IN -ARCH THE COMPANIES EXPANDING INTO NEW MARKETS ARE STOCK MARKET IS UP SIX TIMES ALREADY /VER ATTRACTED BY 5KRAINElS MORE THAN MILLION THE SAME PERIOD BONDS RECOUPED ALMOST ALL CONSUMERS 7E SEE MONEY COMING BACK INTO THEIR LOSSES 3O FOR US BOTH AND THE FINANCIAL SECTOR &-#' RETAIL REAL ESTATE

WERE GOOD YEARS LAST YEAR THE STOCK MARKET MANUFACTURING AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY ADVANCED BY AND YIELDS ON HRYVNIA DENOMINATED GOVERNMENT BONDS NARROWED (OW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE CHANCES FROM IN EARLY TO BY YEAR OF #ZECH BUSINESS INTEGRATING INTO THE END CURRENTLY RANGING FROM 3O WE 5KRAINIAN MARKET HAVE WITNESSED A PRETTY FAST RECOVERY 4HERE HAVE BEEN SOME MORE OR LESS SUC 7HAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER AS THE MOST CESSFUL INVESTMENTS OVER YEARS BUT THE #ZECH ALARMING TREND THAT COULD HAMPER THE 2EPUBLIC IS NOT A TOP FOREIGN INVESTOR IN SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENTS OF YOUR SECTOR OR 5KRAINE 7HY ) THINK THAT #ZECHS ARE NOT THE 5KRAINIAN ECONOMY IN GENERAL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE BUSINESS ENVIRON MENT AND THE RULE OF LAW HERE AND IF THEY 4HE MAIN PROBLEMS ARE THE LACK OF WANT TO INVEST ABROAD THEY PREFER TO EXPLORE RULE OF LAW AND CORRUPTION ESPECIALLY AT OTHER %ASTERN %UROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT EITHER THE TAX ADMINISTRATION AND CUSTOMS WITH HAVE JOINED OR ARE CLOSE TO JOINING THE %5 THEIR ASYMMETRICAL APPROACH TO DIFFERENT !ND IF THEY WERE LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY INTO COMPANIES LESS DEVELOPED MARKETS THEY WOULD PREFER ) SHOULD SAY THAT IN ADDITION TO THE CORE 3OUTHEAST %UROPE RATHER THAN 5KRAINE OR BUSINESSES OF INVESTMENT BANKING AND SECU 2USSIA BEING WARY OF THOSE COUNTRIESl CORRUPT RITIES BROKERAGE OUR COMPANY IS PRESENT JUDICIARY AND BUREAUCRACY IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY VIA ITS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PRIVATE EQUITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT ARMS #OMPANIES THAT WE OWN DEAL WITH CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND COMPLAIN THAT CORRUPTION THERE HAS INCREASED 7E ALSO COMMUNICATE WITH TAX AUTHORITIES QUITE FREQUENTLY AND SEE THAT THEY HAVE GROWN MORE CORRUPT AND ARE USING VARIOUS MEANS TO EXTRACT MONEY NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES BUT ALSO FOR THE GOVERN MENT BUDGET ASKING COMPANIES TO PREPAY TAXES NOT ACKNOWLEDGING EXPENSES 6!4 CREDITS AND SO ON AND DOING IT IN A MANNER THAT CONTRADICTS 5KRAINIAN LAW

4O FINISH OUR CONVERSATION ON A MORE OPTIMISTIC NOTE WHAT ARE IN YOUR OPINION

THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN REGARDS TO BUSINESS ATMOSPHERE IN 5KRAINE IF ANY &ISCAL CONSOLIDATION NAMELY THE FACT THAT 5KRAINE HAS BEEN VERY QUICK TO SLASH THE BUD GET DEFICIT AND APPROVE A VERY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET FOR 3TABILIZATION OF THE BANKING SECTOR IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT )T IS ALSO VERY POSITIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WILLING TO TAKE CERTAIN UNPOPULAR AND LONG OVERDUE MEASURES LIKE LAUNCHING REFORMS THAT USUALLY TAKE TIME TO YIELD RESULTS

4HIS BRINGS US TO THE NEXT QUESTION 4HE RENEWAL OF COOPERATION WITH THE )-& IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE ONE NEW LAW OR AND ENACTMENT OF THE 4AX #ODE ARE CERTAINLY REGULATION IN 5KRAINE STARTING TOMORROW GOOD DEVELOPMENTS )T LOOKS LIKE THE NEW 4AX WHAT WOULD IT BE #ODE WILL CREATE A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD OVER TIME 4HE OTHER REFORM LAWS ALREADY APPROVED ! COMPREHENSIVE ANTICORRUPTION LAW OR DRAFTED ARE GENERALLY OF GOOD QUALITY WOULD HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT #ORRUPTION HAS TO BE ERADICATED EVERYWHERE /N THE (OWEVER THIS YEAR THE 5KRAINIAN GOVERN ONE HAND IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIMIT CORRUPTION MENT WILL BE JUDGED BASED ON ITS SUCCESS

BY MAKING SURE THAT STATE OFFICIALS ARE PAID IN ERADICATING CORRUPTION AND CAPACITY TO BETTER AND HAVE GUARANTEED PENSION AND IMPLEMENT THE DECLARED REFORMS 4HIS WILL BE BENEFITS WHICH WILL MAKE THEM LESS MOTI OUR PRIORITY AT THE %"! TO POINT OUT TO THE VATED TO TAKE BRIBES /N THE OTHER HAND 'OVERNMENT ANY PROGRESS IN THESE AREAS OR THE SAME CAN BE ACHIEVED BY INTRODUCING LACK THEREOF HEAVY PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CAUGHT ACCEPT

www.eba.com.ua

*O 'PDVT Tax Code Drawbacks Discussed

O

n January 01, 2011, the new Tax Code of Ukraine became effective, while some norms’ introduction is still pending. Although the Code unifies all legislature on taxation, it contains a number of norms and regulations that complicate the process of doing business in Ukraine.

With an aim to improve the Tax Code regulations, the EBA Tax Committee initiates a Poll on the Tax Code drawbacks in order to provide feedback to authorities on the necessary amendments requested by the business community. The poll’s goal is to consolidate opinions and positions of businesses on respective vague norms and threats imposed by the Tax Code and to further elaborate better “rules of the game� in terms of taxation.

EBA members have expressed their concerns on the implementation of the Tax Code due to multiple drawbacks including but not limited to the following issues: • imposition of fines for tax violation committed before January 01, 2011; • state registration of VAT payers (newly founded and reorganized companies); • ambiguity of VAT rate; • filling in the new Tax Declaration form; • definition of the price of software for tax exemption purposes; • registration and digital tax reporting possibility for large tax payers; • proportional allocation of VAT amounts to tax credit; • allocation of advertising costs to gross expenditures for non-residents.

The EBA hopes that the voice of the business community will be heard by the respective authorities, and the ambiguous regulations will be reviewed and redrafted.

Senior partner, KM Partners

T

he main issue with the Tax Code is the Code as such, i.e., the number of changes introduced in such a short period of time, and the fact that it is subject to immediate implementation. The issue is further complicated by a flawed legal technique, inconsistency and often controversial nature of provisions. The Code makes administration of taxes more burdensome and gives more somewhat unjustified discretionary power to the fiscal and customs authorities. While the Tax Code solves some of the earlier technical issues, the best that can be said on the Code is “Thanks ALEXANDER Minin God, it is better than the preceding interim draft versions�. In general, we anticipate negative impact of the Tax Code on the majority of businesses (except for business-generating effect for tax consultants for some period of time).

Partner, Magisters

T

he Tax Code introduced changes in VAT registration rules, which will increase cost of setting up new business entities. VAT registration is the core condition for business entity to obtain the right to recover 20% VAT charged on suppliers invoices. Previous legislation provided for simple and easy rules for voluntary VAT registration. Now under the Tax Code voluntary VAT registration is not practically possible because of 12 month waiting period. Thus, if entity needs to get VAT registration upon its establishment, it is necessary to conduct supply transaction(s) VLADIMIR Didenko for amount of at least 300,000 Hryvnia to qualify for mandatory VAT registration. Due to this, the cost of setting up a business entity will increase by the amount of unrecoverable input VAT (at least UAH 60,000) to achieve 300,000 Hryvnia thresholds for mandatory VAT registration.

VAT registration rules also trigger exposures to entities that are created in the process of corporate reorganization (e.g. merger, de-merger). Registration rules treat such an entity as a newly established one. Status of a newly established entity automatically limits the right of such an entity to obtain VAT refund during 12 month period after registration as a VAT payer. These norms clearly constitute a barrier for development of business in Ukraine and impair the investment climate.

2%')/.!,.EWS “Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement� discussed in Western Ukrainian EBA branch

O

n January 25, 2011, Western Ukrainian Branch of the European Business Association supported by the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Ukraine held business morning to discuss opportunities and challenges of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

According to the director of CTA Economic & Export Analysts Ltd Chris Cosgrow, the FTA between the EU and Ukraine can be signed next year, which on the one hand, poses serious challenges for Ukraine, and on the other hand, offers great opportunities for the country’s economic development. Mr. Cosgrow also noted that signing the Free Trade Agreement will result in 5% salaries increase as well as in an equitable general welfare improvement.

Head of Politics, Communications and projects of the British Embassy in Ukraine, Duncan Allan, underlined that Ukrainian business has to be active in order to benefit from the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

Commenting on the pros and cons of the Agreement, Udo Heine, EBA Western Ukrainian branch Chairman of the Board, noted that the issue of the Free trade zone is extremely important for Ukraine, and the local businesses have to build up their strength and increase their competitiveness in order to operate on equal terms on the European market.

7E LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK AT

PGGJDF!FCB DPN VB

4 Opinion

January 28, 2011

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Editorials

Devil’s advocate

“Hey buddy emperor! Let’s have a hug!”

It didn’t take long into Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency for many Ukraine watchers to conclude that he was steering the country away from Europe, not toward it as he so often declares. For anyone who continues to doubt this conclusion, recent developments should be convincing. Working on the international stage, Yanukovych allies are publicly questioning his commitment to uphold core European Union values of democracy, human rights and free speech. Aleksandr Lukashenko’s authoritarian Belarus is a case in point.

In coming days, the European Commission is expected to adopt sanctions against Minsk and its leadership as a response to the nation’s deeper anti-democratic slide. One measure discussed is a European Union travel ban for top Belarus officials. Belarus also risks economic sanctions, which were lifted in 2008 amid signs that Belarus was making improvements on the democratic front.

Speaking in Brussels on Jan. 25, lawmaker Leonid Kozhara, a top foreign policy guru in Yanukovych’s Party of Regions, urged the European Union not to punish Lukashenko’s regime with sanctions for holding an unfair presidential election late last year and arresting oppositionists. Kozhara openly opposed the sanctions, saying: “We (Ukraine) are not for isolation, but for a broader inclusion of Belarus in all [EU] institutions of Eastern Partnership.”

Kozhara’s words come days after Yanukovych congratulated Lukashenko on his presidential election victory. A spokesperson at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Ukraine “does not recognize Aleksandr Lukashenko as the legitimately elected president of Belarus” but opposed “isolating Belarus.” The spokesperson would not clearly state if Ukraine supported or opposed sanctions against Belarus, adding “since we are not a member of the European Commission, we are not obliged to follow any sanctions that are imposed, but will study them closely.”

Under Yanukovych, Ukraine has undoubtedly and increasingly demonstrated anti-democratic tendencies. In this context, a wish washy position on Belarus only reinforces fears that the country is veering far off track from EU “values.”

Visiting Kyiv early in January, EU Enlargement and Neighborhood policy commissioner Stefan Fuele said Ukraine’s EU integration hinges on adherence to core EU “values.” After expressing concern about the state of democracy in Ukraine, he stressed that Brussels could not compromise on the issue.

So far, the EU has demonstrated remarkable patience with Yanukovych’s administration. Itself wary of isolating Kyiv, pushing it closer to Moscow, Europe has been very diplomatic in its warnings. Perhaps the time has come for Brussels to call a spade a spade, being as upfront with Ukraine as it has been with Belarus.

Got it backwards If anyone needs any more evidence that Ukraine’s criminal justice system is broken and riddled with corruption, President Viktor Yanukovych provided it.

In an interview with CNN on Jan. 20 that was picked up by major Ukrainian news outlets, Yanukovych turned the basic principle of presumption of innocence on its head. Referring to the ongoing criminal investigations against ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, he said: “Yulia Tymoshenko will have a chance to protect herself [in court], and I’m one of those who want this to happen. I would like her to prove that the charges brought against her are false.”

If Yanukovych cannot even get the basic principle of jurisprudence straight, there is no hope for a fair and balanced court system, with independent courts, prosecutors, jurors and police. The president went on to tell journalists that a court ruling cannot be questioned and that this means the correctness of both acquittal and conviction. “If the court finds her guilty, she will be punished like any other person,” Yanukovych said.

Then the president went on to contradict himself. Journalists quoted him as recognizing the shortcomings of the current judicial system in Ukraine. “We still have to reform the judicial system in order to fight corruption,” Yanukovych said. The comments show that Yanukovych does not grasp democratic principles of justice, as he recognizes that Ukraine’s judicial system is untrustworthy.

Furthermore, the record needs to be set straight about who shares responsibility for any misspending that Tymoshenko may be guilty of. She is being charged with paying pensions using funds that were raised under the Kyoto Protocol while serving as prime minister during the 2009 world economic crisis. If Tymoshenko is guilty of this, she was forced into it by Yanukovych and then-President Viktor Yushchenko. They worked in tandem to sabotage her cash-starved government ahead of a hotly contested presidential election, cutting it off from International Monetary Fund and central bank aid.

She is far from a saint. But in this case, she was cornered and had little room for maneuver. Not only would failure to pay pensions be illegal, it could have sparked nationwide panic, further hurting Ukraine’s already fragile state finances.

Published by Public Media LLC Jim Phillipoff, Chief Executive Officer Brian Bonner, Chief Editor Deputy Chief Editors: Katya Gorchinskaya, Roman Olearchyk Editors: Alexey Bondarev, Valeriya Kolisnyk, James Marson, Yuliya Popova Staff Writers: Tetyana Boychenko, Peter Byrne, Oksana Faryna, Natalia A. Feduschak, Oksana Grytsenko, Kateryna Grushenko, Nataliya Horban, Yuliya Ivakhnina, Vlad Lavrov, Olesia Oleshko, Yura Onyshkiv, Kateryna Panova, Iryna Prymachyk, Mark Rachkevych, Nataliya Solovonyuk, Maria Shamota, Irina Sandul, Svitlana Tuchynska Photographers: Oleksiy Boyko, Joseph Sywenkyj. Photo Editor: Yaroslav Debelyi Chief Designer: Vladyslav Zakharenko. Designer: Angela Palchevskaya Marketing: Iuliia Panchuk Web Project: Nikolay Polovinkin, Yuri Voronkov, Maksym Semenchuk Sales department: Yuriy Timonin, Yulia Kovalenko, Maria Kozachenko, Elena Symonenko, Sergiy Volobayev Nataliia Protasova, Subscription Manager Svitlana Kolesnykova, Newsroom Manager Anastasia Forina, Office Manager

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NEWS ITEM. Despite a number of agreements signed by President Viktor Yanukovych during his visit to Japan on Jan. 18-21, which included a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the media at home called the president’s visit as a less-than-a-smashing success. One controversy arose over the president’s decision to buy out a first-class train carriage for himself and his entourage for traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, at cost reportedly of Hr 103,000. Also, Yanukovych reportedly managed to include slips of etiquette in his meeting with the figurehead Japanese emperor.

Some interpreted his gestures as overly familiar and lacking respect – such as not bowing first. Yanukovych cut short the visit because of explosion that injured no one on Jan. 20 in Makiyivka in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian president may deserve to win Nobel Peace Prize A NTH ONY T. SA LV IA

In February, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych will mark his first year in office. Soon, both Ukrainian and foreign media will be hard at work “spinning” his record, both positively and negatively.

Some Western Ukraine-watchers are already serving up the usual fare: Yanukovych the Russian puppet, the clone of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, etc. Their usual simplistic formula: West (United States, Europe) equals good, East (Russia) equals bad, if not downright evil. Given that the East-West divide runs right through Ukraine, the harmful internal implications of such a formula should be obvious.

One well-known Western Ukraine-watcher writes: “The Yanukovych administration’s belief that they can successfully unite Putinism with European integration is fatally flawed.”

And elsewhere: “I have no compunction in choosing Orange democratic ‘chaos’ over Eurasian authoritarian stability.”

Leaving aside what so-called “Putinism” means even in Russia, such caricatures – “Europe” versus “Eurasia,” “demo-

cratic chaos” versus “authoritarian stability” – have little to do with Ukraine’s actual circumstances.

Instead of one-dimensional invective, let’s look at what Mr. Yanukovych has actually accomplished.

One of his first actions was to cut a deal with Russia on natural gas transit to Europe, in exchange for price concessions for Ukraine’s consumption. He followed that up with dropping permanently the previous regime’s efforts to drag Ukraine into NATO even in the face of overwhelming popular opposition (so much for Orange Revolution-styled democracy), and opting for non-aligned status instead. He also reached a historic agreement with the United States on disposal of nuclear material, emerging as the star of the April 2010 Washington nuclear non-proliferation summit.

Ukraine’s adoption of non-aligned status has changed the strategic calculus in Europe. The result has been the emergence of a triangle of mutual interests between Europe, Russia and Ukraine, as Yanukovych has quite rightly pointed out. It is fair to say that Kyiv’s new approach to Moscow paved the way for the Deauville summit where France, Germany and Russia discussed the creation of a common European zone of military and economic cooperation as well as the reset in bilateral German-Russian, and Polish-Russian relations.

Meanwhile, Yanukovych has gone a long way toward answering Europe’s concerns about energy security, Æ5

Feel strongly about an issue? Agree or disagree with editorial positions in this newspaper?

The Kyiv Post welcomes letters to the editors and opinion pieces, usually 800 to 1,000 words in length. Please e-mail all correspondence to Brian Bonner, chief editor, at bonner@kyivpost.com or letters@kyivpost.com. All correspondence must include an e-mail address and contact phone number for verification.

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Opinion 5

January 28, 2011

Is Ukraine free?

Freedom House Ratings 3 1992 1993

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LE I G H T U R N E R

Which is the most free country in the Commonwealth of Independent States? Can we say confidently that it is Ukraine? Or how about a new pretender to that crown – Moldova?

There are many ways to measure freedom, some more objective than others. As I noted in a recent blog on human rights, one can often get a feel for the degree of freedom in a country as soon as one arrives at the airport. But such impressions are inevitably subjective.

That makes the Freedom in the World 2011 Survey, produced by U.S.-based non-governmental organization Freedom House, an important document. The survey attempts to form an objective assessment, giving countries scores of between 1 (good) and 7 (bad) for political rights and civil liberties respectively, producing a potential top score of 2 and a potential bottom score of 14. It then groups countries into Free (scoring 2-5 points); Partly Free (6-10); and Not Free (11-14). In 2005 Ukraine became the first, and so far the only, CIS country which Freedom House classed as Free, with a score of 5 for the period 2005-10.

For 2011, Ukraine’s score slips by one point to 6, placing it in the “Partly Free” category, with the same score as Moldova. Moldova, meanwhile, is on an upward trajectory having seen its score rise from 8 in 2009 to 7 in 2010 and 6 in 2011. Freedom House explains the fall in Ukraine’s score by “deteriorating media freedom, secret service pressure on universities to keep students from participating in protests, government hostility toward opposition gatherings and foreign non-governmental organizations, and an increase in presidential influence over the judiciary.”

One may debate the methodology used by Freedom House. But the report is important for several reasons:

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12 Belarus Ukraine

Russia Moldova

CIS Average

15 Note: On the Freedom House chart, the lower the number, the greater the freedom in society.

First, it is a reminder that improvements in political rights and civil liberties are not always linear. A super chart (above) prepared by my embassy colleagues shows how, for Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova and the CIS as a whole, the Freedom House ratings have moved around, often significantly, since 1992. This is the political equivalent of “you’re only as good as the last hamburger you served.” In other words, countries that have achieved gains in freedoms must keep working ceaselessly to maintain them. This is true in Ukraine, the United Kingdom or anywhere else.

Second, Ukraine has only slipped one point in the rankings from 2010 to 2011, but this has taken it down a category from “Free” to “Partly Free.” The fact that Moldova now has the same score means that both can, in theory, argue that the Freedom House ratings show them to be the most democratic countries in the CIS. It will be fascinating to see who scores highest next year.

Third, whatever your opinion of the methodology, Ukraine’s descent into the “Partly Free” category will reinforce concerns about the development of democracy and freedom of speech. The fact that the country has slipped only one point shows that there is everything still to play for and – I hope – that Ukraine can restore its position in the “Free” category next year.

The challenge for the Ukrainian authorities now is to do everything they can restore Ukraine’s “Free” rating by demonstrating respect for political rights and civil liberties in the year ahead. If that means we are now going to see a fierce competition between Ukraine and Moldova for the title of “Most Free Country in the CIS,” so much the better.

Leigh Turner has been the British Ambassador to Ukraine since June 2008. You can read all his blog entries at blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/turnerenglish (in English) or blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/turner/ (Ukrainian)

Yanukovych has made terrific achievements in just one year President Viktor Yanukovych (R) passes a soldier on way to his inauguration as president on Feb. 25. (Yaroslav Debelyi)

Æ4 as his rapprochement with Russia tends to obviate the unsettling “gas wars” of the recent past.

Ukraine has thus emerged as a vital factor for stability rather than an apple of discord.

So, instead of throwing brickbats at Yanukovych, maybe it’s time to ask: Is the president’s record to date worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize?

Let’s make some comparisons. When Barack Obama won the award in 2009, just months after taking office, he was the first to admit that he didn’t “deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize,” and that he would “accept this award as a call to action.” His humility in acknowl-

edging that he had not yet actually accomplished anything of note was commendable, as was his stated determination to justify his having received the honor.

Some “transformative” Nobel laureates have included Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for helping to settle the Russo-Japanese War; Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin in 1978 and Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and Yassir Arafat in 1994 (still striving to finish what Sadat and Begin started). One has to give some credit to Mikhail Gorbachev (1990) for paving the way for the peaceful ditching of Marxism-Leninism and the role he played in ending the Cold War. These Nobel laureates, as well as Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk in 1993, had solid records of accomplishment.

One can argue that Yanukovych’s support for nonaligned status for Ukraine has done more to solidify peace and stability in Europe that any act of statecraft since the fall of the Berlin Wall, giving rise to the prospect of a pan-European entente reminiscent of the European system that prevailed from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) to the onset of the Napoleonic Wars — a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity in Europe. That is no mean accomplishment after one year in office.

Judging by results, by tangible contributions to peace, Yanukovych’s achievements in a short period of time are impressive. It is reasonable to suggest that he be counted among the nominees.

Anthony T. Salvia is executive director of the Kyivbased American Institute in Ukraine. Previously he served as an appointee of U.S. President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Department of State and at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich and Moscow. The organization’s website is www.aminuk.org.

VOX populili WITH NATALIYA SOLOVONYUK

Why is Ukraine’s population declining and what can be done about it?

Ludmyla Shavolovych, maternity leave “The population continues to decline due to economic and ecological factors.

It’s hard to find a good job. Our salaries are miniscule. The environment worsens each year. I think it is very difficult today for young people to have children in such a troubled country, where everyone thinks about the future with anxiety.”

Dmytro Borotvyn, lawyer “The population of Ukraine is constantly decreasing. This testifies to the low standard of living in the nation. It seems the situation will deteriorate with each year until we all die out.”

Tetyana Lytvynova, student “It's not easy to have children in such crisis conditions.

There are so many factors running against those who want to have a family: the economic sitaution, a poor education system, the environment. People are dying due to alcoholism, drugs, disease. The mortality rate is high. Ukraine will not be able to deal with these problems anytime soon.”

Ludmyla Lysovenko, occupational safety engineer “I think the main reason that the populaton is decreasing is polution, the environment. Our air and water are dirty. Our medicines are, generally speaking, terrible. And, of course, the poor state of the economy doesn't help. People do not want to give birth in such conditions.”

Ruslan Bolshytsky, lawyer “The main factor is poverty.

Before the economic crisis, when there was at least some growth, there was a mood of optimism. The population and birth rate were on the rise. But now everyone is simply trying to survive.”

6 Business

www.kyivpost.com

January 28, 2011

Business Sense

Editor’s Note: Business Sense is a feature in which experts explain Ukraine’s place in the world economy and provide insight into doing business in the country.

To contribute, contact chief editor Brian Bonner at bonner@kyivpost.com

WITH OLEKSIY CHERNYAVSKIY

Subsidized oil imports harm Ukraine On Jan. 1, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan united their markets under the umbrella of the common economic space, thus becoming equal members of the joint customs union.

The union envisages common import duties for the markets of all members, as well as coordinated policy of export duties on products. The creation of this customs union has a direct impact on Ukraine as it distorts the competition environment on the motor fuel market of the region even further and presents a serious economic threat to the oil refining industries of Ukraine and some neighboring European Union states.

Now, appropriate counteractions need to be undertaken by Ukraine and the European Union to level the playing field and restore balanced economic conditions for its motor fuel producers against the ones in the customs union.

The oil refining industries in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have been

continuously subsidized by their states.

Under the favorable conditions of the new customs union, the refineries will continue to receive Russian crude oil at a preferential price (minus the oil export duty), which is significantly lower than the market one set for Ukraine, the European Union and the rest of the world. This gives their oil products an advantage of $130 per ton on average.

A key concern of the players at Ukrainian fuel market has been that countries of the customs union have been using this non-market advantage for mostly encouraging export of their petroleum products (mainly motor fuel) to Ukraine and neighboring EU markets. With the common economic space now in place, their opportunities to continue doing so will only increase.

It is clear that such oil products produced with non-market leverage adversely affect both European and Ukrainian oil refining businesses.

ÆOn the move ALEXANDER GAVRILIUK was

First of all, it simply ousts EU fuel imports from the Ukrainian market.

Today, over 70 percent of all imported fuel in Ukraine comes from the countries of the custom union, while imports from the EU varies from a modest 8 percent to 12 percent, though European refineries are the ones technologically most advanced and efficient in the region.

Of course “the success� of fuel from the Customs Union took place at the expense of oil products producers in the EU and Ukraine. For instance, in 2011 alone the economic effect of the customs union membership for Belarus will amount to $4 billion of savings on export-duty-free Russian crude.

With even more encouraging conditions in place, the share of its nonmarket priced petroleum products on the Ukrainian market will continue to grow rapidly and may occupy up to 50 percent of the market in 2011, which in the future would almost entirely drive

ket for all players. The country can combat subsidized imports from the customs union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan by carrying out an investigation and introducing compensative measures, such as import duties, with the aim of eliminating unfair, nonmarket advantages in fuel pricing over Ukraine and the EU. There is a sign that Ukrainian refineries’ concerns are finally being heard. The Energy Ministry on Jan. 19 said it was proposing antidumping duties of 130 euros ($180) per ton on imported petrol and 80 euros ($110) per ton on diesel fuel after the heads of six oil refineries sent a letter to the energy minister.

We hope the government takes the necessary steps to level the playing field.

Oleksiy Chernyavskiy is director of Energobusiness, a Kyiv-based consultancy and publication which focuses on Ukraine’s energy sector. He can be reached at alex@e-b.com.ua.

Send On the Move news to otm@kyivpost.com or contact Oksana Faryna at 234-6500. It should include a photograph of the individual who has recently been appointed to a new position, a description of their duties and responsibilities, prior experience as well as education. Note: The Kyiv Post does not charge for publishing these notices or any news material.

PAVEL PRYSYAZHNYUK

appointed director of auditing at KPMG Ukraine, an international consulting firm. Gavriliuk has 12 years’ experience at KPMG and has particular expertise in the agricultural, retail and consumer goods industries, restructuring of large groups and transition to International Financial Reporting Standards.

Gavriliuk’s international experience includes a long-term secondment with KPMG in Shanghai, China in 2006-2008. Gavriliuk is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He graduated from the University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, and then attended the executive MBA program at Kyiv Mohyla Business School.

out European and Ukrainian oil products from the market, as already today they are not able to compete in such distorted conditions.

Second, non-market imports from the countries of the Customs Union damage foreign investment made in domestic refineries, which today amounts to billions of U.S. dollars.

The outcome for the investors now is that Ukrainian refineries, just like European ones, cannot compete with subsidized supplies of oil products into Ukraine. It has already led to the current situation, where four of seven refineries situated in Ukraine are idle, while the remaining three are operating with a negative margin. Unless the situation changes, they may also be shut down shortly.

As a member of the World Trade Organization, Ukraine possesses a number of effective tools, which the country can utilize to secure a level playing field at its oil and fuel mar-

was appointed business development and strategy director at Concorde Capital, a Ukrainian investment company.

Prysyazhnyuk had previously worked for three years as head of communications at Microsoft Ukraine, and before that managed IT and communications projects at Nokia Siemens Networks in Ukraine, then Siemens AG in Germany.

Prysyazhnyuk graduated from Kyiv’s National Technical University better known by its KPI acronym.

DANYIL PASKO joined Horizon Capital, a regional private equity fund manager, as an investment director in the consumer and industrial group.

Before joining Horizon Capital, Pasko had over four years’ experience as a founding director of Prodis Films and Film Focus.

Pasko received his Master of Laws degree from Odessa Law Academy and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

DENIS TAFINTSEV joined Horizon Capital, a regional private equity fund manager, as a principal.

Tafintsev will be responsible for Horizon Capital investments in the financial sector in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.

Before joining Horizon Capital, Tafintsev had extensive experience with financial institutions in the region from his work at McKinsey & Company.

Tafintsev received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the School of Economics in Moscow, Master of Science degree from Humboldt University of Berlin and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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Business 7

January 28, 2011

Germany's Siemens hopes to sell highspeed trains

Ukraine could revamp its aging Soviet railways system with high-speed trains produced by Siemens (above).

Kyiv Post Staff – German firm Siemens said it wants to take part in the project to link Kyiv and the capital’s Boryspil Airport by high-speed railway service.

Representatives of the company met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov on Jan. 26 and said they had ideas for the project to build a line to service Kyiv’s main international airport, according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Siemens also offered to sell Ukraine trains for a proposed high-speed line between Kyiv and Donetsk.

Germany criticizes Ukraine over grain quotas Kyiv Post Staff – Restrictions on grain exports imposed by Russia and Ukraine after worse-than-expected harvests last year came in for criticism at an agriculture forum in Germany on Jan. 21.

Ilse Aigner, the German food and agriculture minister, said the restrictions were “not justified” and caused “serious alarm.”

Franz-Georg von Busse from the

Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations raised concerns about the non-transparent system Ukraine used for allocating quotas, saying: “I do not understand why some companies receive quotas and [others] not.”

Ukraine recently extended quotas on grain exports to the end of March.

German-based grain trading giant Toepfer International didn’t receive any

allocation during the latest distribution of quotas, which was criticized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, a leading business association, as lacking transparency.

Ukraine’s agriculture minister said on Jan. 19 that the government could expand grain quotas by allowing new allocations, according to news agency Interfax-Ukraine.

Draft law: Sale of rich agricultural land to be allowed, but foreigners can’t buy Kyiv Post Staff – Ukraine’s state land committee on Jan. 25 published its draft law on reforming the land market, inviting public discussion of legislation that needs to be enacted before the longstanding ban on existing agricultural land sales can be lifted.

The bill will next need approval by the government, before being submitted to parliament. A further bill, on the land cadastre, also needs to be enacted before the ban can be ended, which senior officials have said they hope to do this year.

Dragon Capital, a leading Kyivbased investment bank, praised the start of the process, but said the draft bill envisaged a ban on foreigners and foreign legal entities acquiring agricultural land in Ukraine.

Ukraine is home to some of the world’s richest agricultural land, but inefficient farming techniques and poor government policies, including a longstanding moratorium on farming land sales, keep yields far below European Union-averages.

“However, we should note that this provision as well as the document’s other articles may be revised

significantly before final approval,” Dragon analysts wrote in a note to investors.

An ownership change is underway at VAB Group, but it remains unclear who will takeover the bank. After growing aggressively in past years, branch offices of VAB are one of the most noticeable in Kyiv and across the country.

The bank ranks as one of Ukraine’s largest in terms of net assets, but it was hit hard by the 2008-2009 world economic crisis. (UNIAN)

Ukraine's VAB sold to group led

by Russian investment bank Kyiv Post Staff – VAB Group, a large Ukrainian bank, has been sold to a group of investors led by Russian investment bank Troika Dialog.

Dutch-registered Kardan, a subsidiary of TBIF Financial Services, announced on Jan. 27 that it had sold an 84 percent stake in VAB for 53 million euros to the Troika-led group.

The deal is expected to be closed in coming weeks.

The new owners take control of a bank that was last autumn ranked as Ukraine’s 28th largest in terms of net assets out of more than 150 registered in the country. But the identity of the new investors represented by Troika was not immediately revealed.

Backed by Israeli investors, Kardan said it expects to post a capital loss of 30 million euros on the sale. It first invested into VAB before the global financial crisis of 2008 buying a stake in the bank from its CEO, Sergei Maximov. Kardan further boosted its stake in VAB in the aftermath of the global economic crisis to an 84 percent controlling share in VAB. VAB is one of many Ukrainian banks

hit hard by the 2008 global financial crisis and recession that followed.

In a report to investors released on Jan. 27, Kyiv-based investment bank Dragon Capital said that VAB’s net losses widened to $40.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 from $11.8 million in prior quarter. The cause was cited as an increase in total provisions to $25.9 million from $21.9 million, including $18.5 million of loan loss provisions.

“The bank’s full-year net loss thus widened to $78.1 million from $46.9 million in 2009,” Dragon concluded.

“We think the bank is still underprovisioned will need to set aside at least $50 million more in 2011. At the same time, we remain positive about the bank’s liquidity position, its nearest external debt redemption not due until 2014. VAB's end-2010 foreign exchange liabilities stood at $412 million (53 percent of total liabilities), including $113 million of Eurobonds and $62 million of subordinated loans maturing over 2014-17, while cash and cash equivalents totaled $142m (17% of assets),” Dragon added.

8 Lifestyle

www.kyivpost.com

January 28, 2011

Best and worst of Kyiv

Metro passengers rush to their trains at the Zoloti Vorota metro station in central Kyiv. The metro stations are architecturally splendid and efficient – so efficient that they are often overcrowded and dirty. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

Æ Much of the male world has weighed in that the Slavic form of feminine beauty is exceptional; the beauty is not only skin deep

Æ1 with Chimeras, St. Andrew’s Descent, Khreshchatyk, Yaroslaviv Val, Prorizna, cobblestone pavements, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, St. Sophia and St. Michael squares, Reytarska Street, Volodymyrsky Park near the Foreign Ministry, Park Slavy… and more.

Dnipro River ambience Everything about the city seems to be laid out perfectly for a nice walk – a compact, historic center; a great world river coursing through the center; hills and valleys. Having the Dnipro River splitting the city helps create an incomparably pleasant ambience. Staff writer Maria Shamota finds the Dnipro hills wonderful to climb and a good place to enjoy wine. I like the view from the River Station and the street cafes along the banks in the summer. Others like the islands. The city is still green and not overdeveloped. It has chestnut and fruit trees, charming parks, abundant flowers and hidden corners to enjoy and explore. Even when your feet fail you, you can get to any corner of the city on cheap public transport.

Cost of living Living in a poor nation means millions are on the edge of survival as poverty brings its own special misery.

But Ukrainians know how to survive and to be frugal – and those are skills worth emulating. If you avoid living like a wasteful Westerner, you can get by remarkably cheap here by knowing where to go and what to pay. When you think about it, the government policy of cheap vodka, cheap bread and cheap utilities makes sense in a way. This isn’t India, after all, where millions live on the streets. It’s just too cold for that, and the basics simply don’t cost much.

A woman looks at a pile of trash on Andriyisky Uzviz in central Kyiv on Jan. 21. Piles of uncollected garbage and litter are common sights in Kyiv, where cleanliness evidently does not rank high on the list of priorities among residents or government. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

Women Most of the foreign men I’ve met here since 1996 have either been in love, are in love or hope to be in love with a Slavic femme.

Beauty comes in all forms and is found everywhere. Beauty also varies with taste. But much of the male world has weighed in decisively that the Slavic Ukrainian variant of feminine beauty is exceptional. It is why men

vacation here. It’s also why others put up with the corruption, rot, lower living standards and lower wages than they might be able to make elsewhere. You can be rich and buy a big house and a big car somewhere else, perhaps, but what does that matter if you don’t have a happy personal life?

The downside to all this male attention is the ugly advent of the sex tourist, or “sexpat,” which made it on to the

list of worst aspects of Kyiv from some staff members. “Foreigners who think they can pay any girl to have sex with them” is one of the worst 10 things about Kyiv, said Nataliia Protasova, the Kyiv Post’s subscription manager.

The choices are so good here that, in my view, men have to have a lot wrong with them to be alone in this city and in this nation.

The beauty is not just skin deep.

While there are people of horrendously bad character in both sexes, and while women share blame with men for all that’s wrong with the world, many men will find that – if they pay attention – Ukrainian women can teach them a lot about the meaning of life, proper values and being happy even when life is stacked against you.

“The women aren’t afraid to be themselves,” said staff writer Mark Rachkevych, a Ukrainian-American.

“They can still compete with men, yet retain their feminine allure.”

Women on the staff also recognize their gender’s strengths.

“Many women are beautiful, and some of them are quite intelligent at the same time,” said Tuchynska.

“Girls wearing spiked heels and short shirts even while walking in a snowstorm,” said staff writer Kateryna Panova, in praise of women..

One women’s group – Femen – even uses its femininity to challenge the authorities. They may have their critics, but by whipping their Æ9

www.kyivpost.com

January 28, 2011

Lifestyle 9

Kyiv is not for everyone, but those who stay find enough to love about living in beautiful capital Æ8 clothes off they certainly draw attention to their causes.

Better food We would need more scientific studies to back us up. But it seems to us that America and other places have shot their food full of hormones, chemicals and artificial additives. Maybe that’s one reason why America is fast becoming a nation of obese blimps. By contrast, Ukraine’s black earth yields up tasty and organic vegetables, fruit and meat that make us all healthier.

Rebel spirit Although it manifests itself in the ugliest of ways, Kyivans have created a culture (or are victims of one?), in which no one knows for sure what’s going to happen from day to day.

Everything is so unpredictable. Even when there are rules, they seem made to be broken. There are more downsides than upsides in this sort of environment: Who will go to jail today?

How many people will get run over and killed by speeding motorists? Will the hryvnia collapse? Will I lose my job?

But not everything that happens is bad.

For adrenaline junkies, and those who thrive on chaos, spontaneity and reading tea leaves, this is the place to be. It’s also a good news town, which is why many journalists from other parts like working here. It helps if you pretend there is no tomorrow.

and uncouth. It seems, in Kyiv, many people fit this category. Many simply have no idea what good manners are – and many of these are working in a service profession, such as government employee or waitress! Kyiv, at times, resembles a big village rather than a cosmopolitan capital. Why, in the 21st century, must Kyivans stand in line for hours to buy train tickets or make simple banking transactions?

“Even some of the biggest Ukrainian banks do not have online banking and, even if they do, they have really lousy customer service,” notes staff writer Olesia Oleshko. This sort of disrespect extends to people who talk on their cell phones wherever they want, or who push past you without so much as an acknowledgement or apology. Too many also seem to violate a notion of “personal space” that should not be invaded physically without invitation.

ÆCity comes with many charms and drawbacks, but on balance the Kyiv Post staff loves it here

Here are things we don't love about Kyiv: We could go on and on about what and whom we love in Kyiv. But for the sake of balance, let’s run down what we don’t like. These may be on everyone’s list. But here’s ours: Verkhovna Rada This is our shorthand reference for the corrupt and primitive culture that pervades Ukraine. These (mostly) guys are above the law – amazing in its contradiction and insolence alone. They fight. They steal. They evade. They are, in the eyes of many Ukrainians, the single largest club of unpunished criminals. Is it any wonder that corruption spreads out from parliament to infect all other elements of society? Add pandemic bureaucracy to this formula and you will feel our pain. Ukrainians say that government puts up Olympic hurdles in order to register a business or just get a birth certificate. Foreigners for their part are so overwhelmed with registration permits and the like they often want to run back soon after passing immigration at Boryspil.

No law and order While police aren’t as vile as during the era of ex-President Leonid Kuchma, when officers would routinely patrol the streets looking for anyone of non-Slavic appearance, foreigners and defenseless people to shake down, they are still by and large not here to serve and protect the public. They behave more like a private police force protecting the rich, powerful and politically connected. Justice almost never happens, keeping Ukraine a half-step above the law of the jungle.

Bad service, rudeness “Were you born in a barn?” is a retort directed at the unwashed

General filth From the garbage on the streets to dog owners who don’t clean up after their pets and people (mostly men) who rarely shower, one of Kyiv’s great downfalls is its general dirtiness and unkempt appearance. Granted, when three million people live on top of each other in high-rise apartments in a concentrated area, it’s hard to stay clean. But too many people aren’t even trying. It would help if government bought more trash bins, but, of course, it would take much more to instill a culture of civic pride that is clearly absent. As for the lack of personal hygiene by many of its citizens, it is hard to understand how to solve the problem – so keep a bottle of perfume or air freshener handy.

Smoking It is truly astounding that in the 21st century many workplaces and most bars, nightclubs and restaurants cater their businesses to the minority of clientele who are addicted to a disease that will send them to their graves 10 years earlier than non-smokers. We are still waiting for the non-smoking majority to rise up and demand 100 percent smoke-free air in public places. This is one peaceful revolution we support.

We have many smokers on our side in this battle as well.

Gloom Especially this time of the year, the shades of grey that Kyiv presents are innumerable – from the pavement to the sky and everything in between.

It doesn’t help that so many people choose to dress in black and grey either. Battling depressing conditions will be an ongoing struggle from now until May. But even in spring and sum-

mer, the bland Soviet-era architecture and monotonous high-rise apartment blocks remain with us.

Animal haters We know that Kyiv is full of irresponsible dog owners. But it is also clear that tolerance for animal abuse is abnormally high. Just look at the morbidity statistics of your average inhabitant of the Kyiv Municipal Zoo, an international disgrace. But then there are the thousands of vicious, hungry and diseased dogs who roam the city in packs – sometimes taking human life and limb. It is another sign that medieval Kyivan Rus lives on.

Bad drivers Take your pick, from extortionist taxi drivers to speeding motorists in tinted-window luxury cars or dangerous marshrutka drivers in public transport, the situation is always the same on Kyiv’s mean streets: dangerous.

Hostility for the pedestrian is endemic.

Still, I’d rather be on foot. I like being able to get from one corner of the neighborhood, city, nation and continent to the other without having a car. To have an automobile culture, you have to have the road and bridge infrastructure to handle the volume.

Kyiv doesn’t. Hello, Moscow-style traffic jams.

Many of Kyiv’s buildings feature ornate designs, such as this building on Luteranska Street just off Khreshchatyk in central Kyiv. However, partly due to real estate speculation, many sit empty and crumbling. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

A woman checks her mobile phone in front of a czarist-era building on Horodetskoho Street in central Kyiv. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

Expensive basics While many staples (bread and beer) are cheap, it defies explanation that many other consumer items – a meal in a restaurant, or clothes, or dry cleaning – are priced high while their quality is low. We think the explanation is the lack of a truly competitive free market, created by the nation’s oligarchs and enforced by its government bureaucrats.

More good than bad Ukraine has, undoubtedly, one of the most traumatic national histories. Even two decades into its existence, many (we’re talking to you, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin) do not think it’s a real nation. Its territory has been carved up and suffered the two biggest despots known to mankind – Hitler and Stalin. Its people have been murdered by the millions, in war and through forced famines. Six million Ukrainians live abroad, leaving fewer than 46 million to build a nation. You would have to be cold-hearted not to be inspired by the Ukrainian struggle for survival and nationhood. We grieve every day for what was lost and what might have been. And we don’t know why so many, including many of the political leaders, don’t seem to love Ukraine as a nation.

As our lifestyle editor Yuliya Popova put it, it can only get better from here.

Let’s hold on to that thought. Kyiv is an ancient capital of three million people from across Ukraine, Europe and, indeed, the world. That mix creates a dynamic and ever-changing atmosphere.

Yes, we may have gripes and complaints, but the good must outweigh the bad, or else we’d be thinking about leaving.

We want to see your "Best & Worst of Kyiv" at news@kyivpost.com.

Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner can be reached at bonner@kyivpost.com

A woman smokes at the entrance to an underground passageway in central Kyiv. Ukraine has one of the world's highest smoking rates and among the fewest restrictions on indoor smoking. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

An evening rush-hour traffic jam on Khreshchatyk Street in central Kyiv is typical during weekdays. The number of motorists has multipled, overburdening streets and infrastructure that are already inadequate to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of drivers. (Joseph Sywenkyj)

10 Entertainment Guide

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January 28, 2011

Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 29-30 (chieftalk.com)

Plan ahead Mary Wilson – Mary Wilson was a founder and singer of the legendary girl band “The Supremes.� Topping the American charts with soul and blues songs through the 1960s, the band was breathing down The Beatles’ necks. The Supremes fell apart in the ’70s, but Wilson carried on singing their songs. An award-winning movie “Dreamgirls,� featuring singer Beyonce, was based on “The Supremes� success story. Wilson will bring to Kyiv her collection of costumes that will be open for viewing in Ukrainian House from Feb. 4 to Feb. 14 free of charge.

Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., National Music Academy, 11 Khreshchatyk St., metro Maidan Nezalezhnosti, 279-1242.

Tickets: Hr 100-800

Andy Fletcher – English musician Andy Fletcher, better known as Fletch, has co-founded legendary British band Depeche Mode. In Kyiv, you’ll see him as a DJ though. For 17 years, Fletch has been playing a bass-guitar and synthesizer in the band. Yet after being offered to improvise on a DJ set during a concert, he got a hang of it. Reputed to slack off the band’s main gigs, he continues mixing up good old Depeche Mode songs on his own.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 11 p.m., Crystal Hall, 1 Dniprovsky Uzviz St., 288-5069. Tickets: Hr 290-2490

Cats on parade If cats put a smile on your face, there’s a great chance to see scores of them this weekend. The International Cat Fanciers Association holds their annual competition for cats and their owners from all over Ukraine.

About 300 uffy and short-haired pets of different age and breed will compete for various prizes. Bear in mind that cat shows are quite different to dog competitions.

Whereas dogs have to jump and race through various hurdles, cats have it easy. They can just sit there and look pretty while a panel of experts examines the quality of their fur and shape of their eyes. Only registered cats with a pedigree passport can compete.

Their ďŹ rst cat show was held back in 1871 in London but now they are popular all over the world, from the U.S. to Australia.

Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 29-30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Youth Palace (Palats Ditey ta Yunatstva), 13 Mazepy St., 522-8089, www.rolandus.org. Tickets: Hr 40 adults, Hr 20 children.

Glenn Miller – Glenn Miller Orchestra is one of the world’s most famous jazz orchestras. It was founded in 1937 and led by trombonist Miller for seven years. Today, however, there are two licensed clones and one original. The one coming to Kyiv was formed 20 years ago by Dutchman Wil Salden. He spent a lot of time studying the history of Miller’s music and now uses that knowledge to recreate the original pieces with painstaking precision.

Saturday, March 5, 7 p.m., Palats Ukraina, 103 Velyka Vasylkivska St., 247-2303. www.glenn-miller.de. Tickets: Hr 60-600

Best classical picks (owall.net)

Saturday, Jan. 29 – Olha Basystiuk (soprano) and Hanna Bubnova will perform pieces by Wolfgang Mozart, Antonin Dvorak, Georges Bizet among others at 7 p.m., The House of Organ Music, 77 Velyka Vasylkivska St., 528-3186. Tickets: Hr 20-50

Roxette – Evergreen Swedish pop duo Roxette heads to Kyiv in March as part of the world tour to promote their new album, “Charm School.� Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle started working together in 1986 and since then never left the pop scene, scoring hits with songs such as “It Must Have Been Love� and “Listen to Your Heart.�

They have won numerous awards and have sold around 60 million records.

Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m., International Exhibition Center, 15 Brovarsky Prospekt. Tickets: Hr 400-3,500

Sunday, Jan. 30 – Violist Oleksandr Lagosha of the Kyiv Soloists chamber ensemble, 7 p.m., Budynok Aktora, 7 Yaroslaviv Val St., free admission.

National Georgian ballet Sukhishvili comes to Kyiv once or twice a year, but it’s never enough. Their colorful and energetic performances have proved a hit with audiences worldwide. To dance in Sukhishvili, you need to be a top-notch acrobat. Dancers seem to mirror each other perfectly, as the synchronicity of the moves is awless, be it a salto trick, jump, or knife juggling. Sukhishvili ballet has been around for over 65 years, and no matter where they go, they gather large crowds.

Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 26-27, 7 p.m., Palats Ukraina, 103 Velyka Vasylkivska St. Tickets: Hr 80-1200.

Monday, Jan. 31 – “Jazz, Jazz, Jazz� by Children’s Jazz Orchestra “Little Band Academy� and Kyiv Saxophony Quartet will play pieces by Glenn Miller, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter, among others at 7 p.m., National Philharmonic. Tickets: Hr 30-80 Monday, Jan. 31 – chamber ensemble “Kyiv-brass� will play Astor Piazzolla, Johann Bach, Vincenzo Bellini and others at 7 p.m., The House of Organ Music, 77 Velyka Vasylkivska St., 528-3186. Tickets: Hr 20-50

Compiled by Nataliya Horban

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January 28, 2011

Movies The scene from ‘The Refuge,’ a French drama about a young rich couple that goes through love, drugs and death. (www.lambdaweb.org)

ZHOVTEN 26 Kostyantynivska St., 205-5951 Enter the Void Jan. 27-28, Jan. 30 – Feb. 2 at 6:40 p.m., 8:50 p.m.

Jan. 29 at 8:50 p.m.

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL Drama “Certified Copy” starring Juliette Binoche, William Shimell and Jean-Claude Carriere is about an English writer who comes to France for work. He meets a charming French gallery owner, who’s made to believe that he may be her long lost husband.

The trash horror comedy “Rubber” is an odd story of a car tire that for some reason has a brain, memory and the ability to kill. ”The Refuge” shows a pregnant drug addict looking for a place to escape and forget the death of her beloved partner.

In “Making plans for Lena,” a family can be a real pain and hindrance to living a life of your own.

In the optimistic “The Last Romantic on Earth,” filmmakers present an everimportant dilemma of who you want to be with if the world is about to vanish.

ENTER THE VOID Language: English with Ukrainian subtitles Drama/Thriller. France (2009) Directed by Gaspar Noé Starring Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta and Cyril Roy Drug dealer Oscar and stripper Linda are new to Tokyo. Yet shortly after they settle in, Oscar is shot during a police raid. His spirit, however, soon reappears to watch over Linda, his sister. A strange erotic whirlpool of Oscar’s memories haunts the rest of the picture oddly mixing the past with the present.

Born in Argentina, French filmmaker Gaspar Noe is clearly inspired by Stanley Kubrick often quoting him in his works. His 2002

film “Irreversible” starring Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel featured a nine-minute long rape scene. “Irreversible”, as well as “Enter the Woid,” were nominated for best picture in the Cannes International Film Festival.

BETTY FISHER AND OTHER STORIES Language: French with Ukrainian subtitles Comedy/Crime/Drama. France, Canada (2002) Directed by Claude Miller Starring Sandrine Kiberlain, Nicole Garcia and Mathilde Seigner After the death of her beloved son, young novelist Betty Fisher hits the bottom of the darkest depression. To replace the loss and help her daughter, Fisher’s mother kidnaps four-year-old baby Jose, whose mother couldn't care less about the disappearance of her son. Acknowledging the crime, Fisher still welcomes the child, whose irresponsible mother finally gets on the hunt with police. The lives of three women interlace why they fight for the baby.

FOLLOW A STAR Language: English with English subtitles Comedy. UK (1959) Directed by Robert Asher Starring Norman Wisdom, June Laverick and Jerry Desmonde Norman is just an ordinary guy who works in a store but wants to become a singer one day. He takes vocal lessons but sings only to his girlfriend, Judy. Meanwhile, famous singer Vernon somehow loses his voice before an important concert. When he hears Norman sing, the celebrity wants

UKRAINA CINEMA 5 Horodetskoho St., 279-6750, 279-6302 Certified Copy Jan. 28 at 9:10 p.m., Jan. 29 at 11:30 p.m., Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

The Refuge Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., Jan. 29 at 9:10 p.m., Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

The Last Romantic on Earth Jan. 28 at 11:30 p.m., Jan. 29 at 7 p.m., Jan. 30 at 9:10 p.m., Feb. 2 at 9:10 p.m.

Making plans for Lena Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.,11:30 p.m., Jan. 31 at 9:10 p.m.

Rubber Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., Feb. 1 at 9:10 p.m.

MASTERCLASS CINEMA CLUB 34 Mazepy St., 594-1063 The Exterminating Angel Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Follow a Star Feb. 3 at 7 p.m.

BUDYNOK KINO 6 Saksaganskogo St., 287-7557 Betty Fisher and other stories Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. to record his voice for the show. But it is not so easy to make Norman sing…

THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL Language: Spanish with Russian subtitles Comedy/Drama/Fantasy. Mexico (1962) Directed by Luis Buñuel Starring Silvia Pinal, Jacqueline Andere and Enrique Rambal After a posh dinner party, the high-fliers find themselves unable to leave, and frankly, there’s nobody stopping them. On the second day, all their nice manners and decorum seem to disappear as the animal instincts come to fore. As the tension between them grows, someone decides to make love while others get horrified and hysterical.

Live Music One of the most popular bands from Belarus, Addis Abeba, takes on Art Club 44. (www.graffiti.by)

BOCHKA PYVNA ON KHMELNYTSKOHO 4B-1 Khmelnytskoho St, metro Teatralna, 390-6106, www.bochka.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 9-10 p.m.

Jan. 28 Beefeaters, Carte Blanche Jan. 29 Foxtrot Music Band, Lucky Ban PORTER PUB 3 Mazepy St., 280-1996, www.porter.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Midnight Blues Jan. 29 Gravity Jan. 30 RomaNika

ART CLUB 44 44B Khreshchatyk St., 279-4137, www.club44.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 8 – 10 p.m.

Jan. 28 Addis Abeba (Belarus), Hr 50, IndiAnApolis, Hr 50 Jan. 29 Rock Cavers Party, Hr 50 Jan. 30 Soiuz 44 Jam Session, free admission Jan. 31 Brazil A. (Brazil), free admission Feb. 1 Winter Jazz Nights: New Generation, Viktor ‘Zedan’ Pavelko Quintet, Hr 30 Feb. 3 Ajiaco Son, Hr 20 DOCKER’S ABC 15 Khreshchatyk St., 278-1717, www.docker.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 9:30-10 p.m.

Jan. 28 Ot Vinta, Tex-Mex Company, Hr 70 Jan. 29 Antitela, Red Rocks, Hr 70

Jan. 30 Animals Session, free admission Jan. 31 Show Time, free admission Feb. 1 More Huana, Hr 20 Feb. 2 Chill Out, Hr 30 Feb. 3 Ruki-V-Briuki Rockabilly Party, Hr 30 DOCKER PUB 25 Bohatyrska St., metro Heroyiv Dnipra, www.docker.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 9:30-10 p.m.

Jan. 28 Lampasy (Russia), Partizany, Hr 70 Jan. 29 Vytivky, Chill Out, Hr 70 Jan. 30 Foxtrot Music Band, free admission Jan. 31 Lemmons, free admission Feb. 1 Tres Deseos Latino Party, free admission Feb. 2 Rockin’ Wolves, free admission Feb. 3 Animals Session, free admission

JAZZ DO IT 76A Velyka Vasylkivska St., 599-7617, http://jazz-doit.com.ua Concerts traditionally start at 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 Midnight Blues Duo Jan. 29 Majestic Duo Other live music clubs: PIVNA NO.1 ON BASEYNA, 15 Baseyna St., 287-44-34, www.pivna1.com.ua DRAFT 1/2 Khoryva St., metro Kontraktova Ploshcha, 463-7330 KHLIB CLUB 12 Frunze St., www.myspace.com/xlibclub CHESHIRE CAT 9 Sklyarenko St., 428-2717 O’BRIEN’S 17A Mykhaylivska St., 279-1584 DAKOTA 14G Heroyiv Stalinhrada St., 468-7410 U KRUZHKI 12/37 Dekabrystiv St., 562-6262.

Entertainment Guide 11

12 Paparazzi

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January 28, 2011

Bowling in ‘Brooklyn’

Oleksandr Tulinov (L) and Anton Kargatov, winners of ‘Ukraine Has Talent‘ TV show.

Vice Miss UkraineUniverse 2009 Antonina Paperna

Actress Olha Sumska (front) and drag queen Monro

Æ

Snooker coach Oleksandr Kasyanov

New bowling club Brooklyn opened in the Kyiv residential district of Obolon on Jan. 23. More than 200 guests crossed the bridge from the “Manhattan part of Kyiv to test 10 bowling alleys, 10 pool tables, a pizza house and a sports bar at 12 Malynovskoho St. After a concert and a round of drinks, guests changed their shoes for the proper bowling gear and played a couple of games. For more information, go to www.brooklyn-club.com.ua (Yaroslav Debelyi)

Guests get ready for the night of bowling, which finished at 4 a.m.

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Lifestyle 13

January 28, 2011

World in Ukraine A view of Australia’s two major icons, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. (By Enoch Lau)

Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Post looks at Ukraine's ties with Australia in honor of its national holiday on Jan. 26. In future editions, the spotlight will be on Portugal on Feb. 22, South Korea on March 1, France on March 20, and the Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia on March 22.

Australia at a glance: Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Government type: federal parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Population: 21.5 million Religions: Catholic 25.8%, Anglican 18.7%, Uniting Church 5.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 3%, Eastern Orthodox 2.7%, other Christian 7.9%, Buddhist 2.1%, Muslim 1.7% GDP: $1.22 trillion (2009 est.)

Exports: $210.7 billion (2010 est.)

Export commodities: coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery

and transport equipment Exports - partners: China, Japan, South Korea, India, US, UK, New Zealand Imports: $200.4 billion (2010 est.)

Imports commodities: machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products Australia covers an area of 7,686,900 square kilometres, which is slightly smaller than the United States mainland (excluding Hawaii and Alaska).

Sources: CIA World Fact book

Ukraine-Australia economic markers: • Bilateral trade turnover: $38.5 million in 2009 (Australia and Oceania) • Major commodities exported from Ukraine to Australia: minerals, woodwork, canned vegetables

• Major commodities imported from Australia to Ukraine: wool products, wine, meat, cosmetics Sources: State Statistics Committee, Ukrainian-Australian House

Interesting facts about Australia:

Ukraine’s ties with The Land Down Under

BY K AT YA G R U S H E N KO GRUSHENKO@KYIVPOST.COM

Australian Alex Sawka didn’t sleep well in his hotel room in the center of Kyiv. At the crack of dawn in July 1981, he rushed to the window to see the capital of his parents’ home country for the first time ever. The view of the onion-shaped church cupolas glistening in the sun left a lasting impression he would seek again and again in the years ahead.

The story of his parents’ immigration goes back to the World War II. Released from the Nazi labor camps in Germany, Evhenia and Hryhoriy left Europe on the International Refugee Organization program, sponsored by Australia, along with some other 10,000 Ukrainians.

Escaping the uncertainty of going back to the Josef Stalin-governed homeland in 1948, they set out on a long sea journey to discover the Down Under and eventually each other.

Without an Australian embassy or even a consulate in Kyiv, it’s hard to estimate how many Ukrainians relocated to Australia over the last 60 years and how many of them ventured back. Only a dozen or so free-spirited Aussies roam snow-paved streets of Kyiv, either working on a short-term business contract or discovering their heritage like Sawka.

Sawka’s parents met on a suburban beach in Adelaide - where locals love to hang out, when Hryhoriy noticed a pair of unmistakably European highheeled leather sandals on a young girl’s feet. One year later the couple

Australian of Ukrainian heritage Alex Sawka

was married.

A farmer from Volyn Oblast in western Ukraine, Hryhoriy had heated discussions about language and history with his wife Evhenia, who was from the eastern city of Kharkiv.

“My father was a hard-line nationalist and always spoke Ukrainian out of principle. My mother had Russians in her family so they often fought about Russia’s role in the history of Ukraine,” said Sawka, 54.

So when Sawka actually moved to the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, the East-West divide came as no surprise to him. His first job was in Russia

with an Australian express post and parcels transportation company, TNT. As country manager for the whole of the Soviet Union, he said it was a disaster to find common ground with customs employees who hardly understood the meaning of the word “fast.”

Yet he kept at it for a decade until the opportunity presented itself for him to move to Ukraine.

“Don’t get me wrong, I have good friends in Russia. I also speak the language fluently. My mixed background qualifies me as “a moderate Ukrainian,” but it makes my blood boil when Russians say that Ukraine belongs to them or that Ukrainians are second-class Russians.”

In 2000, he saw the golden cupolas of St. Sophia Cathedral again, yet this time not as a tourist but as the chief financial officer of an American investment fund.

Six decades on, the political and economic climate in Ukraine has warmed up a bit, yet some Ukrainians still choose to cross 15,000 kilometers for a better future.

The 1996 Census mentions 13,460 Ukraine-born people living in Australia.

Taking advantage of skilled migration programs, tradesmen and computer specialists braved the move.

Iryna Nisina, 51, a librarian from Vinnytsia, booked her journey on the invitation of her aunt in Melbourne in 1994. Together with her husband, they planned to cross the Pacific after Nisina gave birth to a child.

“But I have developed a condition when I needed a blood transfusion after delivery. When a special medical

• Australia is the largest inhabited island as well as the smallest and the least populated continent of the world • There are more than 150 million sheep in Australia and only around 20 million people • Australia is home to the world’s largest crocodile, the salt water crocodile. Males can occasionally grow to lengths of over six meters • Australia has the lowest precipita-

tion of any of the world’s inhabited continents • 21 percent of Australians are smokers • Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, wool, alumina, diamonds, sheep, lead, refined zinc ores and mineral sands • Australia is the only continent without an active volcano Sources: www.australiafacts.org/, Outback Australia travel guide

Useful Contacts: • Ukrainian-Australian House (promotes economic and cultural ties) www.uah.org.ua • Australian Council www.australiancouncil.org

institution in Vinnytsia suddenly closed, it was the last straw,” said Nisina, risking to board the plane during the ninth month of pregnancy.

Her daughter was born safely in Australia. Since then, Nisina learned English and started teaching Information Technology in a middle school. Her husband is an electrician.

Living in the city of Gold Coast, which looks exactly as it’s called; they enjoy the popular Australian hobbies of hiking and barbecuing on the beach year round when native Vinnytsia is soaking in rain and snow for half a year.

To teach her children about their heritage, Nisina wrote a story about their family in Ukraine and even got another story on modern Australian immigration published.

Roman Zakharchenko, 35, a mechanical engineer from Kharkiv moved to Australia for similar reasons as Nisina. After visiting his relatives there twice, he decided to swap Kharkiv for Melbourne.

“I chose Australia for their transparent skilled migration program that

• Education in Australia: International Marketing and Admissions in Eastern Europe, Veronika Kustenko: v.kustenko@griffith.edu.au www.griffith.edu.au

makes citizenship possible in three years, stable political system and the ease of finding a job in your field,” explained Zakharchenko, now the proud owner of a car repair business.

Apart from economic security, he picked up new hobbies like yachting and taking road trips. He also took a liking to the Australian laid back attitude and zest for life rather than work.

“I got to know many people in their 30s who are not crazy about money and career. They choose to travel the world while they are young. For Ukrainians, it’s hard to imagine,” he said.

Be it safely delivering a child like Nisina, looking for a job like Zakharchenko or tracing back heritage like Sawka, Ukrainians and Australians exchange continents to fulfill their life dreams.

It takes guts to cross the distance they covered but it’s the quality of life they’ve encountered that made the move worthwhile.

Kyiv Post staff writer Katya Grushenko can be reached at grushenko@kyivpost. com

Australia Day Australia Day is celebrated on Jan. 26. It marks the landing of the First Fleet on Jan. 26, 1788 at Sydney Cove under Captain Arthur Phillip. On that day the British flag was hoisted, and British sovereignty was proclaimed over the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Australia Day is a national public holiday in all states and territories and is known to be the country’s biggest day of celebration. However, the date is seen as controversial by some Australians, particularly indigenous ones, who see commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet as celebrating the destruction of their native aboriginal culture by British colonists. Some members of the indigenous Australian community mark Jan. 26 as Invasion Day.

14 Employment

WWW KYIVPOST COM

January 28, 2011

How to place an Employment Ad in the

Kyiv Post

By Fax, Phone or E-mail (from 9 a.m. to 6p.m.

Ask for Nataliia Protasova)

Tel. +380 44 234 6503 Fax. +380 44 234 6330 e-mail: protasova@kyivpost.com

Prices for ads (UAH) Size (mm)

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4 boxes 102x118

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2 500

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1 666

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833

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All prices are given without VAT.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER:

Basic function of position: The Electric Engineer shall be directly responsible to the OBO Project Director for the performance of services. Position holder applies and further enhances electric engineering knowledge and skills to ensure timely monitoring and quality control of the work performed by contractor staff at the New Embassy Compound construction site.

Qualifications requirements: (i) Bachelor’s degree in electric engineering is required. Diploma, or license as a professional engineer, or any local equivalent is required; (ii) A minimum of 7 (seven) years of prior experience as an electrical engineer managing small to large construction or engineering projects; (iii) Level III (good working knowledge) in English, Russian and Ukrainian are required.

We offer: Annual salary of 40.043 USD (gross) plus excellent benefits package.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER:

Basic function of position: The Mechanical Engineer shall be directly responsible to the OBO Project Director for the performance of services. Position holder applies and further enhances mechanic engineering knowledge and skills to ensure timely monitoring and quality control of the work performed by contractor staff at the New Embassy Compound construction site.

Qualifications requirements: (i) Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is required. Diploma, or license as a professional engineer, or any local equivalent is acceptable; (ii) A minimum of 7 (seven) years of prior experience as a mechanic engineer managing small to large construction or engineering projects is required; (iii) Level III (good working knowledge) in English, Ukrainian, and Russian are required.

We offer: Annual salary of 40.043 USD (gross) plus excellent benefits package.

Leading Ukrainian company is looking for

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ARCHITECT:

Basic function of position: New Embassy Compound Architect will be directly responsible to the OBO Project Director for the performance of services. Position holder applies and further enhances interior finishing and architecture design knowledge and skills to ensure timely monitoring and quality control of the work performed by contractor staff at the New Embassy Compound construction site.

Qualifications requirements: (i) Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Interior Design is required; (ii) A minimum of 2 (two) years of prior experience in architecture or interior design position is required; (iii) Level III (good working knowledge) in English, Ukrainian and Russian are required.

We offer: Annual salary of 28.811 USD (gross) plus excellent benefits package.

OFFICE ENGINEER:

Basic function of position: The Office Engineer position is directly responsible to the OBO Project Director for the performance of services. Position holder works closely with project administrative staff to ensure timely and proper documentation of all engineering and technical aspects of the construction project. Employee will use engineering expertise to review and make suggestions on technical documents, including but not limited to: technical drawings, cost proposals, catalogues, process maps, plans.

Qualifications requirements: (i) Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business administration is required; (ii) A minimum of 3 (three) years of prior experience in general management is required; (iii) Level III (good working knowledge) in English is required.

Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian are required.

We offer: Annual salary of 25.396 USD (gross) plus excellent benefits package.

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: 6 months with possibility of extension.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 6 P.M. Kyiv time, February 6, 2011 HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should fax or mail their resume and Universal Application for Employment (DS-174) in English to the Embassy Human Resources Office, U.S. Embassy, 4 Hlybochyts’ka St., fax # 490-4085 or email to: KyivHR@state.gov MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE JOBS COULD BE FOUND AT http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/job-opportunities.html.

The

Requirements: - 5+ years of commercial experience on managerial positions (building materials, B2B) - strategic thinking & strong leadership skills; - challenging, highly responsible and motivated person please send your CV to fax +38 067 231 0521 or e-mail:

young_ukraine@bigmir.net

Management C o m p a n y announces an open position.

The candidate will have:

s !CCOUNTING &INANCE %CONOMICS OR "USINESS EDUCATION BACKGROUND s %XCELLENT COMPUTER SKILLS %8#%, s &LUENT WITH READING %NGLISH s 4HE POSITION WILL ENTAIL ANALYZING AND COMPILING EARNINGS REPORT DATA ON PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES MEETING DEADLINES s HOUR WORK WEEK s #OMPETITIVE 3ALARY Send CV to fcedge@zoominternet.net calls taken at 724-323-4166

A successful, yet expanding Swiss Trading Company currently seeks a

Coal Trader

for its Ukrainian Representative office

IS LOOKING FOR TOP-NOTCH

The candidate should have a minimum of 2 years trading experience. Coal market experience is desirable, but not essential.

The successful candidate will join dynamic Company with an encouraging working environment, attractive remuneration package, and opportunities for professional growth.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to

coaltrader.cv@gmail.com

multilingual journalists The successful candidate must be able to report and write in English, as well as Ukrainian or Russian.

Please send CV, three writing samples, three story ideas and a description of why you want to work for the Kyiv Post, one of Ukraine’s top news sources, to: Brian Bonner, chief editor, at

bonner@kyivpost.com

Key Account Manager MINI

RESUME

U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine is looking to fill 4 positions at the Overseas Building Operations Office:

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WWW KYIVPOST COM

Classifieds

January 28, 2011

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,

,

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Prorizna Lysenko

Yaroslavov Val

2

Mykhailyvska

2

60 900 60 1500 62 2000

Voloska

2

70

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2

65 1500

3

90

1800

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3 3

85 110

2000 2400

M.Zhytomyrs’ka 3

120 3500

Yaroslavov Val

105 1900

3

Velyka Zhytomyrs’ka 5 B. Khmel’nytskogo 5 Pushkin’s’ka 5 Tarasovskaya 7

Il’yns’ka

' 0 3 3 & / 5

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Householders speak English. $4500/month.

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Driver-interpreter with own car 10 eur/hour, 60 eur/day airport transfer 20 eur trips around Ukraine alex.all-transport@yandex.ua tel. +38067 8731686

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16 Photo Story Accompanied by former presidents Leonid Kuchma and Leonid Kravchuk, President Viktor Yanukovych kicked off the national holiday at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Taras Shevchenko monument before attending a televised gala concert at the Palace of Ukraine. The Unity Day (Den Sobornosti) holiday celebrates Ukraine's short-lived national independence following World War I on Jan. 22, 1919.

Opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, meanwhile, congratulated around 2,000 supporters on St. Sophia Square in the center of Kyiv. Other political leaders, including Front for Change Party head Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Sobor Party boss Anatoliy Matviyenko joined Our Ukraine party leaders on Kyiv’s Kontraktova Square to assemble a large puzzle of Ukraine.

At the Palace of Ukraine, Yanukovych said opposition leaders are trying to split the country. He said it is time for politicians “to gather stones,” not throw them. He also accused critics of talking about political repression in an attempt to discredit Ukraine internationally: “Opposition leaders are again calling people to the barricades, trying to demonstrate that part of the population supports patriots and democrats, while the rest take orders from their antipodes.”

Tymoshenko called on Ukrainians to unite to get rid of the current leaders, referring to them as “a political amalgamation of arrogant people.” Flanked by Filaret, the Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus, she urged Ukrainians to pray for the country’s salvation.

Story by Peter Burne. Photos by Yaroslav Debelyi, AP

January 28, 2011

www.kyivpost.com

Ukrainians celebrate Unity Day

Ukrainians draped in the blue-andyellow colors of the national flag stand on Paton Bridge bridge to form a human chain that crosses both banks of the Dnipro River. The gesture symbolizes national unity on the Jan. 22 holiday.

Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko attends a rally in Kyiv.

A man dressed in traditional Ukrainian Cossack’s clothes speaks during a rally to mark National Unity Day in Kyiv

Serhiy Melnychenko (R), who heads the Committee of Participants of the Orange Revolution, on Jan. 22 leads a protest in front of the Interior Ministry in Kyiv.