What's On 2013 Issue 16

16/2013 3–9 May

www.whatson-kiev.com

A part of the past in

The Present

Take time this week to remember

16.indb 51

29.04.2013 18:14:18

16.indb 52

29.04.2013 18:14:21

001_ComingSoon_Wok_16_13_606.indd 3

30.04.2013 11:30:08

4

What’s Up Russia Worried – Issuing Threats

Kyiv’s LGBT Community

“Oh Those Russians...”

Russia and more aptly Vladimir Putin is starting to sweat a little over the association agreement Ukraine is moving toward having signed before the end of this year. With the release of political prisoners such as former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko and former Environmental Protection Minister Georgiy Filipchuk recently, there has also been talk, albeit more prattle than parley, about also releasing former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Were this to happen, it would demonstrate to the world and certainly to the European Union that Ukraine is serious in its determination toward democracy, and would mean free trade throughout the EU, among other things.

While there is fat chance the gas princess will see the light of day from the other side of her prison cell before 2015 (the year Yanukovych is due for possible re-election), which in all reality means an equally unlikely signed association agreement this year or anytime soon, the Kremlin isn’t taking any chances. They want Ukraine’s Rada to know that should this former Soviet space do as much as sneeze in the direction of the EU, their chances with the CIS Customs Union will closed, forever.

“A free trade agreement with the European Union would close the opportunity of joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan forever,” said Russian presidential advisor Sergiy Glazyev on Friday 26 April.

And “Ukraine would gain a lot of advantages such as appealing markets and resources.”

You know Sergiy, if it means working with a crook even worse than the one that’s in power over here, we’ll take our chances. Thanks for the head’s up though.

Despite the debacle that prevented last year’s parade, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community are forging ahead with a plan for the 2013 parade here in Kyiv on 25 May. Some big names are expected to arrive in support of the event, such as Munich Mayor Josef (Hep) Monatzeder among a small host of other German politicians and German mass media. The plan is to parade down Khreshchatyk from Khmelnytskoho to Prorizna, attracting as much attention as they can possibly muster. Come out and support Kyiv Pride this year and help end the discrimination.

They’re the last words to a song that only ever gets pulled out when the vodka is being passed around, and the vodka, or rather the Crimean Vodka Company (CVC), could certainly be passed around to Russia’s Alfa-Bank if they have anything to say about it.

CVC’s British owner, Neil Smith, alleges that Alfa-Bank subsidiaries Empire and Eutilia have been fighting for control over his company, one of Ukraine’s largest producers of spirits, since October of last year. A court case settled the matter last month, which would have seen CVC pay out a rather hefty1.8bn hryvnia ($220m) fine in alleged missed incomes had they lost.

They didn’t. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be faced with another conflict in the future.

Apparently, the problem lies in some manufacturing equipment CVC rented from Empire, who says that the former failed to return the equipment by the expiry date, resulting in lost incomes. But Smith says this is “legal nonsense. They are trying to sue us for equipment they have consistently refused to remove, even when a court required them to”.

According to Smith, the whole fiasco is a ruse to take over a rather successful Ukrainian company. “Don’t the managers of Ukrainian Alfa-Bank understand that such risky behaviour conjures an image of gangsters in the European public opinion of Alfa Group? The trial is based on fake documents and fictitious advertisements on the web.” Yes, well, that’s Russia for you.

Ukrainian Medical Degrees Not Recognised Abroad Thanks in part to rich kids thinking they can buy their educations, and poor teachers willing to sell them, the qualifications of Ukrainian graduates are seen in various parts of the world as inadequate, to say the least. The most recent group to condemn them is the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). Minister of Health Dr Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who chairs the SCHS board of trustees, said that skills of these graduates are substandard and that recruitment would only focus on properly qualified staff. Considering that the academic qualifications of health institute graduates in the Kingdom are also below average, according to a SCHS spokesperson, that’s quite the position to take. The question is will it make a damn bit of difference? The answer: probably not.

16.indb 4

Ukraine Loses Another Impartial TV Channel Imagine, living in a place where the television channel you opt to watch offers skewed news stories, giving you only half the picture, or worse yet, the wrong picture altogether. We’re not talking about FOX News here, although they could be put in that category. We’re talking about nearly all of the television stations in Kyiv, save two – 5 Kanal and TVi; up until now that is.

According to Reuters, TVi, “Ukraine’s only television station to air frequent criticism of the government, has all but stopped broadcasting fresh content after an ownership dispute and a staff strike”. Owner of the station Konstantin Kagalovsky has said he has not sold the channel and doesn’t plan to, but that hasn’t stopped Ukrainian-born US businessman Alexander Altman from swooping in and taking over.

Altman has worked as an advisor to Ukraine’s government in the past and said he had “transferred the ownership of TVi to himself after receiving ‘in a certain way’ the documents that gave him power to do so”; whatever that means.

He stressed that everything was done legally.

Whether that’s the case or not, the channel was appointed a new chief editor, whom TVi staff weren’t too keen on, leading to most of them going on strike. Political analyst Volodymr Fesenko worries that this may “become a textbook case of (authorities) destroying opposition with the help of third parties”.

Yes, well, it wouldn’t be the first time.

Neo-Nazis March With less than a week until Ukraine remembers the devastation and losses inflicted by the “Great Patriotic War”, the spectre of Nazism has reared its ugly head in Lviv.

Ukrainian ultra-nationalists took to the central streets of the city on Sunday 28 April to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the 14th SS-Volunteer Division “Galician”. The controversial division was made up of volunteers from the region of Galicia with Ukrainian ethnicity who opted to switch teams during the war – viewing German forces as liberators from Soviet oppression. Later, it also incorporated Slovaks, Czechs and Dutch volunteers and officers.

While the formation of the division was based on a sense of patriotism – fuelled by the complex political climate of the region, Sunday’s march did not share those ideals. Instead, it was more a celebration of everything evil the Nazi philosophy engendered. Swastika tattooed thugs from the Lviv region were joined by neo-Nazis from Russia and Lithuania in the march, which did nothing for Ukraine’s image in the West.

30.04.2013 10:28:00

5

This Week in History Football Fans Demand Pavlichenkos be Freed

Ah, Pardon Me..?

Yulia Tymoshenko is bound to stay behind bars awhile longer, as Ukraine’s presidential pardon commission has said “it is too soon to consider pardoning...the opposition leader as there are criminal charges against her that are still being investigated”.

Those criminal charges, as everyone knows, include the rather unpopular gas deal she made in 2011 with the Russian government, tax evasion, embezzlement, and the most current – involvement in the murder of Ukrainian businessman Yevhen Shcherban.

While all good reasons to throw someone in the slammer, none of these charges have been proved beyond reasonable doubt. And, in reality, Tymoshenko could have covered herself in honey and danced around Maidan singing the praises of the Three Bears and still the Yanukovych administration would have found something to charge her with, keeping her in jail at least until he gets re-elected in 2015.

Good luck with that Vik.

Brazilian Carnival Set for Ukraine This time next year, Kyiv could look a lot more like Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro: we’ll have the warm weather (fingers crossed) and we’ve definitely got the hot girls – it’s the perfect recipe for a Brazilian Carnival!

At least, this is the thought process of our esteemed Kyiv City State Administration Head Oleksandr Popov, who is doing his darnedest to gain as much support as he can to be officially elected as the city’s mayor in the next municipal elections. Ready to take on these large-scale projects, he is promising a têteà-tête with Ukraine’s Brazilian Ambassador HE Antonio Fernando Cruz de Mello.

You’ve still got a year, get out those samba shoes today and get practicing.

001_ComingSoon_Wok_16_13_606.indd 5

Dynamo Kyiv fans adopted very different chants on Saturday 27 April demanding a father and son convicted of killing a judge be freed.

In the latest of a series of unprecedented protests that date back to mid-2012, up to 600 fans of the club rallied in Taras Shevchenko Park before marching in support of Businessman Dmytro and his son Serhiy Pavlichenko, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

The pair, avid Dynamo Kyiv fans, were found guilty of the spring 2011 murder of District Court Judge Serhiy Zubkov after a prolonged nine-month trial. Dmytro was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Serhiy – up to 13 years in jail. An appeal hearing was announced in January. Yet it seems the Dynamo fans will not be satisfied until they secure the pair’s release.

The oddly political movement sprang up shortly after the Pavlichenkos’ arrests and has continued to gain momentum. A website, theyarenotkillers.com was set up, in Ukrainian, Russian and English detailing the case, pointing to what is, at best, circumstantial evidence and calling on football fans across Europe to lend their support.

Whatever the outcome, this is a story to watch.

3 May World Press Freedom Day reminds the world of those in the media who persevere despite what can be pretty severe circumstances. This day is especially significant here in Ukraine – Georgiy Gongadze was killed for reporting on the corruptive scandals seen in the highest levels of Ukrainian government.

9 May This day, commemorated as Victory Day here in Ukraine, marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany in 1945 to the Soviet Union. As Soviet tradition states, it honours the soldiers who fought in WWII. The UN signed into force the Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives in the Second World War as an international day of remembrance (8 and 9 May).

3 May 1880 The first horse-tram starts operations in Lviv.

As the city’s main source of transport in the first part of the 20th century, the tram is equally as important today (albeit an electric variant) saving thousands of residents from the horrible traffic that befalls the city each day.

6 May 1910 Borys Hrinchenko, a classical Ukrainian prose writer, political activist, historian, publicist, and ethnographer, dies in Italy and is later buried in Baykove Cemetery. Borys Hrinchenko’s most important claim to fame is in the creation of the first and largest dictionary in the Ukrainian language.

8 May 2009 Ihor Pelykh dies in a car accident in Kyiv. This jovial and fun-loving TV/radio presenter was the first to host entertainment and musical programmes on Ukrainian TV. This same year, he is presented the Teletriumph Award for his special contribution in Ukrainian television.

Vinnytsya Fountain Weekly Language Tutorial Opens New Season You may or may not be aware – the Ukrainian city of Vinntsya has Europe’s largest floating fountain. Unveiled in 2011, the 97-metre long structure has become quite the hotspot for tourists and locals alike, and so as to hold onto its international notoriety, a new programme is presented each year. Premiering on Saturday 27 April, the 2013 show showcases incredible water feats complete with special light effects and music. If you’ve always wanted to check out this western municipality but could never come up with a good enough reason to do so, you’ve got one now! The fountain performs daily from 14.00 to 22.00

Z Dnem Peremohy

This is a phrase you will likely hear a lot on 9 May, and translates as Happy Victory Day. Wish this to your fellow Kyivites and it will be returned in kind.

30.04.2013 10:41:04

16.indb 6

30.04.2013 10:28:01

16.indb 7

30.04.2013 10:28:11

8

This Week Theatre & Classical Music

3–9 May 2013

Celebrating the Great Verdi Un Ballo in Maschera (opera in 3 acts Italian language) National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)

3 May at 19.00 This year, the whole world is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. As the father of Italian opera, his works are regarded as masterpieces on a transcontinental scale and continue to be staged the world over. Opera Un Ballo in Maschera, or A Masked Ball, has been a part of the National Opera Theatre’s repertoire since 2008, with the now world-famous Lyudmyla Monastyrska first taking on the leading role of Amelia. The current cast is no less praiseworthy – get your tickets today!

Tickets are 20 – 300hrv. For more information call 279-1169.

6 Monday AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL AND FOLK MUSIC Featuring Ridni Naspivy folk instruments ensemble, Kozachka vocal trio, Veseli Muzyky folk ensemble Time: 19.00 National Philharmonic of Ukraine (Volodymyrskiy Uzviz 2)  278-1697 AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL MUSIC Featuring Kyiv-Brass Chamber Orchestra, Ilkiv (UA, trumpet), Bubnova (UA, organ) Time: 19.30 National House of Organ and Chamber Music (V Vasylkivska 77)  528-3186

3

5

Friday

Sunday

AN EVENING OF CHOIR MUSIC Featuring Blagovist Ensemble Works by Vivaldi, Boccherini Time: 19.00 National Philharmonic of Ukraine (Volodymyrskiy Uzviz 2)  278-1697

IOLANTA Russian opera in 2 acts Time: 19.00 National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)  279-1169

CROSSING ROADS Drama in 2 acts Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921 MRS MINISTER Comedy in 4 acts Time: 19.00 L Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre (B Khmelnytskoho 5)  234-4223

4 Saturday AN EVENING OF ORGAN MUSIC Featuring Balakhovska (UA, organ) Works by Bach, Reger Time: 19.30 National House of Organ and Chamber Music (V Vasylkivska 77)  528-3186 SLEEPING BEAUTY Ballet in 3 acts Time: 19.00 National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)  279-1169 ZORBA THE GREEK Play in 2 acts Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921 ME – CRAZY?!

Tragic-comedy Time: 19.00 Plastic Drama Theatre (Shovkovychna 7a)  253-9383

EASTER CONCERT Revutsky Academic Male Choir, Ivanenko (UA, soprano), Savenko (UK, bass-baritone) Time: 17.00 National Philharmonic of Ukraine (Volodymyrskiy Uzviz 2)  278-1697 FAMILY DINNER Comedy in 2 acts Time: 19.00 L Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre (B Khmelnytskoho 5)  234-4223 THE KAUDASHEVA FAMILY Comedy in 2 acts Time: 19.00 THE MOMENT OF LOVE Play in 1 act Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921

LOVE MADNESS Musical play in 1 act Time: 19.00 L Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre (B Khmelnytskoho 5)  234-4223

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Play in 2 acts Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921 OPISKIN, FOMA! Comedy in 2 acts Time: 19.00 Drama & Comedy Theatre on the Dnipro (Brovarskiy Pr 25)  517-1955 MATCHMAKING AT HONCHARIVKA Comedy in 2 acts Time: 19.00 Molody Theatre (Prorizna 17)  278-7392 YOUTH. LOVE. WAR Musical in 1 act Time: 19.00 Actor Theatre (V Zhytomyrska 40)  362-5050

8 Wednesday

7 Tuesday AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL MUSIC Featuring the Philharmonic’s National Academic Symphony Orchestra Time: 19.00 National Philharmonic of Ukraine (Volodymyrskiy Uzviz 2)  278-1697

AIDA Opera in Italian in 3 acts Time: 19.00 National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)  279-1169 SHVEIK A soldier’s adventure in 2 acts Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921

COFFEE CANTATA Evening-concert in 1 act Time: 19.00 Kyiv Operetta (V Vasylkivska 53/3)  287-6257 VICTORY DAY CONCERT Featuring National Academic Wind Orchestra of Ukraine, Matyushenko (UA, soprano), Shyshkina (UA, mezzosoprano), Yurchenko (UA, baritone) Time: 19.00 National Philharmonic of Ukraine (Volodymyrskiy Uzviz 2)  278-1697 STRANGE MRS SAVAGE Tragic comedy in 2 acts Time: 19.00 ANGEL/SEXUAL NEUROSES OF OUR PARENTS Play Time: 20.00 L Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre (B Khmelnytskoho 5)  234-4223

9 Thursday VICTORY DAY CONCERT Featuring Lysenko Classical Music Quartet, Kyiv-Brass Ensemble, Lipinska (UA, mezzo-soprano), Chikirov (UA, lyrical baritone), Reutova (UA, piano), Kharechko (UA, organ) Time: 19.30 National House of Organ and Chamber Music (V Vasylkivska 77)  528-3186 ROMEO & JULIET Ballet in 3 acts Time: 19.00 National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)  279-1169 URUS SHAITAN Tales of the Cossack Otaman and Turkish Sultan in 2 acts Time: 19.00 I Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre (Ivana Franka 3)  279-5921 THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA Farce in 2 acts Time: 18.00 THE 105TH PAGE OF LOVE Drama in 2 acts Time: 19.00 OLEKSANDR VERTYNSKIY. HOST OF THE BALL Mono-spectacle Time: 20.00 L Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre (B Khmelnytskoho 5)  234-4223

PLAYING CHONKIN Play in 2 acts Time: 19.00 Drama & Comedy Theatre on the Dnipro (Brovarskiy Pr 25)  517-1955 LA BESTIA E LA VIRTU Italian anecdote of women’s faith in 2 acts Time: 19.00 Molody Theatre (Prorizna 17)  278-7392 YOUTH. LOVE. WAR Musical in 1 act Time: 19.00 Actor Theatre (V Zhytomyrska 40)  362-5050

AN EVENING OF BACH Featuring Iryna Kalynovska (UA, organ) Time: 19.30 National House of Organ and Chamber Music (V Vasylkivska 77)  528-3186 SWAN LAKE Ballet in 3 acts Time: 19.00 National Opera Theatre of Ukraine (Volodymyrska 50)  279-1169

Classical Viennese in Kyiv An Evening of Mozart National House of Organ and Chamber Music (V Vasylkivska 77)

8 May at 19.30 Pay the National Organ Hall in Kyiv a visit this week and be sure of an incredible event – the atmosphere in this, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Kyiv, thanks to Vladyslav Horodetsky, is enough to make it so. The sounds of the organ reverberate from wall to wall, making music of any style a pleasure. Tonight, Mozart and his masterpieces will be performed – don’t miss out.

Tickets are 40 – 80hrv. For more information call 528-3186. : What's On Recommended

16.indb 8

30.04.2013 10:28:16

9

Art

3–9 May 2013

Go Wild in the Bonsai Garden Exhibition of Bonsai Trees National Botanical Garden (Timiryazivska 1)

1 – 12 May With the May holidays fast approaching, we thought it might be in your best interest to enjoy the wide-open spaces of Kyiv’s outdoors. With that in mind, this exhibition of Bonsai Trees, found at the city’s National Botanical Gardens, is just the place to be. In addition to admiring the aesthetic beauty inherent in these miniature Japanese art forms, you will also learn the philosophy that surrounds them – the harmonious co-existence of human and nature. Master classes will be offered in their cultivation and care, calligraphy and many more such traditional Japanese arts and rituals.

For more information visit www.nbg.kiev.ua.

JACQUES CHAPIRO. KYIV-PARIS Exhibition of paintings

by Jacques Chapiro (FR) 11 April – 12 May National Art Museum (Hrushevskoho 6)  278-7454

EROTICISM IN ART Exhibition of paintings by Ukrainian artists Ivan Marchuk, Anatoliy Kryvolap, Petro Lebedynets and more 26 April – 26 May Mystetska Zbirka Gallery (Tereshchenkivska 13)  234-1427 OUR ATHOS Exhibition of photographs

by Kostas Asilis (GR) 18 April – 18 May Museum of Kyiv’s History (B Khmelnytskoho 7)  520-2823

SELF PORTRAIT Exhibition of photographs

by Olena Vizerska (UA) 25 April – 9 June Brucie Collections (Artema 55b)  205-4264

MASTERPIECES AT MYSTETSKY 100 of World Masterpieces of Sculpture 12 April – 12 May Mystetsky Arsenal (Lavrska 12)  288-5225

ALTERNATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY Exhibition of dolls and paintings

by Ukrainian artists 10 April – 8 May Parsuna Gallery (Khoryva 43)  425-24-15

PAINTINGS Exhibition of paintings

by Illya Repin (UA) 16 April – 29 May Russian Art Museum (Tereshchenkivska 9)  297-7324

NAKED BREAKFAST Exhibition of works

by Mykyta Kravtsov (UA) 24 April – 24 May Ya Gallery (Khoryva 49b)  492 92 03

Family

Pysanka Paradise (family festival) Ivana Franka Park (I Franko Square 3)

3 – 5 May Easter in Ukraine comes, inevitably, with the smallest of artworks – pysanky! As one of the most ancient of crafts found in this part of the world, each and every egg is decorated with geometric shapes, flowers, animals and more – each with a story to tell. Even today, the pysanka remains a very special and important element of Easter; so popular in fact, thousands of them fill the square in front of the Ivan Franko Theatre each year. Colourful, beautiful and authentic, these mini masterpieces help turn an everyday corner of Kyiv into a gallery in its own right. But only for three days!

For more information visit www.parad-vyshyvanok.com.ua.

16.indb 9

MARIONETTE THEATRE Sahaidachnoho 29/3 417-3058 www.history.marionet.com.ua NATIONAL CIRCUS OF UKRAINE Peremohy 2 486-3856 www.circus.kiev.ua KYIV ZOO Peremohy 32  277-47-69

4

6

Friday

Saturday

Monday

EASTER FESTIVAL Fair-market Time: 11.00–21.00 M17 Gallery (Antonovycha 102-104)  596-2030

EASTER FESTIVAL Fair-market Time: 11.00–21.00 M17 Gallery (Antonovycha 102-104)  596-2030

SOLAR GRAIN Educational programme Time: 11.00 ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS Educational programme Time: 12.00 MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE STARRY SKY Educational programme Time: 14.00 A TRIP TO THE UNIVERSE Educational programme Time: 16.00 Kyiv Planetarium (V Vasylkivska 57/3)  287-7508

THE GOSLING Puppet-play for children 3+ Time: 11.00 PUSS IN BOOTS Puppet-play for children 3+ Time: 13.00 Kyiv Puppet Theatre (Hrushevskoho 1a)  278-0566

Kyiv Gets Pysanka’d

KYIV ACADEMIC PUPPET THEATRE Hrushevskoho 1a (Park Khreshchatyk) 278-5808 www.akadempuppet.kiev.ua KYIV MUNICIPAL PUPPET THEATRE Myropilska 1 513-1500 www.puppet-theater.kiev.ua MARIINSKIY PARK Arsenalna Metro

3

SOLAR GRAIN Educational programme Time: 11.00 ASTRONOMY FOR KIDS Educational programme Time: 12.00 MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE STARRY SKY Educational programme Time: 14.00 MAGIC PALETTE OF THE UNIVERSE Educational programme Time: 16.00 Kyiv Planetarium (V Vasylkivska 57/3)  287-7508 THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO Musical in 2 acts Time: 12.00 Kyiv Theatre of Opera & Ballet for Children & Youth (Mezhyhirska 2)  425-3116

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE DYVOSVIT M Malinovskoho 24/10 502-0088 www.dyvosvit.ua NEMO DOLPHINARIUM Academic Hlushkov 9 520-5555 www.nemokiev.com KYIV PLANETARIUM V Vasylkivska 57/3 287-7508 www.planet.org.ua

THE SPACE ADVENTURES OF TRACK Educational programme Time: 11.00 MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE STARRY SKY Educational programme Time: 14.00 A TRIP TO THE UNIVERSE Educational programme Time: 16.00 AN INVITATION TO MARS Educational programme Time: 18.00 Kyiv Planetarium (V Vasylkivska 57/3)  287-7508

5

7 Tuesday

9 Thursday KOLOBOK’S MAGIC TRIP Educational programme Time: 11.00 THE EARTH – OUR SPACE HOME Educational programme Time: 14.00 THE STARRY SKY ABOVE US Educational programme Time: 16.00 MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE STARRY SKY Educational programme Time: 18.00 Kyiv Planetarium (V Vasylkivska 57/3)  287-7508

THE PRINCESS OF DAYDREAMERS Adventure in a fairytale country in 2 acts Time: 12.00 Lypska Youth Theatre (Lypska 15/17)  253-6219

Sunday

8

EASTER FESTIVAL Fair-market Time: 11.00–21.00 M17 Gallery (Antonovycha 102-104)  596-2030

CATCHER Teenager’s fantasy in 2 acts Time: 12.00 Lypska Youth Theatre (Lypska 15/17)  253-6219

AQUA PARK IN TERMINAL Brovary, Kyivska 316 200 29 80/81 www.aquapark-terminal.com.ua DREAM LAND AQUA PARK Obolonskiy 21b 485-2111/12 OSTRICH FARM Yasnohorodka, Podlesna 32 (30km from Kyiv)  353-8821 www.ostrich.com.ua

SLEEPING BEAUTY Ballet in 2 acts Time: 13.00 Kyiv Theatre of Opera & Ballet for Children & Youth (Mezhyhirska 2)  425-3116

Wednesday

HORSE-RIDING CENTRE NABEG Vyshhorodska 85a 360-3838 (call in advance) www.loshadi.kiev.ua CENTRAL HORSE RACE TRACK OF UKRAINE Akademika Hlushkova 10 526-2053 www.ipodrom-kiev.at.ua EXHIBITION CENTRE PARK Akademika Hlushkova 1 www.expocenter.com.ua

STATE MUSEUM OF TOYS Klovskiy Spusk 8 253-5400 INTERESTING KYIV TOURS 364-5111 www.interesniy.kiev.ua PYROHOVO OPEN AIR MUSEUM Trolleybus 11 from Lybidska Metro 526-5765 www.pirogovo.org.ua

MAMAEVA SLOBODA MUSEUM M Dontsya 2 361-9848 www.mamajeva-sloboda.ua NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN Timiryazevska 1 284-9506 www.nbg.kiev.ua EXPERIMENTANIUM MUSEUM Verkhniy Val 2a 417-4033 www.experimentanium.com.ua

30.04.2013 10:28:18

10

This Week Live Music 3

They’re Back!

The Gamits (US, rock, punk) Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)

Friday

8 May at 22.00

ANGIE NEARS (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 50hrv Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137

American rock band The Gamits have run the gamut of highs and lows in their near 17-year career. Formed in 1996, the band broke up nine years later only to return to the stage in 2009. Despite the many obstacles on their path to fame, success and notoriety, they have released six pretty decent albums, the last of which, Parts, appeared on shelves in 2010. Premiering here in Ukraine in 2011, they’re back this month with a fabulous – and free – show.

Admission is free. For more information call 279-4137.

TARTILA (cover band) Time: 21.00 Admission: free Bochka Khmilna (B Khmelnytskoho 3b)  390-6106 SOUL TIME (cover band) Time: 21.00 Admission: call and check Bochka Pyvna (Khreshchatyk 19a)  459-0551 HIGH SCORE (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979 JOKERS (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281 CRAZY TRAIN (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 30hrv Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717 MAMA MIA (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 30hrv Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  451-8528 MAX VATUTIN TRIO (jazz) Time: 21.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

4 Saturday WAKE UP (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 50hrv Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137 REAL BAND (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979

3–9 May 2013

5

7

9

Sunday

Tuesday

Thursday

SOYUZ 44 (jazz) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137

LARUCA (indie) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137

YUKYM DYM (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

SINDY CAT (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979

MAMA MIA (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 30hrv Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717

BEEFEATERS (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717

MAXI JAM (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

REAL JAM, PARTYZANSKI VYTIVKY (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 50hrv Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340 EASTER IN DIVAN (cover band) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

6 Monday TRIO SOMA (jazz) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137

LASKOVIE USY (pop-rock) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)  279-4137

JOKERS (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

TRUE COLOURS (cover band) Time: 21.00 Admission: free Bochka Khmilna (B Khmelnytskoho 3b)  390-6106

VORONIN BAND, BABUSHKA PRIEKHALA, DIXIE LAND (cover bands) Time: 19.00 Admission: 50hrv Bochka on Podil (V Val 22)  200-0360

WHISTLING DIXIE (cover band) Time: 21.30 Admission: free Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340

LIGHT FLIRT (cover band) Time: 21.00 Admission: call and check Bochka Pyvna (Khreshchatyk 19a)  459-0551

DUBLIN (pop-rock) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

PAPA MAMA (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979

MORE KHUANA (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 20hrv Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717 TRES DESEOS (cover band) Time: 21.30 Admission: free Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340 HIGH AND LOW, DUTCH HOUND (pop-rock) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

8 Wednesday

MAMA TEACHER (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

TEX-MEX CO (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717

THE MAGMA (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: 30hrv Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717

THE LAST OF BAJIKANS (pop-rock) Time: 20.00 Admission: call for details Bochka on Podil (V Val 22)  200-0360

SERHIY SUPRUN (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979

DOCTOR FEEL GOOD (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Mishuhy 3a)  536-9979

ROCK FOUR (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Docker’s ABC (KhreshchatykZankovetskoi 15/4)  278-1717

FOUR FROM LIVERPOOL (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

MORE KHUANA (cover band) Time: 19.00 Admission: call and check Porter (Konstantynivska 2a)  425-0281

RED ROCKS (cover band) Time: 22.00 Admission: free Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340

CHILL OUT (cover band) Time: 21.30 Admission: free Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340

ROCKING WOLVES (cover band) Time: 21.30 Admission: free Docker Pub (Bohatyrska 25)  537-1340

HAIR PEACE SALON (rock) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

DIVAN JAZZ BAND (pop-rock) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

ETHNO FANTASY MUSIC (folk) Time: 20.00 Admission: free Divan (Besarabska 2)  235-7366

Weekend-long Jamboree 9th Ukrabilly Bang Festival (international, rockabilly) Bingo Club (Pr Peremohy 112)

3 – 4 May at 16.00 The ninth festival of good ole homegrown rockabilly kicks off the month of May, featuring bands from US, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Italy, France, Britain and Sweden. Starting at 16.00 sharp, these crazy hillbillies will bring the vintage spirit of the 50s and 60s to the stage with DJs picking up the torch later on in the evening. Don’t miss out! Nab yourself a pair of wingtips or blue suede shoes and then get yourself a ticket.

Tickets are 200 – 400hrv. For more information call 424-2555.

: What's On Recommended

16.indb 10

30.04.2013 10:28:35

16.indb 11

30.04.2013 10:28:38

16.indb 12

30.04.2013 10:28:40

16.indb 13

30.04.2013 10:28:46

Lana Nicole

14

My Kyiv

The Life of

Pickard The effervescent Terry Pickard has been in Kyiv for 20 years. Even before we met in person a number of years ago, I knew of him; his reputation as a shrewd businessman, cool connoisseur and lucky ladies man preceded him. Now, at the age of 65, having carved out a very nice life for himself, he certainly could be looking to retire, but says that life is just too much fun to sit around all day – “that would be boring”.

S

at in his office one sunny day before spring really hit, Terry Pickard of NAI Pickard, a property consultancy company, tells of all his exploits. Well, maybe not all of them, just the most poignant of the last 20 years all spent in Ukraine. It was 1992 when he made the move, and life was very different...

A Golden Opportunity “I first came in 1989 for an ag show and then with the JCB road show. I was one of six top directors, and regional director for all of Europe.

Shortly after that, Margaret Thatcher brought over a number of British businessmen, I just happened to be one of them,” he says beaming, pointing at the picture of he and Maggie he has proudly on display.

But a generation change and a reshuffle within the JCB corporation, a British company involved in the manufacture of construction, demolition and agricultural equipment, and a marriage on the rocks led Pickard to re-evaluate a few things. “Fed up” as he was, he “sold the house, gave up the job and pensions and all the stuff that came with it and came out to Kyiv”. Playing with properties all over the world as a side business, he could have gone anywhere; I wonder why Kyiv – “When I came to Ukraine in 1992, it was like going complete backwater, there were 45 million people that virtually didn’t know the rest of the world existed. Run by Moscow, it was either going to be the biggest mistake of my life or a golden opportunity.” When I ask him which one it’s turned out to be, he smiles and says, “I have to say it’s been a golden opportunity.”

Adventures and Escapades As one of expat Kyiv’s veterans, Pickard has been part of some fascinating adventures.

One of his favourites involves a trip to Kyiv

16.indb 14

from the UK without a passport. “I arrived at Heathrow, and realised that I didn’t have my passport with me. I spoke to Anatoliy, a rep for UIA [Ukraine International Airlines], and asked if there was any way I could get on the plane. He said, ‘If you do, there’s no way you’ll get through customs at the other end.’ I told him, ‘Well, you get me there, and I’ll try.’ So he got me through and onto the flight, without a passport, because he knew me – he knew half the people that were coming and going into the country back then, and said, ‘The other end is up to you – if you have to fly back, it’s not our responsibility.’

“On the flight, I ran into the military attaché for the British Embassy at the time who was a friend of mine. After landing, we got to immigration, and as I was with this senior diplomat he convinced them they should let me through, saying, ‘If it was one of your people in Heathrow I’m sure we’d let them through’. It was such spectacular bullsh*t! Anyway, they let me go!

You wouldn’t be able to do that anymore!”

Flights into Kyiv weren’t always so “easy”, however. When the iron curtain fell and the country was just getting used to its independent legs, “nothing had been worked out yet” and you couldn’t just fly into the Ukraine. “Before UIA, I had to fly to Moscow, I would pick up my Moscow girlfriend, and we trained it to Kyiv. And the same way back. And that wasn’t even the Soviet Union. But, it was a good train trip” (smiles).

Cheap As Chips Part of the fun of those days was the “total lack of anything”. “There were no supermarkets, there were only gastronomes, which didn’t have much of anything. The only way to get anything decent to eat was to go to a restaurant”, which at the time meant the Ukraina Hotel, now the Premier Palace, the Rus Hotel and the President Hotel. “It was cheap as chips,” Pickard says laughing. “You could

30.04.2013 10:28:56

“THERE WAS A TIME THEY NICKNAMED THIS ROAD PICKARD STREET BECAUSE I HAD FIVE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES LINING IT”

buy a big jar of black caviar for $80, now that would cost you $800.”

He recounts an evening with 10 or so other people at the Ukraina Hotel that included starters, champagne, vodka, caviar – “the whole bloody works came to $25. That was fun”.

While on the topic of money, Kyiv’s real estate guru recalls the coupon, a unit of Ukrainian currency used back in the early days of independence, which the hryvnia replaced in 1996. “When the coupon came out, it was one coupon to the rubble. In less than two years, it became 20,000 coupons to the dollar.

One sheet of toilet paper was worth more than a one coupon note – that was the level of inflation we got to.” And, he says, there were no credit cards: “You literally had to have plastic bags of coupons to pay for anything – it was just ridiculous!”

Properties and More Properties While Pickard has enjoyed the ride, for the most part, he says success in Ukraine took a little longer and a little bit more work than he had originally thought. “I knew I was going to move into the property industry, in fact the first thing I did was buy an apartment on Prorizna Street. There was a time they nicknamed this road Pickard Street because I had five different properties lining it.”

While it might have been tough going in the beginning, he knew it would work out in the end, what with the arrival of embassies and foreigners needing places to work and live. Continuing in this way with various foreign companies, Pickard also helped establish the first importers of Land Rover and Jaguar. Back then they were called British Motors Ukraine, the name of which was chosen by Pickard himself.

Buying properties in the centre mainly, Pickard struck a relationship with Glen Noble, another veteran expat no longer in Kyiv, who

16.indb 15

helped renovate. “I bought the places, the refurb cost $500, which was thanks to Glen, and we were renting the places out for $55 per square metre – there were no taxes, no legislation, we were getting our money back in 18 months. Those days are over.”

The Language Issue One of the things that has always interested me about Mr Pickard is that he doesn’t speak a lot of Ukrainian or even Russian, which is strange considering he speaks fluent Danish, Swedish, Spanish, passable German and bit of French. He says, “There was always some pretty girl whispering in my ear who spoke English and so I never needed to learn Russian – I wasn’t going to go and learn the language and stop that!” he says laughing. Today, however, there is only one pretty girl whispering in his ear. “You know, I never thought I would stay,” he says matter of factly.

“I thought I would buy up these properties, get them rented out and then go somewhere else.

But as usually happens when expats come to Kyiv you end up meeting someone called Sveta. I like it. I wouldn’t have lived here for 20 years if it was just difficult.”

At that moment, Sveta phones, as though her ears are burning. “It’s the boss,” he says, and chats briefly about the trivialities of life. As he gets off the phone, I put my last question to the man everyone in Kyiv must know by now – what’s next for Terry Pickard? “I don’t know,” he replies. I had a stroke three-anda-half years ago, and had to retire for a few months. But I found it incredibly boring.

I really enjoy what I do. I’ll be 66 on my next birthday [at the end of this month], which I find difficult to believe. Not long ago, I was out with my daughter and Natasha [Terry’s assistant] – two young beautiful ladies, at Decadence until 4.30 in the morning. I just love this stuff.”

•

30.04.2013 10:29:00

16

Coming Soon Divas in Pants Il Divo (international, operatic-pop) Palace Ukraine (V Vasylkivska 103)

13 June at 19.00 Europe’s latest operatic-pop sensation comes to Kyiv this summer with a concert you’re not going to want to miss. Mixing four voices, not to mention handsome faces, from France, Spain, the US and Switzerland, the result is nothing short of brilliance. From classical to opera to pop and more, the foursome will be accompanied by a live orchestra this evening – don’t miss out on this internationally acclaimed cultural phenomenon.

Ticket are 400 – 3,900hrv. For more information call 247-2316.

Ukraine and Poland Share Traditions Lighting Up the Stage Classical Flamenco in Music and Dance House of Artist (Artema 1-5)

28 May at 19.00

18 May – 6 October

This country is used to enjoying the art of flamenco as a passionate conversation between dancer and guitar. Add to that tête-à-tête piano, flute, oboe, percussion and vocals and you have a whole story!

Featuring some of the best flamenco artisans in their field, meet dancers Olha Ostroverkh, Olena Pyatkina and musicians Viktoriya Havryk, Yevheniy Sed’ko, all well-respected prizewinning participants at global competitions.

Gathering to treat you with flamenco in its classical form, sit back and enjoy the dialogue.

Tickets are 70 – 140hrv. For more information call 287-8787.

Pinchuk Art Centre curates just four exhibitions each year. With the next international showcase coming all the way from China, pieces from 11 of the country’s most progressive and well-known artists will be on display throughout the summer. The exhibit’s title should give you a clue as to the tension inherent in this collage, creating a dichotic philosophy between the collective and the individual. China’s past and its future, the lessons it has learnt and the choices it has will soon be on display – come and learn more about this Asian myth.

For more information visit www.pinchukartcentre.org.

Twenty Years

China.

Individuality Collective Exhibition of works by Chinese artists Ai Weiwei, Cao Fei, Chen Zhen, Sun Xun and more Pinchuk Art Centre (V Vasylkivska/Baseina 1/3-2)

The Rhythm is Gonna Getcha Misirli Ahmet (TR, percussion) Palace Ukraine (small hall, V Vasylkivska 103)

24 May at 19.00 Born in Ankara, Misirli Ahmet began playing the darbuka (a kind of drum) at the age of 17. After working in France and then going on to Egypt to find the meaning of his existence, the virtuoso developed a unique split-finger technique, which allows for quick playing. Known to the Egyptians as Ahmet el Turki, and to the Turks as Misirli Ahmet (Ahmet of Egypt), he comes to Kyiv with his Indian, Arabic, Latin American, and jazz variations. Let the rhythm guide you.

Tickets are 250hrv. For more information call 067-563-9708.

16.indb 16

Ucraina Terra Cossacorum (Ukrainian/Polish festival of Cossack culture) Mamaeva Sloboda (Mykhaila Dontsya 2)

1 June from 11.00 Hej, Sokoly is a Ukrainian/Polish song that exists in both countries, languages and cultures, which unites the two neighbouring peoples with a historical past.

The organisers of this Ukrainian/ Polish festival at Mamayeva Sloboda have used it as the unofficial name of the event, throughout which they will prove that these countries have much more in common than mere music. With a horse-riding show, Cossack battles, demos of traditional Ukrainian and Polish armour, music from folk bands of both countries and so much more, book it now.

For more information call 361-9848/093-872-4877.

Green Grey (UA, rock) Stereo Plaza (Kikvidze 1)

1 June at 19.00 Green Grey, one of Ukraine’s longest-standing rock bands, is celebrating 20 years. With their first cross-country tour in 1996, the group showed Ukraine what post-Soviet rock was all about. Adapting and evolving throughout the political turmoil, cultural upheavals and general day-to-day mayhem that often exists in Eastern Europe, Deizel and Murik have gone with the flow, moving from hip-hop to modern dubstep and more among their five albums. Come along tonight with Gorchitza, TNMK, Skryabin, Awesomatic, Skay, Dyversanty and Four Phonica, who will share the stage with this enthusiastic twosome, and wish Green Grey a Happy Birthday!

Tickets are 150 – 800hrv. For more information call 222-8040.

30.04.2013 10:29:07

17

In Audio Format D’n’B Day featuring Audio (UK, drum’n’bass) Cinema Club (N Hrinchenka 18)

18 May at 23.00 For 18 years, Cinema has been providing Ukrainian clubbers with some top acts. For the next raise-the-roof shindig, the spotlight shines on the drum’n’bass and jungle music beat. And who better than British musician, composer and DJ Audio to bring it? With the release of his early 90s debut album Wormhole, this guy has been a welcomed guest among some of Europe’s biggest electronic festivals, including the fabulous Therapy Sessions. Tonight, alongside Ukrainian DJs Jike, Katwon, Mindfreak, Zarin and Hemp Shark, it’s sure to be a rockin’ good time.

Admission: before 00.00 – 70hrv, after – 90hrv. For more information call 063-782- 6157.

A Festival of Experiments Next Sound Festival (international, experimental electronic) Dovzhenko Film Studio (Peremohy 44)

18 May at 21.00

Folk At Its Best Dakha Brakha (UA, folk) Kyiv Small Opera (Dehtyarivksa 5)

23 May at 20.00 Dakha Brakha is more than just a group of musicians – it is a theatre of emotions, a magical mixture of witchery, vibrations of song, music of the earth. Thanks to their creativity and inimitable image, the band has become one that is sought after at many a European folk festival.

Some even say Dakha Brakha is more popular abroad than they are here at home. Whatever and wherever their fanbase, the four albums they have released within the five years of their existence have each been a work of art. Find out why tonight.

Tickets are 120hrv. For more information call 063-873-1071.

Tourist Season Starts Now

The Next Sound international festival of experimental music and video art brings many an interesting character to Kyiv this year.

Among them are Austrian DJ Radian, German group Kammerflimmer Kollektief, Sweden DJ Tape, and Brit Cristian Vogel to name a few. Standing at the root of today’s nightlife culture mixing his first tracks in the late 80s, Vogel headlines the fest, and will draw on avant-garde genres tonight in addition to the techno he is known and loved for. With experimentation in light, sound and video until the wee hours, among an already idyllic venue, expect a truly unique event.

Tickets TBA. For more information call 456-9231.

Makhno Project (UA, dance music) Tolstoy Club (V Vasylkivska 19)

10 May at 22.00 With the release of their debut album Intourist, Kyiv-based Makhno Project opens the local tourist season. What started in 2010 as a simple duo featuring electro music, has quickly turned into a fabulous live gig adept at getting the crowd on their feet. Borrowing beats from house, funk, reggae interspersed with Latino and Balkan rhythms, Makhno Project is multilingual with tracks in Russian, Ukrainian, English and French. Come and join in the fun.

Tickets are 120hrv. For more information call 200-3838.

16.indb 17

Metal from Down Under Birdsong Mavis Swan Poole (US, jazz) Art Club 44 (Khreshchatyk 44b)

22 May at 21.00 Back for another round of smooth jazz riffs, cool cat Ark Ovrutskiy invites American vocalist Mavis Swan to join his international quartet at Art Club 44. Swan is an experienced songstress: taking home awards from the Port Townsend Centrum Jazz Festival, Betty Carter Jazz Ahead, Sister’s In Jazz, as well as becoming Indy’s Jazz Vocalist of 2007, she has worked with industry big names Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, Nathan Davis, Hubert Laws and more. Come and listen to the birdsong tonight.

Tickets are 100 – 150hrv. For more information call 279-4137.

Parkway Drive (AU, metal-core) Green Theatre (Parkova Doroha 2)

3 June at 19.00 Coming up for a little European air, Australian metal-core band Parkway Drive will be making their debut here in Ukraine next month. Formed in 2002, the fivesome hail from NSW but have become popular from Brisbane to Perth. Making the move to the US just three years later, to record their first album Killing With a Smile, their latest of four – Atlas – came out just last year. Tonight, with support

by Italian friends Synopsis and Ukrainian HateTyler, you’re going to want to ready yourself for loud and proud heavy metal session.

Tickets are 200 – 300hrv. For more information call 067-188-3355.

The Russian Edith Piaf Tamara Gverdtsiteli (GE, chanson) Palace Ukraine (V Vasylkivska 103)

22 May at 19.00 Without exaggeration, Georgianborn Tamara Gverdtsiteli can aptly be called one of the greatest singers in the post-Soviet republic. Singing in eight languages, including French, Italian, Ukrainian, Russian and Hebrew, her performance is best described as vaudevillian.

Come along tonight and envelope yourself in war tunes, French chanson as well as her own creations – you won’t regret it.

Tickets are 120 – 1,000hrv. For more information call 247-2316.

30.04.2013 10:29:11

16.indb 18

30.04.2013 10:29:13

sion of Sanoma Media Ukraine’s general director Yulia Stefanyshyna – she had a feeling a Ukrainian language magazine of this type would be in demand. It is obvious the market lacks editions of publications in Ukrainian language and the first issue of National Geographic proved the decision to publish in Ukrainian was the right one.

There has been a lot of scepticism, however, as to whether a Ukrainian-speaking audience can afford to buy the magazine.

Well, the sceptics may have to change their tune now. Of course it’s too early to speak about the success of the magazine after only one issue, but we have witnessed great interest, a boom even – our subscription department can barely cope with the amount of subscribers. It is really very inspiring.

Both our and your readers are probably interested how editorial decisions at National Geographic are made – which specific topics do you choose to run in the Ukrainian edition?

We have access to all material produced by National Geographic and we can use any material we like in our edition. NatGeo has long-term forward planning so we already know what the American edition is putting in its August and September issues; we are trying to plan exclusive Ukrainian material ahead as well. Taking a certain article for the Ukrainian edition we make sure it has a global impact, like global warming, or the topic of aging, which is the cover-story of our April issue.

Is there a possibility that exclusive Ukrainian material would be interesting for National Geographic in other countries?

There is a possibility, if the topic is global enough. In the April issue, we took a different look at Chornobyl – not as an abandoned zone, but as the place where the most colossal building project (the new reactor shelter) is in process. The Chornobyl issue is global enough, so we hope it interests other editions as well.

Can you talk about the fundamental principles and the philosophy of National Geographic?

Apart from global impact, which is a must for all material that appears in NatGeo, it’s fact-based journalism that National Geographic demands. We look at the mainstream of scientific thought, making sure the majority of scientists concur – in this way we keep away from pseudo-scientific theories. Material for National Geographic takes years to get ready – there is no place for unproved, semi-scientific theories.

Another thing we have at our disposal is a pool of consultants – they are professional scientists in their specific fields who read through articles making sure the terms and ideas are interpreted correctly.

“IT IS OBVIOUS THE MARKET LACKS EDITIONS OF PUBLICATIONS IN THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE AND THE FIRST ISSUE OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PROVED THE DECISION TO PUBLISH IN UKRAINIAN WAS THE RIGHT ONE”

Photographs are another thing National Geographic is famous for.

Have you already found high-profile Ukrainian photographers?

It’s definitely a great challenge for Ukrainian photographers, because National Geographic demands we illustrate different periods of the life of wild birds, for instance. That takes time and much effort. We would even reject a topic if there was no way to illustrate it properly covering all aspects.

Were you surprised at the uptake and response in Ukraine – even children loved the issue and the story about manatees. Can you talk about some of the feedback you’ve received so far?

Indeed, children love National Geographic – my three-year-old son loves to look at the pictures. The magazine is very inclusive; it attracts all age groups regardless of sex. As for comments, I was very much surprised to know one of our readers thought the magazine has too much advertising! In fact National Geographic has very strict rules – adverts don’t intrude into the material inside the magazine. Most pleasant was to read the feedback from Ukrainian scientists – they rated highly the content in Ukrainian National Geographic.

•

001_ComingSoon_Wok_16_13_606.indd 19

30.04.2013 10:48:00

16.indb 20

30.04.2013 10:29:17

001_ComingSoon_Wok_16_13_606.indd 21

30.04.2013 10:51:16

22

Kyiv Life

Find more photos of these events on the Fresh Air for ACC PRAVDA BAR After a long and exhausting winter, the American Chamber of Commerce (ACC) has ďŹ nally started hosting open air events, such as the gathering of Business Leaders League members on 26 April. Delicious food and drinks were accompanied by special contemporary art exhibits from ScissorHands, including a series of collages made by Ukrainian artist Alina Pivnenko making for a stimulating backdrop for business networking among league members.

ScissorHands artists Alina Pivnenko and Iryna Romanyuk

Oksana Musiy of Coca-Cola Ukraine Limited and Tetyana Sosnina of Toyota-Ukraine check out the pics

Event organiser Peter de Vreede says a few words

Susmita Kumar of Nutricia and Oleksandr Kiychenko of Lavina Concert chat over a drink

Mehmet Ali Erkan from the Embassy of Turkey with Alexey Grinchenko of ING Bank Ukraine and Mete Karaer of BEKO

President of the Kyiv Association of Chefs Ihor Bragin hosts the event

Introducing Dutch Cuisine CULINARY ACADEMY In the course of events marking the Week of Holland in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Netherlands invited chef Menno Post of the double Michelin-starred Dutch restaurant de Bokkedoorns to share some tricks of his trade in the form of culinary master-classes. On 22 and 23 April, the chef hosted two master-classes highly attended by curious Kyivites.

16.indb 22

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands agricultural counsellor Evert Jan Krajenbrink

Dutch chef Menno Post reveals some secrets

30.04.2013 10:29:25

W

23

e

What’s On Facebook page at facebook.com/whatson.kyiv Wunderkinder

Actor Volodymyr Horyanskiy, producer Yuriy Falesa and showman Dmytro Oskin

Singer Natalya Valevska and Anna Sviridova

OPERETTA THEATRE On 23 April, the most talented kids of Ukraine were awarded with Dyvo Dytyna (Wonder Child) awards. For five years, the awards have recognised the smartest, strongest and most creative kids in the country, awarding the very best. This year, the organisation received more than 1,500 applications and whittled those applications down to 15 children. The Smartest Child award was given to Margarita Potapova, Viktory Denysenko was named Sportiest Child of the Year, while Yana Varvinska was named the Most Creative Child. In addition to those three, the jury awarded Vitaliy Nechaev, Diana Korovnikova and Oleksandr Potapchuk with the Most Amazing Child award. In the Most Heroic Child category there were three winners too: Yana Chubatyuk, Oleksandr Stakhov and Denys Harbuz. We are all proud of the young talents of Ukraine!

Wonder Child winners together with Dyvo Dytyna’s President Viktor Novikov, jury head Olha Sumska and host Maksim Nelypa

Oksana Koletnik and Pavlo Zibrov make a handsome couple

EBA’s Easter Bunnies CAFÉ 17 The European Business Association in conjunction with the A.B.C. Centre organised an unforgettable Easter celebration for children and their parents. While learning how to craft handmade Easter rabbits, painting Easter eggs as well as becoming familiar with decoupage techniques, parents had a great opportunity to spend time with their kids, while the latter were making memories they will probably never forget.

Time for home after a great day

A day of laughter and fun Setting a good example

Handmade Easter fun

16.indb 23

30.04.2013 10:29:29

24

Kyiv Life

Find more photos of these events on the

The Indian cuisine on display attracts a lot of attention

A great example of Indian symbolism

Island of Indian Sophistication

Sharing the secrets of popular spices

Guests and Indian gods

A charming KCC trio

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE The colours and traditions of India were on show in Kyiv on 21 April when the Indian community of Ukraine brought their cultural treasures together at an Indian Bazaar held to spread awareness of their motherland in their adoptive home. The cultural heritage of India has always been an eclectic mix of elements rooted in deep spiritual philosophy. No wonder so many people came here in search for something unique.

Honoured KCC Past President Milan Pajevic and the host, brave hussar Vadym Yaroshenko KCC President Serhiy Nadezhdin and Valeriy Vyzhak

Hussar Ballads

Ibragim Gabudulin, Mykola Suhanyak and Andriy Pikula looking good

16.indb 24

HOSTYNNIY DVIR 1812 Kyiv Cigar Club’s (KCC) Spring Ball was finally held on 20 April, after being rescheduled because of the unprecedented dumping of snow that crippled the city last month. A Russian elite soldiers, or Hussars, theme dominated the evening as 150 people gathered to enjoy a ball that transported everyone back in time to the early 19th century. In between the musical and theatrical acts, guests were invited to take part in various lotteries, auctions and contests. After the elements interrupted the first attempt, KCC’s Spring Ball was deemed a resounding success!

30.04.2013 10:29:35

W

25

What’s On Facebook page at facebook.com/whatson.kyiv World of Robots

One of the teams puts finishing touches on their project A mix of visitors, participants and their projects

PALACE SPORT The Fifth AllUkrainian Festival Robotica kicked off on 21 April gathering more than 500 youngsters who were trying to engineer mechanical marvels. In the course of the festival, the First Lego League (FLL) was held this year focusing on the problems and challenges faced by our most senior citizens.

The kids who participated presented their projects focused on helping the elderly cope with day-to-day life with the help of robots. In addition, everyone was invited to take part in various other contests as they learned more about robotic technology.

Solving a difficult technical issue

Tasked with explaining how the project will benefit people

Running for Boston MYKHAILIVSKA SQUARE On 28 April, hundreds of Ukrainians and representatives of the international community in Kyiv took part in the IV Kyiv International Marathon. Professional sportsmen, world champions and amateurs ran shoulder-to-shoulder in the event. Participants could choose shorter distances of five or 10 kilometres, or opt for the classic marathon distance – officially 42.195 kilometres. This year’s event took on an element of poignancy with many runners paying tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack that marred the Boston Marathon wearing T-shirts that read: “I’m running for Boston”.

Byron and Emily Johnson came to Kyiv Johnson just for the marathon

Dmytro Kyselyov (in blue) and his fellow runners spare a second to wave for photographers and spectators

Commemorating Chornobyl

Photos: UNIAN

e

Liquidator widows take part in the march

16.indb 25

Liquidators gather to commemorate the memory of deceased colleagues

KYIV This year, Ukraine is commemorating the 27th anniversary of perhaps the greatest nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. On 26 April, ceremonies took place in different corners of the city – nearly every area in Kyiv where monuments to Chornobyl victims stand. At 1.23, Saturday 26 April 1986, an experiment at the number four reactor of the VI Lenin Chornobyl Atomic Energy Station went spectacularly wrong. Human error and technological backwardness caused the reactor to explode releasing a radioactive cloud that would eventually engulf all of Europe, lead to the demise of a city – Pripyat, and render a 30-kilometre zone uninhabitable for 600 years. Churches throughout Kyiv and Ukraine held mourning prayers on 26 April – marking the exact moment the explosion happened.

30.04.2013 10:29:39

002_KyivLife_Wok_16_13_606.indd 26

30.04.2013 11:37:55

27

W

hile I’ve already lived through it seven times, it never ceases to amaze me how quickly winter turns to summer here in Ukraine. Exactly one month ago, we saw the biggest snow fall ever recorded in Kyiv, and that mass of white stuff lay on the ground a good few days while the city continued to experience sub-zero temperatures.

Eventually, it started to melt, then within days temperatures rose at an astonishing rate until Saturday 29 April, only three short weeks later, it was 30 degrees. Now that’s just crazy. In past years I’ve always been amazed by the very short springs, but this year we seem to have just skipped that season altogether, going from freezing cold to very warm in moments.

Normally, I quite enjoy the cold crisp winters here in Kyiv, but this one was long and miserable with barely a blue sky in sight, so I am glad to see the back of it. What I am even happier about is seeing all the summer terraces getting thrown up in super-quick time.

These are the things that, for me, make Kyiv a wonderful place to be. Indeed, I wonder if there is any city in the world that goes to such trouble with its pavement seating. Sure, in Paris every café has some tables and chairs outside, but they sit straight on the pavement.

Even in that most sophisticated of capitals you will not see carpenters constructing complex platforms ensuring clients are kept off the

ground, and level. And roofing too! Not just a few parasols bearing the logo of a beer brand, but properly engineered porticos to keep us sheltered from the odd spring shower. Indeed, often the summer terrace of some venues is so much larger and better than the venue itself that it often makes me wonder how the venue survives at all during winter.

All that aside, there is nothing better than these places to enjoy the warm balmy weather of summer while supping a cold libation and watching the world go by. Indeed, I often take a somewhat masochistic pleasure from sitting on a terrace, drinking a cold beer, relaxed as a bear in hibernation, and watching those silly people in their big cars blasting their horns trying to escape the gridlock they’ve created.

These perverse pleasures are rare, and we must enjoy them whenever we can.

Perverse pleasure aside, they are, each and every one of them (almost) simply excellent places to spend your relaxation time with friends and loved ones, whiling away the hours in the warm fresh (almost) air with some tasty nibbles, cold drinks, and of course the good conversation always provided by good company.

Summer is here, the terraces have appeared, and despite all the doom and gloom in the press, all is good with the world!

Business Meetings Got important stuff to discuss?

No chairs? No problem – check out this “workshop”.

For the PersonWho-Has-Everything Bet they don’t have a plastic moose head.

In Bloom The trees (especially the chestnuts) are putting on their spring show. This is the time of year when Kyiv looks her most beautiful.

What’s Hot

Provocations and Observations

Neil Campbell

MAINTAINING SECRECY, A SPILL, SPRING, BELIEBERS, AND A COMEDIAN STANDS CORRECTED. IT’S OUR TWEETS OF THE WEEK.

Pimp my Ride We’re sure we’ve commented on customised cars in Kyiv before, but this example ranks as totally bizarre.

Racist Advertising Dear Jared, I’ve been seeing a man for four weeks, I really like him but he will only see me during the daytime. It makes me wonder if he is married or already has a girlfriend. So what’s the difference between a wife and a mistress?

Regards, Tanya Dear Tanya, I think you’ve answered the question yourself. Night and day.

Jared

If you have a question about life, work or relationships in Kyiv please write to agonyaunt@whatson-kiev.com

002_KyivLife_Wok_16_13_606.indd 27

If someone thought this ad for a solarium was funny, it’s not.

White Lines It’s an annual ritual that occurs across Kyiv come spring.

The whitewashing of various, random curbs and concrete, is it for navigation? What?

What’s Not

Maybe it’s just in case Chelsea Kiser (@CheloceanJK) did understand?

It makes me laugh when the four year olds whisper to each other in Russian. I can’t understand even if they shouted it. :) #Kyiv Greg Dutchak (@g_dutchak17) spills precious cargo: Ahh!!! I spilt perfectly good borscht all over my white sock! Wasting borscht Dodo (@diagry) is lost for words: May is my favourite time, if only you knew how beautiful Kyiv is at this time *________* Not sure we agree with Ganna Skorokhod (@anna_denicks): Dear Mr @justinbieber Ukraine needs you. #UkraineLoveYouJustin larissa zacharuk (@larissazacharuk) corrects the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon host: Ugh come on Jimmy Fallon...It’s not The Ukraine. Just Ukraine. #petpeeve

30.04.2013 11:42:37

16.indb 28

30.04.2013 10:30:38

16.indb 29

30.04.2013 10:30:49

16.indb 30

30.04.2013 10:30:56

16.indb 31

30.04.2013 10:31:12

French Cuisine 23 Bohdan Khmel’nytskyi Str. (044) 499 39 36 www.citronelle.com.ua

16.indb 32

30.04.2013 10:31:36

Kyiv's Premier International Health Clinic

24-hour Urgent Care Pediatrics Full Primary Care OB/Gyn Direct insurance billing to most major insurance groups

(044) 490 76 00 www.amcenters.com

16.indb 33

30.04.2013 10:31:44

Essential Kyiv

34

Kyiv Telephone code is +380 44

AIRPORT/BUS/ TRAIN STATIONS BORYSPIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Kyiv-Boryspil highway (23km) 281-7122 www.airport-borispol. kiev.ua KYIV-ZHULYANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Povitroflotsky 92 242-2309 www.airport.kiev.ua CENTRAL BUS STATION Moskovska 3 525-5774 CENTRAL TRAIN STATION Vokzalna 1 465-2111

AIRLINES

BOOK SHOPS

AIR FRANCE-KLM Ivana Franka 34/33 490-2490, 496-3575 www.airfrance.ua www.klm.ua

ALBION BOOKS Ukraina Shopping Mall, (Peremohy Pl 3, 3rd floor) Globus Shopping Complex (Instytutska 2, 3rd line, 2nd floor) 221-0044 www.albion-books.com

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES V Vasylkivska 9/2 8-800-300-0492 www.austrian.com DELTA AIRLINES AVIAREPS AG V Vasylkivska 9/2, office 4 (entrance 1) 287-3595, 287-3560 www.delta.com LUFTHANSA Khmelnytskoho 52 490-3800 www.lufthansa.com

CAR RENTALS AVIS Yamska 72 502-2010 BUDGET Ivana Lepse 4 490-1088

CHARITIES UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES Lysenka 4 581-5050 www.flyUIA.com

APARTMENT RENTALS KYIV UKRAINE APARTMENTS M Zhytomyrska 15 229-3079

KYIV LIONS CLUB 050-334-5410 www.kyivlionsclub.org INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB OF KYIV 234-3180 www.iwck.org

CONSULTING EURO CONSULT GROUP 067-565-7923 www.euro-consultgroup.com.ua

CULTURAL CENTRES

AIDS TESTING (ANONYMOUS) 278-7385

BRITISH COUNCIL Skovorody 4/12 490-5600

HOSTELS

CENTRE OF SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE Obolonska 7 239-2418 www.spanish.com.ua FRENCH INSTITUTE Honchara 48 482-0672 GOETHE INSTITUTE Volovska 12/4 496-9785 ITALIAN CULTURE INSTITUTE Yaroslaviv Val 32b 270-6223 POLISH INSTITUTE Khmelnytskoho 29/2 490-9900 UKRAINE-JAPAN CENTRE Peremohy Pr 37 406-8166

HOSPITALS/ CLINICS

CHILLOUT HOSTEL KYIV Horkoho 22b/35 093-332-4306 D’LUX KYIV HOSTEL Observatorna 10 097-832-8888 DREAM HOSTEL V Vasylkivska 47 066-244-1447

HOTELS ALFAVITO Predslavynska 35d 220-4577 www.alfavito.com.ua COSMOPOLITE Hetmana 6 205-3520 FAIRMONT GRAND HOTEL KYIV NaberezhnoKhreshchatytska 1 322-8888 www.fairmont.com/kyiv

AMERICAN MEDICAL CENTRES Berdychivska 1 490-7600

For information on how to list your company here, please call 459-0553.

16.indb 34

HOLIDAY INN KYIV V Vasylkivska 100 363-3000 www.holidayinn.com/ kiev

HYATT REGENCY KYIV Alla Tarasova 5 581-12-34 www.kyiv.regency.hyatt.com

IBIS Shevchenko Blvd 25 591-2222 INTERCONTINENTAL V Zhytomyrska 2a 219-1919 www.intercontinentalkiev.com OPERA B Khmelnytskoho 53 581-70-70 www.opera-hotel.com PREMIER PALACE T Shevchenko Blvd 5-7/29 537-45-00 www.premier-palace.com RADISSON BLU Yaroslaviv Val 22 492-2200 www.radissonblu.com/ hotel-kiev RIVIERA ON PODIL Sahaidachnoho 15 581-2828 RADISSON PODIL Bratska 17-19 393-1373 www.radissonblu.ru/ hotel-kyiv-podil

RAMADA ENCORE KYIV Stolychne Shose 103 205-1515 www.ramadaencorekiev. com

SATELLITE TV SATDOTTV Television, Sat TV, multi-room solutions www.satdottv.info 067-401-0873

TAXIS EXPRESS TAXI 239-1515 LIMOUSINE TAXI 502-0808 RADIO TAXI 246-1036

EMERGENCY FIRE 101 POLICE 102 FIRST AID/ AMBULANCE 103 NATURAL GAS EMERGENCY 104 WATER/ELECTRIC/ SEWAGE EMERGENCY 1557 ELEVATOR EMERGENCY 1586

30.04.2013 10:31:47

16.indb 53

29.04.2013 18:14:24

16.indb 54

29.04.2013 18:14:26