KievMapDecember 1–3, 2014 Courage and fearlessness. Wait a minute, if it’s fearlessness, then why is the soldier’s face completely covered with a balaclava? It might be winter in my photo, but it’s summer in the photo on the poster. From whom is this brave and fearless soldier hiding his face? It isn’t politically correct to ask such questions in Ukraine these days.  Courage and Fearlessness. Glory to Ukraine! Women of a certain age stand along the entire length of Khreshchatyk Street selling bold and funny souvenirs.  PTN-GFY. Wipe your FEET! The ideas are limited, but not the supply.  Putin is a dickhead; PTFO The metro’s logo has changed. The outlines of the old logo, identical to Moscow’s, remain on the wall. The new logo is an exact copy of the new Moscow one.  A wave of patriotism has swept over the entire country, manifesting itself in the most primitive of ways.  Every surface is being painted the colors of the national flag. This is the safest move.  Although there are more sincere manifestations as well. For instance, many cafes now have signs which say that one hryvnia from every transaction will go to support the Ukrainian army. 15 transactions add up to a dollar; this is a national feature in full bloom. “With deeds, not words.”  I am a Ukrainian restaurant owner. I SUPPORT THE UKRAINIAN ARMY with deeds, not words. 1 hryvnia from every transaction to support the Ukrainian army. Show your support as well, don’t stand on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the cargo cult of European integration persists. Three-dimensional “I am KYIV” sculptures have appeared on the streets, emulating “I amsterdam.” Only the latter is a pun, while the former is nonsense.  Boryspil Airport now has passport control lines “for Ukrainian and EU citizens.” It all looks convincing, except that the EU doesn’t have lines “for EU and Ukrainian citizens.” For some reason.  |
