Olivier salad, champagne, the president's televised greetings and fireworks – those are the traditional features of a New Year’s celebration in Ukraine.
But separate YouTube messages add a new twist to tradition with messages critical of President Viktor Yanukovych.
At 11:55 p.m. on
Dec. 31, a group of EuroMaidan activists gave several speeches while standing at a tribune in downtown Kyiv to address Yanukovych on New Year’s Eve. Produced by online Hromadske
TV, a number of the remarks are delivered near a
decorated Christmas tree with national flags visible
in the videos.
“Dear Mr. President, I’d like to celebrate this New Year at home with my family, but my wife
persuaded me to go to the Maidan since
we couldn’t stay calm when our children got beaten during peaceful demonstrations
(on Nov. 30 when the police force to disperse Independence Square),” says one of the activists in
the video.
Vera Shcherbakova, native Kyivan, was among those to deliver New Year’s address to the President. She said the activists gathered earlier on Dec. 27 and chose the text from the scenario, adding that she liked the idea of such a greeting.
The activists say they want to be proud of
their president, as the French or Americans are and
don’t want to live in a “Soviet state.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have such a nice coat as you and don’t
know how to talk as well
as you, Viktor Fedorovych. But I want to share a real man’s advice with you: I hope there will
be no need to defend women and children from you and your brutal orders,” said another activist,
addressing the president.
The
activists reminded Yanukovych about the
brutal Nov. 30-Dec. 1 breakup of demonstrations during which more than 40
journalists were beaten along with civic activists. The speaker reminds
Yanukovych’s promise
to change the country’s course towards Europe.
However, they
said, Ukrainians had a chance to see “a
real country which they haven’t during all of
Ukraine’s 22 years of existence as an independent state.”
The activists promise Ukraine “will be in Europe, with or without you
(Yanukovych),” according to the last line of the appeal.
Meanwhile, dozens
of Donetsk EuroMaidan activists also decided to film their special greetings for Yanukovych.
A recording which was published on YouTube features some 40 activists gathered in central Donetsk on Dec. 31.
They shared their wishes to their president and said they were thankful for all that had happened in 2013.
“Dear Viktor Fedorovych , we wish you a happy New Year. It’s great
that we all had a chance to understand who’s who and the last year you showed your
real face,” said one of the activists, adding that the latest event united
all Ukraine against the incumbent president.
The Donetsk
activists who addressed Yanukovych added that they are “real patriots and
they’re proud of it.”
