I shrugged
when I saw the book title “USSR 2.0.”
“Do you
think it will be good?” he asked.
I gave him
a puzzled look and expressed my opinion. I think it’s better to
live in a new
independent country than restore the old empire.
“You’re
very young and know nothing,” he argued. “You even can’t imagine
what USSR is.”
Thankfully,
I can’t.
I’m the
same age as Ukraine. Obviously,
I know nothing about the U.S.S.R. except for history lessons.
A new broom
sweeps clean, so Ukrainian history has served different
governments in different
ways. And, for Ukraine, there are lots of blank pages.
Many facts about
the Ukrainian Insurgent Army during World War II, about the
1932-33 Holodomor, about
the 2004 Orange Revolution appear in history books, only to
disappear when
these events fall out of favor to the powers that bee.
I’m
guessing we only know about 30 percent of the story.
That famous
Josef Stalin quote – “Our life is getting better and more
joyful” – is ironically
grim.
Many of
those who participated in the 1990 students’ Granite Revolution
for national
independence, the 2001 Ukraine Without Kuchma protests and the
2004 Orange Revolution
are frustrated.
Their hopes
are ignored. Maybe it is naive and childish, but I still tie an
orange ribbon
on Nov. 22’s Freedom Day, meant to commemorate the Orange
Revolution’s victory
in overturning a rigged presidential election.
Ukrainian
students are not tired of protests and riots. There are many
people ready to
make changes in Ukraine’s life. They’re everywhere … except in
parliament.
For my
generation, when information needs to be updated, we press F5. I
think it’s the
fresh angle Ukrainian politicians should see.
Instead of
crying about the awful situation in business and agricultural
spheres, they
need to change their attitude towards life. They should use
bikes instead of
cars. They should do less harm to nature by picking up litter
after picnics.
They should pay taxes and try to be honest.
And that is
what all Ukrainians can do.
What
irritates me the most is moaning about a better life somewhere
in Europe.
Sure, the
grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. And in
order for Ukraine
to find itself on the top lists of the world’s ratings, we need
to do something
for a prosperous future – without populism and fake patriotism.
Some days
ago I asked people about the biggest Ukraine’s achievement since
its
independence. One answer astonished me so much that I was
momentarily
speechless. The man, relaxing in Shevchenko Park and chewing
dried crusts, told
me there’s no such country as Ukraine. The nation is depressed.
We need to
close this page as soon as possible. The next chance is the Oct.
28 parliamentary
election.
The nation
needs to be united around the idea of a successful country with
solid prospects
for the future.
Ukraine has
great potential because of its heritage and human resources.
Despite the
problems, Ukraine is only 21. She is like a young woman thinking
of her own way
in life without old stereotypes and cliches.
Kyiv Post staff
writer Olena Goncharova can be
reached at [email protected]
