מזל טוב צו דיין געבורסטאָג, אוקריינא

Ukraine has turned twenty today. Ukraine in its current state that is. Twenty is a nice number worth celebrating. Celebrating despite the political mess, corruption and tough economic situation. Celebrating with speeches, church services, artists' markets, military bands parades, rock and pop concerts.

Ukrainians are supposed to be proud. Proud and happy. All of them. Including Russians, Gypsies, Tatars, Greeks, Gagauz and all other ethnic groups living in Ukraine. To show how happy they are, they sing the Ukraine national anthem in their own languages. There are video clips in thirteen languages. Jews sing along. All 103 thousand of them according to the little film. All 103 thousand that for some reason haven't fled the country. Yet.

Oh, wait, what's wrong with the clips? Why do I get this strange déjà vu feeling? I've seen this before. Long ago. Very long ago! People singing happily in different languages, trying to depict how proud they are of their country. That was in early eighties in Soviet Union.
It's amazing how much my perception of such propaganda material changed in the past 25 years. When I was a Soviet kid, this kind of clips made me proud and happy. Now I watch them in disbelieve. At first I thought it was a joke. What is the idea behind this? Why would anyone in their right mind take this seriously? Why would anyone in their right mind seriously engage in making of these ... ehm... clips?


Look at the little Jose (or whatever the name is) - good boy. Great actor! I wonder, are these orphans? No parents to protest against their participation in this pathetic happening?

Happy Birthday, Ukraine!