Ukrainian Stars Isolated

No one is surprised any longer to watch prestigious titles bestowed and expensive awards handed out with most of society living in squalor. New stars appear on the horizon out of nowhere and then spend their prize money quietly, with the closest of friends. On the other hand, there are many whose attainments are truly unmatched in this country (and often the world over), but who are not burdened with nationwide acclaim. As was the case with Valery Lobanovsky, upon whom the title Hero of Ukraine was conferred posthumously. It was the most vivid example of such top level neglect. The new Zirky Ukrayiny (Ukrainian Stars) project was originated by the Presidential Administration and Cabinet of ministers, obviously meant to somehow correct the situation. It was launched in 2001 and has three nominations: Ukrainian Pop Star, Ukrainian Star Artist, and Ukrainian Sports Star. Among the first laureates are 17 time world gymnastics champion Larysa Latynina (also nine times Olympic champion, thus entered in the Guinness Book of Records); People’s artistes of Ukraine and USSR Yevheniya Myroshnychenko and Sofiya Rotaru. People’s Artist of Ukraine Vasyl Zinkevych also received the gold Star of Ukraine Order.

The awards ceremony took place at the Ukraine Palace last month. The alley itself was laid out two weeks ago, together with the celebrities, their relatives, and attending VIPs. Hard as one tried, one could not find a dozen familiar faces among the latter, and nor was the ceremony attended by a single statesman as an originator or a member of the academic council. Instead, passersby greeted the laureates from across the street. Vasyl Zinkevych was the first to arrive, followed by Yevheniya Myroshnychenko, Larysa Latynina, and Sofiya Rotaru (the latter was met with an ovation). Seeing their stars immured in the small square in front of the center, the celebrities were deeply moved and even Latynina could not muster her Olympian calm. In fact, the famous Hollywood emblems are shaped as eight-point stars made from a yellow alloy and kept under armored glass with a stainless steel frame (the exclusive badge, Star of Ukraine, is made from .585 fine or 14 carat gold). Each square bearing a star is some 60 cm. Two depict treble clefs and the other two the Olympic circles and a lyre. Considering the square’s limited space and the distance between the symbols, this alley claims elite status, meaning that the number of vacant spots is quite small.