On the Specifics of Our National Patronage

“Patronage: in Old Rome a system of material dependence of clients on their patrons, established by the latter in order to gain political influence.” — From the Slovnyk inozemnykh sliv [Dictionary of Foreign Words]

“Any classical confidence game requires the presence of talented performers providing the noisy backdrop distracting the credulous customer from the main (criminal) act.” — From informed sources

I am delighted by my fellow countrymen, primarily by some of them, that cream of society moving one to tears and shouts of sensual delight by their performance in the nationwide presidential marathon. Specifically, People Artist Sofiya Rotaru who “opts for the future with Zlahoda” followed by Taras Petrynenko & Co., popular stand-up comedians Volodymyr Moiseyenko and Volodymyr Danylets who quickly caught the drift (“We are for Democracy! We are for Kuchma!”), all under the President's patronage. Of course, because not a single topnotch confidence trick can be pulled off these days without reliable backing. Zlahoda's press center cheerfully reports that its morning concerts are attended by 500-800 persons and nighttime galas by 5,000-15,000.

Take Chernihiv. Rallies and concerts are staged on its Red Square (Chervona Ploshcha) contrary to local city council resolution No. 205 On the Allocation of Places for Rallies, Meetings, and Other Public Events, of July 28, 1999, valid for the duration of the presidential campaign. Yet its Mayor Vitaly Kosykh regards them not as “political events” but as “mass cultural measures meant to supply the cultural needs of the residents of Chernihiv and popularize Ukrainian popular music.”

Then how about the crowds of drunk teenagers roaming the streets at night and downtown turned into a garbage heap after such shows? Is this also part of supplying cultural needs?

They say that when a baby is born God comes down from heavens to give it a kiss, and that the baby's future depends on where exactly He kisses it. If it is the head, the baby will grow to be a scientist or philosopher, the hand will make a surgeon or musician, and the leg an athlete or dancer.

I try to imagine where He should kiss a baby turning it into a slave without any self-respect. I can't.

Is it possible?

PS: The city is again in the dark under its electricity conservation program. Who will turn on the lights next? The patronage continues.