Eat, socialize, and read

I do not know whose idea it was to name the chain of the capital’s cafes Babuin (Baboon) six years ago, but it was a crucial decision. The funny and witty name was very fitting for “the Babuin family,” whose premises were designed as cozy book cafes and art-cafes — with music and literary soirees, and private exhibits of contemporary artists. A baboon is a monkey of the genus Papio. It is my understanding that the restaurateurs clearly hinted that homo sapiens comes from these funny primates, but differs from them by its ability to connect letters into words, words into sentences, read them, and sometimes analyze what they read.

Word of mouth quickly spread around Kyiv about democratic cozy cafes, where one can organize a corporate party, celebrate a birthday, reminisce about a family visit, and gossip with a friend in a comfy nook. One could attend the concert of Yevgeni Grishkovetz, Nino Katamadze or Enver Izmaylov, or performances by Viktor Shenderovych or Artemy Troitsky, and later boast about it.

This lasted for three years, from 2004 to 2007, and since one gets used to good things quickly, the information about the closure of all three book cafes of the “Babuin family” made me very upset. Apart from everything mentioned above, a special audience gathered in these art-cafes: writers, journalists, artists, actors. Thus, these ordinary cafes turned into professional clubs which I always longed for.

That is why the recent news about the reincarnation of Babuin, in a new place (Symona Petrliury Street, the former Kominternu Street 10), was a pleasant surprise. Halyna Lohvinova, one of the original creators, and the prominent publisher and gallery owner Yurii Komelkov were behind this decision.

Probably the entire intellectual elite of Kyiv gathered for the presentation of the cafe. In the halls of the new Babuin, which preserved nostalgic features of the former “family residences” (with things from the last century, lamps, ceilings covered by newspapers, and, most importantly, shelves full of books, from floor to ceiling), nobody could notice the writers Andrey Kurkov and Les Poderviansky, the movie producer Oleh Kokhan, the televisions hosts Yurii Makarov, the politician Oleh Rybachuk, the director of the French Cultural Center Matthieu Ardin, as well as businessmen, artists, and journalists.

One of the owners of Babuin, Komelkov, met with guests. His mood was elevated, everything was done perfectly: there wasn’t room to swing a cat, literally. Fans of the music bands Yohurt,  Mary Sky Band, and the inimitable Oleh Skrypka gathered in the hall with an improvised music stage, and those who came to communicate in a somewhat chamber atmosphere, preferred more remote premises. Komelkov with the rights and duties of the host managed to pay attention to all. And even to give interviews to journalists:

“They sowed the idea to revive Babuin in my head,” he laughingly commented on his unexpected decision. “The former owners of Babuin were my close friends, and the gallery Tryptykh fruitfully cooperated with them, I often rested there with pleasure myself. To be honest, I was disappointed when I learned that the book cafes ceased to exist. And when (this was four weeks ago!), one wonderful evening I was called and offered to open a cafe under the favorite and still remembered by many brand, I agreed without hesitation. Because, I am sure, Babuin is in demand. I would characterize potential visitors of our art-cafe as non-glamorous beau monde. We are going to revive literary parties, invite famous musicians, and organize private viewings of talented contemporary artists. I will reveal a secret: already in December the presentation of the new French movie festival Nouveaux Cinemas is expected,  it will take place with the support of the French Cultural Center; performances of the bands Bumboks, Okean Elzy, and other not less interesting thematic events. In addition, during the opening, literally every three minutes guests came up to me: Kurkov, Poderviansky, and said that they wanted to hold the presentation of their new books in Babuin. This is some success, you must admit.

“In addition, the atmosphere of the former ‘houses of Babuin’ presupposed unhurried communication with business partners, friends, and sometimes simply with a good book. We hope to keep it. As it was before, there are pictures by contemporary painters on the walls. On The Day of the opening, we introduced the talented David Sharashydze. Vernisages will be constantly renewed.

On the shelves, there are new books from around the world: bestsellers by Beigbeder, Suskind, Gary, Kundera, many books in Ukrainian. Certainly, today’s evening is loud and festive, and guests do not have time for reading. But note that half an hour ago on the table near the wardrobe there were copies of The Day, our media-partner, and now there is no one copy. By the way, an interesting fact: in the former Babuin, visitors not only read books, but also developed their personal libraries, buying new literature in the cafe. Thus, I suppose it was the right decision to risk and revive the former, cult for Ukrainian intellectuals, art-cafe.

“Besides, one can enjoy delicious food in our Babuin. The menu contains signature dishes with plays on the word ‘baboon,’ both Ukrainian and European cuisine. Thus, we bid farewell to 2010 in a good mood, I hope it will not leave us, and I want to wish all friends and supporters to find themselves happy in the New Year!”

From verified rumors: the party dedicated to the opening of the book cafe Babuin finished at 6 a.m. next day, and already a few hours later the new art-cafe welcomed its first visitors.

Mykola VERESEN, a television host:

“It is very important that such events as the opening of the book cafe take place: people coming here will see books! Sometimes watching serials by accident, I noticed one ridiculous thing: nobody has any books! As a person knowledgeable in movie (a little bit!), and a bit more (but little as well!) in television, I can imagine a scene: a person is sitting with a book, the door opens and a person enters and pays attention to this book. I am waiting for this scene, but it is not there! And sometimes I think that this could happen in a cafe as well: a visitor comes in and sees a book. He or she even does not take it in their hands, but simply notices it! It is interesting to make life diverse in some way. Of course, I guess not many people will read in Babuin, but some will. And it’s good.” 

Oleksii MALYKH, artist:

“We lack art-cafes in Kyiv, which is why we visited the former Babuin with pleasure — for business meetings, dates with girls, or to socialize with friends. I even had an exhibit in one of them. Moreover, someone bought a picture! Therefore we will visit the new Babuin as well and we will bring friends, especially since the atmosphere of the past cafes is preserved here.” 

Yurii MAKAROV, television host, writer:

“A place like this is the sum of the people it brings together. I am extremely sensitive to the quality of the people surrounding me. In the past I condemned myself for being snobbish all the time, and only recently stopped this self-torture, since it’s my right to communicate with people who appeal to me, and to avoid those whom I dislike. But why do they concentrate in one place and not another? We remembered the first art-cafes not because one could have a cheap meal there, for their overwhelming service and original interior, though this was the case, too. Babuin was the first place to hold classy events. The first thing I remember is Podia (Les Poderviansky) reading his immortal works. It happened a few months after the cafe was opened. But such classy events are even not as important as those people of quality deciding that they feel good somewhere.” 

Yaroslav MOSKALENKO, first deputy governor of the Kyiv oblast:

“We have been friends with Yurii Komelkov for many years, and when I introduce him to my friends, I say: ‘This person is not of this world.’ He lives according to absolutely different rules, he has different life principles. When they were going to open a cafe with Halyna Lohvinova, I even dissuaded him: maybe it is the wrong time, will people visit it? And when I came to the opening, I understood: as for me, I will come here. Definitely. Kyiv lacks such places, since there is a focus on glamorous restaurants. Babuin has a special atmosphere, as does the Tryptykh gallery. I know the majority of pictures very well there, but if I happen to be in Andriivsky uzviz, I visit it by all means — to have a cup of coffee or simply to talk. I am sure it will be the same here. We did many common projects of different kinds with Yura — organized a plein-air of sculptors, prepared the celebration of a district anniversary, organized elections. And all of them were successful.”