GOOD TRIUMPHS WHEN ORGANIZED RIGHT

Den marked its second anniversary last year by staging a staff photographers' exhibit. On that occasion the editors promised to hold another exhibit on the same date next year, this time composed of works submitted by participants in our International Photo Contest for Amateurs and Professionals. Photos continued to arrive throughout the year and the best were selected for the final exposition opened Friday before last and was visited by those wishing to congratulate our staff for its three years of achievement.

The display was held in a hall in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kyiv and from the outset the place was a beehive of activity. Visitors spoke highly of the exhibit and rightly so, for it turned out to be quite impressive: first, in terms of its professional level and second, in terms of the prevailing mood of the works — while varying in themes and approaches, they were united by the authors' genuine concern about those living in the Ukrainian state which still lacks any such concern. In fact, our newspaper has carried quite a few of the photos during the year, so its readers could judge the photographers' skill and attitude. “We were gratified by the level of the works submitted to the contest,” said Robert Stubblebain of Kodak Ukraine, which contributed cameras as awards to the winners. “We intend to further support the development of the art of photography in Ukraine in this way,” he added.

“We are trying to revive an almost forgotten type of partnership with our readers,” noted our editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna. In fact, the anniversary reception's scenario was that of awarding the winners of our past two large contests: the photo and The Day 's Experts one. Unfortunately, the multitude of letters received in the course of the experts' competition could not be displayed because of the lack of space. Hopefully, the audience included people who had watched an early 1+1 news release and heard the hostess invite them to attend, to make sure that the letters were genuine, as were their authors, ordinary readers rather than professional journalists.

As to organizing the forces of good to overcome those of evil was a topic in one way or another touched on by the winners, journalists, and our business partners, thanks to whom the winners could receive such wonderful awards. There was, however, another aspect to this. A small children's instrumental ensemble from Luhansk played during the intermissions. At first, the audience received it rather calmly, noting the organizing committee's good taste. Then it turned out that its artistic director was Olha Sobolieva, the very woman who had played in underpasses to collect the money for a flute for her student Kateryna Reznychenko, subsequently described by the us in an article and accompanying photo. Incidentally, the photographer, Vadym Lisny of Luhansk won second place in the contest. Nadra Bank executives Oleksandr Nimy and Serhiy Rohol took advantage of the occasion to present Kateryna with a flute in a case, stressing that it was not from the bank but its employees.

All 33 winners of our expert contest were invited to the photo exhibit's opening. They were united by one desire, to see people live better in Ukraine, for which reason they had actively contributed to the contest with their letters. Their letters, as all correspondence our Readers Sound Off column, form the newspaper's know-how. Their contents are evidence that Ukraine's public opinion is independent, responding genuinely to all the nation's pressing political and social issues, and this is true of our readership nationwide. The staff was gratified to hear from them (from now on the newspaper's official experts) that this publication offers them a unique opportunity to speak out and be heard. In addition, all readers' contests mean discovering new names in journalism. For example, Yevhen Morentsov, a Kyiv engineer-cum- mathematician, winner of the Questionnaire contest this May, is now our regular contributor.

Under the contest rules readers were to name the best journalists on staff. Tetiana Korobova, who placed first, said this is the only award one can accept in this country, because all the official ones are merely pay for services rendered. What The Day does is merely returning to normal, acting the way all the media should, keeping the public informed about the hard realities and analyzing them, rather than building images and trying to manipulate public opinion. One can only regret knowing that such approach is regarded as extraordinary.

The presentation was attended by people who came from their hearts, and the atmosphere was truly friendly and relaxed, like one big happy family. This prompted Ms. Ivshyna to ad lib, “One can talk about rehabilitating the notion of the family which has been somewhat Italianized in Ukraine recently.” The authors of the newspaper's next contest (to be held in collaboration with the Mystetsvo Publishing House) seem to have precisely this in mind, as its title is Ukraine's Family Portrait. Its participants will tell about their families, for the family mirrors any given country's history.

Den , a small part of this large country, has been in existence for three years. A great deal of work lies ahead, along with new contests and new discoveries. The Editors would like to thank all who sent their greetings and promise to make every effort to keep up the good work.

The following day, at exactly 12.30 p.m., the big Oleksiy Vatchenko pleasure boat cast off Pier Four of Kyiv's River Port. This was a very courteous gesture by the captain, for the passengers had been warned to be on board by noon. In other words, no latecomers were left ashore, which was good, because the trip was part of the festivities commemorating Den 's third anniversary, and no disappointed faces need be displayed. On that day all the roles were reversed; the editors came wearing expensive training suits and blazers, and their subordinates appeared in formal clothes, some women in evening dresses. The smartest chose the golden mean — light pants and informal gray jackets. This set the tone immediately: totally democratic, with good humor.

Two factors kept the atmosphere warm: the sun and beer, of which it is said here that there is never enough. The truth of the latter was graphically demonstrated by our journalists, assisted by the Mezokred group of companies supplying the beer: Chernihiv, Obolon (Light, Company, Dark, and Velvet), Yantar Plus (Black Prince, Light, Dark, and Admiral's), Kyiv Brewery No. 1 (Scything and Cossack), and Rohan Brewery (Journalist).

Our guests were quite taken by both the quality and quantity of the foamy masterpieces. There was a beer drinking contest and our resident experts once again testified to the old truism that there's never enough beer. This was especially true of Ukrainian beer, all brands available. Few if any passengers or crews sailing past did not watch the activities on top deck without envy. And it was worth seeing: a beer tasting ceremony. In fact, many on board the Vatchenko later testified to small crowds of men gathering on both banks, waving and shouting. Some were even seen to wipe away tears. But we are getting too lyrical.

We hereby formally announces the beer contest winner (in the speed- drinking, quantity consumed, and guess the brand blindfolded events): Volodymyr Pankeyev, Vice President of the Beer Lovers' Club and first deputy editor-in-chief of The Day . Characteristically, the winner eschewed all other prizes in lieu of one more bottle. After the boat trip, our BLC members concluded unanimously that “Ukrainian beer tastes equally good when consumed on the couch at home, in the forest, street doorway, at a stadium, restaurant, on a park bench, and on board a pleasure boat. Attention sponsoring firms! This study will have a sequel in the near future.

It is also true that the staff can hardly remember another case of such unanimity. While the party was in full swing, the air thick with the heady fragrance of the river, weeping willows, beer guzzling, smacking kisses, and blurry compliments, someone had a bright idea met with considerable enthusiasm: stop the boat and dispatch a landing party to seize an attractive- looking island, claiming it for The Day . And why not? Elton John pulled it off. However, in the course of the discussion that followed the idea was recognized as too radical. Then there was another idea: raid the bridge, seize the wheel, and just keep sailing, living on deck (and, of course, in the restaurant and two bars available) like one big friendly family. Discarded on the same grounds. Finally we all agreed that we were one big peaceful family and the boat returned and cast anchor at five on the dot. We sorrowfully parted company with its cheerful and witty passengers with a strong team spirit, being The Day 's team. Our erstwhile host hooted a sad farewell. Until we meet again at age four.

The Editors and staff wish to express special thanks to the following business partners who provided awards for The Day contest winners and made the anniversary celebration a memorable event for all present: Kodak Ukraine (sets of professional photography equipment for the photo contest laureates); Artex Travel (a tour of European cities as the main prize of The Day 's Experts contest); Krona Travel (resort accommodation in the Crimea as the second prize for the Experts contest); Zakarpatturyst (Transcarpathia Tourist Agency (winter resort accommodation in the Carpathian Mountains as the third prize for the Experts contest);

and also Obolon Brewing Co., Kyiv Brewery No. 1, Rohan, Yantar Plus, and the Mezokred group of companies.