November 7: Red Letter, Black,or Ordinary Day?

Of late the political barometer has fallen a bit, apparently due to other pressing matters, such as overall economic instability, which discriminates against no one, making itself felt by thriving businesses and rank-and-file workers suffering from chronic back wages. Add here those who are just sick and tired of the ongoing squabbles among our politicians.

The Day asked several noted political figures to comment on this date.

  Leonid KRAVCHUK (first President of Ukraine):

I do not celebrate November 7, not any longer I am positive that this should not be regarded as an official holiday. In fact, the only reason it remains a red letter day is that we have so many Reds in our Parliament. I am one of those who says one should always preserve his history, but this history should be reflected in monographs, books, and the press. I appreciate all those who struggled for freedom and were prepared to sacrifice their lives for the good cause. They all sincerely believed that they were building the bright communist future. They were wrong, of course. On the other hand, we are supposed to be living in a democratic country, so we must respect all those revering this date.

  Natalia VITRENKO, leader of the Progressive Socialist Faction:

Our party is the only Marxist party in the Ukrainian Parliament. We have always consistently upheld the very Marxist idea: political power to the toilers. October 1917 demonstrated to the whole world what power to the people means. Thus, for us it is the most important holiday of all.

In 1917, the only right system of rule was established. The 1918 Constitution strengthened it, and in 1936 it was reborn. The People's Soviets became those of the nomenklatura. We have not lived under Soviet power. From this came distorted information, problems, and the collapse of a great state. And what was left of the economy was finished off by the Communist ideologues.

  Dmytro TABACHNYK, People's Deputy, Ph.D. (History):

I am an historian by training, and for me November 7 is a serious historical event, one of the defining turning points in the history of civilization. In its way, it is comparable with Waterloo or Bastille Day. The Great October Socialist Revolution had a tremendous impact on the fate of the world, to be regarded in two dimensions; first, carried a powerful positive charge, building the phantom of some absolute social model, a Utopian idea on Marxist and Campanella's standards. Later, when fully implemented, its impact was felt in strengthening democratic traditions the world over, rallying advanced forces faced with the terrible, strict empire occupying one-sixth of the globe. The entire democratic world watching this inhuman experiment came to the only logical conclusion: people had to unite and live under laws respecting human rights and liberties. It is better to develop social programs than place one's life on the revolutionary altar.

  Dmytro KORCHYNSKY, radical nationalist Vitchyzna (Fatherland) leader:

This date went down in twentieth century history. It was then that a number of personalities and ethnic groups received a real chance to implement their potentialities. On the other hand, October 1917 was a lesson: you want to achieve something, you have to learn the craft of rebellion. They learned how to stage big and small revolutions and went on from there.

  Valery CHEREP, United Social Democrat faction:

I would sound naive to allege that this date has played no role. I grew up and matured fully exposed to the powerful communist propaganda machine. However, we are all exposed to changes in our life and times. Watching realities change, we are not always aware of how we ourselves also. Let's face it: we did have the Russian Revolution and this date in October remains a red letter one in our calendar. We have on more than occasion tried to cancel it in Parliament, but the Left has effectively blocked our attempts.

  Volodymyr MOISEYENKO, member of the Ukrainian Communist Party Central Committee:

For me this is the most important holiday. It was in October that our people felt free for the first time. It was a force capable of changing our life for the better. I am aware of myself as part of a new community of people.

I think that all talk about canceling the festivities immortalizing the Great October Socialist Revolution is nothing but empty talk. We are supported by the majority of Ukrainian citizens. The Right and the national patriots suffer one defeat after the next. And the new bourgeoisie are surrounding their positions. We shall not allow them to cancel this nationwide holiday. The presidential campaign is approaching. You see Leonid Kuchma turning even more to the Left, and he will start singing dithyrambs to the October Revolution.

  Yaroslava STETSKO, leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists:

This is not a red but a black-letter date. It has passed and will never return. Personally, I observe another date: November 1 when the Western Ukrainian National Republic was proclaimed in Lviv. I am a true Christian, so I go to the cemetery to pay tribute to the graves of all those who fought and gave their lives for a Free Ukraine. I bring candles and light them on their graves. And I will try to rest Saturday November 7.

  Anatoly MATVIYENKO, leader of the NDP faction:

November 7 used to be a great holiday. People looked forward to it and prepared for it. Currently, this date ought to be used for summing things up, making comparisons between the way we lived and the way we are going to live. I do not consider this date as a day of self-reproach. In fact, November 7 ought to have been nullified as an official holiday in Ukraine long ago. Nothing happens on this date now. Ukraine had the revolution exported to it, as was Soviet power.

  Vitaly KONONOV, leader of the Greens:

I think that we have too many red-letter days in our calendar. We kept the old ones and added new ones. This is why we live badly; there's no time to work. November 7 is holiday for the Left. I don't understand why everyone should dance to their tune. The last presidential elections showed that they are supported by only 30% of the people. All the rest will proceed to build a new democratic state.