Halychyna begets a cultural elite
The number of knights in Halychyna registers a sharp increase. The Lviv Opera finally hosted a ceremony announcing and honoring the most prominent figures winning the contest Galician King ‘04. In Ukraine, this project is regarded in a variety of ways, although few if any can deny that it is one of the most interesting local events. It is held for the fourth time in old Lviv. Anyone can access the website and vote for a contender. Interestingly, the ceremony coincides with the Valentine Day. This event also deserves separate notice from the Weltanschauung point of view.
Naturally, many will argue that our times are anything but knightly, but it is also true that Halychyna deserves all praise, trying to contribute in an effort to justify the twenty-first century as an elite age. One feels like giving the worthy individuals their due, watching the summits, and maybe trying to climb some of them. Be that as it may, natural aristocracy has existed at all times, even if the powers that be made every effort to erase the notion from the people’s minds. I understand this aristocracy as one rooted in virtue and talent.
The organizing committee does not blemish the knightly status with any financial admixtures. Each winner is conferred with a wreath, copy of an original edition of the Scriptures (worth $100.00), and a gift from Nemiroff Co. (the latter [being bottles of Ukraine’s best vodka] is immediately disposed of for the obvious reasons).
The sage Swebel said once the most satisfied citizens are found in a country where the government knows how to create an illusion, making every citizen feel as though he were a king, however small the kingdom. Of course not all, but perhaps some will have at least a year’s term in this [virtual] knightly domain. Last year’s King was Myroslav Marynovych, Vice Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, a dedicated exponent of the Galician ethnic identity. This year, it is Tara Vozniak, Editor of the Periodical Ї [a letter of the Ukrainian alphabet pronounced yeeh , as in yogurt]. Marynovych said, “this periodical serves to enter Ukraine into various contexts: Polish, Austrian, all-Europe’s or Central European.” During the ceremony, Taras Vozniak admitted that his coronation would bring about changes — although he probably meant the gown that would have to cut shorter (his and Marynovych’s sizes being different), but perhaps other changes could be in the offing.
All those in the audience were perfectly content with the atmosphere of good humor and unconstraint. Taras Chubai told the jury they should visit confessionals after the ceremony. There was laughter as everyone realized there were too many winners representing moneyed entities. BB’s Skrypka, a guest of honor, gave a loud whistle and the audience just smiled. However, everybody took quite seriously Taras Vozniak’s promise to make every effort to have a crown shining in gold at the top of the Lviv City Hall. Lviv literally means the City of Lions, so why should it be denied a royal crown? The knights of Halychyna will fight and win it.
