Ukraine of today is being created before our eyes
The Fifth International Ethnic Festival called Kraina Mrii (the Dreamland) took place on the Spivoche pole (the Singling Field) this weekend. As time has shown, the Dreamland as well as the name of Oleh Skrypka who initiated it, have a magic effect. They make many people buy a Ukrainian-language book or a magazine that were not frequently bought previously, put on a vyshyvanka (an embroidered shirt) and start speaking Ukrainian. Film director Serhii Arkhypchuk made an interesting notice that had Skrypka opened an at gallery, there would be many people eager to see the display. Actually, Oleh creates a context, within which the new generation will apparently grow, including the new generation of politicians.
COMMENTARY
Dmytro KLOCHKO , photographer:
"I do only portraits for the Dreamland festival. As an art photographer, I can say that I have seen lots of real personalities. We have to play games in our daily life, but here everyone, young and old, must reveal his/her true self. I might as well add that this festival marks a process of liberation. What I mean? Many residents of Kyiv still have second thoughts about speaking Ukrainian or walking out on the street sporting a vyshyvanka hand-embroidered shirt, although they really want to put it on and walk around wearing it and using their mother tongue. Now on this festive occasion they can do so and they really enjoy doing all this. In other words, this is when these people can rid themselves of their fears and lack of confidence. Another point. I've just talked to a Polish colleague about Ukrainian women looking real sexy wearing national costumes; that their appeal is much stronger than any modern, revealing clothes can claim."
Yurko ZELENY , music critic:
“ Kraina mrii , the Dreamland, is a holiday within a reservation, although Oleh Skrypka and his team are doing their utmost to make their project look something other than a ghetto one. They have succeeded in doing so, to an extent. During the early years this festival kept gaining audience. However, at present my impression is that that its audience has reached its limit, and that the situation in Ukraine is crying for changes. First, we have to do something about our television because it is imposing someone else’s lifestyle on Ukrainians. Second, our government must support projects like Dreamland. Indeed, we thank our governemnt for having supported it for the past several years. On the other hand, if the Dreamland project had been given the proper scope, we would have had an influx of foreign tourists, people interested in visiting this festival. People — members of the Diaspora — willing to fly from Canada to Ukraine have to pay considerably more than those visiting the Sziget Festival in Budapest, where the admittance fee ranges from 50 to 80 euros. This makes it possible to invite expensive and top quality teams and uphold this fest’s European reputation.
“In other words, the state must provide regular support for such cultural projects; this must be done on a regular basis to build Ukraine’s cultural image. By investing in Ukraine’s cultural growth and broader world view, by elevating the educational standard, the Ukrainian government will win in the long run.”
Mariana SHPOSH , participant in the EU’s project aimed at upgrading vocational training in Ukraine on a professional level:
“Oleh Skrypka is an ethnic trendsetter in Ukraine. Meanwhile, contemporary music rooted in Europe’s ethnic traditions is very much in vogue, so that every such folkfest becomes a major music event. In Ukraine, this tradition is especially strong, so this Dreamland Festival keeps quitely instilling the multifaceted and picturesque Ukrainian style. I guess it deserves being compared with the US legendary Woodstock Festival, when freedoms and democratic values are reasserted.”
