The Real Thing

Neither the state's leadership nor even departmental ministers graced with their presence the concert sponsored by the Inter television channel and dedicated (as was printed on tickets) to the 185th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birth and the eightieth anniversary of the formation of the Ukrainian National Meritorious Bandura Chorus. Fortunately, this did not affect the high tonality of the show, or perhaps it was just the other way around.

Sometimes a state has to earn the honor to be represented by figures of this magnitude. So far, the state feels no awkwardness over the fact that, say, Mr. Solovyanenko is not its spiritual visiting card.

With some of those in power, the kitsch tune "Murka" goes better.

Incidentally, tickets for Vanessa Mae cost Hr. 800 at the same Ukraine Palace, while those for Mr. Solovyanenko went for only Hr. 25.

The People's Diplomacy Foundation representative handed Mr. Solovyanenko a diploma of as people's ambassador signed by the fund's honorary chairman Leonid Kravchuk and noted a very correct thing: independent Ukraine is not so old. But it has been known for a long time. For presidents and prime ministers represent the state, and Anatoly Solovyanenko the people. Then he added on behalf of the first President, "Solovyanenko has already heard many words. You can only bow to him..."