Plagiarism or Maidan-2
Plagiarism is very widespread and advantageous in some circles, especially in politics. There are times when the tendency to plagiarize takes on the character of an epidemic or a vogue and begins to triumph over various social strata, typically in a top-down fashion.
What we have in Kyiv today is supposed to be an exact replica of Maidan-1. “Supposed to be” is the key phrase here. While the first Maidan was a lofty manifestation of the human spirit, Maidan-2 is an equally striking example — but this time of ever-vigilant and inane plagiarism. Most importantly, it is an indicator of the intellectual level of its godfathers, who are so helpless that they saw fit to employ even the slogans and methods of the first Maidan that they loathe so much. These include the general organization, movements of large masses of people, strict discipline, camps both in Tsarsky Park and on Independence Square, field kitchens, and many other features.
The chiefs of Maidan-2 went as far as to try to inspire their eastern Ukrainian followers with the first Maidan’s unforgettable slogan “Nas bahato — nas ne podolaty” (We are many — we are invincible)! One can only imagine how formidable this slogan must have seemed to them in 2004. Otherwise they wouldn’t have “resurrected” it for Maidan-2. This is the plagiarism of all plagiarisms, which can be prosecuted in a court of law- assuming, of course, that all our courts do not barricade themselves in the immediate future.
An old saw says: “Every landmark event happens twice: once as a lofty tragedy or drama and the second time as a humiliating farce, a caricature, a pale and distorted imitation of its first occurrence.” Remember the days of Maidan-1: to Kyivites and their numerous guests from various Ukrainian regions and abroad, this was a supreme public forum where people talked, sang songs, cracked jokes, exchanged opinions, played the drums, helped each other, and sincerely believed that our time had come. The first Maidan attracted everyone with its youthfulness, directness, and most importantly, with its Great Hope.
What hopes is Maidan-2 offering if it is only a shadow and a plagiarism of its predecessor? Can these stage managers, who have blindly copied the original script down to the tiniest detail, expect approval? How can people believe that they are capable of changing our life, economy, and well-being when they are unable to organize an original Maidan of their own? I am surprised that the Donbas region, which is home to brilliant people, failed to find a worthy orchestrator to stage a super-Maidan or something altogether different from the Maidan.
What is most noticeable is that the pilgrims from the east (primarily middle-aged women) feel totally alienated from the environment in which they found themselves. They do not have the slightest inclination to get acquainted with Kyivites, voice their opinions, engage in debates, or defend their cause. On the contrary: wrapped in their flimsy shawls, they sit next to their tents and field kitchens and leave the “zone” only for rallies and marches. On several occasions I tried to strike up a conversation with some women who were sitting on park benches, basking in the cold sun, but I inevitably met with reticence, suspicion, and even blatant hostility. Some of them told me bluntly: “Go away! We are not allowed to talk to you! Go away!” They clearly thought I was there on a mission.
Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed in finding out precisely why they were not allowed to speak freely. But I did learn one detail. The guests’ hostility toward Kyivites is at least partly caused by the disparity in the standard of living that they observe when they compare the villages and miners’ cities of the Donbas with the palpable, albeit relative, well-being of Kyiv. Most arrivals from the east are dressed very modestly to say the least, which may be the reason behind their general aversion for the residents of the capital. Known in Ukraine and abroad, the Donbas billionaires and millionaires are in no hurry to raise the standard of living in their own region, which would help people to make ends meet.
In any case, the majority of the visitors in Kyiv are pursuing the purely mercenary goal of putting some cash into their pockets. According to rumors circulating in Kyiv, the hardships of life in the tent city earn them a weekly compensation of 700 hryvnias.
The representatives of Ukraine’s rebellious region stayed in Kyiv for Easter. Strange as it may seem, the political protests and confrontations did not cease either on Good Friday or Easter Sunday-and this despite the famous piety of many MPs and cabinet ministers. Readers should remember that for such contempt shown to the Lord and Christ’s Church Emperor Constantine the Great (4th century A.D.) handed down death sentences-like for a mortal sin.
We all know that “all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” who represent various characters. For any performance it is desirable to have as many fine actors as possible, the likes of Bohdan Stupka or Bohdan Kozak. Unfortunately, the political actors who are now orchestrating Maidan-2 are in the third, or perhaps even fourth, league. The texts these politicians are reciting are even worse and practically nonsensical. (It would be interesting to find out who the authors are.)
Therefore, I ask all interested individuals not to base their opinions of the spiritual values and intellectual level of the Ukrainian people on these illogical, primitive, and dangerous specimens of speeches. Who is it that these brutish self-styled actors are playing? Are they playing the stock characters in Ukrainian nativity plays — a Gypsy man, goat, devil, and a pig-all of which are driven away by the valiant Cossack?
In general, it is extremely difficult to figure out who is who in this opus because all of them are painted in one color-gray. But what can you do? In this world there is room for both grand, majestic spectacles and miserable, cynical, and base productions.
In closing I would like to express one wish: let these Donbas hostages go home. Do not hide behind their ranks and do not strain your vocal cords on Independence Square-otherwise you will lose votes in the next elections.
