EDITORIAL: Ukraine basks in the glow (06/05/05)

EDITORIAL

Ukraine basks in the glow

We wouldn't normally write an editorial about a song contest, but this year's Eurovision was different. After all, the international song contest - which in 2005 marks its 50th year - brought representatives of 39 competing countries to Kyiv, capital of recently reborn Ukraine. And, the extravaganza was watched by an estimated audience of 150 million around the globe.

Still basking in the glow of the Orange Revolution, Ukraine put on a show whose theme, quite appropriately, was "Awakening." It was the first time Ukraine has hosted the event, and the reviews from participants and Eurovision officials alike were highly positive, according to our Kyiv correspondent.

Almost 9,000 visitors from around the world were in the audience of the Sports Palace for the final round of the competition. Perhaps even more importantly, the event brought in countless more visitors to Kyiv - visitors who might not otherwise have visited Ukraine. As one fan put it, Eurovision is "a real door-opener" for the country that hosts the contest. Concerts and other happenings related to Eurovision were held in Kyiv for a whole week leading up to the main event, as the capital city's streets were filled with tourists.

Ukraine's vice prime minister of humanitarian affairs, Mykola Tomenko, summarized the importance of Eurovision to Ukraine: "... this wasn't just a song competition, but, above all, a European presentation of Ukraine." Indeed, Ukraine celebrated European Union Day just prior to the competition, and during one of the concerts held on Independence Square singer Oleh Skrypka yelled out to the crowd: "We want to join Europe, not the Soviet Union, right?" The response was a loud cheer of affirmation.

Even President Viktor Yushchenko got into the act, becoming the first Eurovision host nation's president to present an award to the song contest's winner.

To be sure, Mr. Yushchenko himself is luxuriating in the afterglow of the revolution he led. He was named one of "The 2005 Time 100" - the world's most influential people - in Time magazine's April 18 issue, being listed under the category "Heroes and Icons." (Other categories were "Leaders and Revolutionaries," "Builders and Titans," "Scientists and Thinkers" and "Artists and Entertainers)".

Most recently, Business Week listed President Yushchenko among its top "Stars of Europe - 25 leaders at the forefront of change." The list published in the magazine's May 30 issue encompassed the categories of agenda setters, managers, financiers and innovators. (Incidentally, Mr. Yushchenko happened to be the first person in the first group listed - so his was the first name readers saw.)

Citing the Orange Revolution that brought Mr. Yushchenko to power, Business Week wrote: "Now the charismatic Yushchenko is promoting European-style democratic reforms in the former Soviet republic. And he's making common cause with Poland and other new EU members, as he pushes for EU membership for Ukraine."

Six months after the revolution, Business Week noted, "Ukrainians are putting the revolution behind them and picking up the pieces of their everyday lives. Some are disappointed that change isn't coming as fast as they expected. But overall most Ukrainians are feeling pretty positive about the future..."

And so, the Orange Revolution continues to color perceptions of Ukraine and its people as the new Yushchenko administration gets down to the business of governing, and changing, Ukraine.

| Home Page |