Much of the news from Ukraine is being suppressed and a lot more is simply missed.
For a confirmation of some of the stories please read the article in
KyivPost from Nov.26 @ 00:25 "Tax protests intensify" by Kateryna Grushenko and Peter Byrne.
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Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Kolomaya
I guess it's better late than never. I started writing this blog last Monday but my computer began giving me problems and only now have I gotten back to it.
In Ukraine there is an adage that the first snow never stays and this year has held up once again. Last Sat. morning the ground was covered in white but by early afternoon it was all gone. And now a week later after a Thursday storm it look as though the snow is here to stay till spring.
The city of Kolomaya is located along the north shore of the Prut river and the Carpathian Mountains are only about 20 minutes south of us. The settlement began as a fort built in the mid 1100's as protection for a trade route from the city of Galicia (now the Romanian city of Galati) near the mouth of the Danube river to Lviv and beyond. This road was known as the "Berladsky Road". Due to subsequent invasions and wars the city was devastated and rebuilt several times. In 1395 the town recieved it's coat of arms and in 1405 was given "Magdenburg Rights" which included administrative, judicial and civil rights.
Kolomaya is also known as the unofficial capital of the Hutsul culture and home to a large Husul museum displaying various aspects of their culture.
In Ukraine there is an adage that the first snow never stays and this year has held up once again. Last Sat. morning the ground was covered in white but by early afternoon it was all gone. And now a week later after a Thursday storm it look as though the snow is here to stay till spring.
The city of Kolomaya is located along the north shore of the Prut river and the Carpathian Mountains are only about 20 minutes south of us. The settlement began as a fort built in the mid 1100's as protection for a trade route from the city of Galicia (now the Romanian city of Galati) near the mouth of the Danube river to Lviv and beyond. This road was known as the "Berladsky Road". Due to subsequent invasions and wars the city was devastated and rebuilt several times. In 1395 the town recieved it's coat of arms and in 1405 was given "Magdenburg Rights" which included administrative, judicial and civil rights.
Kolomaya is also known as the unofficial capital of the Hutsul culture and home to a large Husul museum displaying various aspects of their culture.
Protesters are hanging in!
Sorry, I was away for a few days and without any access to decent news coverage. However, very few news channels are covering the situation with any indepth coverage and the situation is not very clear.
The protesters remain unmoved, but it appears that there is an effort to cause confusion in their ranks by some unofficial business representatives claiming to have held meetings with government officials and supposedly coming to some agreement. Yanukovich is also trying to deflate the protests by delaying any action and hoping that due to the weather, false rumors and time, the protesters will lose steam and disappear.
He has once again snubbed them by postponing his decision, claiming to be waiting for his experts to analize the new law, and only after that was he to respond to their demands. Unfortunately, on the day he was to meet with the protesters, he instead decided to arrange a new gas deal with Moscow. He returned to Kyiv with no new deal and it's anyone's guess as to what was actually discussed.
The protesters remain unmoved, but it appears that there is an effort to cause confusion in their ranks by some unofficial business representatives claiming to have held meetings with government officials and supposedly coming to some agreement. Yanukovich is also trying to deflate the protests by delaying any action and hoping that due to the weather, false rumors and time, the protesters will lose steam and disappear.
He has once again snubbed them by postponing his decision, claiming to be waiting for his experts to analize the new law, and only after that was he to respond to their demands. Unfortunately, on the day he was to meet with the protesters, he instead decided to arrange a new gas deal with Moscow. He returned to Kyiv with no new deal and it's anyone's guess as to what was actually discussed.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Protests and more protests
One has to give Yanukovich credit for a job well done.
He has succeeded where both Yushchenko and Julia have failed.
He has been able to unite Ukrainians from east to west and north to south.
Everyone is in opposition to him.
Today the protests continue in Independance square but because of the cool rainy weather the numbers were a lot fewer. During the day the police tried to carry out the order to remove them but tonight the people remain unmoved.
The Ukrainian TV Channel, TBI broadcasting from Independance square carried several hours of pictures and comentaries by ordinary people from around the country.
In contrast to most other rallies there were no political banners, only signs from various cities from around Ukraine describing their discontent with the taxation law. All speakers were in unison in there contempt of the government and for Victor Yanukovich in particular.
One elderly lady from Luhansk said that around the world most leaders are good people whereas in Ukraine the leaders "should all be lined up against the wall and shot".
A man from Donetsk said that "two years ago he would have fallen on his knees before Yanukovich and kissed his feet but today he would spit in his face". "Someone should set a bomb under them all and set it off" he said. He also said that Russia has nothing for the people of Ukraine except more grief.
A woman from Donetsk said "Russia stay away we don't want you or your 'help'".
A woman from Pavlohrad east of Dnipropetrovsk said that she voted for Yanukovich in the last two elections but was now "ashamed of what she had done and begged for Ukraine and the people of Ukraine to forgive her for what she had done. She ended her speech by thanking Azarov with a obscene gesture.
On Thursday Yankovich returns from Brussels to Kyiv and there are calls for everyone to greet him with demands that he veto the taxation laws and that the Azarov government resign. The organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of protesters and are bringing six million signed petitions to back their demands.
Also.
The same TV channel is advertising the commemoration of the Holodomor and contrary to what Yanukovich has proclaimed earlier they are calling it a Genocide.
He has succeeded where both Yushchenko and Julia have failed.
He has been able to unite Ukrainians from east to west and north to south.
Everyone is in opposition to him.
Today the protests continue in Independance square but because of the cool rainy weather the numbers were a lot fewer. During the day the police tried to carry out the order to remove them but tonight the people remain unmoved.
The Ukrainian TV Channel, TBI broadcasting from Independance square carried several hours of pictures and comentaries by ordinary people from around the country.
In contrast to most other rallies there were no political banners, only signs from various cities from around Ukraine describing their discontent with the taxation law. All speakers were in unison in there contempt of the government and for Victor Yanukovich in particular.
One elderly lady from Luhansk said that around the world most leaders are good people whereas in Ukraine the leaders "should all be lined up against the wall and shot".
A man from Donetsk said that "two years ago he would have fallen on his knees before Yanukovich and kissed his feet but today he would spit in his face". "Someone should set a bomb under them all and set it off" he said. He also said that Russia has nothing for the people of Ukraine except more grief.
A woman from Donetsk said "Russia stay away we don't want you or your 'help'".
A woman from Pavlohrad east of Dnipropetrovsk said that she voted for Yanukovich in the last two elections but was now "ashamed of what she had done and begged for Ukraine and the people of Ukraine to forgive her for what she had done. She ended her speech by thanking Azarov with a obscene gesture.
On Thursday Yankovich returns from Brussels to Kyiv and there are calls for everyone to greet him with demands that he veto the taxation laws and that the Azarov government resign. The organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of protesters and are bringing six million signed petitions to back their demands.
Also.
The same TV channel is advertising the commemoration of the Holodomor and contrary to what Yanukovich has proclaimed earlier they are calling it a Genocide.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Protest Protest Protest. 140 buses detained
Today was another day of protests in most major cities throughout Ukraine. Small business owners are protesting new laws on business taxation. Earlier in today's news it was reported that 140 buses from around Ukraine were stopped by the police from entering Kyiv. The passengers were on their way to a rally to protest the new laws and demand that Yanukovich veto the law before it could be implemented. In another effort to stop the protests the Kyiv city government,(the new mayor is a Yanukovich appointee) requested the courts to implement a ban on all meetings/rallies in the city. This hasn't detered the protesters as they have decided to ignore the ban and are planing to move their protest to take place in front of Yanukovich's offices. Police had set up baracades around government offices earlier in the day and were only allowing those who worked in the area to enter.
Kyiv was also the scene today of a large rally in Independance square held in honor of the 'Orange revolution' and the push for democracy. There was a noticable lack of political party banners and the participents were in no mood for any political interference. At one point they physically removed a politican from the stage when he tried to express his parties point of view. (sorry, I don't know who he was)
Kyiv was also the scene today of a large rally in Independance square held in honor of the 'Orange revolution' and the push for democracy. There was a noticable lack of political party banners and the participents were in no mood for any political interference. At one point they physically removed a politican from the stage when he tried to express his parties point of view. (sorry, I don't know who he was)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
About residency
Another fine fall day. the evenings are cooling off to about +5C but the days are still above 15C so all is well.
In the last blog I promised to give a report about my residency. So this is it.
When a foreigner plans to live in Ukraine for some time they must register with the authorities every three month and pay a small fee each time. This is checked out at the border whenever you leave the country so don't try to bypass the system.
After being married for two years to a Ukrainian citizen I was allowed to apply for a permanant temporary residency permit. Upon paying the fees I recieved a residency card and a special stamp in my passport describing my status. However, when renewing my Canadian passport the old stamp was no longer valid and I needed to get a new stamp in my new passport.
When dealing with Ukrainian authorities there is an unwritten rule that helps to get the wheels of bureaucracy moving, that is, a good dolop of grease works wonders. Unfortunately, quite often the lubricant outweighs the requirements.
I am hearing that some information about the area I live in would be appropreate.
I live in Kolomaya which is a small city of about 60-70,000 residents. We are located in the Ivano-Frankivske oblast (or province) in western Ukraine.
Kolomaya is 65 kms south east of Ivano-Frankivske and about 85 kms north west of Chernivtsi. Just north of the 48th parallel.
The first written records mentioning the city date from 1241 so we will be 770 years old in 2011.
more later.
In the last blog I promised to give a report about my residency. So this is it.
When a foreigner plans to live in Ukraine for some time they must register with the authorities every three month and pay a small fee each time. This is checked out at the border whenever you leave the country so don't try to bypass the system.
After being married for two years to a Ukrainian citizen I was allowed to apply for a permanant temporary residency permit. Upon paying the fees I recieved a residency card and a special stamp in my passport describing my status. However, when renewing my Canadian passport the old stamp was no longer valid and I needed to get a new stamp in my new passport.
When dealing with Ukrainian authorities there is an unwritten rule that helps to get the wheels of bureaucracy moving, that is, a good dolop of grease works wonders. Unfortunately, quite often the lubricant outweighs the requirements.
I am hearing that some information about the area I live in would be appropreate.
I live in Kolomaya which is a small city of about 60-70,000 residents. We are located in the Ivano-Frankivske oblast (or province) in western Ukraine.
Kolomaya is 65 kms south east of Ivano-Frankivske and about 85 kms north west of Chernivtsi. Just north of the 48th parallel.
The first written records mentioning the city date from 1241 so we will be 770 years old in 2011.
more later.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Marvelous Fall
Great sunshine, warm 20C weather and light winds make for a beautful fall day again. I spent the day spading over the garden and simply enjoying the day. We ate lunch in the outdoors, did some reading and Yarusia and I talked about our plans for a gazebo/pavillion for the backyard. Today I have to go into town to renew my residency but that will be for the next post.
 |
| My wife Yarusia our granddaughter and me. |
Great sunshine, warm 20C weather and light winds make for a beautful fall day again. I spent the day spading over the garden and simply enjoying the day. We ate lunch in the outdoors, did some reading and Yarusia and I talked about our plans for a gazebo/pavillion for the backyard. Today I have to go into town to renew my residency but that will be for the next post.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Home.
Well I am home at last. The trip took close to 36 hours with almost 14 flying, 10 hours waiting between planes and 12 hours on the train. My wife Yarusia met me with the biggist smile ever and a bouquet of roses. How can I not be glad to be home?
The weather here is warm with temps. in the high teen during the day and between 5 to 10 overnight. The day after I arrived it was 20C with beautiful sunshine and a prognosis of no end in sight for the warm weather.
Our neighbor was over last night for a visit and did you know that a person can be as contented as "a varenyk in a bowl of warm butter" or at least that is what she said.
The weather here is warm with temps. in the high teen during the day and between 5 to 10 overnight. The day after I arrived it was 20C with beautiful sunshine and a prognosis of no end in sight for the warm weather.
Our neighbor was over last night for a visit and did you know that a person can be as contented as "a varenyk in a bowl of warm butter" or at least that is what she said.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Getting ready to go home.
I will not miss the traffic and/or the fast pace of life here in Saskatoon. Finally, a day without running from store to store and just some final visiting with friends and family. Tomorrow I go to Edmonton to visit with more family and than I get ready to go home. I leave on Sunday, flying through Calgary to Frankfurt and on to Kyiv, only taking fourteen hours flying time about and four hours waiting in the airports. However, from Kyiv to Kolomaya I have six hours to wait for the train and about a twelve hour trip to Ivano-Frankivsk and a one hour drive home. I will be exhausted but will continue my writing about my adventure after I have recouperated.
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| Taras worn out from Saskatoon. |
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Visiting my old home Saskatoon
Today I am in Saskatoon, where I came to visit my Canadian family and friends. I spent the day preparing for my return home as I am leaving in six days and it was another gift buying day. The luggage is getting heavier by the day. I am anxoius to see my wife Yaroslava, our daughter Christina, her husband Vitally and our granddaughter Veronika or Nika as we call her.
The last few days I spent shopping for gifts to take back with me. Parking in downtown Saskatoon is far different than in Kolomaya. There in the centre of the city it costs the equivalent of .13 cents per hour to park compared to two dollars per hour in Saskatoon. The renok or bazar continues to thrive in most towns and villages, selling everything from home grown vegetables(organic) to kitchen appliances (new and used) and the occational pig. While there are only a few larger electronics shops most clothing shops are quite small compared to Canadian standards. The selection of clothing comes from most of the world including the Asian countries as well as the finer fashion houses of Europe. Recently Ukrainian goods have been slowly making their way onto shelves.
The last few days I spent shopping for gifts to take back with me. Parking in downtown Saskatoon is far different than in Kolomaya. There in the centre of the city it costs the equivalent of .13 cents per hour to park compared to two dollars per hour in Saskatoon. The renok or bazar continues to thrive in most towns and villages, selling everything from home grown vegetables(organic) to kitchen appliances (new and used) and the occational pig. While there are only a few larger electronics shops most clothing shops are quite small compared to Canadian standards. The selection of clothing comes from most of the world including the Asian countries as well as the finer fashion houses of Europe. Recently Ukrainian goods have been slowly making their way onto shelves.
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