For as much as a year ago the name “Ukraine” was barely known to anyone outside former USSR. It gained sad notoriety in 1986 after the Chernobyl explosion. Ardent boxing fans may know that this former soviet republic is the country Vitaliy and Vladimir Klitschko originate from. Earlier this year, pop-singer Ruslana with her folk-inspired “wild dances” won Eurovision 2004 and made the world talk about Ukraine again.
Now this young state that has only recently celebrated 13th year of independence became the world’s major trendsetter: the country’s struggle for fair elections has set the trend for orange – the designated color for opposition. Thousands of people in Ukraine’s capital Kiev took to the streets wearing orange badges, ribbons and flags after Viktor Yushchenko, main rival of pro-power candidate Victor Yanukovich lost the second round of presidential elections by 3%. The protesters claim the elections were falsified and are in possession of documented evidence. While old-system politicians raised during the soviet regime, attempt to imitate democracy (paying homage to what they view as a certain “trend” ) and continue following old schemes of threats, falsification and fraud, the new generation of Ukrainians took to the streets to protect their choices.
Starting from December 22, the day the voting results were announced, until present moment, orange is virtually everywhere, especially on Kiev’s Independence Square. The color has eventually lost its association with opposition and came to symbolize freedom of choice and the civilian courage to stop conformity and speak up. The sympathy for the young nation’s strife for democratic elections received response throughout the world. Thousands of sympathizing supporters in Canada, Poland, Netherlands and Spain, to name a few, are wearing orange these days. In Germany, the Bundestag members showed up at the sitting dedicated to situation in Ukraine, wearing orange ribbons; some were holding oranges – democratic opposition’s favorite fruits.
The streets of Kiev by itself are a spectacular example of orange trend. Although opponents may call it “orange plague” or “disorders”, Kievites prefer to call it by its real name – revolution.
So far, with courage and conscientiousness unprecedented in any other former Soviet republic, including the country’s eastern neighbor Russia, the Ukrainians have proved that revolutions are not necessarily drowned in blood: the strife for democracy can be organized, civilized and…fun.
“Orange revolution may be the most vivid, the most radiant, the most kind and unexpected thing that’s ever happened in Ukraine’s history,“ – writes eyewitness Tatiana Korobova (http://obozrevatel.com).
Orange ribbons are tied over arms, purses and backpacks; ladies tie them stylishly over ankles and knees and plait them into their hair. Orange scarves, sweaters, raincoats and hats have one more advantage in winter weather, except purely symbolic: they are warm and can protect from cold during long rallies on Independence Square and blockades of government buildings. Some fashionistas sport orange fringes worn over skirts and jeans. Men, who traditionally have fewer opportunities to be inventive, wear orange symbols over their vehicles.
Here’s a peek at Kiev’s winter 2004 fashion as seen by kievites Anton Shvedkov and Anton Stepanskiy:
Meanwhile, on November 30, Ukrainian boxers Vitaliy and Vladimir Klitschko launched international televised campaign encouraging world-renowned stars of sport, silver screen and music to speak up. “It is essential that the international pressure endures. The people have been out on the streets for 7 days already fighting for democracy and fair elections. They need support,” said Vladimir Klitschko.
So far, singers like Zuccero, Joe Cocker, Ian Anderson and Sting have recorded video messages in support of a young nation’s democracy as reports Ukrainian source korrespondent.net. Ukrainian pop-singer Ruslana, winner of Eurovision 2004, who turned to fellow performers and entertainers with a plea to pay attention to the situation in her troubled country, went on a hunger-strike to protest against human rights violation and fraud.
In her appeal to moguls of world show-business she said that what is happening in Ukraine is essential not only for the county’s future, but also for setting democratic standards as norms of social, political and economical life in all post-soviet countries.
Read also: Klitschko rallies world celebrities for Yushchenko (by GamblingGates.com)