Issue №26 15 October – 15 November 2019 A day in the life of a Kyiv BALLERINA Ukraine: Decommunised | Keep your spirits up this autumn with the WO activity list | Don’t let those tummies rumble – take in the new surroundings at Kyiv Food Market FLY MORE with the airline that flies to more countries than any other BALI CANCUN Contents | Issue 26 15 October – 15 November 2019 Issue №26 15 October – 15 November 2019 A day in the life of a Kyiv BALLERINA Ukraine: Decommunised | Keep your spirits up this autumn with the WO activity list | Don’t let those tummies rumble – take in the new surroundings at Kyiv Food Market A Kyiv ballerina talks about life on On the Cover the stage and in Behind the scenes with a local the studio ballerina Photos: Evgheniy Yablonskiy 4 WO Words from the Editor the spookiest day of the year – Staying sane, and not only Halloween (p 17) 6 What’s New 22 What’s Ahead We’ve got legends and A few top events to put in your athletes taking up space in the calendar international press, along with a Illya’s pick this month few political points from an MP 24 What’s All the Fuss of the leading local faction, and A collection of bits and bobs Decommunisation is not only a the president gets an award for for those on the run. Not to the longest press conference of be missed: an award-winning big word but a large and complex any sitting president software app that allows you concept. The process, however, is to take in historic points of 8 A Royal Affair interest; a review of this year’s simple: The Caribbean Club find space in Oscar entry which recently Step 1. Throw a chain around Lenin their busy line-up for yet another premiered at the Cannes film fantastic performance. For over fest; how to write a book in Step 2. Pull. Let rest for 15 minutes 21s only, we get an exclusive just a month; and lots more and decommunisation is activated. with the choreographer and besides photographer about why this is a There’s more to it than that, of must-see 28 What’s On the Menu Fujiwara Yoshi is an extreme course. To find out, turn to page 12 10 Behind the Scenes sort of dining experience. Turn The National Opera Theatre’s to page 28 to find out why. Elena Gorshunova takes us On the other hand, you’ll find Roman’s pick this month into the studio and behind the everything your tastebuds Elena Gorshunova is a unique scenes of a day in the life of a could want at the new Kyiv real ballerina Food Market at Arsenalna artist on the rise, with a life that is fast-paced and full of beauty. 12 Deconstructing 30 What’s in Focus Communism The networking teams are People would say she has a dream Ukraine has enjoyed back in action; a new hotel job, yet her beauty radiates from independence for little more re-opens; gastro-lovers than 28 years. Despite this, are spoiled with seafood; the out. Gorshunova’s perspective Sovier authoritarianism has Lions roar for charity; and a attempted to maintain its grip. fabulous summit welcomes at this point in her career can offer Illya Ovchar looks at some of entrepreneurs across the inspiration to all. the reasons why country – not a bad month 14 What’s On this Month 34 Where to Find What’s On All you need to know, broken An extensive (though not down by category, about what complete!) list of where to you need to see and do in Kyiv find your favourite English- for the next 30 days, including language culture and a fun list of where to celebrate entertainment magazine The Team: Contact details: Registration information: © All materials published in What’s On Kyiv Originally founded in 1999, What’s On Kyiv business community, both expatriate and Lana Nicole Niland Yana Andyol For general enquiries, submissions, What’s On Kyiv magazine is registered with are the unconditional intellectual property is an English language monthly magazine local, and provides brief news articles on Paul Niland Marianne Haryazha complaints, or comments write to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine as a print of Outpost Publishing and as such are with a goal to inform residents and visitors events of relevance to Kyiv and Ukraine and Jared Morgan Roman Mykyta [email protected] media magazine, License Number 22834 protected by Ukrainian and international to Kyiv of events in the entertainment and the wider region. Lee Reaney Daria Isaeva To advertise in What’s On Kyiv, contact – 12734P dated 7 August 2107. This mag- copyright laws. No materials from this cultural life of the city. As well as providing Alina Smolina Illya Ovchar [email protected] azine is published by Outpost Publishing, a magazine, or the associated website, advice, guidance, and listings of live mu- Natalia Kurtyak Claire Little company duly incorporated in Ukraine. may be reproduced without the express sic, theatre, nightlife, sporting events and Tyoma Myronenko Igor Hodakov permission of Outpost Publishing. more, What’s On also interacts with the Anna Romanchuk DoubleK LLC Team Lera Zdanovych Printsolution LLC Tassy Klim 3 From the Editor Editor-in-Chief Lana Nicole Niland October sees my return to the Ukrainian capital, where life is, as ever, feverish. As I write, however, I am perched in a quiet apart- ment, the sometimes negligent sun streaming in, putting together the last of this issue. While I thoroughly love this magazine and nearly all of the respon- sibilities that come along with it, it would be a slight fabrication to say that it doesn’t come without its challenges. Publishing generally is a fast-paced profession which, at times, ensures a high dose of cortisol around the time of print (and often not only). As a result, a good stiff drink at the end of the day is not uncommon. Despite this and the general din of all of my days, or rather because of it, World Mental Health Day (having just come and gone) was a good reminder that the other side of the pendulum is equally, if not more, important. Silence, rest, repose – words I use more often in a punchline than put to good use – are extremely necessary to bal- ance out the chaos. Of course, that’s not always easy when dealing with an 80+ hour work week and jobs in multiple time zones. It is something I need to start employing more often, however, lest the mental health professionals come knocking at my door. Though mental health has often been seen as a subject best not talked about, that philosophy is changing the world over. Even Ukraine, a country where mental health has long been stigmatised, will soon have easy access to help. At about the same time this month’s issue hits news stands, a fabulous new local project launch- “Silence, rest, repose – es across the country – Lifeline Ukraine. Operating as a hotline, available 24 hours a day, it offers an amazing resource for Ukraini- words I use more often in a an veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological traumas and depression initially, and eventually branching out to provide as- punchline than put to good sistance to anyone with mental health issues. (Lifeline Ukraine will feature in the November issue – no spoiler alerts, you’ll have to find use” the magazine). Not only is this project the first of its kind, which, in a country currently at war, is shocking, it is something that looks to completely change the mindset of local residents where mental health issues are concerned. For the rest of us, those who might lose it every once in awhile on a nagging spouse, kick the cat in frustration, or let loose on the next door neighbour because they just can’t keep their kids quiet (these situations are pure conjecture; any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental), we’ve put together a great little round up of ways to release this autumn (turn to page 26). While I work at my own attempts to find that ever elusive equilibrium, you’ll let me know which ones work best for you. 4 What’s On Issue 26 15 October - 15 November 2019 Variety Show “ROYAL” (Grand Piano) is an exquisite, revealing performance for adults. Strictly 21+! So much more than a dinner show, ROYAL is a new cultural trend in Kyiv. Spectators have never before been presented the Kyiv version of an iconic Parisian cabaret. And it is all about to change now! Chic - Style - Colorful costumes - Extraordinary Decor - Lusty Production. ROYAL is a show like no other, and the one you will come back to enjoy again and again... Caribbean Club Symona Petliury 4, Kyiv www.caribbean.com.ua What’s New Servant of the Press! President Zelenskyy has been accused of dodging the press since he took office, and so he decided to address this criticism re- cently with (as it turned out) the longest press conference from any President in SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE history. The gaggle convened at a shiny DEPUTY MAKSIM TKACHENKO new location, the Kyiv Food Market at CUTS TO THE CHASE ABOUT Arsenalna which is, by all accounts, pret- THE CURRENT SITUATION IN ty good. The event saw as many as 300 UKRAINE’S DONBAS journalists gathered to sit around a table in groups with the President, asking (and him answering) over 500 questions. While the marathon may have addressed the Servant of the People Talks Straight criticisms of openness, some of the an- swers he offered invited more questions.