Issue №5 January – February 2018 HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL HAS NOTHING ON THIS HOME-GROWN STARLET Victoria Trofi menko talks about the local fi lm industry, the future, and her opinion on recent controversies Contents | Issue 5 January – February 2018 Issue №5 January – February 2018 HOLLYWOOD SCANDAL HAS Backstage Dovzhenko at NOTHING ON THIS HOME-GROWN STARLET Victoria Trofi menko talks about the local fi lm industry, the future, and her opinion on recent controversies 4 WO Words from the Editor On the Cover A new year means new opportunity Ukrainian director, Victoria Trofimenko 6 What’s New Venue: Dovzhenko Archives Some news, some notes, some opinions, all good stuff Photographer: Tyoma Myronenko 8 WO Around the Country We start off 2018 with a new partner – Ukrainer. Watch this space for some incredible stories – and images – featuring the country we love 10 WO the Cover Ukrainian director, Victoria Trofimenko, talks about her experience as a female in the industry Serozh’s pick this month: 12 What’s Important A new business is finding its feet here in Kyiv this month to help Regardless of whether local homes and organisations – Assistanspoolen happily married or on 14 What’s On this Month your first date, take her All you need to know, broken down by category, about what you need to see and do in Kyiv for the next 30 days. Including a new out and make it special. theatre project keeping the Kyiv intelligentsia on their toes Be creative and we will help you with some tips! 20 What’s Ahead A few top events you must put in your calendar now! 22 What’s On Means Business Top Kyiv law firm gives readers a few tips on tax, and local expat Lee’s pick this month: and pundit laments on practices of corruption still prevalent More than 2.1 billion 26 What’s the Score people will be tuning into WO’s Lee Reaney heads to South Korea to take in the 2018 Winter Olympics. To start you off, a list of the events to watch and a quick the Olympics next month. chat with Kyiv’s Winter Olympics darling Want to know how 28 What About the Guys Ukraine is doing – in Serzh Velichanskyi spills his secrets for the best V-Day ever English? Keep reading 30 What’s All the Fuss What’s On A collection of bits and bobs for those on the run 34 What’s for Dinner? We head to Argentina Grill for some meat, Zamis for pelmeni, and a few of the city’s best spots to brunch 40 What’s in Focus Photo coverage of events from around Kyiv in the last month 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 Serzh Velichansky 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 Sam Kearley 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 Tyoma Myronenko [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 Ksenia Karpenko 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 Anna Kondratyuk [email protected] azine is published by Outpost Publishing, a magazine, or the associated website, advice, guidance, and listings of live mu- Anna Azarova Igor Hodokov company duly incorporated in Ukraine. may be reproduced without the express sic, theatre, nightlife, sporting events and Kateryna Kiselyova Artem Nikitin permission of Outpost Publishing. more, What’s On also interacts with the Nina Bohush DoubleK 3 From the Editor Editor-in-Chief Lana Nicole Niland Citius, Altius, Fortius – it’s the Olympic motto in Latin, which means Faster, Higher, Stronger. It seems apt that such an adage should start this issue, as, not only are the 23rd Winter Olympics kicking off in South Korea next month, but we are kicking off a new year. New years always bring a sort of melancholic nostalgia – you are, in essence, saying good-bye to times that will never again return. In some cases, this is a blessing, as there are some events I would not wish to relive. The Trump administration taking office is one of them; the numerous mass shootings and acts of terror that occurred around the world with relative ease is another; the frequency with which nature showed its fury last year, in the sheer number and severity of hurricanes, mudslides, and forest fires. And then, there are other events, which elicit joy just at the thought – the defeat of Marine Le Pen by Emmanuel Macron in France, and with it hopes of the far right getting more of a footing in Europe; the destruction of the caliphate of the Islam- ic State, a militant group known for some of the most horrific human rights abuses anywhere; the landslide vote that passed into law marriage equality in Australia. Closer to home we have some of our own milestones to delight in – bezvis opened the doors of Europe to Ukrainians; the EU Association Agreement was finally signed and came into force; “Faster, Higher, Stronger. It pensions were increased – not to where they need to be, but moving in the right direction; an antiquated list of jobs that seems apt that such an adage women were prevented from doing here in Ukraine, dating back to 1994, was abolished, though few reported on this. should start this issue” Among other worthwhile events, What’s On returned, with lit- tle pomp and grandeur. Rather, quietly, seamlessly, almost as though we had never left. This first issue in 2018 is tribute to all that we have come through, and more importantly all that we have yet to accom- plish. On the cover is the resolute Victoria Trofimenko, whose tenacity and determination will serve her well in her chosen profession; inside this magazine is a group who, with a nod to National Geographic, are showcasing a Ukraine you have nev- er seen before; then there’s Assistanspoolen, a Swedish group that could very well revolutionise the care industry here in Ukraine; as well, an Olympic hopeful who will soon be heading to South Korea with dreams to make the country proud; and that’s just for starters. We live in a world where almost anything is possible. I hope this next year is one that allows you to continue to live by the Olympic motto. Regardless of the business you are in, or the profession you have chosen, may you find the inspiration to push faster, climb higher, be stronger. 4 What’s On Issue 5 January - February 2018 What’s New Church Refuses to Bury Baby Priest Eugene Molchanov who represents the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate refused to bury a baby in Zaporizhia, because the boy had been baptised by the Kyiv Patriarchate, which is not recognised by Moscow. The 2-year old died on New Year’s Eve after being crushed by a man jumping from his Sad loss, apartment, committing suicide. Reports say the father punched the priest, Sean Carr after telling the family their child was “unchristened” and their “church was a Although Carr hadn’t lived in Kyiv for sham”. The priest seemed unmoved by a few years, his recent passing has been the boy’s mother who threw herself on felt by many in the community here. He the floor at his feet. Forced to leave, the was one of life’s real characters, a cobbler family took the body of the boy to the from Leeds, a biker covered in tattoos ESPN Names church where he was christened to per- (some spelt incorrectly). He met a girl form the burial rights. from Ukraine, they fell in love, and the Lomachenko The priest told a local paper that he was rest is history. However, in Sean’s case, sorry, and that he felt for the family. “But that girl, Zhenya, was none other than there are certain lines I cannot cross,” the daughter of former Ukrainian prime the World’s he said. “A child christened by the Kyiv minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. Patriarchate remains unchristened...And The story goes that Carr wasn’t told who Best Boxer the Kyiv Church itself is a hoax.” his soon-to-be mother-in-law was until Ah religion. Isn’t it great. about 30 seconds before they were- in Ukrainian two-time Olympic champion troduced. Regardless of the shoulders he (2008, 2012) and current WBO super was now rubbing with, he stayed exactly featherweight world champion Vasyl who he was. He rode bikes (sometimes- il Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs) capped off legally) and he sang in his band the Death an incredible 2017 in December beating Valley Screamers – who were not very Cuba’s previously undefeated two-time good. But they did once make a video Olympic champion Guillermo Rigon- with the guys fromAmerican Chopper. deaux in the 6th round. It marked the Did you know? Always ready to sit and have a chat with fourth straight fight where his opponent anyone, Carr became a restaurateur surrendered on the stool rather than American Football is gaining popularity in Kyiv, where he and Zhenya opened come out and take any more punishment.