Issue №30 March-April 2020 We Can Do It Women’s Day takes on new meaning in 2020 Our top picks for trips to the doctor | Fun new ways to dine out in Kyiv Her Excellency German Ambassador Anka Feldhusen takes time to talk to WO WIN Our prizes this month include concert tickets to Caribbean Club, passes to Docudays Film Festival, and even a What’s On Tshirt. Contents | Issue 30 | March-April 2020 Beauty in strength Issue №30 March-April 2020 We Can Do It Women’s Day takes on new meaning in 2020 Our top picks for trips to the doctor | Fun new ways to dine out in Kyiv Her Excellency German Ambassador Anka Feldhusen takes time to talk to WO On the Cover / vectorlab depositphotos.com Credits: Strength in the former Soviet 4 WO Words from the Editor 26 Bridging the Gap Union, and in fact the rest of the Here’s to the lovely ladies and their The male/female inequality world, is not about one sex only Photo credit: depositphotos.com/ Profmailer equally important partners conundrum is closing in, but there is still much to do. Check out these stats 6 Kyiv’s Forgotten World and figures of what Ukraine deems The underbelly of Kyiv is fascinating, acceptable with as much to see below as what we Yana’s pick this month know and love above ground 28 What’s All the Fuss Now more than ever, A collection of bits and bobs for those 8 Anka Feldhusen: Ambassador on the run. Make sure you check out Ukrainians are standing up of Germany to Ukraine a fabulous venue to find all of your for female voices in politics, We get up close and personal junk food needs, how to do Kyiv on a with Ambassador of the Federal budget, a silent film event featuring business, and technology. We Republic of Germany to Ukraine, Her music of the Kyiv Rhythm Kings, plus have had some fundamental Excellency Anka Feldhusen tons more mindset shifts to take pride in 10 Flower Power 32 What’s On the Menu but there are still big challenges What has often been quoted as the It’s not our typical hangout, but to overcome. Battling the last Soviet equivalent to Mother’s Day Hamonguys may well become one means a big boon to flower shops in of them. And, while Kyiv may have means taking action to close town. We talk to one florist getting calmed its craze for sushi, to find a the gender gap in the country ready for the big day few Japanese gems all you have to do and contribute to a stronger is turn to page 33 12 Is there a Doctor in the House? safer Ukraine Ukrainians will always tell you the 36 What’s in Focus most important thing in life is your We honed in on only a few events this Roman pick this month health. Here’s a few places in town month including the ACC’s member What’s the equivalent to 911 that will always have your back appreciation evening, this season’s UFW, and our friends at Caribbean in Ukraine? It’s 103. Visitors 16 What’s Happening Club who just celebrated birthday to Ukraine need to have a The Ukrainian capital is abuzz with number 22 events this spring. Check out one, contingent plan before there’s check out them all, and just enjoy. 38 Where to Find What’s On an emergency and Kyiv is full Plus, a few of our favourites for this An extensive (though not complete!) of professional medical centres 8 March list of where to find your favourite English-language culture and catering to locals and visitors 24 The Mythical Kingdom entertainment mag. Let us know if alike. Emergency situations You are spoiled for choice with spas you need a few copies around your in Kyiv. Shambala goes beyond and favourite restaurant or watering hole! aside, treat yourself to cosmetic incorporates wellness into their needs including massage mandate while still being spa-licious The Team: Roman Mykyta Contact details: Журнал «WHAT’S ON» №30 від 1 березня 2020 © All materials published in What’s On Kyiv Originally founded in 1999, What’s On Kyiv is nity, both expatriate and local, and provides Lana Nicole Niland Daria Isaeva Засновник та видавець: ТОВ «ОУТПОСТ ПАБЛІШІНГ» For general enquiries, submissions, Адреса: 01001, м. Київ, пров. Рильський 4, поверх 6 are the unconditional intellectual property of an English language monthly magazine with brief news articles on events of relevance to Paul Niland Illya Ovchar Головний редактор/відповідальна за випуск: Кубін Лана Ніколь (Найленд) editor@ Jared Morgan Natalya Jaddock complaints, or comments write to whatson-kyiv.com, +380 95 168 2462 Outpost Publishing and as such are protect- a goal to inform residents and visitors to Kyiv Kyiv and Ukraine and the wider region. Lee Reaney Claire Little [email protected] Журнал зареєстровано як засіб масової інформації в Міністерстві Юстиції Україні, ed by Ukrainian and international copyright of events in the entertainment and cultural свідоцтво 22834 – 12734P від 7 серпня 2017 року Alina Smolina Stanislav Zaravniaiev To advertise in What’s On Kyiv, contact Надруковано в типографії: «Аванпост-Прім», м. Київ, вул. Сурікова, 3 laws. No materials from this magazine, or life of the city. As well as providing advice, Natalia Kurtyak Anton Gerasymenko [email protected] Тираж: 13 000. Журнал розповсюджується безкоштовно. the associated website, may be reproduced guidance, and listings of live music, theatre, Tyoma Myronenko Joe Carlino WHAT’S ON magazine №30 from 1 March 2020 without the express permission of Outpost nightlife, sporting events and more, What’s Anna Romanchuk Kaitlin Vitt Founder and publisher: OUTPOST PUBLISHING LLC Tassy Klim Igor Hodakov Address: 01001, Kyiv, Rylskyi lane 4, 6th floor Publishing. On also interacts with the business commu- State registration certificate 22834 – 12734P dated 7 August 2017 Yana Andyol DoubleK LLC Team Chief Editor: Lana Nicole Kubin (Niland) Marianne Haryazha Printsolution LLC [email protected], Tel.: +380 95 168 2462 3 Printed by: «Avanpost-Prim», Kyiv, Surikova 3 Print run: 13 000. Free distribution. From the Editor Editor-in-Chief Lana Nicole Niland The content that appears in What’s On is considered heavily before it appears in the magazine. It has to appeal to everyone who reads it: internationals, Ukrainians, tourists, locals, the young up-and-comers, the wise-and-established… Ever evolving considering the stories of the day, there is, we hope, something in the magazine for everyone. This next issue is no different. But perhaps for a different reason. March and April are great months for events: the inevitable nod to spring and the changing of seasons, St Paddy’s Day, Easter, Inter- national Women’s Day, and of course Justin Beiber’s BD (very im- portant). As a woman and one with a voice, this second to last event is one that seems rather significant this year. Between the failings of Trump, the regular exposés of improper behaviour of significant men in significant roles around the world, the conviction that “beautiful women remain the core brand of Ukraine” as related by our green president (see p 26), and the numerous other daily revelations where the relationship between men and women is proven inequitable, there still seems much to fight for. But there are also things to celebrate, such the increase of women in tech – a traditionally male profession, wom- en taking on more roles in the military, and feminitives being added to the everyday use of language in Ukraine. These are not small vic- tories; rather, ones that continue to ensure the country strengthens on “The responsibility of a a regular basis. As such, we here at What’s On would like to wish the women of modern, civilised, first-world Ukraine – and the men who support them – an incredible Internation- al Women’s Day. The responsibility of a modern, civilised, first-world society is that of both sexes; society is that of both sexes; not of one over the other. While there will always be room for improvement, Ukraine continues to make advanc- not of one over the other” es in this direction in many spheres, and acknowledgment should be given to all those who are helping pave the way. As such, take the time to enjoy the events happening on 8 March (p 19), go the traditional route with a beautiful bouquet (p 10), or plan a weekend getaway to recharge and continue the good fight (p 24). As we become more evolved as a society, the interdependence we have on each other greatens. Not only is it important that we each live long and prosper as individuals anymore – that kind of thinking is no longer forever sustainable. Rather, if we can each see each other for our strengths and weaknesses, and work together to improve the real- ity of all, in a clean and healthy environment, International Women’s Day could well become redundant. 4 What’s On Issue 30 | March-April 2020 Ilya Ovchar Kyiv’s Forgotten World COUNTLESS KILOMETRES OF GLOOMY TUNNELS, SUBTERRANEAN RIVERS, AND AN ABANDONED DEFENCE BUNKER ONCE INTENDED FOR SIX-HUNDRED PEOPLE… WELCOME TO KYIV’S MESMERISING AND FORGOTTEN UNDERGROUND WORLD 6 What’s On Issue 30 | March-April 2020 Some say it’s reminiscent of Lon- don’s sewers – but without the smell, of course! The next tunnel worth discover- ing is the Khreschatyk, which, as you might have guessed, is locat- ed under Khreschatyk street. Pri- or to submersion, this river posed a severe threat to Kyiv’s develop- ment throughout the 19 th century.