| On the cover |
| ¹29 (2010) |
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Backpackers and Trailblazers
A guide to Kyiv’s budget accommodation for independent travellers
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| 30 July - 5 August 2010 | |
| Special Feature |
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The Projection of Talent
Stepping up the search for talented artists to head up the What’s On Master Class, we came across a rather extraordinary band called Antenna. Now, we know what you’re thinking – yet another nameless group out of the myriad of Ukrainian bands out there... But this is where you’d be wrong, and we’re going to tell you why.
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| Kyiv Kino |
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Inception (in English)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller USA 2010
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page
Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable.
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| On the sofa with... |
A Clothier to the Stars
 I have known this lady for a number of years, but it was only when I started doing a little background on her did I realise just how significant she is in Ukraine’s celebrity circles. She has worked with groups like Okean Elzy, solo acts Sofia Rotaru, Ani Lorak and Andriy Danilko (better known as Serduchka), and even movie directors like Semen Gorov. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was the girl next door. I do know better, however, and getting Angela Lisitsa down on the sofa, What’s On gets the goods on one of Ukraine’s behind-the-scenes personalities.
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| Whats Up? |
Scandal as Eurovision Favourite Verka Sings ‘Russia Goodbye’ |
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 Since winning the national vote in Mid-March Ukraine’s sensational drag act Verka Serdyuchka has attracted the attention of Eurovision fans across the continent with her outrageous ‘Dancing’ song, sparking a lively internet debate and prompting many to install the performer as the hot favourite to win the May contest. The catchy tune, which features German, English and Russian in a parody of Euro pop techno, includes the controversial lyrics ‘Russia Goodbye’, although the singer has since claimed rather unconvincingly that the actual words are Mongolian and any similarity to the phrase ‘Russia Goodbye’ is purely coincidental. As well as appearing to dismiss Ukraine’s northern neighbours the song also rubs salt into the wound by referring to dancing on Maidan in a direct reference to the pro-democracy Orange Revolution of 2004 which was regarded in Moscow as being overtly anti-Russian and part of a dastardly plan to further humiliate the former superpower. Opinion is divided over the track, with many internet posters proclaiming it the most quintessentially Eurovision tune ever, while other have dismissed it as a national disaster. Russians seem to be particularly offended, not least because for years the Verka Serdyuchka character has enjoyed enormous popularity in Russia, where he/she is viewed as the ideal Russian-speaking, comically provincial Ukrainian stereotype. Verka’s performance looks set to be one of the highlights of Eurovision 2007, and in the month leading up to the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest on 12 May in Helsinki we can expect plenty of hype and lots more attention for emerging Ukraine as a result. Should Verka triumph the country would not be the first to record multiple Eurovision victories but nevertheless it would be one more step towards a higher international profile for Ukraine. However, there is bound to be plenty of scandal in the run-up to the competition, adding to the climate of political tension between pro-Russian and pro-European camps that currently dominates Ukrainian politics.
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Russians seem to be particularly offended, not least because for years the Verka Serdyuchka character has enjoyed enormous popularity in Russia, where he/she is viewed as the ideal Russian-speaking, comically provincial Ukrainian stereotype |
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| Kyiv Culture |
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On the Other Side of the Camera
 As one of the country’s most expensive photographers, and a favourite of Playboy, there isn’t much Oleksandr Morderer hasn’t seen. As such, it seemed quite natural for us to want to find out more about him. Unfortunately, a few years ago he suffered at the hands of a journalist who published some rather inaccurate information about the man. So while this sought after photographer was slightly reluctant to talk with us, we managed to win him over, and get the goods on his first earnings, who’s after the nudies and why he prefers to be behind the camera, rather than in front of it.
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| Ukraine Travel |
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Sleeping on a Budget
 Coming to Kyiv from various ports of call can and does include certain costs. You’ll be happy to know, however, that your sleeping arrangements don’t have to be included in your bigger expenses. The Ukrainian capital has picked up on the influx of tourists over recent years, and offering travellers a more affordable option when it comes to where you lay your head, the hostels of Kyiv are affordable, (mostly) clean, and open for business.
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