Gogolfest Returns with La Fura dels Baus

This year Gogolfest will host a performance from the cutting edge Spanish theatre company

On Saturday morning the sky was blue and the sun was shining, and after such a terrible week of heavy rain and storms many of us breathed a sigh of relief. But then in mid afternoon black clouds heavy with precipitation rolled in from the south and frightening booms of thunder reverberated throughout the city. The smiles many of us were wearing turned to concerned frowns. Why? Saturday was the day of this year’s Kyiv Lions Club Kozak Night, the last two of which had been marred by bad weather. However, we should not have been concerned, because despite the fact that it rained on and off throughout the whole event (sometimes very heavily) it turned out that once again the spirit of the Lions cannot be doused no matter what the heavens throw at us.

We all have to doth our caps to Ozzy and his team who had to set up and clear the tables about a dozen times as the rains started, stopped and started again, and who managed to relocate God knows how many large umbrellas to protect us all. Assisted by Mustapha, Masha, Elena and the rest of the team, they worked their collective asses off to make sure the event went ahead as planned. As the evening event got going, the Lions and their guests took to the stage in a way that would make Gene Kelly proud, and despite the fact that many were soaked to the skin, they just kept right on dancing, and singing, in the rain. Doo de do doo, doo de do de do doo de. And why was this so important? Because the event is held every year to raise money for charity. There was a raffle and auction to be had, and if everyone had turned tail and fled, this would not have happened. But few did so. Most, instead, braved the elements because they knew that without them those in need would have remained so. And they braved those harsh elements with smiles on their faces, and springs in their steps. Everyone dug deep when it came to buying raffle tickets, and even deeper when the live auction came around. Lots of money was raised, all of which will go to helping those in need. The Lions of Kyiv deserve the title – they are fierce when it comes to lending a hand to those less fortunate.

Neil Campbell

Chief Editor

neil@whatson-kiev.com