22.07.2017
There is some talk about a generational gap here in Ukraine, between those born – or whose living memory – is independent Ukraine, versus those accustomed to Soviet times. What does Maidan mean for 50+? What does it mean for under 30s? And what of those between 30 and 50?
When walking down the streets of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Chernivtsi, one has the very distinct sense that the ‘freedom generation’ that were born into an independent Ukraine are now experiencing a very different Ukraine from the one that is being lived by their parents, neighbours, teachers or even colleagues. But some say this difference comes with an urgency to leave Ukraine. Others, a lack of historicity to the struggle, such that this ‘freedom’ generation in Kyiv is even returning to speak Russian amongst themselves in 2017, whereas in 2015 Ukrainian language was very much the trend. But also, how much can we distance ourselves from our parents generations?
According to Andrew Zelinsky, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest and military Chaplin with the Marine Corps Navy who holds degrees from Stanford University, Gregorian Univeristy in Rome and Kyiv-Mohyla National University, the post-Soviet population have a lot to reckon with and re-learn. Corruption, for instance, is not the cause of problems currently being encountered in the transformation or changes in Ukraine. He sees corruption as a consequence of generations born, raised and educated under a Soviet mentality. According to Zelinsky, what is lacking in a Post-Soviet population, one raised in the Soviet culture, is courage and loyalty; Trust that, given reform and new leadership, the state may be transformed – by people, for people. The New Generation demonstrated their courage and loyalty in Maidan, but is this enough to continue the transformation that is necessary to build Ukraine?
http://news.ugcc.ua/interview/na_sogodnіshnіy_den_odnim_z_naybіlshih_viklikіv_ie_ne_koruptsіya_ne_vlada_a_minule__vіyskoviy_kapelan_o_andrіy_zelіnskiy_80035.html
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