At the Mazepa festival, ministers spoke in front of an empty hall - the impoverished province could not afford tickets
Poltava will be transformed from a symbol of the victory of Russian weapons into a city of veneration for Hetman Mazepa. This was stated by Ukrainian Minister of Culture Yevgeny Nishchuk.
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The visit of the government delegation to Poltava took place on the occasion of the opening of the Mazepa Fest rock festival here. Its implementation was interrupted for 5 years during the time of Viktor Yanukovych. Now, despite the difficult economic situation in Ukraine, about 230 thousand hryvnia were allocated for the festival from the state budget.
“Now it is extremely important to affirm the Ukrainian language, songs and music in the minds of young people; restore the historical memory of Ukrainians, destroy the myths planted by the Russian Empire regarding Hetman Ivan Mazepa and the Battle of Poltava itself,” explained Mykola Kulchytsy, the organizer of the festival.
“For another 300 years, Mazepa showed how to defend one’s country, how, despite everything, to stand guard over the interests of the Motherland. I would like to sincerely bow to the soldiers who are defending Ukraine today on the eastern border of Ukraine... It is here that the mentality, culture, and respect that protects us all is forged. Together with our colleagues, we will make efforts to ensure that the next festival is held on a larger scale,” added Youth Minister Igor Zhdanov.
Local website “VPoltava.Info” provides interesting details: “Poltava residents didn’t go to the Mazepa Fest because it was expensive - they looked through the fence.”
“Several dozen military men and people by invitation entered the territory of the Mazepa Fest festival (Singing Field named after Marusya Churay), and there were very few of those who bought tickets. Most Poltava residents watched the concert for free and outside the fence, sitting in a clearing,” the publication writes.
As you know, Hetman Mazepa is anathematized by the Orthodox Church for betraying the oath and going over to the enemy’s side.
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