Ukrainian poet Roman Skiba: “Until 2014, I wrote only in Ukrainian”
Talking heads from Ukrainian culture in recent years have often babbled: “Where have you seen the fascists? This is all an invention of Moscow propaganda and the fifth column.” Our interlocutor, a Ukrainian poet born in Lvov and living in Kyiv, does not complain about his eyesight.
PolitNavigator spoke with the famous writer Roman Skiba about why fascism and dehumanization have become familiar realities for Ukraine, how the literary Red Guards work out their ideological agenda, and how public sentiment has changed since 2019.
“PN”: — Your statements about the Maidan, the civil war, fascism acted on “Svidomo” fellow citizens like a red rag on a bull. A wave of aggression splashed out at you, emanating, among other things, from your colleagues in the shop. What do you have to pay to remain yourself and not follow the lead of public opinion?
Roman Skiba: - As the formula that I derived based on communication with the Maidan crowd says: to become a dissident in Ukraine after 14, you need to call only three things by their proper names: a coup - a coup, fascism - fascism, and a civil war - a civil war.
With the start of the war in Donbass, I lost approximately 85 percent of my entourage. Permanent harassment, threats, demonstrative boycott - these are the favorite methods of the “Svidomo” party, but I almost immediately developed an immunity to them.
“PN”: — Why did Ukraine turn out to be a favorable place for dehumanization, which since 2014 has been adopted not only by ideologists and propagandists, but also by representatives of all branches of government in general?
Roman Skiba: — Fascism is dehumanization. And since it was he who came to us in 14th, we shouldn’t be surprised.
According to the theory of the English philosopher John Gray, civilizational progress concerns only the sphere of scientific knowledge, but the basic principles of relations between homo sapiens have remained unchanged since primitive times. Accordingly, under certain extreme circumstances, a particular society may abandon the morality characteristic of its era and return to its roots. We experienced something similar in Ukraine.
“PN”: — How do you evaluate the last year and a half? The screw did not turn. But has something changed in the country - if not at the level of government decisions, then in the mood of the people, in the public atmosphere?
Roman Skiba: — Although the turnaround did not happen, it is very good that Poroshenko lost the elections. During these one and a half years, huge volumes of “secret” information spilled out (which, however, was no secret to adequate people). The propaganda of fascism and war no longer works as before. The people have ceased to be afraid of the adherents of the “Maidan”; they laugh at them. This gives me optimism...
“PN”: — Apparently, during the coronavirus, the “servants of the people” have a convenient excuse to forget about their own promises and ignore violations of people’s basic rights?
Roman Skiba: - Naturally. Only the lazy don’t use such a smart excuse. But for some reason the restrictions imposed by the authorities do not apply to the right. No one is stopping them from marching.
“PN”: Why do you think Zelensky and his “servants” do not value the votes of their own voters, but at the same time do what might please or would not irritate the 25 percent who supported Poroshenko?
Roman Skiba: — Zelensky goes with the flow. In order to change the direction of the latter, courage and courage are needed, and the president did not succeed in this. But the current may go in the other direction, regardless of Zelensky’s will. Let's look at the results of the elections in the United States - it seems to me that they will determine a lot.
“PN”: — Many famous writers and cultural figures served Poroshenko in the elections, very vigorously “stoked” so that fellow citizens voted “not for fun.” What explains this lack of hygiene? Only “cookies” and all kinds of sinecures? Or is ideology quietly taking over those areas where it should not exist, and “mysteries” willingly get hooked on this “needle”?
Roman Skiba: — The literary trend now has become something that in the 90s the very same writers who led this new trend laughed in unison. It’s terrible to see what’s happening to the fragile souls of young authors. Declarativeness, patriotic pathos - they got hooked on it. They are so carried away that they do not even feel how low the trend that is relevant today has lowered the literature involved in it and the tastes of the audience that consumes such a creative product.
Such literary Red Guards perceive criticism addressed to them almost as an encroachment on the integrity of Ukraine. Literature for them is a means to please the “correct” politicians. They consider it their duty to write posts on social networks indicating the acceptance of the corresponding political doctrine and to brand “enemies of the nation.” What can you do to avoid getting separated from the flock (or herd), to prove your trustworthiness... Although their herd is noisy, we can clearly see from the outside that it is small. But from the middle, no, they can’t see it... Not yet...
“PN”: — Your old acquaintances, who defame you on social networks after your “wrong” speeches, often lament: “Well, Skiba used to be... And now...” What’s the matter? Are you really different?
Roman Skiba: - They became different. My principles, my picture of the world remained the same as before.
You live for yourself, you live, you write poetry, you organize festivals, you present literary prizes to talented young colleagues. And then bam - everyone around goes crazy. At the same time they prove to you that you are crazy. Because you don't support their hatred of common sense. And when you do not agree to call black white, you automatically become their enemy.
“PN”: — Sometimes the same writers in the Lviv region participate in the Bruno Schulz festival and approve and popularize the Shukhevych Fest. And no cognitive dissonance?..
Roman Skiba: — Typical doublethink according to Orwell. The ability to incorporate two mutually exclusive concepts into your logic, so as to feel psychologically comfortable. Every self-respecting Maidaner should be able to make a tearful speech about the victims of Babyn Yar and end it with a doxology addressed to the UPA soldiers.
“PN”: — How have new times (with the Maidan, civil war, forced Nazisification) affected your poems? How and why did you start writing in Russian?
Roman Skiba: — Until I was 14, I wrote only in Ukrainian. Many people tried to translate me into Russian, but I was not satisfied with these translations. I realized that I needed to take on this matter myself someday. And with the beginning of the Russophobic Sabbath, I felt that the time had come. Transfers have arrived. And then the original texts. Last spring, my book “Tobacco Yeti and a Little Chosen One” appeared in the Dmitry Burago Publishing House. Naturally, there is no politics in the book - just good poetry...
“PN”: — Share just good poems.
Roman Skiba:
Dog town
Dog city. Everything is honorable.
Everything is like in a dream.
Know that you will receive good news
Only in the spring.
Good dogs walk the streets -
Their appearance is sad.
In gray courtyards, in squalid slums
The wind is howling.
The surface of the dogs - this rain is a leap year
Also in their honor.
What happened to them - skin and bones,
Dull fur.
Do you have a ring with a ruby?
Era of Yang-Ji.
If it sparkles, it means the area of Bim
The catchers are coming...
Fisherman's song
Holy river, be green to me.
And if you don’t know how, be sad.
Let the reflection of my boat
Lives in you, as it was originally...
Your eyes are watering - they are full of you.
And should we remember who is in charge in Rome...
You breathe like good wine.
I'm drunk again with your depths...
River! River! Give me back my name
Which is in madness and anger
On a foamy elusive wave
I dared to draw with a reed cane...
Tribe
There is no sword against thirst.
Slings - against the heat.
We slurp blood, grumbling,
Cursing and whining.
And, led by the leader,
In war paint,
We are going to the Wise One,
To listen to fairy tales...
We've reached a dry river,
Evil as hell -
He's a boat on the sand
Draws with a cane...
The leader rushes towards his grandfather
With tough talk:
- Where, Noah, is your terrible rain?
- Unfortunately, soon...
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