Per this discussion. Denying the presence of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is, in my opinion, naive (I’ve walked past graffiti drawings of stars of David on the gallows – just as I have walkled past graffiti drawings of swastikas on the gallows; people in Ukraine are, as ever, struggling for a national and cultural identity, andContinue reading “Since I have my best thoughts (?) in the shower”
Author Archives: Natalia Antonova
F*ck S*it Damn
The road to Borispyl is being blocked off due to a protest related to land stolen from the residents of a nearby village. One lane is open, but they’re threatening to close it too (I actually can’t imagine the police letting them, but you never know). I can understand why this is happening – noContinue reading “F*ck S*it Damn”
Kiev and Kyiv
The former is the Russian pronounciation, the latter is the Ukrainian. I use these two interchangeably. My first language is Russian, but I love Russian and Ukrainian the same. And I hate all the politics that get in the way of beautiful things, such as the sharpness, the clarity of Kiiii-ev, the rounded, breathy softnessContinue reading “Kiev and Kyiv”
Well-mannered frivolity
Because things have been intense around here. My hair’s Gone Dark (like the horizons of human enlightenment). I was blond two years ago, and a redhead the year before, and now I’m a brunette. I must say, I like this metamorphosis of mine the best. Dark hair + pale skin + blue eyes = IContinue reading “Well-mannered frivolity”
You can’t always get what you want
A woman living next door to my aunt here in Kiev was attacked last month. She and her rommate were private masseurs: good-looking, surgically altered, and in the habit of charging large fees, if their rent was any indication. I don’t know if they advertised sex-work – but they have gently implied to my (conservative)Continue reading “You can’t always get what you want”
Natalia A. 