March 13, the famous singer, songwriter and social activist and leader of the band "Okean Elzy" Sviatoslav Vakarchuk met with students of NTUU "KPI".
The concert hall of the Center of Culture and Arts of the University was full. But this time Vakarchuk didn't sing but shared with the polytechnics his thoughts about today in our country and its future.
At the outset, he remembered that it was here 18 years ago, the group of "Okean Elzy" made his first appearance in front of the people of Kiev. This immediately created in the hall, where gathered already kindly disposed towards him audience, very warm atmosphere. Vakarchuk also directly determined the format of the meeting: the first part - his lecture, the second - the answers to students' questions. However, he asked that the questions will be not related to the "glamorous vanilla", as he puts it, but close to the topic of conversation.
It should be noted that from the very first his words the audience felt that it was not a lecture, but a live communication with a smart man. Svyatoslav was talking about very important things for every citizen. And he started out of his own way to a sense and understanding of freedom and the importance of it for each person who lives not only instincts.
"More makes a person successful and happy it is the feeling of his own freedom. Freedom of choice and the freedom to create your own life ... - he said. - Your personal choice is as well extrapolated to the choice of the country. We must understand that the only one who influence its future is its citizens. In the country one way - this is the path that will choose its citizens. It all depends on all of us, from all who are sitting in this room, from me, from the people who walk the streets ... On how we are ready to defend their freedom. Freedom of personal choice and freedom of the country in which we live, and which we call our homeland. "
This idea has largely become a leitmotif of the meeting. In his discussion Vakarchuk spoke about common problems and creating a new state, of Ukraine's recent history, about government and local politicians, about why they have become exactly as it is, and why, in the end people rebelled against the distorted system of relations between the government and the people who lined up in the Ukraine for more than two decades.
Of course, he talked about the current situation in the Crimea, and in general, about the artificial divide, the creation and deepening of whom worked part of Ukrainian politics, both in the East and the West. Worked for their own political benefits in the form of the vote, high positions and financial capabilities. And getting it all these politics withdrew from solving problems of the country and its people, again, both in the West and in the East, and brought the country to a critical point.
Of course, Vakarchuk could not stay away from the problems and challenges facing the new government, the principles upon which it should be formed, and the ways in which you can bring to power new people And those three requirements that these people must meet - to be honest, professional and patriotic. But, as he said again, these issues we will address tomorrow, but today we have to defend our country. And if we will be strong and ready, protecting it, go to the end, the world will certainly help us.
The second part of the meeting held in the format of questions and answers. Vakarchuk talked with students in two languages - Ukrainian and Russian. He immediately noticed that the language should not and can not divide the Ukrainian citizens, and certain historical and cultural differences that exist between the east and west of the country, do not have to break it and to sow discord among citizens. By the way, he reminded the audience that Kiev - is the third city, where he meets with students (at first he met with young people in Kharkiv and Donetsk), and a large difference in the perception of the things he was saying by local students and students Kievers he not noticed. Only there were there more questions in Russian and here in KPI - in Ukrainian. Actually, despite the fact that the meeting took place within the walls is the National Technical University of Ukraine "Kyiv Polytechnic Institute", the questions were asked not only by polytechnics, but also by many other students of the Kiev universities and Vakarchuk even jokingly said that this is an example of the ability to negotiate and tolerant relationship to each other.
The audience asked Svyatoslav Vakarchuk to nominate himself as candidate for the presidential elections in Ukraine with a promise to support his candidature by the students. It was clear that it was for him a little bit unexpected. He replied that he was ready to do for his country whatever it takes, but do not would like to see in this hall today raised questions of its future. Moreover, that such serious issues can not be addressed emotionally.
Another suggestion was to lead or take part in the work of a certain structure that communicates between civil society, youth and the political leadership of the country for its development, and he expressed his willingness to undertake such a task.
Among the issues was the question of the national idea. Vakarchuk formulated it simply: "We are different, but we are together."
After the meeting with the students in the lobby Vakarchuk MSC also talked with reporters. The event was planned in the first briefing format, but has grown into a full-fledged press conference, during which he answered a lot of questions and, at the request of one of the television journalist turned with words of support to the Ukrainian sailors and soldiers, who are now in the Crimea.