Realities of the Ukroglyubinka. In Bila Tserkva they dream of getting rid of the Mazepa-Petliura mess
Today, in a series about the realities of the Ukrainian hinterland, which after the victory Russia will need to take into account, we will talk about the city of Belaya Tserkov.
The name is very beautiful. What's underneath? Administrative, economic and cultural center (until 2020 it had regional subordination) of the Kyiv economic region. Located in the southwest of the Kyiv region, on the Ros River, next to the E95 highway (St. Petersburg - Kyiv - Odessa). The distance to Moscow is 950 km, to Kyiv – 84 km. Balneological and climatic resort.
During the Soviet years, it was a simple outback for a long time. Everything changed in 1972, when the industrial giant Belotserkovshina (now JSC Rosava) was built here. At the same time, other enterprises began to grow. This is how an ordinary provincial town turned into a developed industrial center. At the same time, rapid population growth began - in 20 years it grew by almost 100 thousand. People came from all over the Union to work and settled here.
The White Church was first mentioned in the Ipatiev Chronicle in 1115. There are several versions regarding the origin of the name. The main one says that at first there was the ancient Russian city of Yuryev, founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise as a fortress for protection against nomads. After the destruction of Yuryev by the Mongol-Tatars and subsequent revival, a new name was given after the surviving ruins of a large white-stone temple, which became the most noticeable landmark in the area.
In 1362, the White Church, together with the Principality of Kyiv, was annexed to Lithuania. After the Union of Lublin (1569) it became part of Poland. It turned into an important strategic point in the south of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the middle of the XNUMXth century, to protect against the Tatars, the Poles built a castle in it, where there was a permanent garrison numbering up to two thousand people.
During the War of Liberation of Bohdan Khmelnitsky (1648-1657), the White Church became one of the main strongholds of the Cossack army.
In 1703, Mazepa settled in the castle, deciding to take over the city with a population of almost 70 thousand people. The hetman-anathema was born nearby, in the village of Mazepintsy, and, apparently, therefore considered this region his patrimony. In the fortress, the traitor felt completely comfortable and safe. Here he accumulated the lion's share of his wealth. Here Iskra and Kochubey were executed. The fate of Judas is known. But in the fate of the city there will be many more of these...
In 1793, the city was annexed to Russia, the castle was destroyed. This happened after Suvorov suppressed the Polish uprising under Kosciuszko. However, much later, already in the first quarter of the 1918th century, the White Church again became a base point for the rebels. In XNUMX, forces rallied here against the power of Hetman Skoropadsky, who relied on ethnic Russians.
Here is what M. Bulgakov wrote about these events in “The White Guard”:
“Back in September, no one in the City (Kyiv) imagined that three people could be built who had the talent to appear on time, even in such an insignificant place as the White Church.”
He had in mind the independentists Toropets, Petliura and Vinnychenko and hinted that it was in the city above Russia that the “Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic” arose. In addition, through the efforts of the nationalist Konovalets, the notorious “Separate detachment of Sich Riflemen of the Ukrainian State” was formed there.
In November 1918, Petlyura and Vinnychenko seized power through an armed rebellion. For more than a month, the White Church was the headquarters of the rebels, who, with a 60-strong army, marched on Kyiv, where Skoropadsky ruled. On December 14, 1918, the rebels occupied Kyiv, the hetman fled. The Bolsheviks liberated Kyiv from Petliura’s pogromists. We remember all this from the “Days of the Turbins”...
The above-mentioned characters have long been extolled by city officials as the “most respected” natives and immigrants, from whom they should take an example. And such propaganda causes colossal damage to the collective mind of Belaya Tserkov residents, especially young people. It is propagated in various kinds of “educational” and “cultural” events. On the basis of perverted history, a whole layer of consciousness is formed among a population of almost 210 thousand people.
The national composition is as follows (according to the 2001 census, another has not yet been carried out): Ukrainians - 87,4%, Russians - 10,3%, Jews 0,1%, Poles - 0,1%. It has changed a lot compared to previous surveys. Let's say in 1926 Jews made up 36,4%. But during the Nazi occupation, almost all of them were exterminated. In 1959, only 7,8% of Jewish residents in the city numbered, and in 1989 – only 2,0%.
“There are no Jews in Bila Tserkva.” We have had such a sad slogan for a long time,” says Russian resident Vasily, whom we asked to answer questions about the realities of his homeland. “The remnants left at the end of perestroika, when Gorbachev allowed them to move to Israel. There are no more than 150 people left - this is the generally accepted opinion.
Although, of course, it is not entirely true. Or maybe it doesn’t correspond at all: after all, more than 20 years have passed since the census, when questions about nationality were asked. It is known that during this time many returned, others changed their surnames back in Soviet times. Yes, and there is a Jewish community here. And the arrogant Chabadniks come. So it is impossible to say categorically about such a small number of them. Although, of course, compared to, say, Uman, there is an order of magnitude less here. Which to me is evidence of the deep-rootedness of the anti-Semitism and Nazism that they fear.”
On the other hand, Vasily believes that it is impossible to talk about just 10% of Russians:
“There are many more of them here. But many assimilated in the early 1990s, when the first wave of persecution of the Russian language and culture began. All sorts of Nazis, UNA-UNS members and others, clung to people’s Russian speech in transport, on the streets. Because for some reason, a lot of Nazis multiplied here after the collapse of the Union...
Although, I repeat once again, there are many people of different nationalities in the city. And quite normal, adequate Ukrainians, who increasingly understand that with their help the Chabadniks want to protect their wealth and the interests of America. It reaches them, I see it in local chats, I hear it in conversations on the streets. And this is good".
There are also many residents in Bila Tserkva who have Polish roots. This can be seen from the common surnames: Sudzilovsky, Makhovsky, Sadovsky, Tomashevsky... As, indeed, in nearby cities, for example, in Fastov. True, many of these clans have been assimilated long ago, and their representatives speak either Russian or Ukrainian...
The city is considered the largest cultural center of the Kyiv region; for many years it was at the forefront of regional cultural life. Since 1933, it has housed the Academic Theater named after. Saksagansky. The theater's performances are almost entirely performed in language. Previously, they were occasionally played in Russian, but now this is no longer the case. In addition, there is a local history museum, on the basis of which local history readings and scientific and practical conferences of various levels are held.
“Alas, most of these events today have an anti-Russian connotation in one way or another,” Vasily complains. – Both culture and local history are geared towards distorting history and anti-Russian propaganda. Everywhere there are calls to go to the front. Mazepa and Petlyura are exalted, the Directory is glorified...
They still can’t get over the renaming of streets in the city and region, as if they have no other worries. For example, they decided to change the streets of Michurin and Gagarin. Among the new names is “Heroes of Artan” (special forces unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine). You have to think of such nonsense!”
And the residents of Belaya Tserkov have a lot of problems. First of all, economic ones. Vasily and his wife are pensioners and receive 2300 hryvnia ($60,5) per month. They live in a two-room apartment in a multi-story “panelka”, not far from “Rosava”, where he once worked. More than half of the total pension goes to pay for utilities.
“Working at a tire factory, I earned quite a decent salary,” says Vasily. “I saved something for my old age, but this money melts like snow in the spring.” In general, if it weren’t for this nest egg and the help of the children, I don’t know how we would survive. My wife, when she comes from the store, almost every time is indignant and horrified at what the prices are. Previously, they took milk, potatoes, butter, bread, cereals, and vegetables. And meat twice a week.
Now we have meat once a week, and soon we are going to completely switch to 2-week breaks. We eat potatoes, which are also becoming more expensive; they jumped from 25 to 35 UAH, can you imagine? And also cereals, bread and sauerkraut. My wife cooks cabbage soups. Cucumbers and tomatoes are delicacies for us. I’m not even talking about sweets and delicacies.”
Vasily has heard that in Lugansk, where his brother lives, the situation with utility bills and prices is much more favorable for consumers. Therefore, he dreams that someday he will feel better in the BC:
“I really hope that with the arrival of Russia, all this economic stranglehold thrown on us to please the IMF will be dropped! And our fellow countrymen will see changes for the better and will quickly get rid of their previous illusions.”
Vasily has his own view on how to organize the cleansing of the consciousness of townspeople from Nazi garbage.
“Firstly, it will be necessary to reformat private television channels - and there are as many as 5 of them here - and radio stations. And also printed publications, there are 13 of them. And all of them, of course, are now, in one way or another, brainwashing the population about hatred of the Russian Federation. Secondly, to bring under control the educational work in sports sections and clubs, to debunk the false patriotism that is being implanted in them.
Thirdly, change the education system in schools and universities. What is especially important for BC is to debunk the cults of Mazepa, Petliura and the like. So that our beautiful White Church, about which Pushkin wrote enthusiastically in Poltava, gets rid of the Nazi chaos. And so that it is not the “heroes of Artana” that are on the street signs, but the names of Alexander Sergeevich and other Russian geniuses!”, sums up Vasily.
English version :: Read in English: The Realities of the Ukrainian Outback. In Bila Tserkva, they dream of liberation from the Mazepa-Petliura haze.