When Sveta and I go on vacation we like to take lots of pictures of what we see. This little video to the right is a group of clowns that Sveta and I found performing on the streets of Odessa. It was Victory day in Russia and Ukraine or also called May Holidays. It is not a very good quality video but I still like it a lot. My camera phone takes fantastic photos but videos are not so good. The people were really good and it is always a pleasant surprise to find artistic people willing to share their talents and abilities…
In Odessa the May holidays seems to be split up into two factions. One based on World War Two and the trials and tribulations associated with that and then two is based on a lighter more merry mood of Spring and delight…
The streets of Odessa were full of activity and wonderment. We found bands playing music, we found clowns singing and dancing, we found Opera singers singing classical songs from the old days and we found military bands playing for all they are worth and singing songs of World War Two…
I have discovered that Victory Day (May Holidays) are a huge deal in the CIS countries. It was confusing to me at first because being from America, World War Two is just not that big of a deal. In fact after being in Russia all this time, I now understand why it is a big deal for Russians. To travel Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and other CIS countries you will find monuments to World War Two everywhere. The impact of World War Two was so devastating to this side of the world, that it still has a hold in the hearts of the people from young to old. I guess when war comes to your door step and knocks as it did in the CIS countries. Then when you don’t answer and it kicks the door down and tries to take your home away. The after effects are much greater than if you watch the war from overseas and by the news…
Sveta and I had a wonderful May Holidays in Odessa and we are very glad that we got to share in those events…
Windows to Russia!