August Press Review

Ukrayinskiy Tyzhden: The Godfather Connection

Issue 28 (89), July 10, 2009

Ukrainian-language weekly Tyzhden reported last month on a new law targeting nepotism in the shape of the many godfather-style inter-relationships which have proliferated in recent years throughout Ukrainian politics. The head of state found himself in a somewhat spicy situation, the weekly reported, when he received a bill to sign into law anti-corruption legislation which specifically targeted the nepotistic employment of those related via christening (Ukrainian tradition dictates that as well as the traditional Godfather-Godchild relationship, a Ukrainian christening also brings into being a range of parallel ‘kum’ relationships between the godparents and the parents of the child, hence the popular term ‘kumism’ – Ed.). However, as this now flourishing ‘Cult of Kum’ has gained hugely in popularity throughout the five years of Viktor Yushchenko’s presidency, the bill seemed to be saying something directly to the incumbent head of state himself. According to Tyzhden, President Yushchenko has acted as Godfather for the children of such public figures as the head of the State Tax Administration Serhiy Buryak, two regional governors (Mykola Paliychuk of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast and Oleksandr Cherevko of Chernihiv oblast), NBU Council chief Petro Poroshenko and more than a dozen other well-known Ukrainian politicians and bankers. These complex christening-related relationships imply a deep sense of kinship and often cross partisan party lines, tying unlikely political bedfellows into deeply traditional relationships with people who are otherwise their sworn opponents. For example, Mykhaylo Pozhyvanov from BYUT is related via christening to Party of Regions leading light Andriy Kluyev, while Serhiy Buryak from BYUT shares the same bond with Vitaliy Khomutynnyk from the Party of Regions.

Focus: Dodgy Doctorates

Issue 28 (140, July 10, 2009
Judging by the number of people holding doctorates in scientific disciplines Ukraine must be one of the smartest countries in Europe, according to Focus magazine. However, of an estimated 100,000 existing doctors of science in Ukraine, only 20% are working in their chosen field. The report stated that many of these doctorate graduates are not in fact genuine scientists but just those who are attracted by prestige and eager to use the qualification to boost their social status. Focus quoted Psychologist Svitlana Likholetova as stating that insecure government officials and no-nonsense business leaders often seek academic respectability in order to boost their flagging self-esteem. “In Ukraine politicians and businessmen are right behind educators on the list of doctorates. For many of them acquiring a scientific title is the routine way of dealing with feelings of inferiority. Sooner or later these people grow tired of money and power and move onto the next stage, where they seek spiritual superiority over their environment,” she was quoted as saying.

Profil: Adoptions on the Rise