Although the United States is mostly oblivious to the fact that qualifications for the European Cup are going on right now, it is something a good chunk of the rest of the world is very aware of. A team from Scotland along with hordes of kilt-wearing fans recently decended on Ukraine for a match with Dynamo Kiev. Apparently, they didn’t receive a very warm welcome.
One of my instructors who hails from Ukraine originally told me that there were several attacks on the Scottish fans. Even those that weren’t attacked apparently faced some old school Soviet hospitality. This article from The Daily Record out of UK seems to sum up at least one journalist’s feelings.
“Unsmiling, Dour, and Unfriendly…Welcome to Kiev”
Obviously, not all Ukrainians are like this. At least, I certainly hope so or else it’ll be a long two years there. Still, it is a disturbing event that follows several other bits of negative information I’ve heard lately.
Maybe Kiev should change it’s name to avoid the negative publicity. Oh wait, the U.S. government already beat them to it. I’m not longer headed to Kiev. I’m headed to Kyiv.
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October 21, 2006 at 11:49 pm
MC
Sadly, the rather chilly reception described in the article is, in my experience, not all that uncommon among the former Soviet Bloc countries. Places like the Czech Republic and Hungary seemed to get past that a little more quickly, but those places that are further away from western Europe and that have not been such a draw for tourism have been slower to change. The good news is: if you know their cousin Georgi, they treat you like family and you’ve never met a more accommodating group of people. You just need to get that first introduction, though - otherwise, it’s the cold shoulder.
October 23, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Slip
About time that the top US diplomat to Ukraine recognizes that its kyiv not kiev!
When will you be going again?
October 23, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Shawn
I actually tried to get it renamed “Funkatopia” but no one would listen.
I ship out in April.