Cat Leopold and Ukrainian Politics

[Kirill Sereda]

Simple, and rather funny, facial resemblance between Yushchenko and Leopold is the reason. It's like jokingly calling your opponent Felix the Cat if he has huge bulging eyes :)

Kirill Sereda

-----Original Message-----
From: Slavic & East European Languages and Literature list [mailto:SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU] On Behalf Of Brewer, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 4:25 PM
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
Subject: [SEELANGS] Cat Leopold and Ukrainian Politics

All,



A colleague is interested in finding out why Cat Leopold (a cartoon
character) in the accusations and name calling between camps in Ukraine.
What exactly is meant by the use of this?  I thought the cat was a fairly
positive character.



Excerpt from a BBC report:



[Yanukovych, in Russian] This international, European group that has come to
Ukraine - I will conduct talks with them on your behalf. [crowd cheers].
Today, I am challenging this mischievous cat Leopold [Soviet cartoon
character] Yushchenko to talks, just as I did during the TV debates. [shouts
of approval]



Another Excerpt:



[Yushchenko, in Ukrainian, speaking to a news conference] Tyhypko acted like
a mischievous cat, and I don't have Cat Leopold [Soviet cartoon character]
in mind. A mischievous cat. You know he took banks and the banking system to
very serious trials. And once he realized he can no longer lead this
process, as he has been out of work for five months, he decided to evade
responsibility. But I am certain that responsibility will follow close on
his heels, whatever he does. This step [has been made] too late.

[Melnychuk] Will you comment on these words?

[Tyhypko] You know, our presidential candidates [Yushchenko and Yanukovych]
have begun to use zoological analogies for some reason [reference to
Yanukovych who described Yushchenko as a mischievous Cat Leopold while
speaking to his supporters at Kiev's railway station on 26 November]. I
don't think this comment does Mr Yushchenko credit. You know if there are
any complaints about my work as NBU chairman, I would like to hear them.



Any help/opinions/context would be much appreciated.



Thanks,



mb





Michael Brewer

Slavic Studies, German Studies & Media Arts Librarian

University of Arizona Library A210

1510 E. University

P.O. Box 210055

Tucson, AZ 85721

Voice: 520.307.2771

Fax: 520.621.9733

brewerm at u.library.arizona.edu <mailto:brewerm at u.library.arizona.edu>




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