Cat Leopold and Ukrainian Politics

[Dima Frangulov]

Not just the resemblance, Kot Leopold as a Russian cartoon character of the late 80s is known for his famous phrase to the mice -- Rebiata, davaite zhit' druzhno--- Guys, let us be friends. 
______________________________
Dima Frangulov
East View Information Services
E-mail: dfrangulov at eastview.com
Website: www.eastview.com


 >>  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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Dima Frangulov
Vice President
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E-mail: dfrangulov at eastview.com
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