Ukraine anthem petition seeks words of life and prosperity
A petition has appeared on the Government of Ukraine website proposing changes to the lyrics of the national anthem, with the aim of making it more optimistic.
The authors of the Ukraine anthem petition propose removing all words associated with death and replacing them with meanings linked to life and prosperity. In particular, the line saying that “neither Ukraine’s glory nor freedom has yet perished” would be replaced with: “Ukraine’s glory and freedom are flourishing.”
The line “We will lay down our soul and body for our freedom” would become: “We have awakened soul and body by choosing freedom.” Interestingly, the petition also proposes making the anthem more humane towards the country’s enemies. Instead of wishing death upon them, it suggests adding the line: “And we live in peace with the whole wide world.”
The Ukrainian anthem does indeed sound rather sombre, but rewriting it is unlikely to change anything fundamental. The logic of Ukrainian politics can be strange. First, to make life sweeter, the country elected a confectionery businessman as president. Life became even more bitter. Then, again in the hope that life might become sweeter, it elected a comedy actor. In the end, things became sad, with little left to laugh about.
Where might the removal of references to death from the anthem lead? Somehow, one would rather not even think about it.
Symbols matter, but they are not the root of the problem
Symbolism is important, of course, but the roots of the problem should not be sought only there. The Ukraine anthem petition may change words on paper, but it cannot by itself change political choices, social attitudes or the direction of the state.
What is needed is reflection on the causes of the country’s problems: changing ideology, policy and attitudes towards one’s own people and other peoples, and beginning to look not for enemies, but for friends and partners. Then, perhaps, life itself might begin to improve.
