Yuri Loza thoroughly talked to the journalist of Ukrainian news Agency “Apostrophe”
— You often write in Facebook on acute socio-political topics, so if you don’t mind, I would like the conversation to start with this and then move on to musical and cultural topics.
— Well, give.
— How do you perceive changes in Russian-Ukrainian relations, which have occurred over the last two years?
I see it this way: if any problems arise, they are solved. If there is a divide, between precipices erect bridges. You need to work in this direction, move towards each other and understand that some forces are needed to separate these two people.
— And they, according to you, not different?
— In fact, it’s one big nation. Russians and Ukrainians are Slavs, absolutely look identical. Mentality, instilled in us genetically by our ancestors — it is also about the same. After all, we equally eat, stand, sit, equally speak about the same think. And if someone is artificially created these barriers, we have time to think about how to start to destroy them. These barriers are actually all easily fall apart when you turn the head.
— What do you mean?
— It is understandable that someone had to break us up. If we look back at a long history of co-existence, we will see that there were periods when we were friends, and there were periods when we were at odds. Anything can happen. You need to drop all that stuff now. And understand… for example, I have higher economic education, I look at everything through the scope of any figures. This gives me the right to say that the conflict did not benefit from either Ukraine or Russia.
— And who then?
— First of all America, which, in General, the whole thing supported. They are now sitting and rubbing their hands because of America any mess in Europe – it is new money, because all over the world people hide money in dollars. I will speak as an economist. So America went about 50 conflicts in the last few decades. During all these conflicts the people hid their money in American banks. View materials on this topic, and you all will become clear.
— You say that you don’t like it when, especially in Ukraine, Russia called the aggressor, saying that “Ukraine has gone with the weapon on Donbass”. And whose then the idea of “Russian world”, “new Russia”?
— Tell me, please, how it all began? With this slogan, which you threw in the head, that Ukraine is Europe. Are you going to go to Europe, unprepared for this, and then the mess started. Why? Because your government Azarov and Yanukovych has said that we are not ready yet. To pretend to be the poor relation – it is another story, and another story is going in as an equal member. When Ukraine promised visa-free entry, Yanukovych signed the document only because there were a lot of absurdities. The only thing he requested from the Ukrainian society — this time to deal with this issue: “give a year or two, and we will solve all problems”. No, you had to throw Yanukovych, and completely illegitimate way, it was necessary to arrange this bloodbath, independence…
— If he was doing everything right, then why run away?
Wait, there he would just banged! And why it took off? In order to then Poroshenko said that you get this visa-free regime, 20 years since? Understand that you do not read these documents, and as an economist I immediately realize that when the promise of money, then you need to look at the end of a PostScript – what exactly you want to give. One only the replacement of the broad railway gauge narrow, would eat all your money. And this is one of the main demands of the Europeans. Just cost think head. They wanted to give money to something that they were comfortable to deliver to you your recyclables. Azarov — intelligent man who took responsibility. So whether it was Azarov to remove? Instead of him to put people who do not understand the economy?
— Do you think that the competence of those who are now in Ukraine in power? Specialists with higher economic, and not just education, just added…
— Look at the end results, not the number of specialists. When Azarov economy was growing, it was around 5-8% growth every year, and now it’s just falling apart.
— When Azarov and the company has not been war on the part of the territory.
Is just one of the arguments that you give when trying to explain why it got worse. And you know why?
— Why?
— You all the time tell that someone ate your fat. And actually your fat eat your the same people that are controlling you. Don’t misunderstand me: if you look for external enemies and blame everything on them, on Russia, Donbass, separatist, Kadyrov, someone else, so you can divert people’s attention from real problems and from those who created them. These problems are created in your country, no need to search for their authors on the side. You have created them, you solve them. And to negotiate with the Donbas still have. They’re not going to secede from Ukraine. But you go on with the war instead of a civilized way to communicate with them.
— Firstly, Ukraine has unleashed a war. And, excuse me, what kind of civilized conversation can be when we’re talking about gangsters with guns in their hands?
Wait, don’t they bomb Kiev, and you bomb the Donbass. And they are not for you have not come with guns, and you came, so what are they to blame!
“Who are they?
— The people are now fighting the Ukrainian army. You say that with the Russians, but that’s not true.
— Then who?
— His fight with the Ukrainians living in the Donbas.
It’s amazing, but for some reason, they have Russian passports and military technique, too? Coincidence?
— You are talking obvious nonsense. You know how, in principle, was arranged by the military-industrial structure of Ukraine? If you look at the statistics, it turns out that the most powerful industrial region of Ukraine has always been the East. Accordingly, the largest reserves and the largest armed forces there are. When there was the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has received all the military equipment that was on its territory. And it was the biggest in Soviet Union weapons. Then came the scandals, about which I already wrote repeatedly — this is when the ships came, full of appliances that was sold to somewhere in Africa. Much has been sold. Was sold with Donbass. In the Donbas was the same weapons as anywhere else, and maybe even a little more, but the Donbass was most prosperous, he knew how to make money without selling techniques, because in the Donbas — the coal. Accordingly, there is such lawlessness in sales, as in the rest of Ukraine, it was not. So just logically, the Donbass was armed. Look at what’s going on today — I can now go to any city in Ukraine on the market and can buy a gun. I’m telling you as an expert.
— Sorry, but it seems to me that you’re saying something stupid. In your opinion, in Russia things are very different?
— Yes, there is such lawlessness.
— You sure?
— If you do not believe, can go with you in any city, to come to the market and try to buy.
— Let’s not extreme, please.
— You know, you have in Ukraine now weapons in bulk, the prices to know everything and it is always possible to buy everything from your warriors.
— Have you tried?
— No.
— Then I do not understand how you can confidently talk about these things?
— To know, not necessarily to do it. Your military sell anything. When the Ukrainians whom something was not ready to sell? This is the same mentality laid. We are about the same. We also had the period when people are all sold. But we have passed this period. So much was sold out. I go to Russia and see it. Ships went for $ 1, according to the documents, and that’s all. I’m not saying that we have something special. And so there is, in the Donbass, if they have money, they can go out and buy any number of rounds.
— If you have money – a very important point. There is now also the principle of “no Money, but you hold fast.”
Is our industry is kind of maybe stopped, and there the coal is mined, and you buy it. Paradoxically, but Ukraine is fighting with the Donbas and buys in the Donbass coal. In addition, Poroshenko, who is at war with the aggressor, not in a hurry to close their factories in Russia and sells chocolates there. Just imagine the situation that Hitler and Stalin fought and let’s say one of them would stand the plants in a different area. You do this can you imagine?
— Such, probably not.
— Because it’s impossible. And you have exactly happening. So there is no aggression. Russia is not an enemy. Russia is not trying to press you or to take away. Secondly, when I now talking about the Crimea. Yes, I was just there! People are still glad they came and that they are not ruled by your clumsy, who now rule your country. Yes, there are problems, but they will end, because there is a prospect of action. And you stay there, you have a movement in the opposite direction.
— By the way, recently, Russia Today released a video which shows how sitting in front of the TV two Russians. Grandfather and grandson, apparently, that look like the Ukrainians allegedly attacking Crimea, “drown it in blood.” At the end of the video, the grandson dresses up in military uniforms and allegedly sent to kill Ukrainians. The moral of all this Russia Today is like, here’s what would have happened if Putin had not annexed the Crimea. You don’t think it’s an obvious manipulation?
— Nonsense. I this movie not seen. I’ll say this: Russia is now an unprecedented freedom of speech. Such anywhere in the world. I was in America, was in Europe, regularly travel around the world and know this firsthand.
— What does the unprecedented freedom of speech”?
— Unprecedented freedom of speech means anyone can say what he pleases. We do not punish, even for a complete anti-Russian garbage and rubbish.
And the latest amendments of Spring, of course, is a very eloquent proof that…
So you look at the campaign against them was organized by the so-called liberals, and nobody touches these people. If you want to say that Putin is not right, then go outside and scream. No one here in Russia will not turn his head and not go to jail. We have no dissent.
— We’re right about Russia talking about? You some fantastic things to tell…
You just can’t believe such a thing is possible. We now have so-called fifth column, which also no one is fighting. The so-called pseudo-wing and so on. We have Russia today, it is multivariate the country.
— And who is now this wing is headed? Many in fact fled just from this freedom…
I do not know. I personally do not know them, I do not think your.
— Why?
— In the same Facebook I have friends that clearly belong to the ultra-wing, which constantly publish protivorossiysky article. I don’t remove because you have to be aware of what they are saying. When justified, I tell them: “well done, correctly is when I realize that they are right. But when they are wrong: sorry, you can climb bins in every country and score a bunch of photos from these dumps, and then put in these pictures to show what life there. But why, then, after the garbage go and see what’s beautiful home was built or what new way did? They light up the life with only one hand.
— In the Russian media for the second year as there is anti-Ukrainian campaign. Which one Dmitry Kiselyov is. Why?
— We have private media companies, where there are people who need a scandal. You heard from our President or from the Minister of internal Affairs or our Minister of defense even one bad word about the Ukrainians?
— Cases are so many that even indecent to remember.
— Hey, we’d love to hear who and under what sauce?
— Zhirinovsky plans do not recall? Half of Kiev burn wanted. And if it is of the absurd.
— Stop it, Zhirinovsky has always been a bit of a clown.
But isn’t he represents the Russian government?
— His party just over 5%, his real political weight means nothing.
— Major media companies, which you consider private, to a greater extent state. Like RIA Novosti, for example. And because there is obvious manipulation occurring.
— Tell.
— Well, for example, that they quote the President: “Our military aircraft in their purpose, firepower and range combat use needs to become the force which, together with the other components of the defense will ensure the containment of the aggressive ambition of Russia, will be able to apply adequate blow to any aggressor”. Well, obviously Poroshenko says that aviation in Ukraine should be able to repel the attacks. And RIA Novosti to this quote a headline: Poroshenko threatened Russia strike. The Agency puts him in the tops. Is it permissible for the main news agencies of the country, which are funded by the government to do such things?
“Don’t you know how journalists work? They need a headline. I was with them for a very long time fighting. Here I give you the interview, and in Russia in recent years — no. Unfortunately, our freedom of speech extends to dishonest journalists.
— By the way, why do you think that in Ukraine there is no freedom of speech? You brought up some facts about this?
I don’t know about the Ukrainian media, but you punish people for dissent.
Excuse me, are you talking about?
— Just look at those prisoners who are in the exchanges, what condition are they in? Take a look at those and others. Savchenko returned well-fed, well-groomed, in excellent condition. And look at those captives whom you give, they then reanimations are after you, they then depart for a very long time, then years to treat. You can’t control your right hand, you can not put things in order there, you have a completely mismatched, motley crew is now engaged in the war. You have some sectors that do not obey anyone, you have people who are willing absolutely to quietly say to the Minister of defense: fuck you. I’m talking about the same Yarosh. With Donbass it is necessary to negotiate. Still can not win people. In Russia we tried it in Chechnya one day, and realized that we needed to negotiate. Better a bad peace than a good war.
America destroyed its indigenous population, calling them savages. It was necessary to announce to the world that they are fighting with savages, Redskins and so on. It is an ancient principle. Since you are now declared them (militants in the Donbas – “Apostrophe”) some bad people, but they are the same Ukrainians as you are.
— Well, what are the Ukrainians…
— Zakharchenko who — Kirghiz, or what? Want to say that it is less Ukrainian than your Avakov? Or less Ukrainian than Saakashvili?
— How do you feel about Saakashvili, by the way? The Russian media is a favorite topic after the Ukrainian to either mock him or put him in a very bad light.
— He himself is already exposed. Would you look at that video where he’s chewing his tie
But this does not negate his contribution to the fight against corruption in Georgia and the economic progress that has been in his presidency.
— If you take to run the state, you have to at least to save face. Saving face is the main task. That is, you can do anything you want to do, but if one day you dropped your dignity or save face, you have no place in politics. It is unacceptable for the leader. The slightest speck on that face — and you have no right to govern. Now, tell me, do you know the episode where Putin would drop the face?
— Are you serious?
— Why support Putin 97% of the population? Because they are not ashamed because he never dropped his face, he never lost it anywhere and do not chew the ties. Understand that people do not forgive. But returning again to Georgia, how do you force to try to attach South Ossetia? Why fight with the people?
— Do you think that Georgia itself started?
— Well, who is? Russia? How?
That is, the conflict in Transnistria, probably the Moldova also started?
Strange you some. I know in General terms what was going on. General Lebed stopped the war there, just hung all in a state of uncertainty. I understand that the former leaders do not want to solve these problems, but they have created problems for future generations. And until they learn to negotiate, there will be this tense point. If you have not removed the problem at its root, it then must come out. Grows up a new generation of fighters, the younger brother, which saw the death of their senior. And they will take up arms. And the conflict grows into a new logical, then 10 years later comes a new generation, and yet again in a circle. Here it is believed that you have on Donbass a truce, and suddenly out of the blue announced that there is an Opera singer killed. Guys, during the truce, there is someone who can shoot? So it’s not really a truce. And anyway, what is there to do the Opera singer?
I read your post and you seem to me not very well written. You love Proverbs and I think you know the phrase “the dead good or nothing.”
— You know, we have a lot of neutered phrases that we say as the full. So, this phrase, which you say you got a very significant continued: “about the dead either good or nothing but the truth”. “But the truth was removed, and left only “nothing”. This is a typical journalistic trick of castration. The truth is that the man with the Opera data needs to sing. And if you read my post, I’m not talking about him not a single bad word. You think to shoot a machine gun – is to help the country? I understand how assistance to the country is to do everything to ensure that nobody was shot.
— It seems, we are again facing a stalemate.
Is you get nowhere because you don’t call a spade a spade.
The same thing I can say about you. There are also the obvious facts, which speak not only Ukrainian media, and the whole world.
— Again, you are some kind of nonsense talk.
— And what then against Russia were imposed international sanctions?
I just Schengen visa received. To get it in Ukraine harder than Russia. I was given a Schengen visa for a year, and even almost kissed. You know why? Because we are always waiting and happy to see us.
Is, of course, Yes, but it was about sanctions, especially economic ones.
— I’ll say this: now all of Europe is howling from these sanctions. A year passes, and all the sanctions will be lifted. Already now preparing for the strike, because all of the farmers who previously traded with Russia, because of these stupid sanctions now are unable to do this. All of Europe is against it, except for certain politicians, which is at hand. I began this conversation. There is a movie — “the meeting Place cannot be changed”, and there the mouth of the protagonist said, always looking for who benefits. Our conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not beneficial to you or us. In Russia are spending money on something to help the Donbass as humanitarian machinery there has been sent you have seen. The observers examined all these convoys — convoys back to a single bullet brought. What is wrong is that we supported the common people, and they hunger were dead? When Anna Netrebko helped Donetsk Opera and ballet money, its called the separatist, terrorist and so on. And Netrebko, for a moment, this is the best soprano in the world.
— By the way, about music. Have a question about the Eurovision song contest. Recently launched by our Minister and said that in Ukraine there is no suitable site for the competition…
He’s lying. You have a great concert hall “Ukraine”, I sang. In any sport Palace you can spend. Yes anywhere.
— Another question: in the Russian media, in particular LifeNews, immediately published an article about the fact that Ukraine has no money, and why it was necessary to participate in this contest, so you do not have the capacity to spend it…
— I LifeNews’t talk at all and know they don’t know. See, LifeNews is a private shop. Their hands are not from the head.
— So you think that Ukraine may hold a contest at a decent level?
— Yes on health! Spend what you want! We have something that’s why should be interested in? No normal person in Russia does not even think about whether Ukraine to hold Eurovision, or not. I do it on a drum.
Really?
— Want to lick the English – please. I am opposed to and was held in Russia for this mess. I was against our participation in the Eurovision song contest in the form in which it is now. I wrote about this repeatedly. If this contest was held by European rules, which were adopted at the beginning, then that would be great — when all sing in their own languages. The contest should bring people together. But now what? English cabal. Want – spend, will also sing songs in English. It’s your business. And I do not want my colleagues so low. Here you will be at his conduct, and will conduct it in English. You have the pride of the Ukrainian there is any?
It’s not a competition of songs and dances in the district some. We’re talking about international competition, which is broadcast to the whole world.
— Fuck you this contest surrendered, if your leading at home have no right to speak in the Ukrainian language, in undertaking the competition? The winner can speak the language in which he wants, not that which he imposed. That’s why then you this victory? I our say: the hell you win? Then to English Malakhov screaming from the scene incomprehensible phrase twenty thousand of their countrymen?
— What about the song Jamala talk. You are here once said that she hit will not.
— Talked. And now, I repeat will not.
Nevertheless, many Western musicians the song has been covered, did a cover version. And that Universal Music Group has signed a contract with her. Don’t want to take my words back?
And I’ll tell you what you have in Ukraine, for example, Okean Elzy his popularity will beat any branded artist. I guarantee you that. And this group sings in Ukrainian.
— But how do you explain such a phenomenon. Beatles and Madonna have fans around the world listen to Ukrainians and Russians who do not even know the English language. Why?
— Because there were made some steps. Europe was previously vociferous and spoke different languages. Now there was a transformation: American money rose English culture, came to Hollywood movies and so on. If in the Soviet Union, the American movies I watched even less than the French, now the Yankees made the whole world to speak English, and English has become international. I repeat — all supported by American money. While America did not support their attendants, their dollars, Europe has lived under completely different patterns. That is, if the Germans make up a sixth of the whole of Europe, apart from Germany, in German speaks little Norway, a little Austria, a little Switzerland, and the popularity of the German was appropriate. Now there was a cultural substitution, and all trying to speak and sing in English. But it’s very bad, because English poets ceased to rhyme, they rhymes run out, they just ate this incredible popularity. Language has ceased to be distinctive, somehow became so watered-down and utilitarian. By themselves, the English in English began to say worse, just because the fashion for the bad English was brought by the foreigners. I would not want us to anglaiseroulette and thus began to speak in Russian.
— Russian language can become international, pan-national preeminent Araratian?
— It will have to simplify it to the size of the English. English is primitive, simple and very conversational. I wouldn’t want to wish the Russian language. I just love your tongue, he’s rich. Ukrainian is also probably rich, because they are derived from the same root, but I know it is bad. So let go now Russian language and compress it to the size English is hard hit by the beauty of the language.
— What, no desire for the expansion of Russian language to spend? In the EU, for example? Especially Brexit recently passed and the UK Department…
— Why? Why do Europeans learn the beautiful, but difficult Russian language, if they have their own languages? That’s another thing that at festivals we have to show that we have culture and language, but we do not. We come to festivals, and all prove that you can sing as well as the British. And for what? To please the Irish housewife?
— Is the Eurovision song contest not in order to promote their culture?
— I said that to promote their culture they do not give. Well, look what showed our Lazarev — song written by the British and the Swedes, and the number was set by the Greeks. Russian culture is just the last name.
— Russian artists are original, why they still are not as popular as Madonna, for example?
— Do you know what year painted the concerts of the ensemble of Moses? There is a dance ensemble we are.
I have no idea.
— And I’ll tell you. 2020. Do we still have such Osipovsky orchestra. Probably, you have these groups, I just don’t know. They, too, five years forward are painted touring is folk groups, by the way. They are perceived as it is, without references to national identity.
And yet even artists like Kobzon, for example, they are popular only among Russian-speaking population. Not know them throughout the world.
— Russia is one seventh of the land.
— That is this enough?
— Oh, my God, of course! We have 140 million population, and if 140 million people consider artist star, the way it is. You have 45, and if the group of the 45 million population has achieved popularity is a lot, believe me.
You mentioned on Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. In your opinion, his success is only because he sings in Ukrainian?
— He is original and sings in his language. I’ll try to explain it, and you can not understand. It is original and is not under anybody counterfeited. But if Vakarchuk sing in English, it is no one in the West will not need. Do you understand what the point is, it’s amazing that the most popularity can be achieved only among friends. When he sings in English, it is not clear by whom. Now look what happens — I was in Greece, and there, if not sing Greek songs, and you won’t be able to become a star. The stars are only people with their material.
— And you could somehow explain, why in Russia such a success with Stas Mikhailov? You can’t call his music some original or very original, and collects the stadiums.
— Worldwide the same problem – not enough men. Few of them, which is normal, left. Stas Mikhailov and everything for you. That’s the whole success.
I wonder to know your opinion on Grebenshikova and Makarevich. After all, they are the founders of rock music in Russia.
— Have you read my posts: rock music as a phenomenon died in 1980 with the arrival of the new wave. It is in all anthologies, all written anthologies. Now to create a rock band, playing rock music is not modern, because the rock is on the same status level as punk, and jazz, and disco and so on. It is today almost world music. This is just a music genre, nothing more.
— Why musicians say that, on the contrary, is a social phenomenon, and that all this music was born as a protest?
— All the lies. There is no social protest, no. I looked when the “Chaif” closed some rock-festival songs “the Bottle of kefir and half of one loaf, then, “Argentina – Jamaica 5:0”. Here is the rock! Wow protest! What is that a social phenomenon? Then goes out and closes Garik Sukachev, well, Mike broke on the chest, shouting: grandmother smokes a pipe.
— Well, it’s rock-n-roll, quite a different mood.
— At some point, all directions were social. And jazz was once carried in our country protest beginning. Victor Slavkin, a long time ago, I wrote a play: “the Adult daughter of a young man”. And Sasha Filipenko made the room, taking the monologue from this play. He says: we all protested, walking in these narrow pipes, hairstyles-Coca did, shouting with wild voices, and then suddenly it turned out that something in the songs and there is nothing inappropriate! That is exactly the same and rock just music. Once the Director Chukhrai said a good phrase: “These guys are very similar to Alexander Matrosov, which falls into the breach, knowing that the gun is not there.
— Last question, about your creativity. When you act, you will probably ask me to sing “the Raft”. If you had thought a cover version, maybe something to do?
— I don’t want someone now singing that song except me, because I myself is able to do it. When I for some reason get away with the scene, then this song will be given, and it will be torn apart as you want.
— What about to sing “the Raft” in Ukrainian?
Why? I don’t need it.