Activists find love in protest camp

Vasyl Fylosov and Sofiya Kirichenko came to Kiev from different regions to join round-the-clock protests in support of opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko.

Result: two golden rings and a bride’s veil in the opposition’s orange colour.

Freezing temperatures and the lack of basic amenities such as hot water and clean bathrooms only helped create a unique romantic atmosphere for thousands of young people who settled in a sprawling tent camp on Kiev’s main square.

“You can have your own little paradise – even in a tent,” said Vasyl, a tall 23-year-old with his hair dyed blond.

Four days after meeting, Vasyl and Sofiya, a cheerful 19-year-old brunette, staged unofficial vows in the heart of the tent camp, to a wedding march and the cheers of dozens of fellow camp residents.

“She wore an orange veil, made from an orange curtain, and I had an orange shirt on, entirely covered by friends’ signatures and various slogans,” Vasyl said.

“On that day they even allowed us to have champagne,” he said with a smile. Alcohol is prohibited in the camp to maintain discipline.

The wedding was largely symbolic as it bore no legal weight, but Vasyl insisted that Kiev Mayor Olexander Omelchenko promised to issue the couple a special wedding certificate. Meanwhile, local reporters presented them with the rings.

Vasyl said the camp had already had several such unofficial ceremonies, and two more couples followed suit in the camp today – exchanging rings and toasting with champagne, followed by a long kiss.

Camp organisers say more than 10,000 activists live in more than 500 tents on the capital’s main avenue, Khreshchatik Street, which leads from the Independence Square – the epicentre of massive protests that attracted hundreds of thousands of Yushchenko supporters.

Yushchenko representatives have said the tents will stay until lawmakers pass laws ensuring a fair revote.

“I am not in a hurry, I think my university would understand,” said Viktor Havaleshko, 21, a tall dark-haired computer student from western Ukraine, as he stood hand in hand with Ira Lysenko, a timid blonde of 22, whom he met in the camp.

Ira said she was attracted to Viktor because they both fought for democracy and supported Yushchenko, but the camp life helped create a special chemistry between them.

“It’s this special romantic atmosphere here … it’s like a different world,” said Ira, numerous orange ribbons attached to her winter coat and pants.

“When we eat side by side, when we warm up around bonfires and play guitar together, it unites us,” said Viktor, clad in military-like uniform worn by men who guard the camp.

Ira and Viktor, however, did not plan to get married.

“If we had been the first ones, I guess it would have been exciting, but I think we are fine the way we are now,” Viktor said.

Ira said life was “wonderful” in the camp, with food and warm clothes generously donated by Kiev residents and doctor and medical students around to treat runny noses and sore throats caused by freezing temperatures.

Numerous young couples, walking hand in hand, hugging each other and dancing to the radio, could be seen in the orange-bedecked camp today.

“Who said there is no intimacy in a camp?” Ira said. ”There is intimacy in the tent.”

Vasyl said the camp provided him and Sofiya with a tent of their own, but they later had to move to a larger one. The gray tent, with Vasyl and Sofiya’s names and a heart drawn in orange near its entrance, houses about 20 people.

“Well, there are ways to get by,” Vasyl said laughing. ”We hang a ’don’t disturb’ sign next to the tent and they don’t disturb us.”

Asked whether the tent was warm enough, Vasyl said, “It’s warm when we are together.”