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That changed because the concept of celebrity changed with the arrival of mass media, film, television, and the Internet. Now you can become famous in less than no time and without doing anything. As EuroMaidan rolls on, Ukrainian celebrities are voicing their opinions – the old fashioned way.
Oksana Zabuzhko
Ukraine’s leading contemporary author and philosopher, winner of the prestigious Central European literary award the Angelus.
“I am deadly sure of one thing – without a European Kharkiv, there will be no European Ukraine. Yet Ukraine must be European – nothing else. Therefore, there is no Ukraine without Kharkiv. No doubt, our fate is being debated in Kyiv today. This is the fate not only of Ukraine, but also of Europe – the geopolitical fate of modern civilisation in the years ahead. And anyone watching Ukraine today understands that” – from her speech to EuroMaidan in Kharkiv.
Oleh Blokhin
 Former Ukrainian footballer, current head coach of Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Premier League.
“Our condolences to those killed on both sides! Police are also human beings and Ukrainian citizens!”– from his interview with ProFutbol (About Football).
 Svyatoslav Vakarchuk
Mukachevo-born singer, composer, front man of rock band Okean Elzy.
“The Government looks cynical and irresponsible, hiding behind words about the illegal actions of protesters yet provoking these actions to a great extent and, it, in response, crushes all standing in its way. There are thousands of people rallying on Maidan – seniors, students, priests, people of different religions and nationalities. Are they all extremists? They are your PEOPLE!..You want to shoot those who, impoverished and demoralised, have been driven to despair? You all promote Christian values. Then do as Christians do and stop the violence! Understand – the clean-up of Maidan will lead to nothing, new Maidans will emerge. And the situation will only deteriorate...” – from his address to the Government.
 Yuriy Shevchuk
Soviet and Russian singer/songwriter, founder and frontman of rock band DDT.
“I sympathise with Ukraine, the Ukrainian people – ordinary citizens. Various people are on Maidan; a revolution is always like this. It attracts the best people, but also outcasts, rogues, gangsters and others – like a railway station. My friends and I want Ukraine to find some political solution. I ask the Government to end the bloodshed. History is being made...” – from his radio interview with Echo Moskvy (Moscow Echo).
 Lolita Milyavskaya
Ukrainian-born pop singer and TV presenter. Lives and works in Moscow. Her mother and daughter reside in Kyiv.
“Now I can understand how things looked during the Revolution of 1917. It is so barbarian, nationalistic, messy. My family lives 3 kilometres from Maidan. None of my Ukrainian friends or colleagues go to Maidan, they are outraged to see one of the most beautiful squares in Europe being devastated in such a barbarian way...” – from her interview with LifeNews.
 Valentyn Silvestrov
World-renowned Ukrainian piano player and contemporary classical music composer.
“This is a moment of truth. We had various Maidans – all of them fell to pieces, died out. This Maidan is different. It even looks different – it is not only one category of people. All Ukraine has gathered here. There are many people – if you look at them – who are more educated than the politicians. The people have already won” – from his interview with Den Kyiv.Ua.
by Anna Azarova, Lana Nicole, Olga German, and Vadym Mishkoriz
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Acelebrity using their status and intelligence to influence public views and opinion is rarely seen in modern society, even less so in Ukraine. Here, the majority of celebs use their time, effort, and money to enhance or further their career rather than put their name to something that can do good for others. However, as EuroMaidan intensifies, some are making themselves heard – and they fall either side of the EuroMaidan divide.
Located on Hrushevskoho Street – the epicentre of EuroMaidan violence, home to battles, blazes and barricades – children’s favourite the Academic Puppet Theatre had to shut down in February. Nevertheless, it is getting ready to reopen this March with a renewed repertoire to bring some laughter back to a scene of tragedy. Operating (not manipulating) puppets is a subtle art that can make kids laugh and adults cry. What’s On meets Mykola Petrenko, art director of the Theatre, to learn more about those who pull the strings behind the show.