Back in the Soviet Union, a typical Soviet television programme on Ukrainian culture would feature a performance by a Ukrainian choir or dance troupe, the performers in national dress moving and/or opening their mouths in unison.
In the “people’s empire”, the cultures of different nationalities played an ornamental, ideological role. They were used to demonstrate the concept of “the friendship of peoples”, as opposed to actual culture, and thus, the mainstream image of national cultures was predominantly ethnographical.
Twenty five years after the union fell apart, many former Soviet citizens still carry with them this particular image of Ukraine: an obedient nation, dancing and singing to Moscow’s rhythm. Many others carry it still.
