Ambassador Oleksiy ShovkopliasThis is part of an interview by the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper with the Ambassador, on the occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) 2018.
Reporter: What has made you decide to stick with Vietnam so long? Could you please share something about your experience in Vietnam?
Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias: Really, I've been working in Vietnam since July 2010. This is unusually long for people in my profession. But, on the one hand, this decision is not made by the Ambassador, but by the President of Ukraine, and on the other hand, I like this country, like the Vietnamese, their culture, traditions, attitudes towards other peoples and their representatives - therefore, I am absolutely happy that my mission in Vietnam lasts for seven and a half years.
As for my life experience in Vietnam, I can talk a lot, but for the most part it (experience) is related to work and its results. My work is subordinated to one goal: to do everything possible to bring Ukraine closer to Vietnam, to increase the volume of cooperation in all areas of bilateral relations. It seems to me that relations between my country and Vietnam over the past seven years have reached a new, more qualitative level.
Regular bilateral contacts are taking place at all levels, from the supreme leaders of the two states to the relations between ordinary people. The volume of bilateral trade is growing, and flows of tourists are increasing. At the same time, both parties define new, more ambitious goals for the future. Of course, like every other person, I have some time for private life. There are many friends with whom I have the pleasure to spend free time.
Reporter: How many Tets have you celebrated in Vietnam? Which Tet leaves you the most impressions and memories? And what are the memories that stand out the most?
Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias: I'm celebrating my eighth Tet in Vietnam. Most of all I was struck by Tet 2011 (according to the Christian calendar) of the year. Everything was the first time for me. For the first time, I saw the bright colours of Hanoi's streets, and was impressed by Vietnamese who transported large and beautiful New Year trees on motorcycles. Then, suddenly, Hanoi became almost empty, it was a bit unusual. Everyone travelled around to their native towns to welcome the New Year's holiday with their families.
At the same time, I was pleasantly impressed by the fact that our traditions are somewhat similar, for example, in the New Year we, like Vietnamese, pay special attention to gifts for children. We do not prepare them in red envelopes, but in a beautiful little bag, or even a colourful, beautiful sock that we put under the Christmas tree. New Year's dishes are also somewhat different from everyday dinner. I am fascinated to compare our traditions and find a lot of similarities.
In 2015, Ambassador Оleksiy Shovkoplias was awarded the medal "For Peace and Friendship among Nations" by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. During his tenure, he made remarkable contributions to the development of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Ukraine in various fields. Besides official diplomatic activities between the two nations, the Ambassador has always paid close attention to the work of solidarity, friendship and promoted exchanges and cooperation between the peoples. He actively joined celebrations for big holidays, organized many visits of Ukraine’s veterans to the old battle-fields and soldiers in Vietnam, and supported the delegations of Vietnamese organizations and units to visit and study cooperative opportunities in Ukraine. |
Reporter: How do you and your Embassy staff celebrate Tet?
Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias: On the eve of the holiday, we prepared and presented small gifts to our Vietnamese colleagues and friends. Ukrainians living in Vietnam celebrate three New Years; the first is common for everybody, along with the whole world, then we celebrate it once more with the old calendar, and finally Tet. On this day, Tet, we have a day off. We celebrate Tet like all Vietnamese. Our friends always bring and give us delicious rice cakes wrapped in Lotus leaves. It is very tasty; I love to eat it a little roasted. We, the staff of the embassy, get together on the eve of Tet to celebrate the approach of the New Year and wish each other happiness, health and well-being. On the night when Tet comes, I send and receive a lot of messages from Vietnamese friends with greetings and best wishes.
Reporter: How do you feel about the special holiday (the atmosphere and the way Vietnamese people celebrate Tet)?
Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias: I like the atmosphere of Tet, the colours of the streets, cafes and restaurants, Tet trees with flowers. All this focus on the positive, we forget about any failures, insults, etc. They remain in the past. I also feel Tet as more of a family holiday; we treat the New Year in Ukraine the same way. Between people around the world are more similarities than differences. And when you live in a country for a long time, like myself in Vietnam, you realize that all people are, to a large extent, alike, albeit with their own special traditions and history.
Reporter: Have you ever tried to make Vietnamese food for Tet? And which are your favourite foods?
Ambassador Oleksiy Shovkoplias: I have watched many times how the Vietnamese do it. Then enjoyed already prepared Vietnamese dishes. Most of all, I love nem, with different fillings. I also like to cook, I do it often for my friends. But I cook Ukrainian dishes. Only Vietnamese can prepare delicious Vietnamese dishes./.
Reporter: Thank you so much!