V: Can you ask him if they didn’t 3D-print things like the “Ghost of Kyiv” or “Pes Patron” [Patron the Dog]?
R2: Pes Patron? Nah. We do universal prints. No one ordered stuff like that.
V: People don’t like them?
R2: No, why? I wouldn’t say they don’t like ’em. First off, we’ve been at war for four years now. Everyone’s tired. Not everyone’s gonna keep buying the same souvenir. Second, like I say, the Pes Patron era has passed. There was a big hype when he first showed up. People don’t talk about him much now. I wouldn’t say there’s much buzz… His time’s gone.
R2: In the beginning, his souvenirs were everywhere – photos and stuff. Everything has its time.
I: [Interpreting to English]. [in Ukrainian] Are there any local heroes? Modern ones from the last couple of years. Maybe certain figures, or maybe other animals like Patron?
R2: Animals? Nah, I don’t think there’s been anything like that in Ukraine… Patron was the one. As for animals, no, nothing else.
I: What about people? Is there a specific symbol for Kharkiv?
R2: Not just one.
I: No? What about a few of them?
R2: There’s a bunch! Kharkiv produced a ton of units that didn’t exist before the war. There’s Khartia, their Brigade Commander… I can’t recall his name. These are all Kharkiv figures. The famous Kraken, Nemichev [the commander] – he’s a figure… It’s more about the units than the people, really: Khartia, Kraken, Spartan. Those are famous Kharkiv units. Every unit’s got its own heroes, but they’re local to that unit. Otherwise, for the Kharkiv region, it’s mostly about the units. A lot of boys died, and they named streets and places after ’em – there’s many. But mostly it’s those Kharkiv units.
R2: Why do you think they gave Kharkiv the title “Hero City”? Because at the start of the war, every single person here was ready to pick up a rifle.
V: [in English] Can you ask if Hamlet is popular?
R2: [in Ukrainian] Ten kilometers from the ring road – that’s where the war already was.
I: Is Hamlet popular here? The one who does those murals on–
R2: Yeah, but he’s been a figure since before the war. He draws. Everyone knows Hamlet. His drawings are everywhere. Yeah, he’s around, people know him. He’s a famous Kharkivite, but he was famous long before the war started. Actually, before the war, he was known just for being from Kharkiv. Now he’s all over – I’ll show you a photo. He’s even there at the place where I got my prosthesis. He even did some work there. Give me two seconds while you finish your drinks, I’ll show you.
I: [Interpreting to English]. Can I help you?
R2: No, it’s fine. I can do it.
[Respondent 2 shows a photo on his phone. It shows a half-ruined Soviet monument in the shape of a man with rebar sticking out of his arm and leg].
R2: This is an old Soviet monument. Look what’s written at the bottom. Might be hard to see. Anyway, it’s Hamlet’s work.
I: [Interpreting to English]. It says, “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being the Terminator,” and it’s signed “Hamlet.”
R2: [in Ukrainian] And here’s the electronic arm I’ve got.
V: [in English] “Superhumans” Lviv! I know them.
R2: [in Ukrainian] Yeah, that’s where they did my prosthesis. That’s me there, and now let me show you a photo… There’s Patron the Dog, but I’ve got my own “Patron.” Her name’s Manya, she’s my gift from the war. We liberated a village, and I found her there. Actually, here she is sittin’ right next to me and my wife. She’s a dachshund.
R2: I tell ya, she’s always climbing on my head. We liberated a village near Kharkiv and I took her in when she was just a little pup. She was 8 months old then, and she’s been with us ever since.
R2: I used to joke at the start of the war, calling them Patron the Dog and Manya the Dachshund. [laughs] And when a lot of soldiers come to visit me, she’s got her own gear – her own camo jacket – and she’s always running around, trying to go with ’em, jumping into the car. She absolutely loves soldiers!
R2: So, I’ve got my own “Patron.” R1’s got his own “Patron” too. A huge Cane Corso.
R2: So, that was a little tour for you. I hope you found it interesting here as well.
I: Yes, thank you!
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