Famous French philosopher and writer Bernard-Henri Levy, 66, expressed his admiration with the spirit of Ukraine's 2013-14 EuroMaidan Revolution in his play "Hotel Europe." Kyivans will have a chance to see it on Feb. 21, a year after the infamous escape of former President Viktor Yanukovych, suspected of ordering the murders of protesters.
The play is a monologue by Levy that lasts 90 minutes and has five acts. The action takes place on June 27, 2014 in Sarajevo. The protagonist is a writer who has to prepare a speech dedicated to the commemoration ceremony of the outbreak of World War I. There is only the writer, his computer and old photographs with documents in a hotel room on the stage.
“Hotel Europe” reflects the events of the EuroMaidan Revolution.
“This play is, in a way, about Ukraine. I wrote it while events on Maidan were unfolding and naturally it bears the traces of those events. The Maidan inspired me,” Levy said in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
“Hotel Europe” is a metaphor for the weak and ambiguous policy of Europe in standing up to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Levy criticizes Europe for being reluctant and says it’s typical for the West, which “never defends its values.” He called the weak European Union response to Russia as “in that tradition.”
“In Ukraine, Europe is showing the same pusillanimity as it has everywhere else. It’s disgraceful. But that’s Europe,” Levy adds.
In his play Levy raises issues of freedom, democracy and fundamental human rights in Europe.
“EuroMaidan symbolizes the spiritual renaissance of Europe. And Putin represents the neo-fascism that is threatening Europe. Nothing could be more profound,” the philosopher says.
“Hotel Europe” was first staged in the Odesa Opera and Ballet Theater on Aug. 8. The French premiere took place a month later in the Theater de l’Atelie in Paris. In Kyiv, the play will be shown only once, at 7 p.m on Feb. 21 at the National Opera House of Ukraine.
Levy believes he has the recipe for how to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that “Hotel Europe,” the script for which he was revising this week during his stay in Kyiv, provides “step-by-step directions for discrediting and weakening Putin.
“I think it’ll be clear enough,” he added.
“Hotel Europe” play by Bernard-Henri Lévy. National Opera of Ukraine. 50 Volodymyrska St. Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved by sending an email with full names of ticket recipients to [email protected].
Read Levy’s interview with Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner online at www.kyivpost.com.
Kyiv Post staff writer Nataliya Trach can be reached at [email protected].
