The Readers' Question from September'03 was:
Some Lighting Questions. One matter that takes some getting used to by some Westerners when they first arrive in Ukraine (and most of the other former Soviet Republics or Warsaw Pact members) is the degree of darkness in the office buildings, plants and factories. For safety (particularly in plants and factories) as well as for health and even aesthetics most work places in the West are well lit. Usually federal or state or province laws and regulations require adequate lighting and it even is a bargaining point in union contracts.
What Westerner hasn't though experienced the darkness prevailing in most older offices in Ukraine and particularly in government office buildings? This is not to mention certain public or semi-public places such as hotel lobbies and corridors.
To some Westerners this adds a certain drabness to existence but, it seems, most of us adapt without getting too despondent. But what is the reason for this lack of lighting? Explanations one hears include energy conservation, indoor lighting is not natural and therefore is unhealthy, to simple preference or "it's not necessary". At any rate Ukrainians seem to like the present system and, in fact, seem surprised when the subject is brought up.
So the general questions:
Questions:
1. Can someone give a good explanation or add to the answers given above?
2. Could the West be wrong? Is "manufactured" light bad?
3. Should Ukraine "light up"?
Responses:
When I first came to Kiev in 1991, the first thing I noticed at the airport was that only a few of the ceiling lights were working.
As we retrieved our luggage from an old wagon, I thought, "Golly, are we in the Middle Ages?"
And, that was even before I'd visited a public toilet. Thankfully, the airport and railway station have been modernized.
Next I noticed only half the lights in the Metros worked. That still hasn't changed. Streetlights were dim or non-existent. That hasn't changed either. In the entrance way to our first apartment there was no light globe, so we supplied one. It was quickly stolen. Every time we supplied a globe, it was snatched. We got tired of being the local supplier, so we resorted to a flashlight.
This year, as per usual, we supplied a light globe for the light by our apartment. It hasn't been stolen; however, it's a miracle if it's ever on. Only God or the Tooth Fairy knows where the switch is. So, we still have to use a flashlight. After all. God did say, "Let there be light!"
It's down right scary at night. I never venture out alone. I was mugged on a dimly lighted street here once, even though I had a female companion. I only night travel with a big man anymore. The back driveway to our present apartment building has a little light above each entrance door. This is far from adequate. There needs to be a few streetlights. Where we come down stairs from the main street to the back is in complete darkness. The other night a drinking man, with bottle still in hand, met us there. I am glad my husband is a tall, huge man!
My only explanation for such conditions is that the society is either part mole, or they can't even afford matches and candles.
Should Ukraine "light up"? You bet! The only good reason for poor lighting that I can think of is that it helps hide heads with hideous, horrible, heinous hair dye!
Here's my limerick for the subject.
THE DIM SOCIETY
Most globes in the lights won't light.
It's dim, such a pitiful sight.
Wherever I go,
I find this is so.
The streets are a dark, scary fright.
- Colleen Biddulph
Editor's Note
The above is the only response to last month's Expat Question. Perhaps, our Readers' share not the inquiring mind of the editor as to the perplexity of the issue. Anyway-Lights Out! on the issue. Hopefully we'll get a better response this month. We encourage these responses and solicit also requests and/or suggestions as to possible questions to be asked in the future.
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