How to Legalize a Clown: Step One — Destroy a Language Institution

Source: Author’s Facebook page
So what — had a good laugh at what Zavalskyy, the would-be language commissioner, said? Go ahead, laugh it off — and then start crying. Because here’s the punchline: he’s going to be appointed. Really.

And how masterfully they arranged everything. Real strategists, honestly.

They managed to persuade a few supposedly sane (turns out, not so much) public figures — people with real credibility and public support — to endorse this candidacy.

Just recently, the well-known activist Ostap Ukrainets publicly backed Zavalskyy and even announced he’d serve as a “military representative” within this structure. Something like a delegate for certain groups. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Almost like a serious institution.

I watched Zavalsky’s interview, and my first thought was that this had to be satire. A comic character, completely clueless about the very field he’s supposed to defend. A living meme.

Installing someone like that at the head of a major institution only makes sense if your goal is to dismantle it, humiliate it, and turn it into a full-blown circus. And let’s be honest — they’re doing a great job.

And this impression wasn’t mine alone — many aware and thoughtful people felt the same.

Now this ridiculous figure has been officially legalized in the most predictable way possible: shielded by so-called respectable activists. Why would they do that, you ask? Think about it.

Among Zavalskyy’s public backers is none other than the newly appointed head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance! No further comments needed.

Let me remind you: Zavalskyy defends Serdyuchka’s right to be considered Russian-speaking, fails to grasp why Ukrainians are being Russified, and advocates for gently coaxing everyone to switch to Ukrainian — no pressure, no urgency.

But in the end, what’s the difference between Zavalskyy and Zelenskyy?

The institution’s destruction is already underway.

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to dismiss Taras Kremen from the position of Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language due to the expiration of his term of office. Previously, the official stated that he was “independent and inconvenient” for the authorities, as he openly pointed out shortcomings in the state’s language policy and submitted many initiatives.

It was previously reported that the Ministry of Justice, at the suggestion of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, nominated actor Oleksandr Zavalskyy for the position of language ombudsman. He is also an associate professor at the Ivan Karpenko-Karyi Kyiv National University of Theater, Cinema and Television.

At the same time, Ukrainian cultural figures called the competition for the position of language ombudsman an “attempt to destabilize” this institution. In an open letter, they demand that Taras Kremin remain in office for another term. The letter was signed by writers Oksana Zabuzhko, Serhiy Zhadan, Yuriy Andrukhovych, actors Ada Rogovtseva, Irma Vitovska, the chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, and others.

At the same time, more than twenty public organizations have reported attempts by the Office of the President to weaken the institution of the Authorized Language Ombudsman. The cause for concern was that candidates were proposed for the position without experience in protecting the Ukrainian language or human rights activities, which are the main requirements for applicants.

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