Friends!

Today the world celebrates Halloween, also known as "All Saints Day". This day people decorate houses with homemade lanterns from pumpkins, wear creepy costumes, beg for candies and tell horror stories. For Ukraine, this holiday is new it is celebrated only few decades after gaining independence. Young people attend parties and kids walk through the neighborhood, asking "trick or treat?".

And our ancestors - Slavs also celebrated a holiday on this day. It was called Veles night. This day the special connection between the worlds was felt, when spirits of ancestors and future generations became inseparable.

It was believed that Veles Night - was family holiday. On this day, the spirits of ancestors allegedly visited their descendants to check how they live, give them a lesson or a bless for a good year. Traditionally, people put the candle on the windowsill, so the native soul could find his way home. On the table, they put apples, pumpkins, squash, autumn flowers.

Important role in the day paid fire. With nightfall people fueled the fire to jump through it and walk barefoot on coal. This was the way to free man from evil spirit. And they let a fire at home: if it turned out slowly, then there was a devil in the house, which had to be expel.

On this day, there were many ceremonies, I'll tell you about one of them. Often the person feels in trouble, he or she does not know what to do in a given situation. To decide their fate, our ancestors waited for Veles night, then asked for help with relatives who have died. They said: "Mom, Dad (or other relative), now you come to our world, to offer me the advice. Tell me, how can I be and than finish the job. " Then they crushed question. People believed that in this way they were able to hear an answer from loved ones in a dream and solve their trouble.

Like the old Celtic Halloween, Veles night is a time during which the most important thing is to be with family and to remember relatives who are no longer with us. In my opinion, it is important to do it as often as possible. So how would not you regard such holidays as Halloween, take a moment in order to remember without regret people who you love and loved!

Friends!

I want to share with you these wonderful works of Israeli artist and sculptor Sigalit Landau, who shooked the world. More recently, they conquered the visitors of the gallery in London, and I shall tell you why.

Project is called "Salt bride", Sigalit had been creating it for few months. She dipped black dress into the Dead Sea. This dress was not accidentaly chosen. F heroine of the play "Dibbuk" by Semen An-sky - known writer of Jewish origin wore it. This work made him famous and glorified for many years.

On the basis of the play lays a story familiar to any Ukrainian, because it is similar to Ukrainian literary tradition. Poor guy Hanan and rich girl Leah love each other, but father does not allow them to be together. He wantsher to marry a rich old man, a neighbor.

And here - not a familiar move. Man resorts to Kabbalah (only deal married man after 40 can do that) and dies. Leia comes to his grave and prays him to take her. Time passes, comes her wedding day and she became infused by Dibbuk. According to Jewish legend - it is an evil spirit that controls the body. Rabbi (spiritual leader) banishes evil from the girl, but she, being between two worlds, does not want to come back and dies.

This love, sadness and a sense of being between two worlds was reflected by Israeli artist Sihalit Landau. The process of crystallization miracle dress was shot 8 times, to recognize the magical result. A few months made black dress turn into fabulous costumes dress for bride.

In this way the artist drew attention both to the history and nature of Israel: the legend and the sea, what could be better?

Friends!

Now, in Tel Aviv it is planned to remodel one of the most famous areas - Dizengoff Square. It opened back in 1934, and still is loved by the most of Israelis. A pearl of the square is the fountain "Fire and Water", which fascinates with its design, and implementation of ideas.

Do you know that the most favorite area is named after the girl from Zhytomyr named Zina? She was the daughter of the Rabbi, when she met the imperial army officer called Meir Dizengoff, a guy from Bessarabia. He served in the city. The girl was still a minor, and man, who was half older than she, patiently waited until his love became 18 yearsold. However, during that time he was in prison and learned in Paris. Then Meir accepted the Baron Rothschild permission to run a factory producing wine bottles in Palestine,but he refused to go there alone.

So he went to Zhytomyr to ask for the hand of his beloved Zina. In 1983 they married. However, in the consulate they changed the first letter of the name of his wife, since that time she has been known as Zina (Tsina).

Later, Meir Dizengoff became the first mayor of Tel Aviv, and his wife supported him throughout. She was an independent woman - gave voice and French lessons. Zina was loved by the whole city, people called her its "mother". But true motherhood she felt onlyfor a bit, Dizengoff’s only child died in infancy.

Zina passed away before Meir, he was very upset by her death. And frankly glad when the townspeople decided to name the central square of the city in her honor.

The couple, originally from Ukraine, has done a lot for Tel Aviv to became the town we know it today. Incidentally, after the death all the money of the family left for the good of the city. Also, they left all their love to it, and it helps town to bloom now. I sincerely hope the new generation of Ukrainians, will love their hometowns as well as Zina and Meir loved Tel Aviv. And they will breathe thenew life into the familiar streets.

Dear friends!

On the 28th of October Ukraine celebrates the Day of Liberation from Nazi invaders.

On this day in 1944 Carpathian operation ended. It lasted six weeks, and this day Soviet troops entered the modern border of Ukraine. This victory extremely influenced the subsequent course of the war.

Let us recall some figures that should be know by all Ukrainians. Military operations of World War II in Ukraine lasted for 40 months - from 22 of June 1941 to the end of October 1944. During this time, the loss reached unprecedented proportions. According to various sources, including the dead, the victims of the concentration camps, deported, evacuated and those who have moved into exile with the retreated Nazis Ukraine has lost about 14 mln. people. The invaders destroyed more than 700 towns and 28,000 villages, 250 of them burned with residents.

Truly, it was not easy to live under the wing of "liberators", but the fact that Ukrainians made a high effort to the victory in World War II - is uncontested.

We have to honor the memory of our ancestors. We have to grind for them and give thanks for all that they did to Ukraine, to free itfrom occupation. They put their lives and our eternal gratitude – is their main award.

Ukrainians paid a terrible price for freedom and independence. Now again it's one of those periods of history when you have to fight with the enemy, who came to your land. I have no doubt that Ukraine will win, because the ability to fight for their homeland isflowing in the Ukrainian’s blood. On this day I want to remember the lines from the Taras Shevchenko’s poem: "Fight - overcome, God helps you!"

Friends, today I want to prove you once again that the impossible - does not exist.

I want to tell the story of 14 years old Jewish boy, called Taylor Rosenthal, who was proposed to sell his idea for $ 30 million, but he declined. Intriguing?

For what was he offered such a large sum? His idea, on the one hand, lied on the surface. The boy invented machines that instead of sweets and water would contain first aid kits. The idea came to Taylor simply - he plays in the school baseball team, he often gets injured, and sometimes it’s hard to find even a regular patch. First, the young businessman wanted to set a pharmacy near stadiums,but calculated: the salary of sellers will reduce profits to zero. So he decided, that machine is exactly what he needs.

The project was developed at the School of Young Entrepreneurs. Taylor’s parents helped him to embody the idea in life. They aredoctors, together they developed and patented invention. In the well-known business conference in Brooklyn, he received 100 thousand dollars of private investment and incredible offer - to sell the project for $ 30 million. And the young man rejected it. "At that moment I thought that such an agreement was wrong. I felt that I want my company tp grpw as it is, and the money would have pulled me down. "

It took several months, now he is ready for sale and wants for his idea not much, no less - 50 million.

Why am I telling you this? First, you have to understand that any own ideas can turn your life upside down. Do not be afraid to pursue your thoughts, whatever sphere of life they are concerned. So you can open new ways that you can not even imagine.

Second, pay attention to your children. Do not forbid them to come up and help them to implement their ideas. Maybe one day your child will create a start-up that will cost thousands of dollars?

Friends, do you imagine that 7% of Ukraine’s territory is rubbish?

Approximately, it takes the area of ​​Denmark or 14 Kyivs! According to various estimates, the entire number of landfills reaches a number up to 30 thousand. And it is a real problem.

Firstly, it appeared because of the negligence of any city government to this issue. For politicians, it is not a priority, garbage is no one interferes, at first. And second main reason is a general attitude to the rubbish from Ukrainian. Some people believe that paying for its disposal is too much, sorting is not needed, even more, cleaning up after outdoor recreation – does not worth it. It amazes me.

Imagine that smelly trash can become a blooming garden. And I'm not kidding!

In 1920, the British, who ruled the land of Israel, created the first landfill in Tel Aviv. The city was still young, only 15 years old. It was situated in a comfortable place, in the valley between two rivers. Years passed, Tel Aviv has grown, and a dump became giant and started to cause big problems. First, the terrible stench prevented all people, who were living nearby, and second - thousands of gulls flew there for the remains of food. Near the trash are avian passes of Airport Ben Gurion, so birds that flew there in large numbers, put air service under threat.

In 2004, Ariel Sharon’s government decided to end the nightmare of garbage and create in its place a real ecological oasis. It took years of work; however, landfill in this place transformed into a wonderful park, which, incidentally, is named after the prime minister, who believed in the idea and allocated significant funds from the budget.

Now a handsome park Ariel Sharon is the only delight. It offers a stunning panoramic view of Tel Aviv. Here there are fig and olive trees, in transparent artificial lake swim white and blue lotuses, replete with greenery. At the end the object size will be three times bigger than the pride of New York - Central Park. Latest environmental technologies allowed to do so, even the dump smell just disappeared. Now it is one of the most popular places to rest among Israelis.

Experience of converting landfill into a park is popular in many countries. Moreover, this project brings considerable funds. I'm sure that it can be like easily implemented in Ukraine. Volunteers are involved in such things, but there is no global design. So, enthusiasts should think about this. Ukrainians should review their attitude to waste, because otherwise for the next generation it will be very difficult to live on this earth.

Friends, I often write to you about the great people of Israel, who can inspire you by their achievements.

Their experience of life is admirable. Their actions are striking. I read all of your comments, often you write that it is a pity that such people do not live in Ukraine. In my post, full of pride and sorrow, I want to show you - there are such people, they should be known and all Ukrainians should be proud of them.

Yesterday, at the age of 91, died a majestic Ukrainian leader. His name is Bogdan Hawrylyshyn. He is a man, of which it is impossible not to be proud. Of which you cannot be silent, especially now, at the times when Ukraine needs a good human examples. "One of the most influential Ukrainians in the world", "advisor of governments and presidents," "a member of the Club of Rome." All of that is about him, but even these big words – are not enough.

Bogdan Dmytrovich was from those people about whom you can say: "He has made himself." He was born in the Ternopil region, but at the age of 18 he was arrested by the Germans and sent to a labor camp in Germany. He lived there with refugees and miraculously fled to Canada, where he took a job as a lumberjack. After that he was the bartender and entered the University of Toronto. He became an engineer, but did not leave the education, he improved his knowledge. Later he graduated from the International Management Institute in Switzerland. He stayed there for several decades: firstly, as a teacher, later - as a director.

Have you ever heard about the World Economic Forum in Davos, the annual event, that is dedicated to the economic development of the countries? I am sure that you have. And guess who was his co-founder? Right, Bogdan Hawrylyshyn. Back in 1969 Professor Klaus Schwab and he organized a two-week workshop for senior managers, that later became a world-wide event.

And who put a lot of effort to create in Ukraine the "Renaissance" International Foundation? Also, Bogdan Dmytrovich. He led it in the beginning. Later Hawrylyshyn opened its own charitable foundation, which deals with the help for young Ukrainians, who are able to bring the successful experience of other countries in their homeland.

He loved young people. In 1940 he became a member of the scout organization "Plast" engaged in self-education of patriotic Ukrainians. He was extremely proud of this. When he met with interviewers, he often wore the form of "Plastun".

He was so proud of his origins. Bogdan Dmytrovich can be called a man of the world, because he lived in several countries. But at the meetings with presidents, rich people, businessmen, politicians, he always held out his hand and said, "Bogdan Hawrylyshyn, Ukrainian."

He was the advisor of many Ukrainian politicians, even prime ministers and presidents. And at the end of life he admitted that he was disappointed about them, because no one truly listened him. After the Revolution of Advantages, he wanted to help Peter Poroshenko, but new president did not ask about his help. It offended Bogdan Dmytrovich. Although he knew the truth, which will help Ukraine: «What does efficient country mean? It's a way of life at the head of which stands ecosystem development - of human, business and nature, where every management decision is taken with regard to the following generations».

Bogdan Hawrylyshyn really wanted Ukraine to become successful. I want the same, and therefore I draw your attention to the life experience of people like him. Ukrainians should not give up, because for a bright future you must fight. Be proud of who you are, and do more, improve yourselves and the world around and others will be proud of you.