Mezhyhirya, Viktor Yanukovych’s Little Project, Part 1
Here is the home of the disgraced former ruler of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, which he called Межигір’я, approximately “Mezhyhyria,” translated as something like “between the hills.” The Mezhyhyria estate grew from a collection of dachas outside Kyiv used by government officials. After President Yanukovych was run out of town, fleeing to Russia during a popular uprising in February 2014, the common folk had a look inside. We had a look for ourselves last month, and here are a few photos, in the first of probably three or four photo essays.
Click the photos for larger versions at EarthPhotos.com.
The gentleman who took us to Mezhyhirya said Yanukovych wasn’t a sportsman, but fancied himself one. Still, who couldn’t use a few lanes in the basement?
Yanukovych was not a race car driver, but somebody painted him as one.
Nor was he a boxer, but this room was perhaps useful for his bodyguards?
What home is complete without a stuffed lioness?
Or a salt cave?
Here is the tastefully flayed real crocodile on the dining table.
The chandelier at the entranceway.
And the entranceway itself.
Here we see Ukrainian citizens’ tax dollars at work. And what value for the money! President Yanukovych managed all this on a presidential salary of about $1000 a month.
I imagine this series will continue, because there are dozens and dozens more.
