Glamour
and kitsch are the main components of the Eurovision Song Contest,
but underneath this thick layer of make-up we also recognize
a deeper anti-stigma message to get closer to each other promoted
by Ukrainian Red Cross Society through ‘Come Closer…’
the Global Anti-stigma campaign of International Federation.
The festival is optimistic and colourful, and, particularly
in the last few years, a metaphor for the fact that Europe is
becoming 'larger and larger' and that Ukraine coming closer
and closer to Europe.
For 20 students from the Kiev Linguistics University, spring
week 2005 started like for many others - the scramble to finish
papers and exams, the last-minute packing, the anticipation
of a refreshing change of pace. But this was to be no ordinary
spring break, as they were involved in Ukrainian Red Cross Eurovision
activities, related to the ‘Come Closer…’
campaign, of distributing condoms, balloons, posters and plastic
bags in cheerful rainbow colours with positive messages, breaking
fears and prejudice concerning HIV-positive people.
The ‘Come Closer…’ campaign of the International
Federation is the third step of the anti-stigma campaign, and
the messages are reinforcing the ‘Stamps’ campaign
messages “You cannot get AIDS by..” and “You
can get AIDS by…”, but with a much different, brighter
tone. Messages include ‘Hug! Hug! You cannot get HIV by
hugging’, ‘Shake! Shake! You cannot get HIV by shaking
hands’ etc.
Aside from tending to a full class load, Asya, a Ukrainian Red
Cross volunteer, spent most of her time assisting with translation
at First-Aid points for Eurovision guests, talking to participants
and viewers about the importance of showing tolerance towards
HIV-positive people, distributing promotion materials, attracting
passers-by and cameras by her provocative yellow “Touch
me! You can’t get HIV by touching. Come closer…”
t-shirt.
"I'm running on fumes. The excitement keeps you going,"
she said. "It's hard to sleep at night, and sleep is so
unproductive because you can't do anything. Volunteering in
‘Come closer’ anti-stigma Campaign definitely opened
my eyes to this epidemic. Above all else, I learned that AIDS
does not have one face. The deadly virus knows no stereotypes
and respects no bounds. It encroaches upon the young and old,
heterosexual and homosexual, and every ethnic and socio-economic
class.”
Asya said participating in the campaign was a great experience
for her. “Although AIDS is a horrible disease, and we
suffered from the thought that we could help only in small ways
during the one week of our lives, we did facilitate great joy
and moments we will each cherish.”
Volunteering helped the students overcome shyness, gave them
leadership skills and sparked their interest in Red Cross Youth
activities. Sure there was the fun and excitement of volunteering
with Red Cross, as the ‘Come closer…’ campaign
tried to get as close to youth as possible: campaign t-shirts
and posters as well as banners were amongst the recognized signs
during the Eurovision week – they followed you everywhere:
during the huge music marathon, in Eurovision club, at Eurovision
camp, near the Eurovision hall itself and surely at crowded
streets of Kiev. This exciting experience will forever impact
their lives and the lives of the people touched by their compassion
and volunteerism.
All the volunteers of the ‘Come closer…’ campaign
came to the conclusion that instead of complaining that, "there's
nothing to do this summer," they will get more involved
in Ukrainian Red Cross activities; they will definitely continue
as volunteers.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| Trendy
"Come closer..." campaign at Fashion show in
ARENA Euroclub, Kiev
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| A
hard choice...Eurovision delegates and press are confused
about what anti-stigma message to chose, ARENA Euroclub,
Kiev |
|
|
 |
|
|
| RC
volunteers distribute condoms and leaflets about anti-stigma
at EUROCAMP, Truhaniv island, Kiev |
|
|
 |
|
|
| Ukrainian
Red Cross team at EUROCAMP, visiting nurses and volunteers
come closer together, Truhaniv island, Kiev
|
|
News
