The scandal surrounding Klopotenko’s show in the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Cave Monastery: what is known
16 December 2024 15:01
Recently, the cooking show of the famous Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko became the subject of heated controversy. "Komersant Ukrainian" has collected all the information available about the scandal surrounding Klopotenko’s show in the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
Together with the author of the Real History project, Akim Galimov, Klopotenko filmed an episode about 12 Ukrainian authentic dishes. In addition to telling the story of Ukrainian gastronomic culture, Klopotenko also showed traditional dishes for Christmas Eve. The Refectory Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra was the place where the program was recorded.
“Earlier, when there was the UOC-MP, I could only dream of this – the refectory of the Kyiv Cave Monastery, and we are filming a Christmas episode about Ukrainian sacred dishes and reviving the culture in the very shrine. Oh wow!” emphasized Klopotenko.
This episode caused a significant wave of indignation among representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. According to the clergy, the choice of this sacred place for a cooking show is disrespectful to the shrine and a violation of its sacred function:
“The temple is the house of God, not a stage for shows and performances. An Orthodox church is a place where a person meets God in prayer, confession, and the Sacraments. Its purpose is to be the House of the Lord, where prayer, repentance and praise are heard, not show business music or the sound of applause.”
Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyy of Kyiv-Zhytomyr of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine noted that in this case the filming in the Refectory Church casts a shadow on the understanding of sacredness and tradition.
“I have a positive attitude to the cuisine and creativity of Mr. Yevhen Klopotenko. Yevhen Klopotenko has repeatedly treated his foreign guests to 100 Years of…, but in the case of his cooking show in the Refectory Church, it is no longer about the cuisine, but about a total mix-up in the understanding of the sacred and traditional. This is why people are creating “sacred dishes” and “cultural revival” in churches that are intended for something else – to meet with God in prayer,” Vitaliy Kryvytsky emphasizes.
He explains that in this case we are not dealing with the “cultivation” of traditions, but with their distortion:
“The bad thing is that newly refined flavors are formed by adding ‘exotic components’ from what is actually sacred to another. This is far from being culture, but its simulacrum, because it is not about “cultivation” – like collecting – but about distorting what already exists. And the biggest problem is that both the Marxists of the 1920s and the 20s of the present century are unable to understand this. Or maybe they do understand it well…. That is why they create the relevant legislation.”
Recalling historical parallels with the communist period, the expert notes:
“Immediately after the October coup, the commissars tried to turn churches into anything, the main thing being to distort their original purpose. For example, many Roman Catholic churches, both in small towns and in regional cities and even the capital, are still used as houses of culture, philharmonic halls, organ halls, and art galleries…. Nowadays, the descendants of those communists, in the absence of counterarguments, say only: “that’s the way the law is” or “what’s wrong with that?”
According to Kryvytskyi, the situation requires the attention of government agencies, in particular the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience. He calls for a revision of approaches to the use of such shrines for filming, especially when it comes to sacred places.
“This situation requires a proper assessment by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience; for rethinking and apology from Mr. Klopotenko and his team for the mistake; and for each of us, so that we do not cultivate the “Holiday that is coming” with the taste of “vinaigrette and Olivier, in one dish”, but linger on the proper honoring of “God with us” (and Him alone), which is so necessary for our people now. As we always do,” Vitaliy Kryvytsky summarizes.
On his Facebook page, Yevhen Klopotenko apologized to the believers who were offended by the episode about traditional Christmas dishes in the refectory of the Kyiv Cave Monastery.
“I am always ready to admit my mistakes. Therefore, I sincerely apologize to all true believers of Ukraine whose feelings I have hurt,” wrote Yevhen Klopotenko.
Today, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve made a statement regarding the filming of a project about Ukrainian traditional Christmas dishes.
It is noted that the event took place in the Refectory Hall, which is a historical part of the architectural complex and has served as a place for a common meal since its foundation in the late nineteenth century.
“This hall is not a church and has always been used for celebrations: spiritual, cultural, and educational. This fully complies with the current legislation and requirements for the operation of historical and cultural monuments, and in no way harms the painting of the XX century,” the monastery emphasized.
The monastery also expressed regret that this event caused misunderstandings and could have hurt the religious feelings of believers.
“Russia and pro-Russian forces systematically use the Lavra in their propaganda and IPSO to incite disputes and divisions among Ukrainians. We urge everyone to check the information and to be attentive to provocations often spread by the enemy. The administration of the reserve is always ready for an open dialogue and will continue to work to ensure that this sacred space remains a place of spiritual unity, preservation of historical heritage and cultural enrichment,” the Lavra said.
