Why Volodymyr Zelensky is the hero of now
Arjen Lubach wins the elections with 73 percent of the votes, that's how you should imagine it a bit. Volodymyr Zelensky was a comedian who gained fame and success with a series in which his character, an average teacher, suddenly becomes president.
It ‘happened’ to him too. Despite the criticism from his wife Olena Zelensky, who certainly didn't wave vodka to celebrate his transition from comedian to statesman.
And at that moment, she still didn't know what awaited them. A great battle where growls are heard at the borders of their still so young, free country and where Russian soldiers advance and devour everything in their path. Citizens, babies, it doesn't matter.
The figures of Putin and Zelensky seem like the work of a professional casting agency, as Marije Vlaskamp wrote today in the Volkskrant. Zelensky's human reactions, the gray circles under his eyes, his signature T-shirt as a symbol of his new leadership, free from inflated formalities versus the hollow eyes and impassive face of Putin who, far removed from the normal world, presses buttons that could destroy the world. With his 14.2 million followers on Instagram, he makes his voice heard. All of this sparked an intense curiosity in me about him. Who is this man fighting for his country and people?
1. Volodymyr Zelensky, born on January 25, 1978
2. He comes from a Jewish family, his father lost three brothers in the Holocaust. Therefore, the bombing of the Holocaust memorial hit him particularly hard.
3. His father is a professor of cybernetics and computer hardware, and his mother is an engineer. They placed great value on an academic education, but when Zelensky dutifully completed his law studies, entertainment beckoned. He became a comedian.
4. He gained national fame through his participation in Dancing with the Stars.
5. He is married to his childhood sweetheart Olena. She is also 44 like him, and they have two children. Now I want to know everything about Olena. Shall we do it tomorrow?
6. Donald Trump once asked in a phone call whether Zelensky wanted to investigate Joe Biden. According to Trump, he had abused his power to prevent a company in Ukraine from being prosecuted, which Biden's son Hunter was allegedly involved with. If Zelensky did not do this, Trump would stop providing military aid. Thank goodness that conversation was recorded and led to one of the multiple impeachments against Trump.
7. What we will never forget: ‘We give lives for freedom, for rights, and for our desire to stand on equal footing with you.’ It even made the interpreter of the European Parliament cry.
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