Clown, who is staying in Uzhgorod (PHOTOS)

Journalists of Uzhgorod.in met with Oleksandr Kosobokov, who came from Yalta to Transcarpathia almost a month ago (escaping from receiving Russian citizenship).

He told us that he used to work at the Yalta television. Later, he began earning money with "fun" profession of a clown. His current, almost patriotic costume, he made himself.  We met him on Nezalezhnist embankment.

Mr. Oleksandr came to the regional center of Transcarpathia with his family. Not long ago, at the time of a tough situation in the country, they were forced to leave their city. The reason was the refusal of Mr. Oleksandr to acquire Russian citizenship. Because of that, he says, it was not safe to live there.

First, they wanted to go to Kharkiv or Luhansk. "But when the trouble began in Luhansk, and my daughter’s husband was offered a job in Kyiv or in Uzhgorod, we chose your city" – Oleksandr Kosobokov says.

"We came to Uzhgorod, because it’s green and warm, there are many cyclists, good tolerant people and beautiful stylish girls, and historic spirituality in the city" – he continues. 

"I like it here, and my daughter too, but first she was upset over the move. She had a home, friends there. And here, we rent an apartment. However, when we began to communicate with your people, we noticed that they are not indifferent to the fate of others. In Yalta, no one talks like that, no one is interested in lives of others. In Transcarpathia, instead, they ask about our lives and tell about their own, and it’s definitely a good thing" – Oleksandr Kosobokov added.

By the way, Oleksandr the clown plays on Nezalezhnist embankment 5 hours a day. He can be heard from afar, to be exact – tunes from Soviet cartoons, which are played on the longest lime tree avenue in Europe.

The family of the clown plan to return home if it calms down in Yalta. But Mr. Oleksandr sincerely admires our city, and promised to come back.