Interview for online newspaper “TOPOR” was held on 11/07/13
On November 7, 2013 the Odessa Regional Council Deputy Yury Dimchoglo gave interview to the editor of online – newspaper TOPOR Artem Buzilo. Yuri D. shared his plans for the future development of our region and reported on the progress of socio-political work.

Yuri Dimchoglo: I have been faithful to its edge (interview)

In late September, there was a festival in Odessa called Ukraine Gagauz . On the Gagauz problems, on socio-political work, on their plans for the future deal we have a talk with the deputy of the Odessa Regional Council Yuri Dimchoglo, one of the leaders of the Gagauz movement edge.

" src="http://dimchoglo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zxxx1.jpg" width="575" height="429" /> Yuri Dimchoglo talks with Artem Buzilov, editor of online – newspaper TOPOR

- Good afternoon, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Tell please, recently there was said about you in the press, as a leader of the Gagauz communities in Bessarabia and Odessa region. How do you think, why such an image formed?

- I do not know, I cannot speak for the press, but I cannot answer for themselves and their actions. I feel for them duty to the people who gave me the culture and foundation for further action. Me, in fact, the only Gagauz in the Odessa Regional Council, despite the fact that the Gagauzes, by the way, have significant minority not only in the Bessarabian region, but also the entire region as a whole. Here lives, according to various estimates, up to 28,000 Gagauz . And I, as a representative of the Gagauz people in the government of our land, decided to take on the burden of caring for the Gagauz villages, the development of the Gagauz culture, and the development of Gagauz identity. Despite the fact that the regional council I passed on party lists, and not as majority. But I ‘m not doing this for PR. I’m faithful to my edge.

- Do you work alone? Or someone helps you?

- About a year ago I put together businessmen Gagauz immigrants from Bessarabia Gagauz villages. Total there were about 100 people. We jointly developed a plan for the development of the Gagauz region for the next two years. You know, I would like to see people who have achieved something here in the city, do not forget your roots, and never forget their villages, parents and schools about who gave them the road life. And spent at least part of their own funds, forces, building on the fact that life in the region, where they come from, has become at least a little better. Plus Gagauz culture – I see in its development and popularization as an important task as a deputy.

- Are any there examples?

- Of course, for example, in Dmitrijevka of Bolgrad District there soon will be Day of the village, there we are going to spend wrestling tournament. It is held from time to time, but this time it will be a great event – the tournament will be of international type. For example we are waiting for the visit of such strong fighters as from Moldova.

So, in Dmitrijevka there is also a house of culture, which is in its poor condition, it is haven’t been repaired for about thirty years. Several years ago, the earlier deputy of Odessa Regional Council, and today Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Anton Cisse started the reconstruction on their own efforts. This year we have continued to work together to deal allocated for its repair; we spent about one hundred thousand hryvnia. And we will open it exactly to the holiday, it will be held on November 9th. By the way, I invite you too, the program is listed, for example, there are going to be a great concert with the participation of local groups and Gagauz folk groups. We also took promises to come even from the Governor of Gagauzia , Mikhail Formuzal .

Anton Cisse, Yuri Dimchoglo, Mikhail Formuzal , Photo : Press Service of Yuri Dimchoglo

Another couple of examples. In Alexandrovka village of Bolgrad District together with businessmen from the village we repaired the approach to the temple. There was repaired the roof of the school in Vinogradovka, by the way, we currently working on the reconstruction of the rural clinic, part of the funds was received this year, part will be received next year. In the House of Culture of Chervonoarmejsk village in Bolgrad District, together with Anton Cisse , we have conditioned the main room. There are many other examples, because all at once I even can’t remember, but me with Anton Kisse try hard, try to do everything that is in our power.

About future initiatives. In Dmitrijevka village, Alexandrovka village, Old Trojans village and Chervonoarmejsk village we plan to acquire here as soon as possible high-speed Internet. I have already written such a deputy’s request. So, by the way, your publication as locals finally will be able to read, because there was no access to the Internet in general.

- Is there a connection from a local Gagauz community with other regions of the country as well as abroad?

I note that the number of all people with Gagauz nationality in Ukraine is 32000. Of these, 28,000 live in the Odessa region. Throughout Ukraine, except Odessa region, there are any settlements of such compact settlement of the Gagauz people. In the Odessa region there are 4 villages in Bolgrad District, such as Dmitrovka, Alexandrovka, Vinogradovka and Chervonoarmejsk. Also there is one in Reni district and Hollow district, 1 village (Old Trojans) – in Chilia region. And there are three villages in the Tarutinskiy district, such as Red, Podgornoe, Serpneve where Gagauz people are not in their majority, but well represented.

About abroad. We are in touch directly with the leadership of the Gagauz autonomy in Moldova, with Bashan , with the National Assembly . For example, together with senior representatives of Gagauzia I recently traveled to Greece, where found a large diaspora Gagauz people. We also visited Bulgaria.
I want to note that representatives of the Gagauz autonomy constantly attend any of our events, we, in turn, invited to Gagauzia . For example, we often come out for folk ensembles and vice versa. I want to say that in our future plans is to make all 6 Gagauz villages in the Odessa area with villages in Gagauzia as twin towns. I want to send the appropriate deputy inquiry.

- Recently Gagauz Odessa Festival took place in Ukraine. Do you plan to do now this festival an annual basis?

- Yes, it is planned. One year we plan to do the same in Bolhrad in other year – in Odessa. Next year – in Bolhrad. With regards to the last festival, I was very pleased with its conduct. You, in my opinion, wrote something about it on pages of ypur magazine, they had seen, that there were 2,000 delegates from Ukraine, Moldova, collectives from Gagauzia , even one team from Greece and Bulgaria.

- What are the immediate plans for the future?

- I have a project on investment development of Gagauz villages with the help of already mentioned Gagauz immigrants from Bessarabia villages. Roughly speaking, this is allocation of funds for infrastructure facilities, business projects in rural areas that can provide the region including the jobs. We plan to open mill, for example, or shop. Even if plan will be crashed, agree that it is better than change the two year Mercedes on the new one Range Rover.

Plus the roads. Now you do know that the Centre will transfer powers to distribute the budget for roads to regional, district councils. So now , in conjunction with the national deputy Anton Cisse , we collect information, data, since we are familiar with this problem, we know every hole, every bush, every pothole on the Bessarabia road, we go there weekly .

- Thank you for the interesting and informative discussion.

- Thank you.

Interviewed by Artem Buzila