Not moveable feast

Theme of large scale festive events in our days is predictable as... a watermelon.

Or as reports shown on state television about such celebrations. It does not matter what kind of watermelon you cut, you will get same seeds and relatively sweet pulp. It also does not matter what kind of creativity TV-team has, its tone and style will be the same, may be stock phrases will be a bit more pathetic and sickly-sweet. If we talk about citizen's behavior concerning such state-recommended happiness, here we have same stereotypes.

Some think it is not right time to spend a lot of money on fireworks. Better would be giving this money to old people, or people with disabilities, or orphans. Others support the idea that any crisis is not a reason to cancel an organized happiness, and celebrations have to be organized every single time at any weather conditions and financial situation. Otherwise, life is colorless. Probably, there is some truth in each of these opinions.

I thought of it the day before Almaty City Day celebration. State authorities were preparing the event properly. Street renovation was completed read-in days. And the moment was recognized by me: a small earth-moving machine was bucketing stones from one trench and putting into another. There was a man in a small cab levering the machine. Seemed the work was easy but if you look precisely… All the man's body was moving as if he had a fever, face looked tired and indifferent. He was for sure not thinking about the holiday coming in few days!

His face was not shining with optimism and a foretaste of the big event. Most probably, by the day of celebration itself he stopped being shivered, slept well, put on a suit and went out with his wife to take a walk on the square. And this makes me happy. But what is sad is that according to statistics men having such jobs do not meet their 60s. They are killed by their work that is already automatized in civilized countries and transformed into being comfortable and harmless for human nature.

One may argue that someone should do such work. And I will not debate it! But not with a price of their own good health when there is already 21st century outside the window! Is it really 21st century outside? May be we should "make-up" our equipment first, afterwards - celebrate?

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