Volodymyr Zelenskyy: TV Star to Wartime Leader

March 3, 2022, Daily News | Advanced

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

inaugural / ɪˈnɔːɡjərəl / Adjective

(of a speech, meeting, etc.) first and marking the beginning of a leader's
term in office

Example:
In his inaugural speech, the president said that fighting corruption will be
his top priority.

ammunition / ˌæmjəˈnɪʃn / Noun

a supply of bullets, shells, etc. that are fired from a gun

Example:
The soldiers had automatic rifles and carried about 200 rounds
of ammunition.

hail / heɪl / Verb

to describe as something very good

Example:
Ernest Hemingway is hailed as one of the best writers of the 20th century.

viral / ˈvaɪrəl / Adjective

spreading quickly on the internet

Example:
Videos of the attack quickly went viral on social media sites such as
TikTok and Instagram.

echo / ˈekəʊ / Verb

to share the same ideas, opinions, etc. that someone else expressed

Example:
The ambassador's comments about the crisis echoed those from other
world leaders and diplomats.
Exercise 2

Article

Volodymyr Zelenskyy: TV Star to Wartime Leader

When former comedian and actor Volodymyr Zelenskyy became
president of Ukraine in 2019, he made a promise to the nation in his
inaugural speech:
"Throughout my entire life, I've tried to do everything so Ukr ainians
smiled. This was how I felt in my heart, and it was not only my job, it was
my mission. In the next five years, I will do everything so that you,
Ukrainians, don't cry."
Now, less than three years after his election, people have been looking
back on these words as Zelenskyy has transformed from an entertainer to
a wartime leader.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. And although US officials offered
to transport Zelenskyy out of the country, the 44 -year-old president
refused. "I need ammunition, not a ride," he is reported to have said.
Zelenskyy has become a symbol of strength and resistance for many,
and is being hailed as a hero by people around the world. But many
doubted him at the start of his political career.
Before his election, Zelenskyy was famous for his role in the TV
comedy Servant of the People. He played a teacher who gets elected
president after a video of him speaking against corrupt politicians goes
viral.

Zelenskyy was aware that he would be compared to the character he

played, and even named his political party after the show. Like the
teacher, the real Zelenskyy also promised to fight against corruption.
His entertainment career goes back to his days studying law at Kryvyi Rih
Economic Institute. While there in 1997, he took part in a comedy
competition called KVN with his group, Kvartal 95.
The group continued to appear on KVN until 2003, when Zelenskyy co -
founded Studio Kvartal 95. It would go on to become one of Ukraine's
most successful production companies, and Zelenskyy als o acted in
various movies.
He is now using videos not to entertain, but to rally his country. In one of
the video updates he has made since the invasion began, he sent a
message to his people that echoed his inaugural speech:
"I'm here. We won't lay down our arms. We will defend our state because
our weapon is our truth. And the truth is this is our country, our land, our
children. And we will defend all of that."

Exercise 3

Quotes
1. If you don’t help us now; if you fail to offer a powerful assistance to
Ukraine, tomorrow the war will knock on your door. — Volodymyr
Zelenskyy.

2. I'm not iconic, I think Ukraine is iconic. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

3. We will defend ourselves. When you attack us, you will see our faces.
Not our backs, but our faces. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Exercise 4
Discussion

1. Prior to reading this article, what did you know about Volodymyr
Zelenskyy?

2. What are your thoughts on Zelenskyy's story and leadership?

3. Are there any celebrities from your country that have gone into
politics?

4. If you could appoint anyone as the leader of your country, who would
it be?

5. What leaders do you admire? What are the most inspiring things
they've done?

Source
This lesson is based on an article by Chiara Leone-Ganado.