ukoptimist
@pastyb.bsky.social
Shchedryk," the ancient Ukrainian folk chant known globally as "Carol of the Bells," was born from a prayer for a prosperous spring, yet for over a century, it has echoed as a defiant anthem of survival.
This city shaped a classic Christmas carol. Now Russia has destroyed it.
Meet the history and politics of a world-famous Christmas song that started as Kyiv’s political message to the world a century ago. It sends the same message today.
Meet the history and politics of a world-famous Christmas song that started as Kyiv’s political message to the world a century ago. It sends the same message today.
This city shaped a classic Christmas carol. Now Russia has destroyed it.
Meet the history and politics of a world-famous Christmas song that started as Kyiv’s political message to the world a century ago. It sends the same message today.
www.politico.eu
December 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Shchedryk," the ancient Ukrainian folk chant known globally as "Carol of the Bells," was born from a prayer for a prosperous spring, yet for over a century, it has echoed as a defiant anthem of survival.
Reposted by ukoptimist
Talented guitarist, memorable singer and a fine songwriter. This is very sad news.
Rest easy Chris.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74 - BBC News
Rest easy Chris.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74 - BBC News
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74
Rea was known for a string of hits including Driving Home For Christmas.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Talented guitarist, memorable singer and a fine songwriter. This is very sad news.
Rest easy Chris.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74 - BBC News
Rest easy Chris.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74 - BBC News
Reposted by ukoptimist
Reposted by ukoptimist
Tunnocks Teacakes I used to visit Boyd Tunnock in one of my previous jobs such a gentleman
December 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Tunnocks Teacakes I used to visit Boyd Tunnock in one of my previous jobs such a gentleman
Famous Scots impressive for such a small nation
The Frieze
A processional freeze against a rippled backdrop shows 155 figures from Scottish history. They march round the hall in reverse chronological order, from the nineteenth century through to Stone Age man.
The Great Hall in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Edinburgh
A processional freeze against a rippled backdrop shows 155 figures from Scottish history. They march round the hall in reverse chronological order, from the nineteenth century through to Stone Age man.
The Great Hall in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Edinburgh
December 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Famous Scots impressive for such a small nation
Haha awesome Trumpet awake 24/7 such an inspiration 😂😂
December 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Haha awesome Trumpet awake 24/7 such an inspiration 😂😂
Reposted by ukoptimist
" #Poland’s President #Nawrocki repeats a century-old lesson."
“There are no deals with #russia in the 19th, 20th or 21st century — only lies, the desire to kill, and the desire to destroy.” #Eastern-Europe won’t bless appeasement." [1/2]
“There are no deals with #russia in the 19th, 20th or 21st century — only lies, the desire to kill, and the desire to destroy.” #Eastern-Europe won’t bless appeasement." [1/2]
December 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
" #Poland’s President #Nawrocki repeats a century-old lesson."
“There are no deals with #russia in the 19th, 20th or 21st century — only lies, the desire to kill, and the desire to destroy.” #Eastern-Europe won’t bless appeasement." [1/2]
“There are no deals with #russia in the 19th, 20th or 21st century — only lies, the desire to kill, and the desire to destroy.” #Eastern-Europe won’t bless appeasement." [1/2]
Reposted by ukoptimist
Have we all noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Not that odd really?
Not that odd really?
December 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Have we all noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Not that odd really?
Not that odd really?
Have we all noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Not that odd really?
Not that odd really?
December 6, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Have we all noticed how UK media is a lot less obsessed with Farage’s alleged antisemitism than Corbyn’s alleged antisemitism?
Not that odd really?
Not that odd really?
Reposted by ukoptimist
December 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by ukoptimist
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🚨WOW! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 75,000 signatures! 🙏
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 28, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Sign up now
Reposted by ukoptimist
🇷🇺🇬🇧 🇷🇺🇬🇧
The petition: ‘Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy’ has now passed 70,000 signatures.
Let’s get it to over 100,O00 by the weekend!
Please sign and share widely.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
The petition: ‘Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy’ has now passed 70,000 signatures.
Let’s get it to over 100,O00 by the weekend!
Please sign and share widely.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
🇷🇺🇬🇧 🇷🇺🇬🇧
The petition: ‘Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy’ has now passed 70,000 signatures.
Let’s get it to over 100,O00 by the weekend!
Please sign and share widely.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
The petition: ‘Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy’ has now passed 70,000 signatures.
Let’s get it to over 100,O00 by the weekend!
Please sign and share widely.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by ukoptimist
This is so accurate
October 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This is so accurate
This is so accurate
October 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This is so accurate
Reposted by ukoptimist
October 14, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Farage is a plague on all of our houses
The radical right in Britain increasingly claims to represent "Christian values" & "Christian civilisation" - though its leaders rarely go to church or pretend to believe anything.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
It's especially important that Christian leaders speak out against this, as it's their tradition that's being claimed.
A courteous but very impressive rebuke to Nigel Farage from the Bishop of Oxford.
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
"I heard no compassion in what you said...".
"I disagree profoundly with your attempts to ... increase fear of the stranger in our communities".
Do read.
blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett...
August 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Farage is a plague on all of our houses
Reposted by ukoptimist
Reposted by ukoptimist
can someone please start a go-fund-me page to pay for a proper memorial to Fred
August 4, 2025 at 10:55 PM
can someone please start a go-fund-me page to pay for a proper memorial to Fred
Yeah Mr Joe Average can pick up the slack *greed* *shameful*
July 18, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Yeah Mr Joe Average can pick up the slack *greed* *shameful*
Reposted by ukoptimist
Underrated tweet.
July 17, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Underrated tweet.
Reposted by ukoptimist
Reform my a$$ more like Deform
June 4, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Reform my a$$ more like Deform