Daviot Kelly, Staff Repoter
Russian Ambassador Edward Malayan. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
HIS SMILE always greets you every time you meet; his right hand immediately extends to shake yours. In a few weeks, he will raise it to wave goodbye to the island he has worked and lived in for four years.
Russian Ambassador Edward Malayan leaves our shores to become ambassador to Luxembourg.
"As a professional I am looking forward for that challenge because everything new is an adventure, it's exciting and it gives adrenaline because you never know how
it will work out," said the Ambassador.
DOUBTS
He had his doubts about how he would do in Jamaica, not knowing much about the country.
"When I first came here I was quite puzzled and surprised because I didn't know how things would go. How would I be received? How would I be able to achieve the goals that my government and president had set before me?" Now, he doesn't want to leave.
"I'm leaving with mixed feelings. It's not a traditional feeling of sadness and excitement. It's one of 'I could have done more' and this is one thing which bothers me," he laments. All that said he admits that the final evaluation of his performance lies with his government.
JAMAICAN TALENT
He said: "Never before had I been in this region and I enjoyed it very much. I am really astounded how such a small island has so many talents. There is a creative energy and I would say that your potential is not fully recognised. When it is, you will feel it also in the framework of national and economical development," he said. He confidently talked about Jamaica's popularity in Russia, noting that Bob Marley's birthday was celebrated widely. Russians know all about Jamaica; putting it above its Caribbean neighbours.
"More Russians are coming to Jamaica because Russians are curious people. Also, since the economic situation of our country has improved, people have more means to travel. They look for some place far away and with quality. Traditional places of tourism like Turkey and Cyprus have been explored; now they want something else," he explained.
He started his career in Africa (the Congo) and then spent nearly 30 of his 35 years of foreign service in Washington D.C. Jamaica was his first posting as ambassador.
"My lowest point (in Jamaica) was that I was not successful enough in convincing our (Russian) business people to pay more attention to Jamaica and this region. But it's coming. You have to understand the historic circumstances. Russia (in its present state), started in 1991 and it first had to look after itself. Now that things are getting stronger, we are able to look around," he said. He pointed out that President Vladimir Putin was the first Russian head to visit Latin America.
FORTUNATE
Born in the south of the then Soviet Union, he spent most of his life in Moscow. He went to college and then enrolled in a special college that prepared students for the foreign service. From the beginning, his path was clearly defined in his mind. He considers himself fortunate that he got into the prestigious school. Being in the U.S. throughout the decades, he has numerous stories to tell. Not all are pleasant.
"The life of a diplomat is a tough one. It is very important that you enjoy what you do otherwise it's useless; you cannot deliver," he reasons.
He and his wife Marina married in 1977 and the couple have one son who has decided to follow in his father's footsteps. Ambassador Malayan admits the constant travels can affect a family.
"We were lucky enough to always travel with him. It was tough sometimes though because we had our parents in Russia. We always thought about them and my wife would go to visit them. But life is not always rosy."
He speaks philosophically about the character of the Jamaican people, their inborn feelings of friendship and their sense of resilience.
"You see people living in bad condition but you still see them smiling, full of goodwill. You begin to believe in the country's potential. I had cases where I needed assistance, let's say the car breaks down and it's the simple people who come to help you and they are happy to cooperate. It gives me reassurance that Jamaicans will be able to overcome difficulties and be a happy and prosperous country," he said.
He enjoys going to Hollywell Park in the Blue Mountains as well as journeying to the north coast via the Newcastle road. Portland and its people can do no wrong in his eyes. Flying over the Cockpit country also fills him with awe.
"It's a real wonder of nature. You see the hills and different small villages. You are really surprised that that part of Jamaica is not explored," he marvelled.
DEPARTURE DATE
He leaves on April 12 for Moscow to report on his tour and get directives on his new post. He'll take a vacation, maybe to France, but he's looking forward to spring in Russia. He is ready to tell his successor the ins and outs of the job. He lauds the presence of Jamaicans in his homeland whether through student exchange programmes, music or even sports. He revealed that there were even Jamaican restaurants in downtown Moscow.
The Malayans will be carrying back ceramics and paintings they have collected or received during their stay. But the biggest souvenir is intangible.
"It is a warmth; the soul of a nation that you cannot just read about, you have to feel it. This is an incomparable feeling that you were able to touch this spirit which, I hope, will warm us up when we're in the cold," he said, and cracks that smile one more time.
