Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences celebrates two jubilees (01/21/96)

Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences celebrates two jubilees

by Jean-Pierre Cap

NEW YORK - The Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences (UAAS) recently marked the 50th anniversary of its founding in Europe and the 40th anniversary of its establishment in the United States with a gala celebration consisting of a scholarly conference, a concert and a banquet held at the Ukrainian Institute of America.

The celebration focused on the role of the Academy in preserving and advancing Ukrainian scholarship in the diaspora in a spirit of truth, integrity and freedom despite great moral and material hardships.

Prof. George Shevelov, the academy's honorary president, chaired the event's Honorary Jubilee Committee.

Prof. Albert Kipa headed the jubilee Organizing Committee.

The acting president of the UAAS in the U.S., Prof. William Omelchenko, opened the well-attended event with greetings in which he highlighted the reasons for the day's festivities.

Next, UAAS-US President Dr. Marko Antonowych, offered a historical perspective of "The Academy's Early Years in Germany." Prof. Omelchenko then returned to the podium to assess "The Academy in the United States." Both speakers noted the academy's struggles and achievements, especially in the scholarly arena, and cited the contributions of key academicians and administrators which assured the institution's success.

The second session, chaired by Prof. Anna Procyk, the academy's academic secretary, featured three speakers.

Prof. Yaroslav Dashkevych of Lviv University delineated the "Status and Perspectives of Historical Studies in Ukraine. He affirmed the sad fact that economic and political conditions in Ukraine have severely curtailed current and future scholarship, and deplored the lamentable state of affairs at the National Academy of Science in Ukraine, which neither supports Ukrainian statehood nor fosters the use of the Ukrainian language.

Academician Ivan Dzyuba of Kyiv, prevented by illness from attending in person, addressed the gathering on videotape. In his presentation, titled "Taras Shevchenko and Friedrich Schiller," Mr. Dzyuba cited Shevchenko's interest in Schiller and offered comparisons and contrasts of the two poets' visions of an ideal society and their belief in the perfectibility of mankind.

Finally, Prof. Shevelov reminisced about "The People of the Academy. The Walls of the Academy. The Books of the Academy." The honorary president of the UAAS-US offered an apt and witty review of the academy's principal achievements and shortcomings, as well as perceptive personal reflections with suggestions for future courses of action.

The final segment of the celebration, which took place October 8, 1995, was the jubilee concert. It began with a world premiere: Taras Filenko's vibrant performance of Lesia Dychko's "Celebratory Ode" for piano, written on the occasion of, and dedicated to, the academy's anniversary.

Flutist Darka Nebesh followed with an enthusiastic rendition of Mykola Lysenko's "Fantasia, Op. 21 on two Ukrainian themes. Next, violinist Jaropolk Lasovsky offered a proficient account of Maksym Berezovskyj's Sonata in C Major, baritone Oleh Chmyr sang Rene's aria from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," and soprano Olena Heimur displayed her vocal versatility in the rendition of two art songs, one each by Vasyl Shut and Wadym Kipa, and Leonore's aria "Pace, Pace, Mio Dio" from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino."

Mr. Filenko, who provided appropriate piano accompaniment for all artists, concluded the concert with an expert interpretatiou of Jakiv Stepovyj's "Prelude in Memory of Taras Shevchenko" and a spirited rendition of Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6.

An exhibit of the academy's major publications, prepared by Oksana Radysh, UAAS-US administrator, a wine and cheese reception and a buffet supper elegantly catered by Natalie Pytlar's "Butler's Pantry" staff rounded out the day' s events.

Brief remarks were delivered during the banquet by Academician Jaroslav Isaevych of Lviv. Among the many congratulatory messages received by the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S. were greetings from the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox metropolitan-archbishops respectively, Stephen and Constantine from Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Yuri Shcherbak; New York Gov. George Pataki; and New York City Mayo Rudolph Giuliani.

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