LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (03/02/97)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Let's help Ukraine, not hinder progress

Dear Editor:

If it was not for my Ukrainian birth and heritage, I would probably dismiss the voluminous comments on Dr. Myron Kuropas' article "Christmas in Ukraine" drivel that can come only from well-fed and well-heeled individuals that are ready for a fight at the proverbial "drop of a hat." History teaches us that religious wars, at whatever level, are the problem rather than the solution.

We sing "Ne Pora" and I ask why can't we apply these words to our religious relations? Is it not time to leave religion to the privacy of each believer and practitioner? Is it not time to focus on the fragile democratic state of Ukraine with freedom to practice or not to practice whatever religion one desires? Is it not time to take to heart the words we sing in both Catholic and Orthodox churches? We beg God to give us unity, and outside the church doors we resume what is no more than a back-alley brawl as demonstrated in so many letters to the editor.

Permit me to relate an experience from September 1995. In answer to President Leonid Kuchma's request for help in the agricultural sector, Prime Minister Jean Chretien asked the former minister of agriculture, Eugene Whelan, [now Sen. Whelan] to go to Ukraine on a fact-finding mission. Sen. Whelan asked me, a colleague of 60 years, to accompany him as his advisor and translator.

On our first Sunday in Kyiv, with a slight misunderstanding, our driver took us to the Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas. We attended the service; in the part where the priest asks prayers for the Pope, etc., his final request was "and let us pray for our country - Ukraine." I cannot put into words the elation that overcame me - here a Polish priest in a Polish church asking God for prayers for "our" country Ukraine.

Can we in good conscience do less? I ask you, whether you are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jew, Moslem, or non-believer, please let the diversity of religion be Ukraine's strength and not the destructive evil force it has been for so long. Let us, in common prayer and in unison, put our shoulder to the wheel and help - not hinder - struggling Ukraine.

Earlier I referred to Ukraine as a fragile democracy. I firmly believe that is the case. The latest statistics show that since independence, the standard of living has decreased by more than a third, life expectancy has significantly decreased, unemployment is unparalleled, etc. In Sen. Whelan's and my visits to numerous enterprises from Staryi Sambir to Zaporizhia, the experience was the same and best reflected by a lady (young in years, old in appearance) at a farm outside of Kyiv: "Please don't be like the others who came, looked at us and went away laughing. Please help us." The sincerity of those words was unmistakable as they flowed from her mouth on a river of tears.

As for a possible papal visit to Ukraine, I heartily endorse Prof. Yaroslav Bilinsky's remarks (January 26). The pope, should he visit Ukraine, will not be visiting Ukrainian Catholics as such. As a head of state, he will be visiting Ukraine and all Ukrainians. He is entitled to the courtesies due a head of state. It is only through visits of heads of state that Ukraine is recognized as an independent country, a fact that even today many have difficulty in recognizing, either because of ignorance, or more dangerously, deliberateness.

Michael Zin
Windsor, Ontario

The writer is professor emeritus and former dean, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Windsor in Ontario.

Kudos for columnist Oles Kuzyszyn

Dear Editor:

At a recent festival in Chicago, several choirs (with a total of more than 300 members) reportedly gave a good account of themselves. Though it had anticipated applause in the press, the festival committee was told that a qualified reviewer could not be found in the entire Windy City.

The New York metropolitan area is not unlike Chicago, since it employs a mere handful of critics (already overworked). Why is it that everyone composes, sings, plays or conducts (from fairly well to exceedingly well), but few write convincingly - if they want to write at all?

This had puzzled me for some time. My mother had taught me how to write back in 1944 and I'm still learning Ukrainian in the belief that progress is always possible. When queried, some (very intelligent individuals) complain of lack of time, incentive or professional background to work as critics or music researchers. "Who will pay me?" is the usual unanswered question.

If our composers in the diaspora responded only to big bucks rather than inspiration, they would be long extinct. If the pianists or violinists we boast of ventured onstage sans incentive or professional training, they would not be worth reviewing. We seem to be living in an age of superstar performers with practically no one to write about their brilliance. Is day-to-day living so hopelessly steeped in instant audio-visuals that writing (and words themselves) become boring or redundant?

Choir conductors' seminars are annual successes in Edmonton. Perhaps we should start workshops in Chicago and New York to teach constructive criticism to potential reviewers? But how to teach the need for expression in the writing field? How does one explain that writing can be pleasurable and satisfying?

On January 12 The Weekly featured an anniversary appreciation of composer Ihor Sonevytsky eloquently penned by Oleksander Kuzyszyn. Both musicians "wear many hats," i.e. both respond to stimuli needing expression. Mr. Kuzyszyn's article was eminently successful because he was enthusiastic about his subject and seemed to identify with Mr. Sonevtysky's many facets.

Mr. Kuzyszyn's tribute deserves tribute. His is a rare product by a writing virtuoso who maintains high standards with hard work. At the same time one feels he has fun at what he does, plus satisfaction. Here's the commitment of a pro. Mr. Kuzyszyn's articles and reviews for The Weekly speak for themselves. I challenge anyone to translate into idiomatic Ukrainian any of his reviews of pop recordings, complete with up-to-the-minute technical terminology.

It's a pleasure to write in support of a fellow contributor to our newspaper. Bravo Oles!

Roman Sawycky
Cranford, N.J.

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