CELEBRATIONS AND COMMEMORATIONS OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE
by Helen Filenko
HOUSTON - The Ukrainian community of Houston celebrated the sixth anniversary of Ukrainian independence on August 24. Hosted by The Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston (UACCH) at the Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, the celebration began with a divine liturgy offered by the Rev. Andrij Dwulit, pastor. The service was dedicated to Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout the world. The Rev. Dwulit delivered a sermon relevant to the occasion and joined the congregation in singing the time-honored "Mnohaya Lita" for the Ukrainian people and their homeland.
UACCH members, parishioners and guests moved to the parish hall for the Ukrainian Independence Day program. Bill Dijak, UACCH vice-president, served as master of ceremonies. Alexander Filenko, UACCH president, welcomed the assembly and set the tone for the program by stating that before 1991 Ukrainian independence was commemorated on January 22, but today Ukrainians joyously celebrate on August 24 with confidence that, "Ukraine is now in control of its own destiny."
The Rev. Dwulit gave the invocation. Michael Danylyk, secretary of UNA Branch 28, led the assembly in singing the American and Ukrainian national anthems.
The Rev. Dwulit delivered an inspirational speech that was followed by Ukrainian School students' recitations of beautiful Ukrainian poems that have kept the Ukrainian heritage alive.
Col. Leonid Kadenyuk, an astronaut from Ukraine, was a guest speaker. He gave a brief summary of the Ukrainian space program. Born in the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine, Col. Kadenyuk is a member of the first astronaut group selected in 1996 by the National Space Agency of Ukraine. In November 1996, NSAU and NASA assigned him to be one of two payload specialists for the Collaborative Ukrainian Experiment (CUE) to be flown on STS-87 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. He currently participates in payload specialist training at the Johnson Space Center and will serve as the prime payload specialist for STS-87, scheduled for launch in November.
Tatiana Hirka-Lewytsky, president of the Ukrainian Women's League of Houston, inspired the audience with a speech, interlaced with excerpts from Ukrainian poems, explaining the historical role of Ukrainian women in the country's struggle for independence and their role in the difficult task of rebuilding today's ethnically diverse Ukraine.
Eugene Kuchta, vice-president of the Pokrova Parish Council, reflected on "What Ukrainian Independence Means to a Ukrainian American." His theme spoke to the hearts of all Americans of Ukrainian descent. The task before 1991 was to keep alive the Ukrainian heritage in the hope that some day Ukraine would acquire some measure of autonomy. Now that Ukraine is free and independent, Ukrainian Americans must not think that their job is done, he underlined. The task today is to help Ukraine secure economic and political stability. He stated that it is the duty of all Ukrainian Americans to find ways to work toward this end.
Dr. Yaroslav Pustovyi, another NSAU astronaut, gave the keynote address. He has published seven articles in the areas of space radio engineering, transient electrodynamics, antennas theory and technology. Dr. Pustovyi also is one of the first astronauts selected by the National Space Agency of Ukraine; he has been assigned as a back-up payload specialist for the Collaborative Ukrainian Experiment.
Dr. Pustovyi, who was born in Kostroma, Russia, but considers Kyiv to be his hometown, charmed the audience with his knowledge of Ukrainian history and love for his country. He finished six years of active duty as a first lieutenant, and is currently serving in the Ukrainian Air Force Reserve. His warm and open personality and patriotic love of his country were an inspiration to everyone present.
On behalf of the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston, Mr. Filenko closed by thanking all the participants in the Ukrainian Independence Day program for giving the audience such diverse and inspirational insights into the Ukrainian spirit.
While refreshments were served, the audience had an opportunity to speak individually with the Ukrainian astronauts.
by Patrusia Sawchak
HORSHAM, Pa. - A celebration of the sixth anniversary of Ukraine's independence was held on 38 sprawling acres at Tryzubivka Ukrainian American Sports Center here on Sunday, August 24. It was also a celebration of the family as over 1,500 people gathered, including grandparents, parents and children, to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and to mingle with family and friends in a spirit of camaraderie and to enjoy the glorious weather.
The festitivities began at 1 p.m. with a Fun Slide and Moon Walk set up for the children, who basked all day in the sunlight. The official program began with a surprise entrance by two men dressed in Kozak garb, riding horseback, carrying American and Ukrainian flags from the festival grove to the stage. They were greeted by the young members of Plast and SUM-A organizations and after the national anthems were played, the Kozaks handed the flags to the youngsters and rode away.
In his welcoming remarks, Ihor Chyzowych, president of the Tryzub sports organization, paid tribute to the Ukrainian government and Ukrainians around the world. He concluded with the words of poet Oleksander Oles, "Live Ukraine. Live for beatuty, for strength, for truth, and for liberty." The program was then turned over to Yaryna Yakubyak of Lviv (former mistress of ceremonies for the Chervona Ruta festivals) and Michael Kostrycky of Philadelphia.
The dynamic Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, under artistic director Taras Lewyckyj, began the musical program with the welcoming dance (choreography by Anatoly Kryvokhyzha, adapted by Zoia Korsun), during which the artists presented the audience with the traditional bread and salt, symbolizing friendship. Two more dances
Soloist mezzo-soprano Lesia Hrabova of Lviv sang "Yak Davno" by Hryhorii Kytasty, "Soloveiko" by Petro Kropyvnytsky, and two folk songs, "Stoiit Hora Vysokaia and Zelenyi Barvinok." The Lviviany Music Ensemble, also from Lviv, presented their new repertoire and provided a wonderful rendition of "Moia Ukraino."
The Voloshky Ensemble returned with "The Gossips" (music by Vladimir and Nikolai Radu, choreography by Leonid Jacobson), a dance that depicted a spider web of relationships with swirling interactions of five gossiping women. They concluded their repertoire with "Moldavian Suite" (music by Roman Kohute and choreography by Andrei Pap), a dance of innocent youth beginning with a girl's dance and ending with a grand finale of astounding speed.
Dressed in colorful Ukrainian embroidery, the children from St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, under the direction of Adriyana Sydorak, recited poetry in Ukrainian to reflect the patriotism of the day. The children also sang a very moving original song by Zenovij Kmet titled "Vsi My Velyka Rodyna, A Maty U Nas Ukraina." They released a burst of blue and yellow balloons that filled the sky with Ukrainian pride.
The Lviviany Music Ensemble continued to play dance music until dark. Ukrainian arts, crafts and souvenirs were available for purchase as lasting remembrances of the day, while Ukrainian foods satisfied the hungry picnickers.
Mr. Chyzowych added that the success of the event would not have been possible without the help of all the volunteers who spent many hours preparing for this special day and the special events chairperson, Halina Dubil.
by Andrew Keybida
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. - Mayor Ellen Davenport signed and read a proclamation at Maplewood Town Hall on August 5 that designated August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day in honor of the sixth anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
Mayor Davenport cheerfully greeted the assembled Ukrainian Americans and gave tribute to Americans of Ukrainian heritage who have made important political, economic and cultural contributions to Maplewood.
After reading and signing the proclamation, the mayor ordered that the Ukrainian flag fly in front of Town Hall on August 24, alongside the American flag, to "pay tribute to the Ukrainian people for their courage in the struggle for freedom and independence of Ukraine."
Andrew Keybida, an advisor of the Ukrainian National Association, accepted the proclamation and stated, "The Ukrainian American community in Maplewood is very grateful for the proclamation issued. I extend my personal thanks to all who have supported Ukraine's cry for freedom in this Town Hall during these past 32 years. Your generous endorsement of Ukraine's independence helped to bring to fruition the joyous freedom that 52 million Ukrainians are enjoying today."
Later, on August 22, 100 members of Maplewood's Ukrainian American community met at Town Hall to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The Rev. Leonid Malkov CSsR, assistant pastor at St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J., opened the ceremonies with a prayer asking God's blessings for the people of Ukraine.
Vice-Mayor Gerry Ryan cheerfully greeted the assembled leaders and friends.
After accepting the proclamation from Mr. Ryan, Mr. Keybida offered comments: "Ukraine continues to confront the twin tasks of buttressing its independence and forging a democratic state under the dire conditions of post-Soviet reality. As the nation moved towards independence, there were visions and, indeed, highly held expectations that Ukraine, with abundant industrial and agricultural resources and a highly educated population, would quickly take advantage of this potential and blossom politically and economically. They have come to realize that the re-establishment of independence not only owes much to the sacrifices of the past, but now requires new sacrifices if Ukraine is to emerge from its multiple crises."
The Redemptorist provincial of Canada and the United States, the Rev. Yaroslaw Dybka, and the Rev. Michael Woloshyn, the Redemptorist provincial from Ukraine, were welcomed.
The Rev. Woloshyn said: "I am happy to be here and witness the raising of the Ukrainian national flag along with the flag of the United States of America. For a long time we in Ukraine did not have our own symbol of the Ukrainian nation, the blue-and-yellow national flag. We received a gift from God six years ago on August 24, 1991, on the day of the proclamation of the independence of the Ukrainian nation. Today we have our independent Ukrainian nation, for which we should sing songs of praise, and thank God."
The Rev. Malkov concluded with a solemn prayer for those gathered at Town Hall and for all Ukrainian people throughout the world. The Ukrainian flag was brought down the center aisle of Town Hall, and the audience sang the Ukrainian national anthem. Outside, the flag was hoisted by Vice-Mayor Ryan as the assembled sang the American anthem.
NEWARK, N.J. - Ronald L. Rice, councilman from the city of Newark, N.J., and a New Jersey state senator, authored a municipal resolution commemorating August 24 as the sixth anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. As state senator, Mr. Rice represents the 28th Legislative District of New Jersey, which encompasses Irvington, Maplewood, South Orange and parts of Newark; as councilman, he represents Newark's West Ward. Thus, he represents an area of New Jersey that is densely populated by Ukrainian Americans. Mr. Rice is running for re-election to the State Senate; he is considering a run in 1998 for the office of mayor of Newark. Pictured (from left) are: Lev Kolensky, Bozhena Olshaniwsky, Councilman Rice, Lidia Datzkiwsky, Daria Bekesewycz, Walter Bodnar and Wasyl Jurkivo.
by Orysia Hewka
PHILADELPHIA - In the evening of Sunday, August 24, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center hosted a concert and celebration of the sixth anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. The celebrations commenced with greetings from the president of the center, Borys Zacharczuk, who warmly welcomed the audience and read a greeting from President Bill Clinton.
Honored guests and keynote speakers were Dr. Yuri Shcherbak, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., with his wife, Maria, military attaché Col. Alexander Halaka with his wife, Tetiana, and Rep. Jon Fox.
In his address, which he gave both in Ukrainian and in English, the ambassador offered a historic perspective on the occasion and touched upon the significance of such key events as the signing of the Ukraine-NATO charter, and the U.S.-Ukraine Binational Commission.
Rep. Fox congratulated the audience on the anniversary and spoke about the commemorations scheduled in Washington. The audience listened intently to Rep. Fox detail his commitment as head of the newly formed Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and greeted him with applause.
During the concert program, stars of international repute graced the stage of the Ukrainian center. Laureate winner, composer-pianist Bohdan Yaniwsky from Lviv; Stepan Stepan, the lead baritone of the Lviv Opera; and vocalist Mykola Sikora from Kyiv shared the stage with a youthful, and very professional Promin choir from New York, which performed under the masterful baton of Bohdana Wolansky.
After the anniversary concert the festivities continued with a wine and cheese reception, followed by music and dancing to the tunes of the Mandry orchestra.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Zacharczuk thanked Ambassador Shcherbak and Rep. Fox for their participation in the celebrations and expressed his gratitude to the performing artists, participants and the organizing committee.
by Tom Hawrylko
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. - The American Ukrainian Veterans of Ukrainian Assumption Church in Perth Amboy marked the sixth anniversary of Ukraine's independence with a flag raising and other activities at city hall square on August 25.
The Boyan Choir, under the direction of George Shewchuk, opened the program with the singing of the U.S. national anthem. A proclamation written by Mayor Joe Vas was read by Donald Perlee, Perth Amboy business administrator. The Rev. Augustine Molodowycz, assistant pastor, led the group in prayer and remarks. Next the veterans raised the Ukrainian flag and Boyan led all in attendance with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem, "Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina" (Ukraine Has Not Perished). The poem "Love You, Ukraine," written by M. Orlycz, was read by Larissa Lyaluk.
Other speakers included Tom Hawrylko, a veteran and member of the parish, Jack McGreevey, the father of Woodbridge Mayor and State Sen. James McGreevey who is a gubernatorial candidate, and New Jersey Assembly Members John Wisniewski and Arlene Friscia.
The American Ukrainian Veterans have marked Ukraine's independence annually since August 24, 1991, when Ukraine declared itself free and independent from the former Soviet Union.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 14, 1997, No. 37, Vol. LXV
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