New York to mark Akcja Wisla anniversary (10/12/97)

New York to mark Akcja Wisla anniversary

NEW YORK - This year marks the 50th anniversary of Akcja Wisla - the tragic military operation of "ethnic cleansing" of Ukrainian ethnic territories of Lemkivschyna, Boykivschyna, Nadsannia, Kholmsschyna and Pidliashia ordered by the Polish Communist governmen. This year is also the 50th anniversary of the raid of certain divisions of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on the West, and the 55th anniversary of the formation of the UPA.

The year 1947 was tragic for many Ukrainians, and today Ukrainian community organizations seek not only to educate other Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians about these historic events and to honor its victims, but also to have Operation Wisla declared an illegal act. They seek to rehabilitate its victims, to declare the decrees issued by the Polish government null and void, and to grant rights to the prisoners of the Jaworzno concentration camp.

In addition, requests are being made for a return of communal and private properties wrongfully seized, and the establishment of a fund in Poland for the renewal of Ukrainian cultural, religious and social life destroyed by the Polish government.

In order to honor these anniversaries and to educate people about these historic event, an educational conference, reviewing the history of the UPA and Operation Wisla will be held on Saturday, October 18, at 2 p.m. at the Shevchenko Scientific Society, 63 Fourth Ave. Participants at the conference will include Prof. Stepan Sabrovarny from Poland, Prof. Volodymyr Serhijchuk from Ukraine, Prof. Volodymyr Stojko and Mayor Petro Sobolyia from the U.S.

A commemorative concert with notable Ukrainian performers will take place at the Cooper Union Hall on Sunday, October 19, at 2:30 p.m. The performers will include pianist Alexander Slobodyanik Sr., tenor Volodymyr Hryshko, soprano Alexandra Hrabova, and the Promin vocal ensemble under the direction of Bohdanna Wolansky. A unique video montage set to words and music prepared by Petro Bokalo will be shown at the opening of the concert. Tickets for the concert may be purchased in advance at Surma, (212) 477-0729, or at Roksolana in Maplewood, N.J., (973) 763-8778.

In addition to the conference and the concert, an exhibit titled "1947" will be shown on October 17-26. This exhibit, which includes photographs and documents from the 1947 historic period, as well as the Jaworzno concentration camp, was prepared by the Association of Ukrainians from Zakerzonnia of Toronto. It can be viewed at the Mayana Gallery at 136 Second Ave., fourth floor, on Saturdays and Sundays at 1-8 p.m.; weekdays at 3-8 p.m. Opening night is on Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m. Contact Slava Gerulak, (212) 260-4490, or Bohdan Shewchuk, (905) 510-0167. Additional information about the commemorative program may be obtained from Barbara Bachynsky, (212) 533-0919.

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