Ukrainian Institute of America to mark double milestones (05/17/98)

Ukrainian Institute of America to mark double milestones

by Stefa Charczenko

NEW YORK - On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian Institute of America (UIA), a banquet committee chaired by Deanna Hazen has announced that the celebration of this historic turning point will commence with a banquet at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Sunday, May 31, at 12:30-5 p.m.

The musical program will feature: Metropolitan Opera star Paul Plishka, accompanied by pianist Thomas Hrynkiw; solo pianist Mykola Suk, UlA's Music at the Institute artistic director, and soloists Natalia Choma and Marta Choma. Prof. Roman Szporluk of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University is the keynote speaker. A special video presentation directed and written by film-maker Andrea Odezynska-lhnat will be presented, highlighting the accomplishments of the UIA for the past 50 years.

The year 1998 is one of special significance for the Ukrainian community, as one of its most important institutions, the Ukrainian Institute of America, and the French Renaissance-style chateau, home to the UIA since 1955 - a remarkable and unique edifice gracing the New York City's Upper West Side - celebrate anniversaries. The UIA was founded 50 years ago while the turn-of-the-century landmark mansion, designed by distinguished architect C.P.H. Gilbert and located on Manhattan's "Museum Mile " at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street, will commemorate its 100th anniversary.

Centrally located within one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in New York City, known as Lenox Hill, and diagonally across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Ukrainian Institute of America is an ideal venue for a Ukrainian cultural center.

For the past five decades, the UIA has dedicated itself primarily to promoting and sharing the rich Ukrainian heritage with the Ukrainian and American communities. It has provided a distinguished locale for cultural exchange programs with artists and musicians from Ukraine, forums and symposiums for visiting dignitaries and diplomats, as well as a meeting and social gathering site for professionals from other Ukrainian associations.

Many special programs are planned at the UIA throughout the coming year. The 50th anniversary planning committee, which includes Walter Baranetsky, Zwen Goy, Iryna Kurowyckyj, Mira Kyzyk and Walter Nazarewicz, has organized a yearlong program to commemorate the half-century and century milestones of the UIA and its historic home, including a black-tie "Open House" reception in October for its friends and neighbors from the Ukrainian and American communities. The now traditional annual New Year's Eve gala, and the very successful Music at the Institute (MATI) classical music concert series continue to attract both Ukrainian and American audiences.

MATI reaches its own milestone this year - its 10th anniversary - and promises an exciting fall and winter season honoring a Ukrainian composer at each concert and, for contemporary music aficionados, a few jazz programs will be added to its repertoire.

Several important art exhibits, including the work of Alexi's Gritchenko and Jacques Hnizdovsky, as well as Helen Woskob's collection of significant paintings by renowned Ukrainian artists will open the fall 1998 season. An art auction is scheduled for the spring of 1999 to assist the UIA in raising funds. Literary evenings, theatrical performances, lectures and conferences focusing on historical and contemporary subjects - all of which have been the mainstay of the UIA since its inception - will play a significant role in the UIA's activities for the duration of this anniversary year.

In this pivotal year of its existence, the Ukrainian Institute of America has launched a "Crown Jewel Endowment Fund" to safeguard this extraordinary gem of the Ukrainian community for future generations. Many members of the Ukrainian community have already pledged their generous donations for the festivities on May 31. The leadership of the UIA is confident that with the banquet, the newly-formed endowment fund, and fund-raising and membership drives, its goals will be accomplished as they look forward to the next 50 years of serving the Ukrainian and American communities.

Ticket reservations and inquiries about the 50th anniversary celebration at the Plaza Hotel may be directed to the Ukrainian Institute, (212) 288-8660.

Sadly, one of the benefactors and former presidents of the UIA, Theodore Dzus Sr., passed away in March. The UIA regrets that he will be unable to share with guests the many indelible, historic experiences of those early formative years during this 50th anniversary of an institute that his father founded.

Mr. Dzus became president of the Ukrainian Institute of America in 1964 and remained in that position until 1982. He owned and operated the factory in West Islip, Long Island where the Dzus fastening device was developed and manufactured by his father, William Dzus.

The Ukrainian Institute of America also will miss the presence of another Dzus family member, Ivanna Dzus, William Dzus' widow. Ms. Dzus, who died just a few weeks ago, spent many productive years supporting and nurturing her husband's most generous endeavors with the UIA, as well as many other Ukrainian community efforts.