INDEPENDENT UKRAINE: CELEBRATIONS OF THE 7th ANNIVERSARY (09/27/98)

INDEPENDENT UKRAINE: CELEBRATIONS OF THE 7th ANNIVERSARY

Minneapolis
by Olga Zmaha-Chorolec

MINNEAPOLIS - The Ukrainian community here began its celebration of Ukraine's seventh anniversary of independence by attending services on Sunday, August 23, at Ukrainian Catholic, Orthodox and Baptist churches.

In the evening, the Minneapolis branches of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Committee (UACC) co-sponsored a commemorative program at the Ukrainian Center.

Luba Mensheha, president of the Minneapolis branch of the UACC, delivered the opening address, which was followed by a welcoming dance, "Pryvit," performed by the Ukrainian American Youth Association (UAYA) Cheremosh Dance Ensemble and included the traditional presentation of bread and salt. The dance ensemble is composed of youths from various organizations, including SUM, Plast and ODUM, as well as members who are unaffiliated. Olga Chorolec recited a poem "To Ukraine," which the audience greeted with much enthusiasm.

The main speaker, Mykola Megits, president of the Minneapolis branch of the UCCA and a recent immigrant from Ukraine, re-capped developments in the local Ukrainian community and informed the audience about the current political and economic situation in Ukraine.

He expressed his appreciation to the Ukrainian community in Minneapolis for remaining engaged in Ukrainian activities, especially Ukrainian churches, youth organizations, the Ukrainian center and the Ukrainian credit union for its continued support of newly arrived Ukrainians. He extended a special thanks to Ukrainian doctors and dentists in Minnesota who donated many hours and provided free medical and dental care to children from Ukraine.

Following the main speaker, Olga Ostapchuk read a moving essay, "I am - Ukraine," which was warmly received by the guests. As an exciting finale to the evening, the Dnipro Ukrainian Choir, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, performed under the direction of Kia Tsarehradsky accompanied by Anna Hrynewycz-Freese.

The choir performance included an excellent rendition of a new arrangement by Mrs. Tsarehradsky of a favorite Ukrainian Insurgent Army song, "Today, I am departing."

The performance and evening ended as the audience joined the choir in singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

Chicago

CHICAGO - On the eve of Ukrainian Independence Day, over 2,000 Chicago-area Ukrainian Americans participated in a commemoration of the seventh anniversary of Ukraine's declaration of independence. The August 23 event commenced with a procession from St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church to Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, and the observance culminated with a rally on the steps of the latter church. Above: Archbishop Vsevolod delivers the invocation, a prayer for the Ukrainian nation. Behind him stands Bishop Innocent Lotocky. On the left is Orest Baranyk, chairman of the commemoration committee; on the right is Ludmyla Protasova, acting consul-general of Ukraine in Chicago. Below: Plast members form an honor guard at the rally.

Binghamton, N.Y.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The annual celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day in the Binghamton area took place on Monday, August 24, with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Mayor Richard Bucci hosted the ceremony and issued a proclamation in honor of Ukrainian independence.

The flag-raising ceremony was preceded by a short program at City Hall. The Rev. Myron Oryhon, pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, opened the program with a prayer of thanksgiving.

Mima Zobniw spoke on the significance of Ukrainian Independence Day and the need to continue to celebrate this date wherever Ukrainians live.

In his preamble to the proclamation, Mayor Bucci stressed the cultural diversity of the Binghamton region and highlighted the contributions of the Ukrainian community to the growth of the area. In conclusion, he read the proclamation stating that "our citizens join those of Ukrainian descent as we celebrate their victory over tyranny and oppression."

Adding a bright note to the celebration were the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Dancers: Trina Bendz, Oksana Czebiniak, Roksolana Stets, Yustyna Valeha and Chrystia Zavaliy, who performed a traditional Ukrainian greeting and several Ukrainian folk dances.

The program concluded with a prayer recited by the Rev. Ihor Stets of Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Following the program the Ukrainian flag was raised to the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem, in the courtyard of City Hall, where it flew for the following three days.

The flag-raising ceremony and interviews with participants aired on all three local television stations. The event was covered by the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin.

Correction

In the report on Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, published on August 30, the name of Ukraine's minister of defense was incorrectly given as Ivan Bizhan. The minister's name is Oleksander Kuzmuk.

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