Hahilky performed at Mississauga center (05/16/99)

Hahilky performed at Mississauga center

by Yuriy Diakunchak

TORONTO - A traditional Ukrainian song-and-dance ritual, the springtime "hayivky" or "hahilky," may become an annual part of the recently completed Mississauga Living Arts Center. The Levada Women's Choir, along with the Mississauga Symphony and the City of Mississauga came together on April 4 to present an afternoon of entertainment that included orchestral renditions of such pieces as "Yahil, Yahilochka."

Approximately 300 people filled the facility's entrance hall, spilling over onto the stairways and balconies. Surrounded by vendors that offered pysanky, artwork, books, tapes and CDs.

An 11-piece orchestra opened the show with a medley of hayivky. Performing these elements of folklore was a new experience for some of the musicians. "It's quite different actually. The phrasing of the music is different. Lots of three-bar phrasing as opposed to the four-bar we have in classical music," said flautist Elizabeth Rutter.

Though Ms. Rutter is not of a Ukrainian background, she used to play for the Homin Choir in St. Catharines, Ontario, when she was in high school.

Violinist Andrey Perfecky was happy to be part of the festivities. "It's a worthwhile event that should happen every year," he voted.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was on hand. "It's a pleasure to be here to welcome you to your community arts center. My dream was for the various communities making up Mississauga to have a place to showcase their traditions," she said and added that she enjoys the yearly Ukrainian Yarmarok at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mississauga.

Afterwards, members of the Levada choir sang and danced a set of traditional numbers. Mayor McCallion joined in on one dance, and when the performers struck up "Hrai Zhuchku, Hrai Nebozhe," many children from the audience were drawn in. The choir members formed a bridge with their arms and the youngsters walked over them from one end of the bridge to the other.

Pysanka writer Lesia George and her husband Noel set up a table to show passers-by some of the steps of pysanka-making. Mr. George said he learned the art of making pysanky about 10 years ago in order to woo Lesia. "When I first started courting her around Easter, I learned so I could spend more time with her," he said.

The event was sponsored by Wastecorp, a manufacturer of pollution-control equipment for municipal and industrial applications.

Dr. Oksana Sawiak, a member of the board of directors of the Mississauga Symphony, principal organizer of the event, said she hopes the event can become an annual affair at the Living Arts Center, which will require a sponsor.

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