THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (06/06/99)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Yevshan dancers to perform at Soyuzivka on Father's Day

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Yevshan Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Slavko Wirlo and Oksana Kraus, has been invited to present a program of traditional Ukrainian dance at the UNA resort, Soyuzivka, on Father's Day, June 20.

This April the ensemble performed at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center. The dance ensemble is the elite performing group of the Yevshan Ukrainian Dance Group, which was founded in 1983 in affiliation with the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization of Rochester. The group consists of 76 dancers ranging in age from 5 to 18.

As the dance students mature, they graduate to the dance ensemble, which has over the years performed throughout the immediate Rochester area, as well as at festivals in Auburn and Buffalo, N.Y. Since its founding the Yevshan Dance Group has operated under an open-door policy that allows any child who desires to learn Ukrainian dance to join.

For the past 13 years the soul of the group has been Mr. Wirlo, teacher innovator, choreographer and artistic director. His dedication and love for Ukrainian dance comes out in his students. Ms. Kraus, a former student, has joined him in teaching this group. Ms. Kraus adds a quality of depth and beauty to the teaching aspect that is evident in the group's performances. Under their tutelage Yevshan has flourished.

The administrators of Yevshan are Lesia Chwesik and Hanya Skrobach; Ms. Chwesik is in charge of wardrobe, which includes sewing all the costumes.

The UNA, Soyuzivka and youth: an irreplaceable combination

by Oksana Trytjak
UNA Special Projects Coordinator

What is the Ukrainian National Association doing for the younger generation - the very same group that the UNA wants to attract as members?

Like other well-established community organizations, the UNA is suffering from the natural loss of its older members. Senior members are the backbone of this organization, but youth is its lifeblood. To survive, the UNA must counter this natural decline and try to encourage the younger generation to become active.

The UNA is a fraternal organization that reinvests its profits in the community. During the early years of its existence the UNA helped coal miners organize themselves and help one another. In the words of the Rev. Hryhory Hrushka, first editor of Svoboda, founder of the UNA and a leader of the community in the 1890s: "One person cannot help everyone, but everyone can help one person. Unity is a strength that is difficult to defeat." These words still hold true. As a Ukrainian organization, the UNA has an obligation to its community to help maintain a strong and vital presence for present and future generations.

The UNA has always invested funds and energy in education and the younger generation. Together with the Educational Council of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the UNA sponsors two-week courses at Soyuzivka for teachers of Ukrainian studies schools. These Ukrainian schools teach children the Ukrainian language, history and culture.

All eligible UNA members who apply are entitled to a UNA scholarship. Students who apply to universities appreciate any scholarship they receive, since being selected to receive a scholarship is an asset on a college application. To date the UNA has awarded almost $2 million in scholarship grants. In addition, each graduate of a Ukrainian studies school receives a monetary graduation gift from the UNA.

For many years, beginning in 1953, Soyuzivka had offered Ukrainian cultural courses covering Ukrainian music, song and art, as well as language, history and geography taught by specialists in those fields. Guest lecturers were invited to speak on special topics.

Soyuzivka, the UNA's 400-acre mountain resort benefits the community at large, and youth in particular. There are various summer offerings: from day camps for pre-schoolers to workshops for young adults.

"Tabir Ptashat" for Ukrainian-speaking pre-schoolers was founded in 1989 by the Plast sorority Pershi Stezhi. This camp has grown from serving a few children during a one-week program to hosting over 100 children, in several weeklong sessions, per season. Chemney's Fun Center for English-speaking pre-schoolers was initiated in 1995 and is becoming more popular every year.

For older children, Soyuzivka has boys' and girls' camps that originated in the late 1950s. More than 1,500 sports enthusiasts age 12-18 have participated in the Tennis Camp held at the resort since 1969. The resort is also home to popular dance camps that began well over 25 years ago - first under the instruction of Volodymyr Bacad of the Avramenko School of Dance, later Petro Marunchak and now Roma Pryma Bohachevsky.

Over the years thousands of children have benefited from one or more of these camps. Camp participants of the past have continued their Ukrainian camping tradition by bringing their own children to Soyuzivka camps.

Other than camps, Soyuzivka holds tennis tournaments, swim meets and volleyball competitions for sports enthusiasts. The resort remains a principal setting for youth gatherings and meetings of many youth organizations.

Countless young Ukrainians from the United States and Canada congregate at the resort during Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. They come simply because "everyone will be there." (One can only guess how many happy unions began with a first meeting at Soyuzivka.)

For young ladies, there is the annual Miss Soyuzivka contest, during which they are judged on their knowledge of Ukrainian culture, their community involvement and their talents. Soyuzivka has become known also as a venue for the presentation of art by young artists, be it in performing or fine arts. Singers, bands and choirs often have their first performance on the Soyuzivka stage; many theatrical groups from Ukraine also have appeared on the stages of the resort, later touring other cities of the country.

Both Soyuzivka and the UNA Home Office employ students - especially during the summer period. Such opportunities recognize the need for students to earn a little during their vacations and yet spend time in a setting where they can meet their contemporaries and fellow Ukrainians.

Activities at Soyuzivka are geared toward promoting Ukrainian culture and enhancing parents' efforts to rear their children in a Ukrainian milieu. By supporting and maintaining Soyuzivka, the UNA offers a setting that nurtures younger generations aware of their ethnic background and mindful of the needs of their Ukrainian community.

Thus, it is worthwhile to support the UNA, which has pledged to continue focusing its programs on the younger generation and subsidizing Soyuzivka as long as possible. By joining the ranks of the UNA, members can promote youth-oriented programs. By supporting Soyuzivka, they can be sure that their children and grandchildren, too, will be able to enjoy all that Soyuzivka has to offer.

So, here's the key: become involved in the Ukrainian community, support local community activities, join your local UNA branches, come and vacation at Soyuzivka. Help the UNA help our community.

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