Pittsburgh festival presents diversity of Ukrainian culture (11/07/99)

Pittsburgh festival presents diversity of Ukrainian culture

by Deborah M. Brown

PITTSBURGH - The delectable smells of "kovbasa" and "kapusta" mingling with "halushky" and "holubtsi," filled the Commons Room of the Cathedral of Learning on Sunday, September 26. These were just a few of the ethnic foods provided by Ukrainian parishes at the 18th annual Ukrainian Festival held at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland.

The festival began in 1982 as a way to raise money for the addition of the Ukrainian classroom to the Nationality Rooms located on the third floor of the university's Cathedral of Learning. Since then, the 125-year-old Ukrainian community comes together every year as a way to help preserve its cultural traditions said the festival chairman, Michael Jula.

Mr. Jula explained that Ukraine is a culturally diverse nation, with different regions having their own history, language and customs. The festival gives the Ukrainian community in Pittsburgh a chance to come together and "to interact and know each other."

But, more important, Mr. Jula added, it helps the American public in general become aware of the rich culture that Ukrainian people have to offer.

At the festival crafters of old Ukrainian traditions demonstrated their talents for the public. One young man could be seen creating pysanky. The time-honored art of bead weaving, or creating "gerdany" was also shown. The section of the Commons Room devoted to the "yarmarok," or marketplace, displayed these and many other handcrafted Ukrainian items for purchase.

Another attraction at the festival was mini-performances of ethnic folk music and dance by performers attired in brightly embroidered authentic clothing. Musical performances were provided by the Kazka Ukrainian Music Folk Ensemble and the Girls in the Kitchen Trio, all of whom sang in the Ukrainian language. The children of the Kyiv Ukrainian Dance Ensemble School showed off their dancing skills in the Ukrainian tradition.

But the Karavan Dancers of Sharon, Pa., stole the show: they twirled, they kicked, and even flew through the air. The highlights of the show included a female dancer who was swung to and from into the arms of her fellow dancers, and a male dancer who was literally thrown into the air by a blanket held by the other dancers. Claps from the audience accompanied the entire performance.

Mr. Jula attributed the festival's continued success to all the people involved. He stated, "It's a grassroots effort," the operation is run by the volunteers and is supported by the major Ukrainian organizations in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Jula described the festival operations as "a blending of cultures," where Orthodox and Catholic parishioners, from lawyers to janitors, work side by side to accomplish their goal.

One-fourth of all the festival's proceeds go to a scholarship fund that provides students at the University of Pittsburgh an opportunity to study in Ukraine. The rest is donated to charity.

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