Former students from Berchtesgaden hold reunion at Soyuzivka (12/26/99)

Former students from Berchtesgaden hold reunion at Soyuzivka

by Ihor and Natalia Lysyj

AUSTIN, Tex. - November - "Lystopad" - the month of the falling leaves. A scent of crispness in the air forecasting the onset of cold weather, and the autumn sun guided travelers to Soyuzivka for a reunion of the graduates and former students of the Ukrainian "Gymnasium" (high school) in the Displaced Persons Camp Orlyk in Berchtesgaden, Germany. The event was to commemorate and to honor the 50th anniversary of the last graduating class of the camp in 1949.

Nearly 70 participants arrived from as far as California, Texas, Florida, Maryland, Michigan and Canada, as well as from surrounding states, during the weekend of November 5-7. Participants arriving on Friday afternoon greeted new arrivals, reminisced and socialized from dinner time into late evening hours at Veselka, where a video of the reunion held two years ago was played.

After registration on Saturday morning, the participants viewed exhibits of the gymnasiia and DP camp life memorabilia, which included books authored by a former professor, photo albums and diaries documenting events at the gymnasium from 1947 through 1949. Among some unusual items on display was a hand-crafted suitcase, fashioned out of cardboard, covered on the outside with white sacking materials, and lined inside with Christmas wrapping paper depicting red candles on a golden background. In this small suitcase Olha Hladyshovska-Sawchuk carried her belongings in transit to the United States. Surrounded by colorful photos of Berchtesgaden vistas, a poster of the 1949 "matura" candidates was displayed, as well as paintings and books authored by the graduates during their professional careers.

On Saturday afternoon Wolodymyr Sharko, organizer of the event and a member of the class of 1949, opened the formal session of the reunion at the Veselka auditorium by reading a letter of congratulations and greetings to the assembly from Wolodymyr Dmytrijuk, also a member of the graduating class who could not attend. A letter from Nadia Naorlevych-Zinkewycz, who now lives in Kyiv, represented those who chose to participate actively in the rebirth of the nation and become full-time residents of Ukraine. Her letter was read by Inha Ivashchenko-Schmorhun. Mrs. Naorlevych-Zinkewycz invited everyone to visit Ukraine as often as possible and to stay there as long as feasible to help rebuild a civil society in a devastated land.

Dr. Lubomyr Wynar, professor of history, addressed the assembly on the behalf of the graduating class of 1949. He emphasized the fact that both the faculty and student body of the gymnasium represented all major regions of Ukraine, creating a best test sample of the idea of "sobornist," an elusive concept of national unity and solidarity; an idea in contrast to provincialism. In his opinion, this representative sample had passed the historical test.

Ms. Hladyshovska-Sawchuk, the in-place representative of the gymnasiia in the area and organizer of numerous previous reunions, spoke on behalf of the eighth class, emphasizing the friendship and camaraderie that has bound the group for half a century.

Ihor Lysyj spoke for the seventh class. Drawing an analogy to life and accomplishments of the great explorer Roald Amundsen, he stated that in a way the graduates were all explorers, and like Mr. Amundsen have traversed the land, the seas, and the glaciers of unknown. Many have reached personal "South Poles" and like Mr. Amundsen are standing today under the banners of their own accomplishments.

Oleksij Shevchenko represented the graduating class of 1949. His message emphasized the intricacies of the faculty-student relationships, and the prevailing camaraderie of the student body.

Speakers on behalf of the former students of fifth, fourth, third and second classes were Nadia Hladyshovska-Shmigel, Lydia Makarushka-Jarosewich, and Oksana Logush-Fedorowycz. They emphasized the life-long friendships, that brought the participants to Soyuzivka. Miroslav Labunka spoke for the friends of the gymnasiia.

Roman Sawycky, representing the first class, remembered the strict discipline prevailing in the life of the younger students. Strong disciplinary tongue lashings made a lasting impression on the young lad when he learned that it was better to have been called affectionately a "mushka" (little fly) than a "vosh" (louse) for transgressions. Larissa Zubal-Bilaniuk, representing the kindergarten in Berchtesgaden, promised to organize a reunion in 2010.

The next reunion is planned for late April or early May of 2000 with a visit to Berchtesgaden. The trip will begin in Lviv, continue on to Krakow, Vienna, Berchtesgaden, Oberamergau and Mittenwald, and end in Munich.

After a photo session of the graduates and former students, the celebrants turned to some light-hearted socializing prior to the evening program.

Bohdan Markiv officiated as the master of ceremonies during the formal program which began with a piano performance by Yurij Olijnyk. Ola Herasymenko, Merited Artist of Ukraine, enchanted the listeners with the mastery and virtuosity of the bandura. Recently Ms. Herasymenko participated in the Festival of Ukrainian Arts from the Ethnographic Lands and the Diaspora and has been awarded a presidential citation and a medal by Leonid Kuchma. The Ukrainian government also awarded her husband Yurij Olijnyk a certificate of merit and a medal for his contribution to the popularization of Ukrainian music in diaspora. Oksana Fedorovych sang two Ukrainian songs. Pianist Viktor Markiv represented the younger generation, which is carrying on the creative flame and talents of its parents.

After a festive dinner the celebrants danced to the music of Vidlunnia and socialized late into the night.

In addition to the social aspects, the reunion also provided a forum for a profound exchange of ideas and search for solutions to problems of social, religious, and political life in the diaspora and in Ukraine.

After the Sunday church service, a panakhyda was held for the gymnasiia's beloved Director Radzykevych, professors and students. As participants began to leave for home, parting comments were overheard: "It was an intimately gratifying reunion, a toast to our diamond anniversary!"

As the autumn wind rustled over the tops of the trees, scattering the fallen leaves of November and forecasting the change of seasons, the gathering dispersed with an anticipation of another reunion in the new millennium in Berchtesgaden.

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