Small community organizes Ukrainian Week in Los Alamos (04/09/00)

Small community organizes Ukrainian Week in Los Alamos

by Anna Chopek

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. - High in the mountains of northern New Mexico, the week of March 6 was designated as Ukrainian Week at the Senior Center in Los Alamos.

Three generations of the Chopek and Sydoriak families, formerly of Boston, arranged and took part in the event: Anna Chopek and her sister, Stephanie Chopek (wife of Stephen Sydoriak), along with her daughter Katherine Sydoriak Lawrence and her granddaughter Cassiope Sydoriak.

Ms. Chopek and Mrs. Lawrence held a pysanka-making workshop. At a separate session Ms. Chopek presented a talk on 20th century conditions in Ukraine. After a Ukrainian lunch, Ms. Chopek showed a video about the Carpathian mountain area, focusing on the customs and traditions of the Hutsuls,

At an evening gathering Ulana Kebalo George, originally from New York City, gave a welcome with bread and salt, assisted by Mrs. Sydoriak's granddaughter, Cassiope, age 12. Mrs. Sydoriak spoke about Ukrainian history, liturgical and folk music, folk dancing and folk art with an emphasis on Ukrainian embroidery. An international folk dance group from Los Alamos ended the program with Ukrainian folk dances.

Ukrainian pastries were prepared by Sheila Lysenko, wife of Walter Lysenko, formerly of Pittsfield, Mass., Gloria Evanycky Sharp, formerly of Ambridge, Pa., Mary Ellen Bdzil, wife of John Bdzil of Cleveland, Irene Bubernak, wife of Joseph Bubernak, formerly of Old Forge, Pa., Mr. Bubernak and Mrs. George.

There are only 14 Ukrainian Americans in Los Alamos, yet Ukrainian Week was greeted with much interest and good attendance by the community.

Even in this mountain outpost of Los Alamos, Ukraine lives.

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