UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Celebrations throughout North America: Saskatoon (09/23/01)

UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Celebrations throughout North America

Saskatoon

by Al Kachkowski

SASKATOON - The huge outdoor stage in the north Bessborough park was filled with people. At a predetermined moment, 500 blue and yellow helium-filled balloons drifted skyward as a recorded rendition of "Ukraino" by singer Taras Petrynenko emanated from the stereo system, filling the air with soul-stirring music.

The balloons rose quickly in the evening shadows cast by the Sheraton-Cavalier Hotel. When they hit the sunlight there were audible "oohs" and "ahs." The 300 people on stage rocked back and forth in unison to the music, arms extended skyward. Many of the estimated 1,000 people witnessing the balloon release had tears glistening in their eyes as they watched the stage and followed the balloons, savoring the event, and realizing they were part of a spectacle never before seen by Saskatoon's Ukrainian community: a very special celebrations of 10 years of Ukraine's independence.

It was 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, August 25 and the balloon launch culminated a three-hour concert extravaganza featuring 24 numbers by 18 performing groups from Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Master of ceremonies George Hupka and Lesia Sorkokan-Normand informed the audience of historical and other interesting facts as they introduced the performing groups one by one. The program began with a colorful welcome by the Pavlychenko Dancers and culminated with "Sche Ne Vmerla Ukraina" led by the Lastivka Choir, as well as a rousing Hopak by the Yevshan Dancers. The stage was filled by the 200 performers and other young people for the balloon launch.

Saturday's celebrations began with a parade at 1 p.m. Hundreds of appreciative people lined the streets and applauded as the all-Ukrainian parade made its way through downtown Saskatoon. Costumed dancers, choirs, musicians, antique convertible cars transporting dignitaries, St. Goretti Bilingual School, the Bayda Kozaks and the Vegreville Chamber of Commerce float, complete with a large pysanka made a colorful spectacle indeed.

Following the parade, hundreds of people filled the park to enjoy food and beverages served by various Ukrainian groups. Children's activities, including face-painting and interaction with the Bayda Kozaks, kept the younger folk occupied. Others brought their lawn chairs, took up the best places for the concert and visited with their neighbors while enjoying the majestic surroundings in the park at the base of Saskatoon's landmark hotel, the Delta Bessborough.

A colorful array of tents provided shade for the vendors, a fortune teller, the face-painting station and dressing rooms for the entertainers. It is estimated that several thousand people stopped in at the festive site during the course of the day. After an extremely successful (most vendors were sold out) and enjoyable day, many patrons could be heard suggesting that the festivities become an annual event.

Following the concert, two live bands, Saskatoon's Skylarks and Vegreville's Soul Spice provided dance music. The final 20 minutes featured recorded Ukrainian disco music and a lively Hopak at 10 p.m. rounded out an evening of dancing and socializing enjoyed by young and old.

The two-day celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine, began at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 24, at Saskatoon's City Hall. In the presence of 200 people, Mayor Jim Maddin assisted honored seniors Stephen Kuzma and Dr. Savella Stechishen in raising the flag of Ukraine to mark the beginning of Ukraine Week in the city. Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Michael Wiwchar led Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox clergy in a moleben service. Responses were sung by cantors and a choir consisting of members of both churches.

Celebrants then moved to the Adam Ballroom in the Bessborough Hotel for the gala anniversary banquet. Master of ceremonies Stefan Franko called on provincial, civic and university officials to convey greetings. Entertainment was provided by the Mycyk family instrumental trio and vocalist Larry Klopoushak.

An essay contest for Saskatoon students of high school and undergraduate university students was held in conjunction with the celebration. The following winners, from the 13 entries received, were announced: first prize, ($200) - Oksana Prokopchuk, Saskatoon; second prize ($100) - Christina Senchuk, Hamilton, Ontario; and third prize ($50) - Chera Tenaschuk, Saskatoon. The top two essays, the first written in Ukrainian, were read and were greeted with warm applause.

Myron Kowalsky, speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, gave an informative account of events leading to the declaration of independence by the Ukrainian Parliament on August 24, 1991. His presentation was enhanced by his personal account of what happened in August 1991 when he was in Ukraine on a Saskatchewan governmental mission.

A highlight of his presentation was his showing of a full-page color photograph from a newspaper showing Zhanna Pintusevich-Block beating U.S. runner Marion Jones at the World Athletic Championships in Edmonton this year - Ms. Jones' first defeat in 42 100-meter finals. He called that event "a moment of pride for Ukraine and Ukrainians." Mr. Kowalskyís presentation was acknowledged with a standing ovation by the 215 attendees of the banquet.

Provincial media coverage of the celebration was provided by CBC radio and CTV television. The Saskatoon StarPhoenix acknowledged the event with a large color photograph and a page 3 write-up in Monday's paper, which quoted 10th Anniversary Committee Chairman Larry Trischuk as saying: "It's quite an important event for a lot of people, whether they're Canadian-born or whether their parents or grandparents came from Ukraine... I think what it does is provide a sense of identity."

The concert participants (in order of appearance) were: the Pavlychenko dancers, Lastivka choir, Trembita youth band, Yevshan dancers, musicians Don Sovyn and Mark Klopoushak (tsymbaly and guitar), Ukrainian Dance School, Veselka Singers of Prince Albert, Rushnychok dancers, Trischuk Family fiddlers, Barvinok Dancers of Prince Albert, Saskatoon School of Dance, tsymbaly player Matthew Gruza, Prince Albert Ukrainian Singers, poet Valeri Zinchuk, bandurist Tania Makuch, Vesnianka dancers and the Nahachewsky Family, violinists and humorists.

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