LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (03/24/02)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Fellow Ukrainians and their identification

Dear Editor:

It is very disappointing to report that Larissa Shevchenko, although chronicled by "Dateline: New York" (September 30, 2001) as an opera singer of Ukrainian descent, is actually written up in the Met's "War and Peace" program as being Russian born in Lvov, Russia [sic]. Frankly, it doesn't impress me if an artist of any kind is of "Ukrainian descent" unless they say they are such - to the world.

To get my attention, to get me involved, to get me to buy a ticket, you have got to be Ukrainian all the time - not just to get my attention, to get me involved or to get me to buy a ticket. Maybe I'm too demanding. Others may state that I am too Ukrainian for an American-born person. Maybe so. But tell me, what's wrong with that?

We are or should be taught not to be ashamed or feel humiliated by our birthright. Maybe what we lack is pride. It may be high time for Ukrainians to feel some of this sensation themselves - really feel it, shout it out: "I'm proud to be Ukrainian! This is my heritage!"

If artists from Ukraine don't find it good PR to admit to the American and other artistic markets that they are indeed Ukrainian, then why should we publicize them as such to our Ukrainian readers? This kind of Russian-apron-strings attitude smells of Oksana Baiul's "Oprah" episode. In other words, "I'm Ukrainian when I need to be Ukrainian. I'm Ukrainian when it's convenient and profitable. I'm Ukrainian because I can get the bleeding hearts in the diaspora to help me." This hardly is laudatory.

My belief is that if you are Ukrainian, be Ukrainian - don't pretend in hopes of getting somewhere or getting a helping hand. This is the Soviet training that Ukrainians need to discharge. Let us all remind each other that being Ukrainian or of Ukrainian descent (the "born-here" types, like me) is an honor, not a disgrace. Our Ukrainian history, culture and traditions were and remain on such a high level that nations throughtout history have killed us for it all and have claimed it for themselves. The treasure troves stolen from Ukraine and especially Kyivan Rus'-Ukraine are enormous!

Having prominent Ukrainians traveling the world seemingly ashamed of statint publicly that they are Ukrainian, continues to bleed Ukraine dry of its true celebrity status and drains its economy. Though it is not often realized, if a country has famous people or famous places, the economy can ride these coat-tails via tourism and business investments. These celebrities are actually a commodity that can help Ukraine grow economically. They can draw attention to Ukraine's struggle and its great need for financial support.

If this kind of self-inflicted anti-Ukrainianism continues, rather than diminishes, after Ukraine's 10th independent year, then maybe we should first screen "Ukrainians" to see how Ukrainian they really are before we ourselves become their promoters. After all, you have to have credentials, references, experience when looking for a job. Maybe we should adopt such cold business practices with our so-called brethren?

In the meantime, there are plenty of other people of real Ukrainian descent to write about here in America, Canada or elsewhere, whose horns need tooting and backs need patting becuase they make a difference and a positive contibution to the Ukrainian awareness cause.

Lillianna Chudolij
Clifton, N.J.

Please broaden coverage of music

Dear Editor:

In January and February you featured a series profiling current native Ukrainian pop groups which, frankly, surprised me and led me to consider the cultural reporting of The Weekly.

The first thought that came to mind was the focus of The Weekly on classical music. It seems to me that two weeks do not go by without The Weekly reporting on a classical music performance featuring Ukrainians, be it a tenor's opera appearance, a soprano's solo concert, or a chamber orchestra's latest performance. When considering the wide variety of Ukrainian-produced music (both in Ukraine and around the world), I consider this a narrow viewpoint. That was why the profiling of pop groups surprised me - very much out-of-character for the paper, but very welcome.

The second thought I had regarded my somewhat large music collection - I am a bit ashamed at just how few Ukrainian-produced albums (of all genres) I own when compared to English. I only buy what I think I will like - the disparity of numbers is not because Ukrainians produce music I would not buy, but because I do not know about the music I would buy. In this, the profiles were lacking - sure, now we all know about the bands, but is their sound any good?

My suggested solution is twofold: 1. Start reporting more on Ukrainian rock and pop performances - don't give-up reporting on classical musical, but just mix-it-up more; for this, a good start could be whoever played the latest zabava in the area (Was the band its usual self? How long was the kolomyjka portion? etc.) 2. Begin to periodically review (by a knowledgeable critic) a current Ukrainian album. Band bios are good for filler if the review is short, but let's hear about the music. A really neat trick would be to review a zabava band's latest album in the same issue as its performance review.

I hope you will seriously consider these suggestions.

Denys Petrina
Pacific Grove, Calif.

The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association.

Letters should be typed (double-spaced) and signed; they must be originals, not photocopies. The daytime phone number and address of the letter-writer must be given for verification purposes.

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