THE 12th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE: Chicago (09/28/03)

THE 12th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Chicago

CHICAGO - Chicago is world-renowned for its ethnic neighborhoods and among them is the still growing Ukrainian community, which recently joined their brethren in Ukraine in celebrating the 12th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

The Chicago Ukrainian community, which has been in existence since the late 1800s, is estimated to have hundreds of thousands of American Ukrainians and recent immigrants. When an important holiday such as the anniversary of Ukraine's independence is commemorated, it has to be done in true Ukrainian tradition with multiple venues.

This year the festivities began on the Thursday, August 21, preceding the actual anniversary date at a reception held at the Chicago Cultural Center and sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley. At what has become an annual event, hundreds of Ukrainians attend this Ukrainian Independence Day reception as Mayor Daley recognizes important contributors to the Ukrainian American community.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Illinois Branch nominated honorees: the Rev Ivan Krotec for his work as spiritual mentor of the community; Roxana Dykyj-Pylypchak for retention of Ukrainian culture through dance; Ihor Ralko for engaging fellow recent immigrants to become active in the Ukrainian community; and Chrystya Wereszczak for her dedicated service with Ukrainian American youth. A trio of bandura players provided the musical interlude and Chicago's Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) dance group entertained everyone with a spirited rendition of the Hopak, a traditional Ukrainian dance.

On Friday, August 22, at mid-day the Ukrainian American Veterans led a ceremony to raise the Ukrainian flag at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. UCCA Illinois Branch President Orest Baranyk welcomed the large crowd and performed presidium. Consul General of Ukraine Borys Bazylevskyi provided greetings from the Ukrainian government.

UCCA Vice-President Pavlo Bandriwsky delivered an impassioned speech describing the centuries-long struggle of the Ukrainian nation seeking reinstatement of the independence they so wanted and deserved. The Rev. Myron Panchuk, co-pastor of Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Chicago, delivered the spiritual blessing. During the Daley Plaza commemoration, Ostap Zorich, formerly a principal artist with the Kyiv Operetta, performed traditional Ukrainian songs, which roused the audience to spirited participation.

On Saturday, August 23, at noontime in Smith's Park came the beginning of the two-day Ukrainian Days Festival, an annual event sponsored by the Illinois Branch of the UCCA for the 27th consecutive year. The excellent weather helped draw a record attendance of 12,000 visitors over the weekend.

Mr. Baranyk opened the festival by welcoming the crowd and wishing them an enjoyable journey into the culture over the weekend. He then turned the program over to Maria Klymchak, producer of the "Ukrainian Wave" radio program, and Mr. Zorich who led the weekend's festivities as co-masters of ceremonies.

Ms. Klymchak and Mr. Zorich did an excellent job of keeping the attention of the audience as they introduced eight hours of non-stop entertainment that included: internationally renowned vocalist Ihor Bohdan; the Lvivyany musical ensemble, featuring Volodymyr Tsymbura; the sopilka (reed-pipe flute) duo of Ivanka and Kvitoslava Modrycky; the Ukrainian Village Jazz Orchestra with soloist Liliya Tkachuk, Bohema Talent Group; the Zhayvir vocal quartet; vocalist Volodymyr Duda; and the local music ensembles Dzherelo, Obrii, Efira and Mriya.

On Sunday, August 24, in all Chicago area Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches, the Ukrainian community thanked God for delivering independence for Ukraine, and prayed for peace and protection from foreign oppression for the Ukrainian nation. Ukrainian flags were proudly displayed in front of churches, businesses and homes throughout the Ukrainian Village.

The official commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Ukraine's Illinois Branch independence began at 1:30 p.m. UCCA President Baranyk began the program with opening remarks. A color guard led by Ukrainian American Veterans, and members of Ukrainian community groups including the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine (ODFFU), the Women's Auxiliary of ODFFU, Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM), Plast Ukrainian Scouting Association, 1st Ukrainian Division Veterans and the Organization of Democratic Ukrainian Youth (ODUM), stood at attention as the American and Ukrainian flags were raised and the national anthems were sung. Archbishop Vsevolod delivered the benediction.

State Rep. John Fritchey and Alderman Manny Flores presented proclamations honoring Ukrainian independence. Consul General Bazylevskyi provided official Independence Day greetings.

Mr. Bandriwsky, chairman of the Ukrainian Days Festival, delivered the English keynote speech, while Ihor Serafyn, a Ukrainian journalist, rendered the Ukrainian keynote speech. Attendees enthusiastically received both speakers. The keynote speeches were followed by a literary montage recited by children, titled "We are the descendants of the Kozaks" and a performance by Vinok, a vocal sextet from SUM's Chicago Branch, which presented a stirring medley of patriotic songs.

The community welcomed Rep. Danny Davis, member of the Congressional Ukrainian Congress, who delivered warm greetings. The community was honored to welcome a significant number of representatives of government onto the festival's presidium. The formal program was concluded with a rendition of the hymn "Bozhe Velykyi Yedynyi" led by the ensemble Zhayvir.

Ms. Klymchak and Mr. Zorich resumed their duties as masters of ceremonies, introducing all the performers from the previous day plus additional performers including: the Iskra Dance Ensemble of SUM's Palatine Branch; the Dnipro Dance Ensemble from Milwaukee; the Vodohrai Dance Ensemble of SUM's Chicago Branch; the Char Zillia Bandurist Ensemble; and soloist Yuri Klok. The show culminated with the performance of the Hromovytsa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, which made its homecoming debut after a very successful concert tour of Ukraine this summer.

Festival participants had opportunities to win three major lottery prizes: a large-screen television sponsored by 1st Security Federal Savings Bank, two round-trip airplane tickets to Ukraine provided by AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines and two round-trip domestic airplane tickets provided by ATA.

To make the Ukrainian Days Festival truly a family affair, with something for everyone, a number of new attractions were added. For children with boundless energy an inflatable bounce room was a welcome attraction. Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union sponsored free pony rides and a petting zoo that kept many youngsters busy.

For adult festival-goers, various tournaments and contests garnered a lot of attention, including chess and checkers, a pageant featuring embroidered shirts and blouses, art and poetry, soccer and arm wrestling. Six kitchens provided food and refreshment, and two dozen vendors found plenty of customers buying their handicrafts.

The Ukrainian Days Festival was deemed a resounding success due to the tremendous collaboration and multi-generational efforts of post-World War II and more recent immigrants, along with American-born Ukrainians. As word spread throughout Chicago's Ukrainian Village about what a great time everyone had celebrating Ukraine's independence and vowing to come back next year with their friends and relatives, the Illinois Branch of the UCCA began the planning process to make the 13th anniversary celebration even better.

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