Ukrainian community marks 40th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington (07/04/04)

Ukrainian community marks 40th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - The Ukrainian community in the United States commemorated the 40th anniversary of the unveiling of the Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington with a special program here on Saturday, June 26.

Organized by the Shevchenko 40th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, on the initiative of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), in cooperation with other Ukrainian civic organizations, the commemoration was held in the park near the monument, where some 500 people gathered to honor the memory of the great Kobzar and demonstrate unity within the community.

Buses and cars from as far away as Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York made their way to Washington to participate in the event.

Also present were hierarchs of the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches: Archbishop Stefan Soroka, metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States; Metropolitan Constantine, primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.; and Archbishops Antony and Vsevolod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A. Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Mykhailo Reznik was joined at the ceremony by the general secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Victor Pedenko, as well as representatives of various Ukrainian American organizations.

The ceremony opened at 4 p.m. with a greeting from Bohdana Urbanovych, chairperson of the Shevchenko 40th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, who stated: "We gathered here today to honor the Kobzar's memory and the fact that so many Ukrainians came to this ceremony proves that our community, just like 40 years ago, remains strong and unified. Let us join our efforts and work together for the benefit of our community and Ukraine. In unity is our strength."

UCCA President Michael Sawkiw Jr., who served as master of ceremonies for the event, underscored that the Ukrainian community in the United States should stand together in this important time for Ukraine. "We gather at this monument 40 years later to express our solidarity as a unified Ukrainian American community, steeped in our long 125-year history on these American shores. Thus, the powerful symbol of Taras Shevchenko's monument in Washington is a manifestation of our community's gratitude to the United States for realizing Shevchenko's ideals."

Wreaths were placed at the Shevchenko monument by the members of the Shevchenko 40th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, the UWC, and the Embassy of Ukraine, while individual members of the community brought many bouquets to honor Ukraine's national poet.

Church hierarchs then conducted a service in memory of Shevchenko, with the Dumka Chorus of New York City singing the responses.

After the service, speaking on behalf of all the assembled hierarchs and clergy, Metropolitan Soroka addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of cooperation among all Ukrainians in the United States. "Although in the last several years Ukraine has achieved significant success, it still needs assistance from the Ukrainians abroad," said the metropolitan. "We must work together in order to help our brethren in Christ in Ukraine and strengthen our community in the United States." Metropolitan Soroka also noted the importance of the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine and expressed hope that Ukrainians in the United States will be actively involved in ensuring free and transparent elections.

Mr. Sawkiw read a greeting received from President George W. Bush to the participants of the commemoration ceremony. President Bush stated: "As the United States works with Ukraine to spread freedom, I appreciate your work to assist Ukraine in conducting free and fair elections this October. I commend the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and others for your efforts to foster community pride and contribute to our nation's rich cultural heritage."

Ambassador Reznik read an official greeting received on this occasion from President Leonid Kuchma: "Erecting a monument to Kobzar became a manifestation of the moral strength of all the Ukrainians, who carried their love to historic motherland through time and distance, preserved and risen to a new height the national idea ... May the statue of Taras forever stand on the Washington land, as a symbol of indomitable will of freedom and justice."

Ms. Urbanovych read greetings from Our Ukraine Chairman Viktor Yushchenko, who wrote: "Construction of the monument to the Ukrainian national genius testified that a free Ukraine lives, that Ukraine struggles ... And today Shevchenko stands as a buttress of an invisible bridge that connects all Ukrainians throughout the world, as a call to unified efforts to preserve our national identity, enriching our cultural heritage, develop and protect democracy."

Greetings were also delivered on behalf of the Ukrainian World Congress, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry (see text on page 3), Ukraine's Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, members of Ukraine's Parliament, as well as members of Congress, in particular the co-chairs of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus - Reps. Sander Levin (D-Mich.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Curt Weldon (R-Pa.).

Prof. Petro Kononenko, director of the Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, was the keynote speaker at the commemoration. He urged the community to remember its culture and history, and to love and preserve the Ukrainian language and traditions of the Ukrainian people. He observed that, no matter where in the world ethnic Ukrainians live, they keep Ukraine in their hearts and respect and love her.

"The strength of the Ukrainian people lies in respecting other nations and countries without ever forgetting our roots," he said. "As long as the Ukrainian community in the United States will remain united, the melodious Ukrainian speech will sound and our children will remember their Ukrainian heritage."

Speaking about the civic responsibilities of the Ukrainian community in the United States, Prof. Kononenko remarked that Ukrainian Americans should take an active part in the political process in the U.S. and protect the interest of the community, but it is also important to keep political life in Ukraine in the focus of their attention. The active participation of American Ukrainians in the political process in Ukraine will help the Ukrainian state stabilize its democracy, he said.

The Dumka Chorus, under the direction of Vasyl Hrechynsky, and the Accolade Ensemble from Philadelphia concluded the commemoration with a selection of works to the lyrics of Taras Shevchenko's poetry. The audience joined the choirs in singing Shevchenko's "Zapovit" (Testament) and "God Bless America."

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