Connecticut committee preps for 37th Ukrainian Day Festival (08/29/04)

Connecticut committee preps for 37th Ukrainian Day Festival

STAMFORD, Conn. - The Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee will sponsor its 37th Ukrainian Day Festival on Sunday, September 12, on the grounds of St. Basil's Seminary on Glenbrook Road in Stamford, Conn.

The day will begin with a pontifical divine liturgy at 11 a.m., celebrated by the Bishop Basil H. Losten of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford.

After liturgy and throughout the day, Ukrainian food such as varenyky, holubtsi, (stuffed cabbage), kovbasa and kapusta, picnic food and liquid refreshments will be available.

At 2:45 p.m. a program featuring up and coming Ukrainian American songwriter and performing artist Sonia (Sonia Tratch) from Nashville, Tenn.; the singing and music of the Lvivyany Ukrainian Ensemble, who will also provide music for dancing after the program; Ukrainian folk dancing by the Zolotyi Promin dance ensemble of Greater Hartford, the Chervona Kalyna SUMA Dance Ensemble of Yonkers, N.Y., the Kalynonka Children's Dance Ensemble from Stamford, Conn.; and the Ukrainian Barbershop Quartet of Stamford.

Tours will be given of both the Ukrainian Diocesan Museum and the Diocesan Cultural Center. During the day visotors can browse through the outdoor Ukrainian arts and crafts exhibits of over 15 vendors who will offer a kaleidoscope of Ukrainian souvenirs such as ceramics, wood, shirts, books, embroidery, pysanky, paintings, CDs, novelties and more.

The festival continues because of the steadfast support and devotion of people from the 10 Ukrainian Catholic parishes of Connecticut. The parishes are Ss. Peter and Paul, Ansonia; Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bridgeport; St. Mary's, Colchester; St. John the Baptist, Glastonbury; St. Michael's, Hartford; St. Josaphat's, New Britain; St. Michael's, New Haven; St. Vladimir's Cathdral, Stamford; St. Michael's, Terryville; and St. Mary's, Willimantic.

Over $350,000 has been raised by the Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee since its inception in 1965. Last year $16,000 was raised with $500 each being given to the Catechists of the Sacred Heart the Brazil, St. Mary's Villa in Sloatsburg, Eucharistic Marian Congress, Stamford Diocesan Museum and Library, Diocesan Charities Fund, Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God (Stamford) and St. Basil's College Seminary (for the needs of the students). A sum of $1,000 was given to Patriarchal Sobor in Kyiv and $11,500 to the St. Basil's College Seminarian Fund (totaling $103,000 since 1994).

Five general chairmen have led the State Committee since its establishment in 1965. With support from the late Bishop John Stock, Roman Hezzey of Ipswitch, Mass. (formerly of Mt. Carmel, Conn.), initiator and organizer of Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee, was its first general chairman for three years. He was followed by the late Myron Dmyterko of Hamden (two years); the late Michael Rudy of East Hartford (five years); Donald Horbaty of Wallingford (10 years); and Lubomyr Czubatyj of Milford (since 1987).

The Connecticut State Ukrainian Day is a shining example of what inter-parish cooperation should be. Behind the scenes, a contingent of older and younger adults in each parish, days before the festival, prepares the thousands of varenyky, holubtsi, tortes, etc. consumed at this event.

Admission to the festival, which includes free parking, is $5 (age 12 and over) at the gate and $3 for advance tickets, which can be purchased at one of the 10 parishes listed above or by contacting ticket chairwoman Helen Rudy of East Hartford, Conn., (860) 568-5445. The festival will be held rain or shine.

For more information or to volunteer to help during the festival, call (203) 269-5909.

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