Philadelphia-area Ukrainians enjoy festival at Tryzubivka (09/19/04)

THE 13th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Philadelphia-area Ukrainians enjoy festival at Tryzubivka

HORSHAM, Pa. - A gorgeous summer's day on Sunday, August 22, greeted over 2,200 enthusiastic people at the Ukrainian American Sport Center's home base, Tryzubivka. The Philadelphia area's Ukrainians toasted their ancestral homeland's 13th year of independence with a memorable festival. The show offered the audience a rich variety of talented entertainment and abundant surprises.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Mykhailo Reznik, was in attendance along with his wife and a number of Embassy dignitaries and staff.

After opening prayers led by Pastor Ivan Kowalczuk and the Revs. Frank Estocin, Ivan Demkiw and Jaroslaw Korpel, Ambassador Reznik greeted the people with heartfelt optimistic and patriotic remarks about Ukraine's potential and its future.

After the playing of the Canadian anthem and the singing of the U.S. and Ukrainian anthems by Prometheus Choir soloist Dmytro Terleckyj and the Accolade Chamber Choir, respectively, the show's master of ceremonies, Andrij Shchudlak, introduced an array of classical, folk and modern singers, musicians and dancers: the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (London, Ontario); Obrij Folk Dance Ensemble (New York); Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Philadelphia); Accolade Chamber Choir (Philadelphia); Harmonia Orchestra (New York); the Sisters Oros singers (New York); and solo singers Nadia Liakhovolianska, Nadia Horodynska and Vitaly Velenchuk (all of Ukraine).

The show approached its climax with an exhilarating medley of folk dances, which the Voloshky School of Dance's Academy performed to the loving design of world-class Kyivan choreographer Stepan Zebredovsky, who, along with Virsky soloist dancer, Laryssa Petrenko, and concertmaster, Vitataly Gudziayev, had been training the children and young adults during an intensive two-week dance camp held at Tryzubivka.

The collective energy of talent, hard work and affection that defined Voloshky's camp brought the Tryzub state to life and riveted the audience in a seemingly endless pageantry of colors and movements. And then came the thunder of the Voloshky Ensemble's Hopak, accented by a surprise performance by Ms. Petrenko.

The concert was followed by a vibrant dance to the tunes of the Harmonia Orchestra.

Tryzub beats Ukraina

In the late afternoon the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) East champion, Tryzub's Ukrainian Nationals, kicked off against Toronto's Ukraina team, the West champion. It was a hard-fought match, which saw Tryzub prevail over Ukraina 2-1.

In the first half, Tryzub had several chances to move in front, but was thwarted each time by the fine play of Ukraina's goalkeeper, who kept the game scoreless at halftime. The home side finally scored the match's first goal in the 60th minute and then added another in the 67th minute to go up 2-0.

Just as it looked like Tryzub would win easily, the visitors from Toronto fought back and scored in the 70th minute to make the game close. Tryzub tightened up its defense, as Ukraina never threatened again, to secure the win.

After the match, Tryzub's Player/Coach Petro Boretskii was presented the USCAK Cup trophy, which is now displayed proudly in the club.

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