Chicago celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day with multiple events (10/10/04)

THE 13th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Chicago celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day with multiple events

by Pavlo Bandriwsky

CHICAGO - Chicago is sometimes referred to as the "Second City," but when it comes to celebrating Ukrainian independence it is second to no American city. Arguably, only Chicago's sister city, Kyiv, does a more elaborate presentation. Strengthened by its growing Ukrainian community, Chicago residents and guests joined their brethren in Ukraine in celebrating the 13th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

To properly commemorate the holiday, multiple venues were used over several days. This year the festivities began on August 19, the Thursday preceding the anniversary, at a reception held at the Chicago Cultural Center and sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley. At this annual event, hundreds of Ukrainians attend the Ukrainian independence reception as Mayor Daley recognizes important contributors to the Ukrainian American community.

The honorees nominated by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) Illinois Branch included Oleh Karawan for his work in the community and Oleh Kowerko for retention of Ukrainian culture through his leadership at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. Dr. Yuriy Melnyk was commended for providing medical assistance to fellow recent immigrants.

Consul General of Ukraine Borys Bazylevskyi extended greetings and appreciation for the reception. Orest Baranyk, president of the Illinois Branch of the UCCA, thanked Mayor Daley for hosting the event. He spoke on the value of independence, for which Ukrainians had long fought, and underscored that the battle is not completely over, as the diaspora should support the people's will of transforming Ukraine into a true democratic country through the upcoming presidential elections.

The Ukrainian Village Jazz Band provided the musical entertainment and everyone enjoyed watching the excellent choreography of Chicago's American Ukrainian Youth Association (SUM) dance group.

On Friday, August 20, at mid-day the Ukrainian American Veterans led a ceremony to raise the Ukrainian flag at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. Rose Farina, cultural affairs director for Chicago welcomed, the large crowd and performed master of ceremony duties.

Consul General Bazylevskyi provided greetings from the Ukrainian government; then Orest Baranyk spoke, describing the centuries-long battle of the Ukrainian nation for independence.

The Char Zillya bandurist ensemble provided a stirring performance. The SUM dance group from Chicago entertained the American and Ukrainian viewers, while the vocal duet of Nadiya Volos and Liliya Tkachyk, accompanied by Bohdan Buchwak on the 12-string guitar, roused the audience to spirited participation in song.

On Saturday, August 21, at noon in Smith's Park the two-day Ukrainian Days Festival, sponsored by the Illinois Branch of UCCA for the 28th consecutive year, was begun. The Ukrainians were blessed with excellent weather over the weekend that contributed to attracting a record attendance of 14,000 visitors.

Pavlo Bandriwsky, chairman of Ukrainian Festival 2004, officially opened the celebration by welcoming the crowd and wishing them an enjoyable journey into the culture and flavors of Ukraine over the weekend. He thanked the many volunteers who worked tirelessly in preparing the event and then turned the program over to Ms. Volos, announcer of the "Voice of Ukraine" and "Radio Meest" radio programs, and Ostap Zorich, former artist with the Kyivan Operetta, who led the weekend's festivities as co- masters of ceremony.

Ms. Volos and Mr. Zorich were a great team in keeping the attention of the audience as they opened 20 hours of entertainment that included: internationally renowned vocalist Yaroslav Lemishka; the Lviviany musical ensemble featuring Volodymyr Tsymbura; soloist Ms. Tkachuk; humorist Yaroslav Bodnar; Mr. Zorich performing retro music; singer Sonia Lee from Nashville, Tenn.; the Zhayvir vocal quartet; the Ukrainian Village Jazz Orchestra, vocalist Volodymyr Duda, and local music ensembles Dzherelo, Olha Popova and UZone, Obrii, Ephyra and Mriya.

A new addition to the festival this year was a second stage, where the air was filled with the music of Vasyl Pyk, and the dance floor was filled with celebrants dancing into the night.

On Sunday, August 22, 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, and scores of cars drove by proudly waving the blue-and-yellow banner.

Mr. Baranyk started the official commemoration of the 13th anniversary of Ukraine's independence at 1:30 p.m. 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, American Ukrainian Youth Association (SUM), Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, Veterans of the 1st Division of the Ukrainian National Army, 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.

George Panchyshyn presented a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Rod Blagojevich honoring Ukrainian independence. Consul General Bazylevskyi provided official Independence Day greetings.

Roman Golash gave the English keynote speech, while Yaroslav Zahayskyy delivered an impassioned Ukrainian keynote speech in which he called on Ukrainian citizens in the diaspora to honor the memories of their ancestors by participating in October's presidential election. The keynote speeches were followed by a literary montage recited by children from the Saturday School of Ukrainian Studies (Ridna Shkola) and a poem dedicated to independence recited by the Ukrainian Theater of Chicago.

The community welcomed Rep. Danny Davis, member of the Congressional Ukrainian Congress, who delivered warm greetings before leaving for a flight to Ukraine to join the independence celebration there. Bishop Innocent Lotocky delivered the benediction. The formal program was concluded with a rendition of the religious hymn "Bozhe Velykyi Yedynyi" led by the Zhayvir ensemble.

Ms. Volos and Mr. Zorich resumed as MCs, proceeding to introduce the performers from the previous day plus additional performers, including the Berkut Orchestra, the Char Zillya Bandurist Ensemble and the Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.

The Ukrainian Days Festival was a family affair, with something for everyone. Free pony rides and a petting zoo were enjoyed by many youngsters. An inflatable bounce room for children with unlimited energy was eagerly used. The Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union sponsored the Chicago Fire's soccer kick attraction.

Adult festival-goers viewed various tournaments and contests including: chess and checkers matches, embroidered shirts and blouses, art and poetry, soccer, volleyball, tug-of-war and arm wrestling. Six kitchens provided food and refreshments, and two-dozen vendors found plenty of customers buying their wares. Festival participants also had opportunities to win several major lottery prizes.

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