Minneapolis community recalls historic happenings of 1991 (09/18/05)

THE 14th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Minneapolis community recalls historic happenings of 1991

by Dr. Michael J. Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - Despite the widespread opinion that in Minneapolis, just like in other Ukrainian communities, there is a lack of interest in civic activities, there are more encouraging signs that a new generation of young people are stepping in to take the places of those who have departed. With no less enthusiasm and full of energy, they are getting involved in their church's activities and at the same time have not forgotten their obligation toward their national and cultural heritage.

The best example of this was seen on Sunday, August 28, of this year. Thanks to the initiative of the Women's Guild, parishioners of St. Constantine Church had an opportunity to solemnly celebrate the 14th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

On that day Father Canon Michael Stelmach celebrated a divine liturgy for the intention of the Ukrainian people, their newly elected president and his administration. After the liturgy, all the faithful, led by Father Stelmach, prayed that Ukraine would continue to be a free and independent state. Then the church choir, under the direction of Jurij lvan, sang the Ukrainian national anthem, which ended the religious portion of the anniversary observance.

The parishioners were invited to the school auditorium, where the tables were decorated with yellow and blue flowers and small American and Ukrainian flags. They were served sandwiches, coffee and tasty baked goods. Ukrainian music and songs played in the background, adding much to the festive mood of the audience.

This part of the festivities was prepared by Rose-Marie Kycia, Anne Reuter, Irene Maleckyj and Wolodymyra Taraschuk, with the help of Jon Reuter, Nicole Luciw, Joanna Chowhan, Yvette Pawlyszyn, Alla Khan, Denise Tataryn, Myron Kycia and Taras Tataryn.

The highlight of the celebration was two speech presentations. On the stage, which was decorated by Dmytro Tataryn, Alla Irena Khan spoke in Ukrainian and Denise Tataryn spoke in English. Both are young parishioners, one born in Ukraine and the other born in the United States.

Presenting a short history of the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom and independence, they dismissed a recent opinion that Ukrainians obtained their independence without spilling a "drop of blood." They emphasized that Ukraine's road to freedom was long, and hard, requiring much sacrifice and the shedding of blood. This struggle for freedom was ruthlessly suppressed with imprisonments, deportations to Siberian camps, executions and purposely organized Famines-Genocides.

This gallant quest for freedom, they underscored, started after the destruction of the ancient Ukrainian state - Kyivan Rus' and lasted until the recent collapse of the Russian Communist empire. Both speakers stressed that during all those times of struggle the free world kept silent and these events have only recently come to light.

The president of the United States called the USSR an "evil empire," they pointed out. It did not take very long before the empire disintegrated and on August 24, 1991, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. Unfortunately, Ukraine at first was ruled by oligarchs. Every day they got richer while the people became poorer. This led to the so-called "Orange Revolution." Only this time the people, without shedding a drop of blood, regained their freedom. They elected a new president who promised them full freedom and improvement of their daily life.

Both speakers concluded their presentations with a call to support the Ukrainian people's God-given right to the same freedom and independence we have in the United States.

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