THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (10/30/05)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA sponsors exhibit about Ukrainian Insurgent Army

by Roma Hadzewycz

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is the subject of an exhibit currently on view here at the Ukrainian National Association's Corporate Headquarters.

The exhibit, which is based on the authoritative Chronicles of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (Litopys UPA), encompasses historic photographs, archival documents, maps and various artifacts related to the UPA's fight for the freedom of Ukraine.

The official opening of the exhibit on Sunday, October 16, was scheduled to coincide with the Feast Day of the Protection of the Mother of God (Sviato Pokrovy), which is considered to be the day in 1942 when the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was founded.

Opening remarks were given by UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich, who noted the importance of passing information about Ukraine's history on to the next generation.

An introduction to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was provided by Dr. Taras Hunczak, Rutgers University professor emeritus of history, who pointed to his own connection to the UPA as a young boy who served as a courier.

Prof. Hunczak spoke of the UPA's battle for Ukraine's freedom as it was caught between two powers: the Soviets and the Nazis. He described the fighting force as "an underground movement that had no outside support."

A showing of the documentary "A Daughter's Journey" by Christina Kotlar, who holds a master's degree in production for film and video from American University in Washington, was a highlight of the program. The filmmaker noted that she had read the memoirs of her father, Julian Kotlar, in Litopys UPA and realized "it was time to tell his story."

Ms. Kotlar and her father traveled to the region where her father's UPA unit was active and interviewed his comrades in arms and contemporaries in the diaspora. Her 20-minute documentary-in-progress - which will be expanded into an hourlong production - takes viewers to her father's birthplace and to the forests in and beyond his native Lemkivschyna region where the UPA waged its valiant struggle.

Mr. Kotlar is seen in the film recounting how UPA units were "constantly on the move, spending not longer than one day in one place." He relates that these units "counted on civilian support" and that is why "entire villages that supported the UPA were destroyed by the enemy."

Mr. Kotlar underscores that "the sacrifices that cost us dearly were not in vain."

The film screening was followed by a question and answer session, during which Ms. Kotlar revealed that she is working on her documentary with a view toward showing it at film festivals. "We need to tell our story - a story about honor," she said.

She said she would like to add the civilian perspective to her narrative, as civilian support was crucial to the functioning of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

Ms. Kotlar also noted that she has found this exhibit "elicits stories" from others who were either in the UPA, played supporting roles, or lived through this difficult period in Ukraine's history.

The same exhibit had been on display at Soyuzivka, the Ukrainian National Association's estate in Kerhonkson, N.Y., over the weekend of July 29-31 as part of a broader conference titled "A Day in the Life of the UPA - Ukrainian Insurgent Army."

For information about viewing the exhibit, readers may call the Ukrainian National Associationm, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3071. The exhibit will be on display at the UNA headquarters building, 2200 Route 10 (westbound), Parsippany, N.J., through November 12.

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