BOOK NOTE: "Persha Zirka," a collection of holiday verses (12/11/05)

BOOK NOTE: "Persha Zirka," a collection of holiday verses

"Persha Zirka: Zbirnyk Vinshuvan," (First Star: A Collection of Verses"), compiled by Eta Archer. Edmonton: Ukrainian Language Education Center, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 2004 (second edition). Softcover, spiral bound, 60 pp. $14.95 (Canadian).

EDMONTON - "Persha Zirka" (First Star) is a collection of folk verse representing elements of the winter cycle. Compiled by Elizabeth (Eta) Archer, it includes verses of greetings and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

The materials were collected primarily from informants in Canada, underscoring the continuing importance of folk practices such as caroling and "vinshuvannia" (greetings for Christmas and the New Year) for new generations of Ukrainian Canadians.

The compiler, Miss Archer, is now 17. The first edition of her book was released in a self-published edition in the fall of 2002; it was later picked up by the Ukrainian Language Education Center at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The second edition is beautifully illustrated by Iryna Karpenko, an Edmonton artist.

Miss Archer dedicates the book to her parents and her friends in Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization. Her book actually began as a Plast project. She sent letters all over Ukraine, Canada and the United States, asking that recipients send her any vinshuvannia they knew. She received over 100 replies and was overwhelmed by this unexpected response.

The verses collected were both old and new, historic and modern. Miss Archer and her mother formatted the collected verses into a book that was sold at the youth Christmas bazaar, with proceeds earmarked to help orphans in Ukraine.

Now, three years later, the author's proceeds from the second edition also benefit Ukraine's orphans.

The spiral-bound book of 60 pages of Ukrainian-language vinshuvannia has been found to be a handy resource for "koliadnyky," or carolers, as they go house to house in keeping with Ukrainian tradition, and offer best wishes and blessings to their hosts.

The book contains a bilingual (Ukrainian-English) foreword and preface that briefly explain the significance of Ukrainian folk verses and traditions, as well as such collections of folklore.

Miss Archer says of the book: "In my opinion, 'Persha Zirka' is a resource that strengthens ties to our heritage and allows us to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our culture."

The book may be purchased for $14.95 (Canadian), or $12.95 (U.S.), plus shipping and applicable taxes, from: Ukrainian Language Resource Center, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, 450 Athabasca Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E8, Canada.

Inquiries can be made by fax, (780) 492-4967, or e-mail, [email protected].

| Home Page |