Minneapolis program honors beloved bard of Ukraine

by Michael Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - Each year during the month of March Ukrainians honor their beloved poet Taras Shevchenko for his role as their guide and the inspiration of their national destiny.

In keeping with this tradition, on Sunday, March 19, parishioners of St. Constantine Church, where the Rev. Canon Michael Stelmach is pastor, solemnly paid tribute to this great son of the Ukrainian people. Through the efforts of Dmytro Tataryn and his wife, Helen, this event was organized by the Ukrainian Saturday School. Teachers Lesya Hutsal and Natalia Shovdra contributed much of their time to make this event a success.

The program was skillfully conducted by college student Marta Khan. She also delivered a speech in Ukrainian about the life of Shevchenko in Ukrainian history. A similar well-prepared presentation in English was made by high school student Daria Silvan.

Twelve recitations of Shevchenko's verses were performed by the students of the Saturday school. Participants were: Lieza Pawluk, Mika Pedro, Aleksa Tataryn, Julianna Pawluk, Sophia Hutsal, Tauras Pawluk, Wolodymyr Smitiuk, Taras Tataryn and Dmytro Hutsal. These recitations were intermingled with explanatory comments by Ms. Khan.

Sentimental feelings were evoked by the singing of the schoolchildren under the direction of Oresta Kuzniak. Afterwards, a deeply moved audience stood up and spontaneously sang Shevchenko's "Testament" (Zapovit).

Upon conclusion of the program, the Rev. Stelmach extended his recognition to the organizers, the participants and the audience, calling on all to preserve and promote the rich heritage of our ancestors. The audience and participants enjoyed coffee, sandwiches and sweets, which were served by the schoolchildren's parents Christine Pedro, Denise Tataryn, Sandra Pawluk, Lesya Hutsal, and grandmothers Michaeline Raymond and Helen Tataryn.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 28, 2006, No. 22, Vol. LXXIV

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