Twin cities celebrate annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival (11/12/06)

Twin cities celebrate annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival

by Michael Kozak

MINNEAPOLIS - From their early existence, the Ukrainian communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have jointly conducted their annual get-together events. At first they called them picnics, later they were Ukrainian Days, and most recently they have become Ukrainian Heritage Festivals.

This year's festival was held at the Ukrainian Event Center on Sunday, September 17. It was sponsored by the Association of American Youth of Ukrainian Descent, or ODUM (Natalia Yarr), St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Parish (the Rev. Michael Stelmach), St. Katherine Ukrainian Orthodox Parish (the Rev. Petro Siwko), Ss. Michael and George Ukrainian Orthodox Parish (the Rev. Ewhen Kumka), the Ukrainian American Youth Association, or SUM (Bohdan Kuczwarskyj), Ukrainian Event Center (Mark Pidhayny), Ukrainian Credit Union (Oksana Bryn, Jurij Pedenko), and Ukrainian Engineers' Society (Alex Poletz).

Each year, on a rotating basis, one of the parishes is in charge. This year that function was carried out by St. Constantine Parish.

The Festival Executive Committee included Michaeline Raymond, chairperson; Mr. Poletz, vice-chairperson; Nina Chorewycz, secretary; and Zenon Dawydowycz, treasurer. Members of the committee were: Dr. Walter Anastas, Marta Anderson, Ms. Bryn, Paul Yablonsky, Ivan Kramarczuk, Mr. Kuczwarskyj, Mykola Kramarewsky, Maria Oderman, Valia Poletz and Zina Poletz.

The program of the festival included a variety of Ukrainian songs, music and dances, and the display and sale of Ukrainian arts, crafts and souvenirs. In addition, samples of various Ukrainian traditional foods were sold outside. These generated much interest and complimentary remarks.

The stage show was conducted by Vitalia Bryn Pundyk, Roman Pundyk and Oksana Kushneryk. Volodymyr Anastaziewsky provided explanation for each folk dance performed by the local folk dance ensemble, Cheremosh, under artistic direction of Ken Matlashewsky. Dressed in beautiful Ukrainian costumes, all the dancers performed superbly.

In addition to the dancers, special recognition is due to a young ladies' singing trio called Ukrainochky, composed of Stephany and Kristina Korsunsky and Daria Kushnir; the 5- and 6-year-old Matlashewsky sisters for their impressive dancing and singing; as well as the 10- and 11-year-old Voronchak sisters.

Much beauty and variety was added to the program by a selection of Ukrainian songs performed by professional vocalist Natalie Kramarewsky. Compositions on violin and guitar were performed by Taras Umrysh and Anthony Bayeri. This program was capped by the sentimental sounds played on the bandura of Ukrainian melodies performed by the well-known artist Romana Wasylevych.

To spread knowledge about Ukrainians and their homeland, a very important function was performed by Daria Silvan, a young college student. Throughout the entire program, she appeared on the stage four times and delivered brief information in English about the Ukrainian community and Ukraine. Her presentations generated many positive comments by non-Ukrainian guests. among of them were invited civic officials, who were introduced by Dr. Anastas.

At the closing hours of the festival much excitement and interest were generated by the selection and crowning of the festival's "Kniahynia" (princess) and "Kniaz" (prince). The winners were Daria Silvan and Marc Iwaskewycz.

Contestants in a varenyky-eating contest - six teenagers - generated some excitement of their own. The contest ended in a tie between Tauras Pawluk and Anna Slepomoriy.

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