The Ukrainian National Credit Union Association (UNCUA) held its annual meeting and spring conference on June 5-6 in Washington, with 31 participants representing 13 Ukrainian American credit unions participating. Issues discussed during the first day included challenges in increasing membership, the U.S. credit union industry, as well as regulatory issues in Washington. The second day’s events included reports by management and various committees as well as the election of a new board. The year 2015 marked the 60th anniversary of the Selfreliance Baltimore Federal Credit Union and a commemorative plaque was presented to its representative, Stephan Kerda.
On June 7, the Ukrainian Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh marked its 25th anniversary with a concert of Ukrainian music, song and dance at the Frick Fine Arts Building Auditorium that attracted an audience of 170 people. The Ukrainian Nationality Room is one of 29 nationality classrooms at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, which reflects the city’s rich ethnic heritage. Founded on June 17, 1990, the project was the culmination of years of grass-roots fund-raising. A presentation about the Ukrainian Nationality Room, its design and features was given by Dr. Roman G. Kyshakevych, chairman of the Ukrainian Nationality Room Committee. Greetings were delivered by E. Maxine Bruhns, director of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs.
On June 8, the UCCA hosted a meeting with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko in Washington at the Embassy of Ukraine. During their visit to Washington, Mr. Yatsenyuk and Ms. Jaresko met with high-level officials from the Obama administration and members of Congress. At the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum in Washington, Mr. Yatsenyuk became the first prime minister of Ukraine to be invited to address that forum in person. A private dinner that was hosted by the AJC and attended by the Ukrainian delegation allowed the organizers to speak candidly with the prime minister and finance minister of Ukraine.
Jewish leader Joseph Zissels, vice-president of the World Jewish Congress and executive vice-president of the Congress of Ethnic Communities of Ukraine, was hosted by the UCCA on June 11 in New York. Mr. Zissels, a former political dissident who had been imprisoned in the Soviet gulag, did not hold back when explaining the realities on the ground in Ukraine as it is under attack by Russia. He noted that the widespread corruption would require a generational shift in attitudes through education. Having been on the Maidan during the protests of 2013-2014, Mr. Zissels noted how civil society in Ukraine has defied expectations again and again, and has swelled to include 7 million to 8 million volunteers. This, he added, will be studied by future generations when discussing social activism in the 21st century. Mr. Zissels underscored the inclusiveness of the Maidan and the presence of Jews and people of other backgrounds.
The 15th annual Lemko “Vatra” held on June 27-28 at the UAYA camp in Ellenville, N.Y., was sponsored by the Organization for the Defense of Lemko Western Ukraine (OOL). Performers included the Vatra rock group from Lviv, the Karpaty dance ensemble and Ukrainian Lemko singer Sofiya Fedyna, as well as the Korniya folk band from New Paltz, N.Y. There was a children’s song competition, the Vatra Cup soccer tournament and a zabava-dance to the music of Anna Maria. A display with video and poster boards informed visitors about the pervious 15 years of the Lemko Vatra. Ms. Fedyna also gave a presentation as president of the World Federation of Ukrainian Lemko Unions.
Verizon irked the Ukrainian community with its June-July FIOS advertisement that featured a couple flipping channels and, when Ukrainian dancers appeared, saying “Anything but this.” Community activist Irene Jarosewich stated, “…Choosing any ethnic or cultural element as the object of derision is, first and foremost, unethical and, in terms of Marketing 101, is in the Top 10 of Things Not to Do unless you want to anger your customers.” The Embassy of Ukraine also released a statement, noting “…The issue is particularly sensitive at the time when Russian aggression threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty and statehood. …It is our sincere hope that the company [Verizon] will take this fact into consideration.” The Ukrainian Weekly’s editor-in-chief, Roma Hadzewycz called for an apology, and offered to run it in this newspaper. Verizon’s public relations director, Diedre Hart, offered an apology, of sorts, via an e-mail message to The Weekly, “…We sincerely apologize if the commercial offended you. That was not our intent. To that end, that reference is no longer in the commercials. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.” But she declined to offer any further comment.
On June 29, the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York hosted an event to mark the 19th anniversary of Ukraine’s Constitution Day that was organized by the UCCA, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.N. Sergeyev as well as Ukrainian American community activists. The event was attended by more than 50 ambassadors and permanent deputy representatives to the U.S., as well as leaders of Ukrainian community organizations. UCCA President Olexy recalled the opening words of Ukraine’s first Constitution, written in 1710 by Pylyp Orlyk, which states, “Ukraine on both sides of the Dnipro River must remain free from foreign domination for all time to come.” Ukraine’s democratic roots and European tradition can be traced to this first Constitution. The Constitution that was being celebrated that day was passed by the Verkhovna Rada in 1996.
The UAYA’s Nadiya Ye Festival marked its five-year anniversary on July 3-5 at the UAYA camp in Ellenville, N.Y. The headlining act was Lama from Kyiv, with lead vocalist Natalia Dzenkiv. Other performers on the main stage included the Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of New Jersey and DJ Stas. A dance with music by Svitanok in the outdoor pavilion kept the evening’s entertainment going into the wee hours of the morning. The weekend also had a solemn aspect. On Sunday, after liturgy led by Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford, Conn., a memorial ceremony was held for all of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers of the past and present. The event was sponsored by the UAYA and the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine.