Opens newly renovated Ukrainian Heritage Museum
JENKINTOWN, Pa. – On October 26, Manor College hosted its fourth Ukraine-focused dialogue on campus. The college welcomed U.S. Congressman and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Brian Fitzpatrick; U.S. Congressman and Ukraine Caucus member Brendan Boyle; the first ambassador of the U.S to Ukraine, Roman Popadiuk; and U.S. Justice Department prosecutor and advisor to the Prosecutor’s Office in Ukraine, Bohdan Vitvitsky. The panel was moderated by Manor College President Dr. Jonathan Peri.
John Welsh
At a panel discussion about Ukrainian-American relations at Manor College (from left) are: U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus; the first U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Roman Popadiuk; Manor College President Dr. Jonathan Peri (moderator); U.S. Justice Department prosecutor and advisor to the Prosecutor’s Office in Ukraine, Bohdan Vitvitsky; and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Congressional Ukraine Caucus.
The program directly complemented Manor College’s mission, which is to offer students a global vision through education. As America’s only Ukrainian heritage college, Manor is commited to being the hub for discussion and deliberation around what Americans can do to help and support Ukraine.
During the panel discussion, when asked about the broader topic of moral implications for America to help Ukraine, Rep. Fitzpatrick stated, “There is further evidence of the U.S. obligation to support Ukraine not just in financial matters but in intelligence sharing and information sharing. We need to provide military assistance and follow words with action.”
Dr. Vitvitsky commented, “Many of our officials on both sides to some degree soft-pedal the nature of the obligations. It is quite clear that we should be providing Ukraine with defensive weapons, given the fact that it is the object of foreign aggression.“
Chrystyna Prokopovych, curator of the Ukrainian Heritage Museum, with Roman Volosevich, maintenance team member, in front of the Ukrainian stove that he built.
The audience, which was made up of approximately 150 Ukrainian and American community members from all states between New York and the District of Columbia, responded to the panelists’ comments with enthusiasm and zeal.
“It is crucial for us as Americans and Manor College as a Ukrainian-founded institution to raise awareness about the needs of our friends in Ukraine. The profile of the issues in Ukraine should not be taking a second seat to much of the nonsense in the news. Real people have been murdered or remain subject to unlawful detainment in Ukraine, where a war has ended the lives of tens of thousands of people. Children are suffering, orphaned with no parents. We had to do something, and we will keep raising the profile,” said Manor College President Peri.
“Thank God we are blessed with a Ukrainian community in America that authentically cares. Now that our museum is renewed, it assists us in renewing the conversations about the needs in Ukraine with a backdrop of cultural beauty that everyone can enjoy,” he added.
Prior to the dialogue, Manor College held a ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony for the reopening of the Ukrainian Heritage Museum, an on-campus museum dedicated to preserving Ukrainian artifacts and culture. The museum is part of the Ukrainian Heritage Studies Center (UHSC) that was founded in 1977 to preserve, promote and perpetuate Ukrainian culture and traditions through educational and cultural programs. In addition to a folk art collection, the UHSC maintains an extensive Ukrainian library and archives.
Leonard and Helena Mazur with Jonathan Peri, president of Manor College, in front of the new Maria Mazur Gallery, named in honor of Mr. Mazur’s mother.
The renovations to the Ukrainian Heritage Museum were made possible due to significant contributions of Leonard and Helen Mazur, Dr. Barbara Zajak and the Ukrainian Catholic Foundation. The museum has a new design from floor to ceiling which includes beautiful lighting, a handmade Ukrainian stove, crystal clear showcases and a welcoming layout. It is home to a new exhibit space, the Maria Mazur Gallery. The Maria Mazur Gallery is an exquisite gallery of handmade pysanky crafted by Mr. Mazur’s mother, Maria Mazur.
All are invited to come and explore the Ukrainian Heritage Museum; call 215-885-2360 to make an appointment.