PARMA, Ohio – Parma’s Ukrainian American community commemorated the 27th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence with a parade on Saturday, August 25.
The annual parade kicked-off at 11 a.m. from Cleveland Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, the entry way to Ukrainian Village, a 1.5 mile stretch along Parma’s main thoroughfare, State Road. Ukrainian Village, lined by Ukrainian American businesses, hosted the parade, which proceeded past St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to the main stage on the grounds of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, directly across from the Ukrainian Heritage Park dedicated by the City of Parma.
Alex Fedorchuk
Grand Marshal Oleh Mahlay.
The nearly 50 organizations marching in this year’s parade were led by the City of Cleveland Police Honor Guard, Ukrainian American Veterans Post 24, American Legion Post 572 Joseph J. Jacubic and Legion Auxiliary. Participating local businesses and Ukrainian organizations were surrounded by the music of three local high school marching bands: Padua Franciscan, Normandy and Parma high schools.
Stefan Stefaniuk
Members of Ukrainian Academy, the community’s newest preschool and Ukrainian studies school.
All local Ukrainian Churches participated – Orthodox, Catholic and Baptist – as did members of the Eastern European Congress of Ohio. Grand Marshal Oleh Mahlay, an active member of the Parma Ukrainian community and artistic director and conductor of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, greeted the crowds lining the street. The grand marshal was sponsored by the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union – Osnova branch.
The official program in commemoration of the 27th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence was officiated by United Ukrainian Organizations’ Ukrainian Village Committee Chair Roman Fedkiw and Secretary Zoriana Zobniw. Opening prayers were led by Father Michael Hontaruk of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The commemoration began with the raising of the flags by the City of Cleveland Police Color Guard and Ukrainian American Veterans, followed by the singing of the national anthems led by the Taras Shevchenko Bandurist Chorus.
Stefan Stefaniuk
Chair Roman Fedkiw and Secretary Zoriana Zobniw of the United Ukrainian Organizations’ Ukrainian Village Committee lead the program.
The keynote address by Dr. George Jaskiw, vice-president of the United Ukrainian Organizations (which is known by its Ukrainian-based acronym as UZO), highlighted the bittersweet anniversary celebration – a fifth year under unprecedented difficult conditions.
Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, along with Council President Sean Brennan and Councilwoman Kristin Saban, greeted the community and Ukraine on the occasion of Independence Day.
Alex Fedorchuk
Parma’s Normandy High School Band.
Father Bohdan Barytskyy of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral and Father Andrij Hlabse of the Society of Jesus concluded the program with a prayer.
Following the parade, St. Josaphat hosted its annual festival, offering authentic Ukrainian food and drink, live music, activities for kids and various cultural performances.
Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher is president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of the Cleveland area.