STAMFORD, Conn. – Lubow Wolynetz, curator and archival librarian at the Ukrainian Museum and Library of Stamford, Conn., received the Order of Princess Olha, third degree, for her “contributions to preserving and encouraging interest in Ukrainian culture and folk arts in the United States.” She was presented with the award by Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko in a ceremony at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City on September 25.
Since 1982, Mrs. Wolynetz has been involved with the Ukrainian Museum and Library of Stamford, where she is the curator of the collections of folk art, fine arts and religious art, as well as the archival librarian. In addition, also since 1982, she has been the curator of the folk arts collection and program director of the folk art education program at The Ukrainian Museum in New York City.
A professional librarian, prior to 1982, she worked at the Slavic Division of the New York Public Library. She also taught Ukrainian language and literature in high schools in New York City and at St. Basil’s College in Stamford. For decades, she has been a universally respected source of information on Ukrainian culture, particularly the folk arts.
The Order of Princess Olha is a Ukrainian civil decoration, bestowed on women for personal merits in cultural or other spheres of social activities. It was established in 1997 by presidential decree, and is conferred personally by the president. The award had been announced in March 2018, but President Poroshenko presented the award to Mrs. Wolynetz on September 25 when he came to New York City to attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The board of directors of the Ukrainian Museum and Library has planned a testimonial banquet to be held on Sunday, November 18, in Stamford, to honor Mrs. Wolynetz, the institution’s dedicated curator for more than 35 years. The special event will bring together family, friends and colleagues of Mrs. Wolynetz to celebrate her inestimable contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of Ukrainian culture and folks arts in the United States and beyond.
The banquet will take place at the Knights of Columbus Council #41 Center, 509 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT 06902, with cocktails at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 p.m.