Sixty years after ethnocidal Akcja Wisla, Lemkos work to preserve ...

INSIDE:• Ukrainian American cycles cross-country for a cause — page 9.• “An Artful Afternoon” highlights 14 artists — page 11.• Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus performs in New York — page 15.THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYPublished by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit associationVol. LXXV No. 21 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007Sixty years after ethnocidal Akcja Wisla,Lemkos work to preserve their heritageby Zenon ZawadaKyiv Press BureauThis is the first of the two-part series.LVIV – For 60 years, hundreds ofthousands of Lemkos have thrived in thediaspora after being forced by the Polishgovernment from their ancestral homeland,which would forever lose itsUkrainian character.Wherever they settled, the Lemkosfiercely preserved the Ukrainian language,culture and traditions, with theirunique Lemko accent.At the fourth Congress of the WorldFederation of Ukrainian Lemko Unionsheld in Lviv May 5, perhaps no one bettersummed up Lemko contributions tothe diaspora than Ukrainian WorldCoordinating Council Chair DmytroPavlychko, whose father served withLemkos in the Austro-Hungarian army.“Lemkos are the most suffering andA prayer service to the Most HolyMother of God was led before the crossby Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop ofLviv Ihor Vozniak, joined by UkrainianCatholic bishops and clergy and RomanCatholic Auxiliary Bishop of LvivMarian Buczek. Also participating weremembers of various male and femalereligious orders. Afterwards ArchbishopVozniak blessed the cross.“We are standing in an extraordinaryplace, where the new cross was justblessed,” said Archbishop Vozniak in hisgreeting after the blessing ceremony. “Insome time, buildings of the universitytown will stand here, where the youth ofUkraine will acquire knowledge andappropriate Christian spiritual formation.”The archbishop said that not only theUCU community and friends should beconcerned about this planned buildingproject for an academic and spiritualcenter, but also the people of Lviv, forwhom this educational institution “is andshould be a source of modest pride,” andall Ukrainians. “The university bringsscholarly and spiritual change not only tothose who study and teach at it, but tothe whole society,” he added.Dr. Ivan Vakarchuk, rector of IvanFranko National University in Lviv, alsospoke at the gathering. The UCU’s rector,the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak, notedthat Dr. Vakarchuk, also a member of theUCU Senate, is himself a co-builder ofthe UCU.Petro Oliinyk, head of the LvivRegion Oblast Administration, said in hisspeech before the crowd that the governbyOksana ShkodzinskaLVIV – On May 22 the UkrainianCatholic University (UCU) in Lvivkicked off the next stage of its development,as in the presence of local representativesof the church, government andeducational institutions, the cross wasmost patriotic part of the Ukrainiannation,” Mr. Pavlychko, a longtimeadmirer of Lemko culture, said to exuberantapplause. “Where there areLemkos, there is Ukraine.”As more than 500 Lemko leaders representingseven nations convened at theLiudkevych Lviv Philharmonic betweenMay 4 and 6 to commemorate the 60thanniversary of Akcja Wisla and celebratetheir achievements since, they also confrontedan uncertain future for their people.Unable to re-establish a life in theirnative Lemkivschyna (currently thesouthern parts of the Podkarpackie andMalopolskie voivodships in Poland),Lemko leaders continue to work towardsfinding ways to thrive in the diaspora,whether in Ukraine, Europe, NorthAmerica or within Poland itself.Even the speeches delivered at thecongress revealed the Lemkos’ new sta-blessed for UCU’s new “student town,”which will include modern dormitories, alibrary, museum, classroom buildings,chapel and conference center. The site ofthe cross on Stryiska Street had beenblessed by Pope John Paul II during hisvisit to Ukraine in June 2001.The May 22 ceremonies started with aby Zenon ZawadaKyiv Press BureauKYIV – The tide in Ukraine’s politicalcrisis appeared to turn in favor of thecoalition government led by PrimeMinister Viktor Yanukovych after threejudges dismissed by President ViktorYushchenko took control of theConstitutional Court, leading it to its firstverdict in at least nine months. The verdicthappened to be in the coalition’s favor, asit questioned the president’s authority toappoint or dismiss top judges.More importantly, the constitutionalcourt is expected to rule soon that theApril 26 presidential decree to dismissParliament was unconstitutional, whichmay give the coalition government afirm upper hand when brokering a resolutionto the conflict with the president.Desperation within the PresidentialSecretariat became apparent when Mr.(Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 27)procession of the UCU community,including students of Holy SpiritSeminary, together with UkrainianCatholic bishops and clergy, as well assupporters the UCU. They walked fromthe university’s campus on SventsitskyStreet through Stryiskyi Park on a warmand sunny day.$1/$2 in UkraineWith no end to the crisis in sight,the tide in Ukraine turns yet againOfficial Website of the President of UkrainePresident Viktor Yushchenko told foreigninvestors on May 23 that the workinggroup set up to overcome Ukraine’spolitical crisis had “exhausted itself”and pledged that any further stepstaken would be “based only on the law.”Cross blessed for student town of Ukrainian Catholic UniversityUkrainian Catholic Archbishop of Lviv Ihor Vozniak blesses the cross for the new “student town” of the Ukrainian CatholicUniversity in Lviv. (Continued on page 27)

2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21ANALYSISUkraine’s “political tourism”and managed civil societyby Taras KuzioEurasia Daily MonitorParliamentary Assembly of the Councilof Europe (PACE) experts on Ukrainehave pointed out that the ongoing “Bluemaidan” demonstrations in downtownKyiv’s Independence Square are incompatiblewith democracy. Although themaidan 2007 demonstrations are takingplace in the same location as those stagedby the “orange” supporters of then-presidentialcandidate Viktor Yushchenko in2004, today’s gatherings are not voluntary.Rather, they are funded and managedby Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’sParty of the Regions through the use ofso-called political tourism.“It should be stressed that maidan2007 is not Maidan 2004. If the OrangeRevolution was based on broad popularsupport of faith in the improved runningof the country and a better future, today’sdemonstrations, on the whole, are artificiallymanaged by both sides”(maidan.org.ua, April 18).Verkhovna Rada Chairman OleksanderMoroz, whose Socialist Party (SPU) is amember of the Yanukovych’s ruling Anti-Crisis Coalition, admitted, “All of thecoalitions, meetings and actions in the lastfew weeks are the result of political technologyand not examples of civic action”(maidan.org.ua, April 16).Paid political tourism was condemnedby President Yushchenko, who demandedthat the Procurator’s General Office investigatethe tales of students and high schoolpupils pressured to give up their studiesby Pavel KordubanEurasia Daily MonitorOn May 21, the Constitutional Courtof Ukraine (CC) closed proceedingsrelated to President Viktor Yushchenko’sApril 2 decree to disband Parliament.This was a pure formality, as Mr.Yushchenko had on April 26 invalidatedhis own decree by issuing another decreedisbanding Parliament and reschedulingan early parliamentary election for June24. The CC launched proceedings on theApril 26 decree on May 14.No matter in whose favor the CC maydeliver its verdict, the opposing side willhardly recognize it. This is because thecourt has lost credibility, become incapacitatedby political pressure, dismissalsand resignations of its judges, and beendiscredited by allegations of corruption.In this situation, no legal ruling can solvethe political crisis caused by Mr.Yushchenko’s decision to disband theVerkhovna Rada. The ultimate solutioncan apparently only be political, reachedbetween Prime Minister ViktorCorrectionThe story “Thirty years ago: Greetingsfrom Earth … in Ukrainian” (May 13) byYaro Bihun contained two inaccuracies.While Cornell University had activeSlavic and Ukrainian clubs, AndrijCehelsky was a member only of theUkrainian Club. Similarly, while he wasa member of a number of UkrainianKozak dancing groups inspired by thepopular Kuban Cossaks of that period, hedid not dance with the latter ensemble.when they participated in the blue maidan.A Tymoshenko bloc appeal to theprosecutor and Security Service ofUkraine complained that students andhigh school pupils were both losing outon their studies and being placed in physicaldanger. Earlier this month an illegallyoperating mini-bus organized by theParty of the Regions crashed en route toKyiv, putting the high school passengersin the hospital (byut.com.ua, May 4).There is a crucial difference between the2004 Orange and 2007 Blue maidans: theformer was largely the work of spontaneous,self-organized civil society, while thelatter is the product of a managed civil societythat has emerged out of the managed,one-party democracy still prevalent in Mr.Yanukovych’s home region of Donetsk.The 2007 Blue maidan is discreditedby reports of Blue supporters being paidto travel to Ukraine; similar reports aboutOrange voters in 2004 do not exist. TheGuardian (April 5) wrote, “However, itwas clear that not all Mr. Yanukovych’sprotesters had willingly traveled to Kiev[sic]” and quoted “Lyosha” from KrivyiRih in eastern Ukraine: “I only came herebecause I work at a metallurgical plantwhich belongs to an oligarch who supportsYanukovych. ... They sent 40 of ushere in a bus and they’re giving us 100hrv [$20] per day,” she admitted.Maidan.org.ua (March 28, 31, April 5)reprinted information distributed in easternUkraine, offering the opportunity toundertake paid political tourism in Kyiv.(Continued on page 18)Constitutional Court under pressureYanukovych and President Yushchenko.As early as April 9, Parliament issueda statement accusing Mr. Yushchenko of“putting unprecedented pressure” onConstitutional Court judges. The followingday, Mr. Yushchenko’s representativeat the CC, Volodymyr Shapoval, said thatany verdict regarding Mr. Yushchenko’sApril 2 decree would be purely political.Mr. Shapoval made his comments evenbefore the CC officially started lookinginto the presidential decree, which happenedon April 11.From the very beginning, both sides tothe conflict apparently agreed on onepoint: the CC would not rule in Mr.Yushchenko’s favor. His team and themedia backing the president were convincedthat the majority of the CC’s 18judges sympathized with the Mr.Yanukovych camp and were “corrupt.”Mr. Yanukovych’s side has insisted thatMr. Yushchenko’s decision to disbandParliament had been unconstitutional.In this situation, the strategy of theYushchenko team has been to incapacitatethe CC, while the Yanukovych camphas been at pains to maintain the statusquo. On April 16 the Security Service ofUkraine (SBU), which is loyal to Mr.Yushchenko, accused CC Judge SuzannaStanik of corruption, saying that someproperty had been handed over to herclose relative, apparently in return forcertain services. Mr. Stanik flatly deniedthis, and her husband alleged, in an interviewwith Channel 5 on April 24, that hehad been offered a “big sum of money”himself in return for influencing his wife.On April 18 representatives of Yulia(Continued on page 19)President, PM fail to agreeKYIV – President Viktor Yushchenkoand Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych onMay 21 talked for more than five hoursbehind closed doors but failed to set a datefor early parliamentary elections, Ukrainianmedia reported. No statement was issuedfollowing their talks. Meanwhile, theConstitutional Court announced the sameday that it has stopped assessing the validityof Mr. Yushchenko’s April 2 decree dissolvingthe Verkhovna Rada and setting snapelections for May 27, and began consideringhis decree of April 26, which invalidated thefirst one and rescheduled early polls for June24. The previous week, presidential chief ofstaff Viktor Baloha said Mr. Yushchenkowill ignore any Constitutional Court rulingon his decrees. Previously, on May 16,Messrs. Yushchenko and Yanukovych alsofailed to agree on a date for early parliamentaryelections, when the working group theycreated a week earlier to deal with the crisisfailed to supply them with the unanimouslyapproved package of bills needed for pretermelections. Later that same day, some20,000 supporters of Yanukovych and theVerkhovna Rada rallied on IndependenceSquare in Kyiv. (RFE/RL Newsline)President rules out use of forceKYIV – President Viktor Yushchenkotold a forum of foreign investors in Kyiv onMay 23 that he will not take any decision toresolve the ongoing conflict between himand Parliament by force, Ukrainian mediareported. “The only way to overcome theparliamentary crisis ... is to hold pre-termelections. I want to say that every step I’mgoing to take in the future will be basedonly on law,” Mr. Yushchenko said. TheUkrainian president also said the workinggroup that he and Prime Minister ViktorYanukovych set up earlier this month todeal with the crisis has “exhausted itself,”and is now being used to “drag out thenegotiation process.” Mr. Yushchenkopromised that lawmakers from the oppositionYulia Tymoshenko Bloc and OurUkraine will take part in a session of theVerkhovna Rada next week, following theexpected announcement later this week of adate for early parliamentary elections. TheYulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our UkraineNEWSBRIEFSstopped attending parliamentary debatesafter the president issued a decree on April2 dissolving the Verkhovna Rada and callingfor snap elections. (RFE/RL Newsline)PM says Rada should pass billsKYIV – Prime Minister ViktorYanukovych said at a government meetingon May 23 that the Verkhovna Rada shouldurgently consider a number of bills on holdingearly elections, Ukrainian media reported.Mr. Yanukovych said he would meetwith President Viktor Yushchenko later thatday to press him to accept the adoption assoon as possible of a “small package of billsto ensure honest and transparent elections.”Mr. Yanukovych reiterated his earlier stancethat pre-term elections should be held in thefall. “[Setting] the date of early elections isnow considered possible. If the electionstake place, they will be held in lateSeptember or early October,” Mr.Yanukovych noted. Presidential SecretariatChairman Viktor Baloha told journalists onMay 22 that the date set down in the president’ssecond decree – June 24 – remains inforce, but he added that Mr. Yushchenko isprepared to move back the date to enablethe adoption of necessary legislativechanges. (RFE/RL Newsline)PACE offers Ukraine help in crisisKYIV – Rene van der Linden, head ofthe Parliamentary Assembly of the Councilof Europe (PACE), said in Kyiv on May21 that the PACE is ready to provide assistanceto Ukraine in tackling the currentpolitical crisis, UNIAN reported. Mr. Vander Linden was meeting with VerkhovnaRada Chairman Oleksander Moroz. Mr.Moroz said he does not oppose early elections,but added that they should only beheld following appropriate amendments tothe Constitution of Ukraine and other legalchanges. (RFE/RL Newsline)Recalling Stalin’s victims in BykivniaKYIV – President Victor Yushchenko onMay 20 took part in a wreath-laying ceremonyand attended a church service tohonor the victims of the totalitarian regimeburied in mass graves in Bykivnia. “We arenow standing in Ukraine’s biggest ceme-(Continued on page 20)THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY FOUNDED 1933An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc.,a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45.Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices.(ISSN — 0273-9348)The Weekly:UNA:Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor-in-chief: Roma HadzewyczThe Ukrainian WeeklyEditors:2200 Route 10 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv)P.O. Box 280Matthew DubasParsippany, NJ 07054The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: staff@ukrweekly.comThe Ukrainian Weekly, May 27, 2007 No. 21, Vol. LXXVCopyright © 2007 The Ukrainian WeeklyADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODAWalter Honcharyk, administratorMaria Oscislawski, advertising managerMariyka Pendzola, subscriptions(973) 292-9800, ext. 3041e-mail: ukradmin@att.net(973) 292-9800, ext. 3040e-mail: adsukrpubl@att.net(973) 292-9800, ext. 3042e-mail: ukrsubscr@att.net

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 3NEWS ANALYSIS: Politicians’ views on media reveal divergent valuesby Marta DyczokRFE/RL NewslineMarta Dyczok is an associate professorin history and political science at theUniversity of Western Ontario. The viewsexpressed do not necessarily reflect thoseof RFE/RL.A look at Ukraine’s mass media providesinteresting insight into the ongoingpolitical standoff in Ukraine. Because thecountry finally has a relatively freemedia, the behavior of the various politicalactors is reasonably visible. Theiractions toward the media, in turn, revealthe divergence in political values that areat the heart of the crisis.The current situation is very much acontinuation of the political strugglefrom 2004. One of the slogans of theOrange Revolution was “No More Lies!”(Ni Brekhni!), and since coming topower President Viktor Yushchenko hasstarted to deliver on this promise.However, after the Party of the Regionsof Mr. Yushchenko’s rival, ViktorYanukovych, won at the parliamentarypolls in the spring of 2006, they and theircoalition partners have been enacting acreeping coup, slowly moving back intopositions of power and reintroducing theold way of doing things. Nowhere is thismore visible than in the media.So the real question is: What kind ofrelationship does the government havewith the media? Messrs. Yushchenko andYanukovych appear to have very differentideas about the relationship betweenthe media and the state.Since becoming president, Mr.Yushchenko has adopted a liberalapproach to media policy, with minimalstate intervention beyond general regulatorymeasures and overseeing a slowprocess of removing the state from mediaownership. He has allowed the media towrite, print, broadcast and post whateverthey wish, and this has allowed freedomof speech to flourish for the first time inthe country’s recent history.Despite facing constant criticism fromthe media, Mr. Yushchenko has not takenany steps to reintroduce state-sponsoredcensorship, and this is the behavior of ademocratic leader. Where Mr.Yushchenko falls short, as with so manyother issues, is in doing little to introduceor facilitate structural changes that wouldhelp consolidate these gains.Prime Minister Yanukovych and hiscoalition partners are taking advantage ofthis and gradually moving to re-establishcontrol – the creeping coup. Their behaviortoward the media suggests that theirpolitical culture remains stuck in pre-2004 semi-authoritarianism.A telling incident occurred shortlyafter the Party of the Regions began itspolitical comeback. On July 12, 2006,only a few months after the elections,Party of the Regions National DeputyOleh Kalashnikov assaulted two journalistsjust outside Parliament.The journalists, Marharyta Sytnyk andVolodymyr Novosad from STB television,had the audacity to film him nearthe Verkhovna Rada. Despite a majoroutcry from journalists, Mr. Kalashnikovfaced no consequences – he continues tosit in Parliament and make statementsabout the importance of constitutionalgovernment and the rule of law.Since the Kalashnikov incident,attacks on the media, some physical,have increased. A recent example tookplace on March 30, when Crimean journalistsOlena Mekhanyk and OleksanderKhomenko of the Chornomorka televisionstation were attacked as they filmedcoalition supporters boarding trains headedfor Kyiv.Kuchma-era tactics such as legalactions, harassment and other forms ofintimidation have been on the rise. Thepioneering Ukrayinska Pravda websitehas been sued six times during the lastsix months by Verkhovna Rada ChairmanOleksander Moroz.Rynat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richestman and an influential member of theParty of the Regions, recently launchedlegal action against the popular websiteObozrevatel, after its reporter TetyanaChornovil found some of Mr.Akhmetov’s old neighbors from hishometown of Oktiabrskoye and publisheda series of stories about his youth.The newspaper in 2000 ran whatturned out to be a fabricated story, whichfalsely quoted Renate Wohlwend, rapporteurwith the Parliamentary Assembly ofthe Council of Europe (PACE), as sayingthat Mr. Yushchenko’s April 2 decree dissolvingParliament was unconstitutionaland he should resign.Equally troubling was a remark to thepress by Vadym Dolhanov, the husbandof Constitutional Court Judge SuzannaStanik, who was dismissed by Mr.Yushchenko as the court was consideringthe legality of the president’s April 2decree. Responding to a question from afemale journalist about the couple’s propertyholdings, Mr. Dolhanov respondedby asking the journalist what kind ofunderwear she was wearing.The Yanukovych team has also slowlybeen trying to re-establish structural controlover the media. After the 2006 parliamentaryelections, the majority coalition(the Communists, Socialists and theParty of the Regions) appointed theirown loyalists, Eduard Prutnik and IhorChaban, to head the State Committee forTV and Radio Broadcasting.On March 20, the state-controlledUkrainian National Television Channel 1canceled its only political debate program,“Toloka,” one day after YuliaTymoshenko and Our Ukraine leaderViacheslav Kyrylenko were guests on theshow and had positive comments from80 percent of callers.There was also an attempt to circumventthe parliamentary Freedom ofSpeech Committee, which is led byTymoshenko ally Andrii Shevchenko.Some members of the committee metwithout him and elected Party of theRegions lawmaker Olena Bondarenkoacting chair on April 26.How have journalists reacted to all ofthis? At best, their response can bedescribed as mixed. Although a trulyindependent media does not exist anywhere,Ukraine’s media has further to gotoward this ideal than some. Despite theimprovement in working conditions afterthe end of state-sponsored censorship,overall the professionalism of many journalistsremains woefully poor.The basic elements of professionalism,autonomy, distinct professional norms,and public-service orientation are largelymissing. Only one media outlet, maidan.org.ua,bothered to check the sourceof the Strasbourg disinformation story.Most media outlets simply reprinted whatwas fed to them.Many journalists still lack a clearunderstanding of the role the media playin a democratic society and, despiteimprovements, the media are still notachieving their main purpose of providingclear, balanced and in-depth informationand analysis of major events. Thosewho work for coalition-controlled mediaoutlets continue to print and broadcastwhat they are told. Ukraina TV’sunflinching adherence to the Party of theRegions party line is one demonstrationof the extent of this problem.A new tendency – noted by OlhaHerasymyuk, a former television personalityand current Our Ukraine nationaldeputy – is that journalists are increasinglyavoiding difficult topics relating tothe coalition. “I am noticing that journalistsare refraining from critical toneswhen reporting on the coalition or governmentactivities,” she said during arecent interview. “It’s clear that they arebecoming increasingly frightened.”Given the renewed pressures they arefacing, this return to self-censorship ishardly surprising.There is, nonetheless, some good newsand reason for optimism. Great strideshave been made in developing investigativejournalism, a genre practically nonexistentin the era of former PresidentLeonid Kuchma. Channel 5, the websiteObozrevatel, and STB TV all conductedindependent investigations into allegationsof corruption among ConstitutionalCourt judges when the latest crisis broke.Analytical programs have alsoimproved, with two shows really standingout: “Ya Tak Dumayu” (This is WhatI Think), hosted by Anna Bezulyk onStudio 1+1; and “Five Kopeks” (besttranslated as Your Two Cents) withRoman Chaika on Channel 5.To some degree, innovation is also onthe rise. On April 13 a group of nationaland regional television stations staged a“Day Without Politicians on TV,” wherethey deliberately avoided inviting theusual talking heads and provided theirviewers with an alternative perspectiveCommentary by Tatiana Silina inDzerkalo Tyzhnia on the web, April7-13:“It is no secret that many Europeanpoliticians, who were gladly wearingorange scarves two years ago, are sighingwith relief today: how good that wedidn’t go too far in our relations withthat unpredictable country! …“Europe is sick and tired of theUkraine problem. This country is losingthe last of their favorable attitudesand its last chances for fruitful cooperation.Europe is fed up with Ukraine’sobscure problems.“Europe has apprehensions thateven a successful settlement of the currentcrisis might be followed by anothercrisis in a couple of months.“Europe sees no guarantees that theappeased Ukrainian politicians will immediatelystart reforms and work day andnight for the good of this country. Europesees no such leader at the moment.“Europe has never had any illusionsabout [Prime Minister Viktor]Yanukovych, is disillusioned about[president Viktor] Yushchenko, and isstill mistrustful about [opposition leaderYulia] Tymoshenko – an unknown entitywith strong populist and authoritarianinclinations.“More likely than not, few will volunteerto mediate between the conflictingsides. By far, such statements ofintent have only come from PolishPresident Kaczynski (who would liketo make himself known in the eyes ofthe European community) and theRussians (who are always ready to lendtheir younger brother a helping hand).“Big European leaders are in nohurry to soil their hands and reputationsin these dirty political squabbles.on the news. It seems that the politicalculture and professionalism of journalistsare improving, but to a large degree continueto reflect the major political divisionsin society.Two final points concern the internationaldimension. Mr. Yanukovych andhis coalition partners are appealing toWestern public opinion, despite renewingpressures on the media at home. Mr.Moroz, leader of the Socialist Party, publishedhis thoughts on the crisis on thepages of the International HeraldTribune, not Izvestiya – a huge changefrom 2004, when the focus was onMoscow.The tone of Western reporting on Mr.Yanukovych and the coalition haschanged, too. On April 22, a DailyTelegraph article described the Ukrainianprime minister as “a former weightlifterand onetime racing driver,” who speaks“in the soft baritone that accompanies hisdeceptively mild manner” when heexplains that “ ‘the Ukrainian peoplehave an old democratic tradition.’ ” Nomention was made of his criminal record,the well-reported falsification of the 2004election, or the creeping coup d’état thatprecipitated the current crisis.The struggle between these two politicalblocs, and their very different politicalcultures, is likely to continue. Thedegree and nature of state interventioninto the work of the media will remain animportant indicator of just how far democraticconsolidation has progressed inUkraine.IN THE PRESS: Commentaryon Ukraine’s political crisisWhatever is happening in Ukrainetoday is no longer taken as a fightbetween good and evil, betweendemocracy and authoritarianism.“It is perfectly clear to everyone inthe world that this is nothing but aninane grasping after power – for personalreasons, not as a means of servingthis country.”Editorial in the Kyiv Post, April 12:“Analysts and pundits working forboth sides in the current political standoffagree that the timing of the crisisindicates that the real battle beingwaged is first and foremost for thecountry's economic resources. …“It is always easier to pass blameand to assign responsibility for internalproblems to external forces. But thereare enough large and independent economicplayers within the country, whohave remained largely on the sidelinesduring the crisis.“Their voices have yet to be heard,and their actions can help resolve thestandoff for the benefit of the country'seconomy and democracy.“The first name to come to mind is thatof the man who is reportedly the country'srichest: Rynat Akhmetov. It is up to peoplelike him to take a clear, pro-Ukraineposition in this political crisis. …“They cannot put their businessinterests ahead of the country. They aremost capable of telling Yanukovych toback off. Doing so would ultimatelybenefit Ukraine and their businesses.“If they fail to do so, they will showthat they have not changed since theOrange Revolution. Their true colors willsurface and they will dispel any hopesthat they are genuinely pro-Ukrainianbusinessmen and politicians. …”

4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Ukrainian Catholic University reception in Kyiv aims to build support baseby Zenon ZawadaKyiv Press BureauKYIV – The Ukrainian CatholicUniversity (UCU) hosted its first Kyivreception on May 17 with the aim ofcommemorating the fifth anniversary ofits inauguration and beginning to buildits support base in the nation’s capital.More than 150 guests arrived for theevening reception at the Apostolic Nuncio’sresidence, including Ukrainian and internationalbusinessmen, lawyers, governmentofficials and Ukrainian Catholic andRoman Catholic Church leaders.In a promising start to UCU’s fundraisingefforts in Kyiv, Apostolic Nuncioto Ukraine Ivan Jurkovic presentedPatriarch Lubomyr Husar with a personaldonation from Pope Benedict XVI of100,000 euros ($135,219) to support theuniversity.“It’s a very beautiful gesture,” saidFather Borys Gudziak, Ph.D., the rectorof UCU. “In his statement addressed toUkraine in April, he commended the governmentfor recognizing theology andUCU. Now we have this beautiful surprise,which goes a long way for us.”Patriarch Husar, Father Gudziak andApostolic Nuncio Jurkovic deliveredbrief remarks on the UCU’s five years ofgrowth, the successes of which includethe new 59,000-square-foot Faculty ofTheology and Philosophy building andlibrary.For Father Gudziak, the participationof UCU students in the OrangeRevolution was significant because theydefended principles of freedom anddemocracy in Ukraine.Patriarch Husar told the guests, manyof whom received their first exposure tothe UCU, that it is the first Catholic universityon the territory of the formerSoviet Union.“This is not a Lviv or Halychyna institutionexclusively, though the headquartersand main place of activity is the cityof Lviv today,” Patriarch Husar said.“But this is a Ukrainian CatholicUniversity envisioned for Ukraine. Wehope that within a very short time, thisuniversity will be active in the capitalcity Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine.”In its most significant academicaccomplishment, the UCU leadershipsuccessfully lobbied Ukraine’s Ministryof Education to grant government recognitionlast year to bachelor’s degrees andmaster’s degrees in theology for the firsttime.“In the name of the Holy See, I wantto express sincere thanks to theUkrainian government, which, takinginto account the Church’s efforts, gavethe UCU the first state accreditation oftheological degrees in Ukraine,” FatherJurkovic said. “This step in a definiteway helped to cardinally correct historicalinjustice, born in a system that placesideological principles above the dignityof the nation and its inviolable rights forspiritual self-determination.”Since 1999 the UCU has graduated400 students whose academic achievementsweren’t recognized by theUkrainian government, Father Gudziaksaid. “It was a sign of witness on theirpart that they believed in the educationthe school had to give and they were willingto swim against the current,” he said.“What was noteworthy that I’d like tobring before you today is that many ofthose theology students were women. Forthe first time in 1,000 years of Christianhistory in Ukraine, women received adegree of theology in their own land.Seven years later, this degree was recognized(in 2006),” Father Gudziak underscored.The UCU is currently working withthe National Academy of Sciences tosecure government recognition of thecandidate of science and doctor of sciencedegrees in theology.The May 17 reception was originallyplanned to be the official inauguration ofthe UCU’s Kyiv office, with a possiblefund-raising component.However, the organizing committeedecided to accept an offer from theApostolic Nunciature to host the event,which doesn’t allow for fund-raising, saidNatalia Klymovska, the director of informationand external affairs for the UCUwho directed the committee’s efforts.The decision was buttressed by PopeBenedict XVI’s April statement toUkraine’s new ambassador to the HolySee, Tetiana Izhevska, in which heexpressed support for the UCU and commendedthe Ukrainian government forrecognizing its theology degrees.“We thought the first step would be avery nice opportunity for people to meeteach other at the Nunciature,” Ms.Klymovska said. “Once we’ve made theinitial step introducing ourselves, thenwe can cooperate further. We are not onlyImmediate job openingatTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYFull-time layout artist based at our office inParsippany, N.J.Position requires knowledge of QuarkXpress, Adobe Photoshop,Microsoft Office, etc. for Macintosh systems. Knowledge of InDesign aplus. Bilingual (English/Ukrainian) skills a definite plus.Position involves photo scanning and editing, advertising design, pagedesign and layout, typesetting in English and Ukrainian, troubleshooting.Those interested in an opportunity to join The Ukrainian Weekly’s productionteam are encouraged to send a resume and a cover letterexplaining their interest in the position, along with salary requirements,to: Editor-in-Chief, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; or to staff@ukrweekly.com.For information call 973-292-9800, ext. 3049Apostolic Nuncio Ivan Jurkovic, Ukrainian Catholic Church Patriarch LubomyrHusar and Ukrainian Catholic University Rector Borys Gudziak address a May 17reception in support of the university at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kyiv.requesting, but wanting to share withpeople the wealth of programs the UCUhas to offer.”The change in plans didn’t affect theinterest or participation of the now burgeoningUCU community in Kyiv. TheUkrainian Catholic Education Foundation(UCEF) was able to give information onthe UCU to the guests as they departed.Among those leading Kyiv’s UCUcommunity is Andrii Hunder, director ofcorporate communications and publicaffairs for Pleon Talan, an internationalprivate and public sector consulting firm.Born and raised in London, Mr. Hunderwas a seminary student at UCU’s Romecampus for ten years before entering thefield of public relations.“We want people to know the UCU,”he said. “The main supporters of theUCU are the diaspora, especially in theU.S. However, there are manyUkrainians and people living in UkraineKyiv City Council names streetin honor of Metropolitan Lypkivskywho can follow the example of theUkrainian diaspora in the U.S. and startmaking fund-raising donations for theUCU in Ukraine.”Also in attendance was BorysTarasyuk, the former foreign affairs ministerand leader of the Rukh-UkrainianRight Wing Bloc that will run in the pretermparliamentary elections.Father Gudziak said he discussed withMr. Tarasyuk the endangered status ofcertain diaspora academic institutionsthat are in dire need of support from theUkrainian government because privatefunds have been exhausted. In particular,the Ukrainian Free University in Munich,Germany, and the Shevchenko ScientificSociety in Sarcelles, France, need help.Meanwhile, the UCU has its own constructionplans, Father Gudziak said.On May 22, the UCU community will(Continued on page 18)Zenon ZawadaUkrainian World CongressTORONTO – Back on August 26,2006, the Kyiv City Council voted torename Uritsky Street in the center ofKyiv Metropolitan Vasyl LypkivskyStreet. The Ukrainian World Congresswas most instrumental in this effort, viadirect communications and personalmeetings at Kyiv’s City Hall.The matter was initiated by theUkrainian Orthodox Brotherhood fromNorthport, Fla., in January 2003 butreceived a negative response fromDeputy Mayor M. Poshyvanov. In April2004 the Brotherhood repeated itsrequest in a letter to Mayor OleksanderOmelchenko and again in August 2005.In February 2006, a member of theKyiv Commission on street naming andsite designation, Serhii Bilokin informedthe brotherhood that the commission haddecided unanimously on January 25,2006 to recommend the renaming.Unfortunately, recommendations bycity commissions are non-binding on theKyiv City Administration or the KyivCity Council. No further action wastaken until the Ukrainian OrthodoxBrotherhood asked the UWC to take onthis project and the UWC sent its firstletter in December 2006 to current mayorof Kyiv, Leonid Chernovetsky. The letterwas followed up with personal communicationsand meetings in Kyiv with variousdeputy mayors, committee chairs andfaction leaders.Finally all the fractions in the KyivCity Council in whole or part, except theSocialists, agreed to support the proposaland it was placed on the Kyiv CityCouncil agenda for April 26.Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivskyj, one ofthe founders and the primate of theUkrainian Autocephalous OrthodoxChurch, lived on the subject street inKyiv and served as pastor of theSolomenska parish nearby beginning in1905. On May 9, 1919, he celebrated thefirst Ukrainian-language liturgry in St.Michael Sobor in Kyiv, an act for whichhe was defrocked by the Russian Church.In 1921 he was elected metropolitan ofthe Ukrainian Autocephalous OrthodoxChurch. Persecuted by the Soviets, hewas arrested in 1938 and executed.Moisei Uritsky was a Ukrainian-bornsecret police activist in Petrograd duringthe October Revolution. In the course ofproceedings involving the renaming,UWC President Askold S. Lozynskyj metwith, among others, Deputy MayorVolodymyr Holovach, who proposed thatthe UWC compile a list of streets in Kyivit proposes should be renamed in futureKyiv City Council action. The UWCintends to pursue this proposal.

No. 21Coalition for a Secure and Democratic Ukrainemeets with Ukrainian national deputies in D.C.WASHINGTON – Members of theCoalition for a Secure and DemocraticUkraine met with members of the UkrainianParliament’s Ukraine-U.S. Caucus on April27 to discuss Ukraine’s current political situation,economic development in Ukraineand the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.The three parliamentarians from Ukrainewere Oksana Bilozir (Our Ukraine), OlehBilorus (Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc) and LeonidKozhara (Party of the Regions). The meetingtook place at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’soffice in Washington.The deputies agreed that Ukraine currentlyfaces a political crisis and that there is anurgent need to resolve the stalemate in orderto focus on priorities that will move thecountry forward; however, they differed onthe means to accomplish this.Mr. Bilorus and Ms. Bilozir agreed on theneed to have early elections to gain a newmandate for government and supportedUkrainian President Viktor Yushchenko’ssecond decree dissolving Parliament, whileMr. Kozhara stated that both of the president’sdecrees were unconstitutional.Mr. Kozhara also said that the prime minister’sgovernment was most effective inmoving Ukraine forward and warned of thedanger that would befall Ukraine in terms ofstifling economic progress if the YuliaTymoshenko Bloc was elected into government.He also said he did not believe thatinternational mediation could effectivelyassist in the resolution of the crisis.Addressing Ukraine’s relationship with theUnited States, Deputy Bilorus, who served asUkraine’s first ambassador to the UnitedStates, explained that U.S.-Ukraine cooperationin the early 1990s was productive andthat significant accomplishments were made,such as nuclear disarmament, a strategic partnershipbetween the two countries, economiccooperation, and the United States agreeingTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 5to assist Ukraine. However, he said hebelieves that the progressive relationshippaused once Ukraine ceased to be a nuclearpower and behaved in questionable ways.Mr. Bilorus emphasized the need torestore the status of a strategic partnershipwith the U.S. He added that althoughUkraine is doing better in terms of economicgrowth and high GDP levels, it still needsassistance with crucial issues such as membershipin the World Trade Organization(WTO) and the North Atlantic TreatyOrganization (NATO). Mr. Bilorusexpressed optimism about the future ofUkraine’s economy and reiterated the needfor collective security for Ukraine to growas a prosperous and respected country.The deputies also expressed their desire tocooperate with members of Congress andsaid they have already made significantprogress on determining specific issues toaddress at this year’s meeting with theCongressional Ukrainian Caucus. Issues upfor discussion include energy security, economicsecurity, collective security (i.e.,NATO), WTO integration and economiccompetitiveness. The Verkhovna Rada membersdeclared their intensions of having suchmeetings on a regular, three-month basis.A video of the event can be viewedonline on the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’swebsite at www.usukraine.org.In addition to meeting with the Coalitionfor a Secure and Democratic Ukraine, theVerkhovna Rada delegation’s visit to theUnited States included meetings with the U.S.State Department, Congressional UkrainianCaucus, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council andmembers of the Ukrainian community.For more information or to join theCoalition for a Secure and DemocraticUkraine, readers may contact MartaMatselioukh at martam@usukraine.org or at202-223-2228.NNSA works with Ukrainian agencyto thwart nuclear smuggling at borderEmbassy of the United StatesKYIV – The Department of Energy’s(DOE) National Nuclear SecurityAdministration (NNSA) and theAdministration of the State Border GuardService of Ukraine (ASBGS) on May 21commissioned a radiation detection checkpointat the Kurchurgan vehicle crossing inUkraine, near the border with Moldova.A joint ceremony was held at the crossingin Ukraine to highlight the installation andoperation of radiation detection equipmentprovided by the NNSA. The ceremony alsorecognized the ongoing cooperationbetween the United States and Ukraine inpreventing illicit trafficking of nuclear andradioactive material across Ukrainian borders.Under the 2005 DOE and ASBGSImplementing Agreement, NNSA’s SecondLine of Defense Program is providing assistanceto the Ukrainian border guard serviceto conduct training, hold technical workshops,and provide and maintain radiationdetection equipment at border crossings andother points of entry.As part of this assistance, NNSA hasdeployed radiation detection equipment atfive sites in Ukraine on the Moldovan border,including Kuchurgan, where the commissioningceremony was held. The NNSAwill work with Ukraine to equip an additional25 sites.“Ukraine and the United States are workingclosely together to stop nuclear smuggling.This partnership plays a critical rolein the global fight against the illicit traffickingand proliferation of weapons of massdestruction. We will continue to strengthenour cooperation as we work together tocomplete installation of the NNSA radiationdetection equipment at the remaining sitesin Ukraine,” said NNSA’s DeputyAdministrator for Defense NuclearNonproliferation Will Tobey in Washington.Attending the commissioning ceremonywere U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine WilliamTaylor, NNSA Assistant DeputyAdministrator for International MaterialProtection and Cooperation DavidHuizenga, and Col. Gen. Mykola Lytvyn,who is in charge of the ASBGS.The Second Line of Defense programworks with foreign governments at bordercrossings, airports and seaports to installspecialized radiation detection equipmentand train officials to detect smugglednuclear and other radioactive materials. Todate, the program has installed equipment atover 100 sites around the world.Established by Congress in 2000, theNNSA is a separately organized agencywithin the U.S. Department of Energyresponsible for enhancing national securitythrough the military application of nuclearscience. The NNSA maintains and enhancesthe safety, security, reliability and performanceof the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpilewithout nuclear testing; works to reduceglobal danger from weapons of massdestruction; provides the U.S. Navy withsafe and effective nuclear propulsion; andresponds to nuclear and radiological emergenciesin the U.S. and abroad.OSCE trains judges, prosecutorshow to fight human traffickingOrganization for Securityand Cooperation in EuropeKYIV – Twenty-five Ukrainianjudges and prosecutors are taking partin an OSCE training course on waysto combat human trafficking thatbegan in Kyiv on May 21.The three-day course focused onprosecuting trafficking cases andimproving the protection of traffickingvictims. Participants discussed nationaland international regulations on traffickingfor forced labor and traffickingin children, existing court practicesand ways to help child-victims.“Trafficking in human beings is oneof the worst crimes of our times. Men,women and children suffer from sexualand labor exploitation, and are usedas donors for illegal organ and tissuetransplantations. This course willbroaden the understanding of theproblem and help law enforcementofficials and the judiciary developskills urgently needed to ensure aneffective fight against this crime,” saidIryna Voytuk, the president of theUkrainian Academy of Judges.Following is the text of a statementon the social and political situation inUkraine issued on April 25 by theCommittee of Voters of Ukraine.Using a “train-the-trainers”methodology to develop the capacitiesof trainers, participants examined severalcase studies.The course was conducted by expertsfrom the Ukrainian Supreme Court,Academy of Judges, the Ministry forFamily, Youth and Sport, the InternalAffairs Ministry, the International LaborOrganization and its InternationalProgram on the Elimination of ChildLabor, the United Nations Office inUkraine, the European Court of HumanRights and the Italian CarabinieriGeneral Headquarters, as well as specialistsfrom local NGOs. A children’spsychotherapist also tooking part in thecourse.Participants of the course will beable to offer two-day anti-traffickingtraining classes for their colleagues inseveral regions of Ukraine.The course was jointly organizedby the Office of the OSCE ProjectCoordinator, the Ukrainian Academyof Judges and the Academy ofProsecutors. It was financed by voluntarycontributions from the AustrianGovernment.FOR THE RECORD: Statementby Committee of Voters of UkraineThe political crisis in Ukrainecame to a boil. Controversiesbetween political forces are so deepthat any further escalation wouldbring about disastrous consequencesfor the Ukrainian nation. At thesame time, the majority of decisionmakershave realized that the onlyway to overcome the political crisisis to hold snap elections of nationaldeputies in 2007. Ukrainian peopleare of the same mind. According to asurvey of the Kyiv InternationalInstitute of Sociology, about 80 percentof Ukrainians are going to takepart in the early election – the figureis unique even for regular elections.At the same time, the CVUbelieves that a campaign arranged ina rush, lack of funding and poor organizationalefforts, violation of principlesof transparency and opennesswould only exacerbate a crisis, letalone solve the conflict. Voters willbe able to form their opinion aboutpolitical forces if a perfect and democraticelection process is organized.The Committee of Voters ofUkraine initiates the followingmeasures to be taken for theimprovement of the election processand rising responsibility of electedofficials before the voters:• Political forces should reach acompromise and cancel their inconsistentand contradictory resolutions.Terms of compromise andobligations of parties should be setforth in an open document.• Compromise should include anagreement on holding the snap parliamentaryelection in October 2007upon voluntary dissolution of theVerkhovna Rada of Ukraine of thefifth convocation. The term of thecampaign should be four months. Allcounterparts should observe proceduresestablished for regular elections.• Prior to declaring the snap election,the national deputies shouldrenew their activities and makeamendments to the Law onElections. They should establish aproportional election system with“open lists” of candidates for nationaldeputies. The CVU believes that“open regional lists” would be thebest option for Ukraine.• If the “closed lists” are preserved,the Verkhovna Rada should amend theLaw on Elections and the Law onPolitical Parties. Such acts shouldsecure secret rating voting of partycongresses for the priority of candidateson a party’s list. Parties andblocs which have already nominatedtheir candidates for a snap electionshould publish data on their candidateson official websites of such parties.• As the unified register of voterscannot be formed on a tight schedule,working groups for the formationof lists of voters should renewtheir activities as soon as possible.• In order to enforce responsibilityof national deputies before their constituency,the Verkhovna Rada ofUkraine should pass the Law onRules of Procedure of the VerkhovnaRada immediately after unblockingtheir activities. In particular, the lawshould impose a ban on factionswitching, require personal voting ofnational deputies (no handing over ofdeputies’ cards) and implement mechanismsfor cooperation of nationaldeputies with their voters (monthlyreports, etc). The law should providefor various penalties for violation ofsuch norms, up to termination of anational deputy’s office.The CVU expects political partiesto waive their personal claimsand reach a consensus, while takinginto account the opinions of nonaffiliatedUkrainian NGOs.English-language text providedby the press service of the CVU.

6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLYYanukovych’s makeover“Victor Yanukovich [sic], prime minister of this strategically important nationwedged between Russia and the West, has undergone one of the most extrememakeovers in global politics. Just two years ago, the Russian-backed machinepolitician was a pariah in the West after he claimed victory in the 2004 presidentialelections, which were marred by fraud and a brutal poisoning that left hisopponent disfigured. …“[Today] He has positioned himself as a champion of rule of law and democraticvalues, a visitor to Washington, Brussels and Davos, as well as Moscow.”Thus writes, Marc Champion from Kiev [sic] in the May 15 issue of The WallStreet Journal.The story, which ran on the eminent newspaper’s front page, noted how Mr.Yanukovych has changed his hairstyle, his advisers, his pronouncements (e.g.,his previous anti-NATO and Russo-centric stands) and the company he keeps(most notably Russian President Vladimir Putin, to whom he used to run, itseemed, at each opportunity). Plus, Mr. Champion notes, “He even polished hisUkrainian, which he now speaks in public instead of his first language, Russian.”Similarly, Simon Bell, writing in the London-based Sunday Telegraph, notes:“The pro-Moscow leader who was prevented from becoming president of Ukraineby the ‘Orange Revolution’ is attempting to reinvent himself as a Western-leaningconciliator who defends democracy.” Now Mr. Yanukovych underlines that“Ukraine is not Russia,” claims that under his government “Ukraine-NATO relationshave been based on a deepening cooperation with the alliance,” and supports“gradual integration” with the West, the Telegraph reports.How is it that these two newspapers (and others) have discovered a “new andimproved” Viktor Yanukovych? The answer may be found in a series of articles publishedtwo months ago in Ukrayinska Pravda: spin-doctors, and from the UnitedStates, no less. You see, Mr. Yanukovych’s Party of the Regions hired American spindoctorsto advise the party on its elections campaign and to promote its leader, both inUkraine and abroad. Paul Manafort and his team, according to Pravda, are running anexpensive PR operation that is meant to be kept out of the public eye. They come upwith the messages that need to be delivered, and they keep their clients on message.That is how, Ukrayinska Pravda writes, Mr. Yanukovych came to refer to Ukraineas a bridge between the West and the East, how Mr. Yanukovych told his U.S. listenersthat he and President Viktor Yushchenko are not opponents, or even rivals – infact, they agree on the course Ukraine should take, though perhaps not its velocity.So, it must be asked: Are we seeing a case of a true makeover, or is it simplythat Mr. Yanukovych’s advisers have taught him how to handle himself? Is it Mr.Yanukovych who is enjoying success as his ratings have improved, or is it hisspin-masters who are the success story?The proof, we say, is in the pudding – perhaps most notably in the prime minister’sactions leading up to and during Ukraine’s political crisis. Do Mr. Yanukovych and histeam negotiate in good faith? Do they play fair? Does Mr. Yanukovych keep hisword? Do his words really mean anything at all? Recent developments in Ukrainelead us to answer in the negative. Most pointedly, if the president and the prime ministeragreed to pre-term parliamentary elections (on May 4) and then to a new date forthose elections (on May 23), why then is Ukraine still going nowhere fast?At the end of the day, the question remains: Does a makeover re-make the man?June12003Turning the pages back...Four years ago, in conjunction with the 70th anniversary ofthe Famine-genocide of 1932-1933, the Verkhovna Rada heldits first parliamentary hearing dedicated to the subject, asreported by The Ukrainian Weekly on June 1, 2003.Citing the conclusion of the congressionally mandated U.S. Commission on theUkraine Famine that the Great Famine was a genocide of the Ukrainian nation (whosereport was released in 1988), Ukraine’s Parliament passed a resolution on May 15,2003, that declared “the Famine of 1932-1933 was an act of genocide against theUkrainian nation, based on the hellish plans of the Stalinist regime”Hennadii Udovenko, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights,explained, “With this document we noted for the first time that we discussed openlyand condemned the politics of genocide.”Pleased with the passing of the resolution, Mr. Udovenko said the he believed that a lawfirmly establishing Ukraine’s position on the Great Famine as genocide against theUkrainian nation is needed. Another result of the debate, continued Mr. Udovenko, was thatspecific plans for a memorial museum complex on the Great Famine had been decided.The resolution stated that “in an independent Ukraine the terrible truth of those years mustbe publicized by the state, inasmuch as the Famine of 1932-1933 was organized by the Stalinregime and should be publicly condemned by the Ukrainian nation and the internationalcommunity as one of the largest genocides in history in terms of number of victims.”Recognition is needed, the resolution further stated, to help stabilize the country’sinternal social-political relations, correct the historical injustices and help the countryavoid future “attempts at new dictatorships and violation of the most sacred of humanrights, the right to life.”It also expressed the need for Ukraine to have the international community recognizethe Great Famine as genocide, in order that the country could finally “be considereda fully worthy, civilized nation.”The voting was close, with just the minimum 226 votes for and 183 out of the 410lawmakers present abstaining. Surprisingly, no one voted against the resolution, andthere was no prior discussion or debate on the part of the Communists. Additionally,(Continued on page 18)NEWS AND VIEWSSuffering honored: commemorationof the Holocaust and the Holodomorby Alexandra HawrylukSuffering creates a bond of understandingand compassion that can have thepower to transcend social, national and religiousboundaries. And it was this bond thatbrought the representatives of the Ukrainianand Jewish communities of Montreal to ajoint ceremony – held at St. Mary theProtectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church onSunday, April 22, 2007 – honoring the victimsof the Holocaust and the Famine-Genocide. For the first time in Canadianhistory Jews and Ukrainians prayed togetherfor the loss both nations had endured atthe hands of genocidal tyrants.Every year for the last 25 years theChristian-Jewish Dialogue of Montreal hasbeen organizing a memorial service for thevictims of the Shoah at various Protestantand Catholic churches in the city as part ofthe permanent international inter-faith dialogue.For most of the pastors, priests, rabbisand invited guests, and members of theChristian-Jewish Dialogue of Montreal,among them the National Chair of theCanadian Jewish Congress, Dr. VictorGoldbloom, this year’s commemorationwas their introduction to the traditions ofboth Eastern Christianity and theUkrainian Orthodox Church.In his welcoming remarks, the chair ofthe Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Montrealand parish priest of St. Mary theProtectress Church, the Very Rev. Dr. IhorKutash, quoting Romans 12:21 set the tonefor the event: “ ‘Do not be overcome byevil, but overcome evil withgood’...[because] it is not evil but goodnessand unity in diversity that has the last wordin this world, which belongs to God.”In the church hall seven thick red candleswere set out on a long table coveredwith a crisp, floor-length snow white tablecloth,decorated with one beautifullyembroidered runner. To the sound of specialprayers read by the Parish Councilsecretary, Victor Zwtekow, the candleswere lit one by one by the representativesof the Israeli Consulate, Canadian JewishCongress, Ukrainian Canadian Congress,Montreal Holocaust Memorial Center andthe Embassy of Ukraine.As dignity-imbued as these momentswere, it was the lighting of the sixth candleby the Holocaust survivor, YehudiLindeman, and the lighting of the seventhcandle by the Famine survivor, AnnaMelnyk, that caught at people’s hearts. Asin the striking photograph from lastSeptember’s memorial service at BabynYar in Ukraine, here in Montreal aUkrainian and a Jew stood united inremembered pain, united in the need tohonor all those who died.In his homily, Dr. Alexander Melnyk,chair of the Parish Council of St. Mary’s,said: “It is generally assumed, that politics,warfare and economic activities are thesubject matter of history. To the prophets,God’s judgement of man’s conduct is themain issue; everything else is marginal.Prophets do not mince words ... Isaiahwrites (35: 7,8) ‘The envoys of peaceweep bitterly, the highways lie waste ...witnesses are despised, there is no regardfor man.’ There is nothing that we forget aseagerly as the wickedness of man. Theearth holds such terrifying secrets. Thedead are buried and the crimes, forgotten.”Yet in the face of war, torture, persecutionand genocide, it is all too easy toquestion not only the effectiveness ofhumanity’s efforts at fighting evil, but toquestion God’s very existence. However,to question “if not His existence, then Hislove and care for us” is precisely the goalof evil, maintained Dr. Melnyk. So, howdo we deal with that? “We answer evilthrough the practice of good, throughmusic, through poetry, through everythingthat makes life richer and more meaningful.We answer through gatherings liketoday which keep the memory of thosewho perished and raise their existence,however brief or long it may have been ...before God’s presence in prayer.”As the last evocative notes of “VichnayaPamiat” (Eternal Memory) drifted over thesolemn crowd of about 100 (sung by the StMary the Protectress Church Choir underthe direction of Claudia Melnyk), HymanGisser, cantor at the Congregation Beth-El,began to sing the kadish, the ancientAramaic prayer for the repose of the dead.When his singing ended, Rabbi ElinaBykova, a native of Kyiv who is now workingin Temple Enamu-El-Beth Shalom inMontreal, read her own beautifully poeticUkrainian translation of the kadish.Where did this kind of inter-faith gatheringoriginate, one might ask? Basicallyinterfaith dialogue was inspired by a 1965Vatican Council document called “NostraAetate.” This document radically changedthe Catholic Church’s teaching regardingthe Jews by recognizing the validity ofthe Jewish covenant with God, by honoringtheir religious heritage, by banningprayers for the conversion of Jews toChristianity and by inviting Catholics toengage in a dialogue with them.At the same time, under the leadershipof Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II,ecumenical relations, that is relationsbetween various Christian Churchesblossomed: the Anglican, Catholic,Lutheran, Orthodox, PresbyterianChurches entered into dialogue via academicconferences and community work.This facilitated the development of theJewish-Christian dialogue because at(Continued on page 9)ACTION ITEMImmaculate Conception Schools need helpImmaculate Conception Schools in Warren, Mich., are seeking your help.We are appealing to the Ukrainian American communities for their help – financialassistance in solving an urgent situation at the Immaculate Conception Schools (elementaryand high school). In order to sustain these outstanding schools, rated in thetop 100 of the United States (see U.S. News & World Report, January 18, 1999), ittakes $600,000 per year, over and above tuition, to cover school expenses.The school is one of only two in the U.S. with a Ukrainian Catholic education curriculumand college preparatory program. That is why we are asking the UkrainianAmerican community at large for help. Contributions can be made through the followingMichigan Credit Unions: Ukrainian Selfreliance Credit Union, account No.16615 and Ukrainian Future Credit Union, account No. 11777.For more information, readers may call Boris Potapenko at 586-216-3798.

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 7The things we do...PERSPECTIVESby Orysia Paszczak TraczBY ANDREW FEDYNSKYBeing there – so at home in UkraineHave you ever come to a place you’venever been before and felt right at home?That’s how I felt when I first arrived inUkraine in 1993; over the years, that feelinghasn’t changed.Other cities, other countries have beauty,interesting architecture and historic places.But being in Ukraine, whether in Kyiv,Lviv or any small town or village, is somuch more fascinating to me. Even thoughI am far removed from the place – my parentsleft as young adults – I am so drawn toit. After all, it is my ancestral homeland,where my roots are found. I suppose if I didnot know much about the place, maybe itwould be like any other tourist spot – oldand interesting, and so what?But, because it is the source of myroots, it is so very special. I am so at homein Ukraine! Yes, I know, to the peoplethere I am a foreigner, a curiosity; I mighteven be regarded as one of those (expletiveat times deleted) diasporans. And yet, oftenI am taken as being from another city orthe next province. They think I am anative, but just not from right there.Thanks to my parents, I mastered the language,and only rarely does someonenotice that it is not quite what is spokenthere now. But that’s whole other story.I love walking around, whether in thecity, town or village – or the open countryside.I feel such comfort and a deepsoul-nourishing satisfaction. It is home ina very deep sense, something that cannotbe explained in any logical way.The streets of Lviv, Kyiv, Kolomyia,Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk have becomeso familiar to me that I rarely need to refer tothe city maps. I just head off in the directionI “know” I’m supposed to go. It’s spooky,but I’m rarely wrong. Of course, there havebeen times where I have been completely,terribly, most embarrassingly wrong, withmy poor feet paying the price. On the otherhand, quite a few times I have been askedfor directions, and have known what to say.Once at the Zoloti Vorota (GoldenGates) in Kyiv on a Sunday morning, aman with a young son asked me how toget to a particular street. I thought it wasdown this way but, just in case, took outmy guidebook to check, explaining that Iwas from Canada. Well, he was fromZaporizhia. We enjoyed a laugh, talked fora bit, and then they went on their way – inthe direction I had originally indicated.To be in Ukraine’s shrines or on the actualsites of ancient history is quite moving.The first time I entered St. Sophia Soborin Kyiv, I sensed this strange physical andspiritual emotion, and was moved to tears. Idid not expect this. Suddenly I felt all thatantiquity and history and the souls fromthose times surrounding me. Seeing thereconstructed St. Michael the Golden-Domed Sobor is an emotion of anotherkind. The beauty and majesty of the magnificentcathedral is one thing, but knowinghow ancient it is and what had been done toit, and how it rose as a phoenix makes it somuch more glorious.Walking along Virmenska (Armenian)Street and the other oldest streets of Lviv isalso fascinating. From the external buttresseson the buildings, you just know how veryold they are. I find photographing courtyards,gates, doors, and windows and windowsillsin Lviv to be especially satisfying.One special spot for me is the old KyivHill, where Volodymyrska Street begins, atthe top of Andriyivskyi Uzviz, and wherethe remains of the Desiatynna Tserkva(Church of the Tithes, built between 989and 1015) are visible. This is KniazVolodymyr’s town, from which Kyivexpanded into Kniaz Yaroslav’s town (theareas of St. Sophia and Zoloti Vorota).Kniahynia Olha’s residence, a palace inthe-round,was located on this hill. Theearthen rampart (val) that surrounded thatfirst town is still there. The various historicallocations are clearly labeled.Past the National Historical Museum onthis hill is one of the ravines leading downto the Podil, the old lower town along thebanks of the Dnipro River. This was thecommercial port part of the medieval city.It still has two very closely parallel streetsnamed Nyzhnii Val and Verkhnii Val (thelow and the high ramparts). Khoryv andShchekavytska streets are there, too, and,in another area, Lybidska Street is near thestream that still manages to flow within thecity. Talk about Ridna Shkola comingalive, as one of my sons exclaimed.In a few places, the original pink-huedstonework of medieval Kyiv is purposelyexposed, for example in the pavement onVolodymyrska Street near VelykaZhytomyrska. The same stones and bricksmade from this local material are visible inthe walls of St. Sophia in Pecherska Lavra,the rebuilt Uspenskyi Sobor, and otherancient buildings.The names of the streets, city districts,hills and parks are testimony to the antiquityof Ukrainian cities, towns and villages. Forexample, below the ravine of old Kyiv Hill,the areas are called Honchari (potters),Kozhumiaky (tanners – remember the storyof Kyrylo Kozhumiaka?) and Dihtiari (tarburnersand sellers). Yaroslaviv Val(Yaroslav’s Ramparts) is the street wherethe actual ramparts were raised around hisexpanding city. Volodymyrsky Uzviz is thestreet along which – according to the chronicles– people walked from the upper townto the Dnipro River to be baptized in 988.Virmenska Street is where the Armenianssettled and lived in Lviv from its earliesttimes. The village of Pechenizhyn definitelyhas something to do with the Pechenihytribe of Volodymyr’s times. The storiesbehind the toponyms are endless and, if youknow even a shred of Ukrainian history, somuch more interesting.One place I must visit this summer isthe site of the excavations by VikentiyKhvoika – the Paleolithic site on FrunzeStreet in the Podil. That’s about as farback as our human history goes. Talkabout Ukrainian antiquity, eh?I am at home in Ukrainian churches, nomatter which denomination. The atmosphere,the reverence, the iconography, thepeople, the singing – it is mine, it is familiar,it is what I grew up with. (The onlychurch that was foreign to me, I laterlearned, belonged to the MoscowPatriarchate. Back in 1993 we came to achurch in Chernivtsi during a service. Whatwas very strange and uncomfortable to mewas the way the women were scurryingaround, hunched over, heads down, kerchiefsover their foreheads. It was as if theywere afraid to stand up straight, and face thepriest, the altar and the icons directly.)And so, I will be back this August.Since 1993, I have been fortunate to leada folk art and culture tour to Ukraine eachyear, during my vacation (oh, that day jobinterferes). I enjoy showing off my other“home” to those who join me. In the lastfew years I have stayed for a bit after thegroup leaves to wander the streets of Lvivand Kyiv. And, as usual, I will be luxuriatingin the sheer pleasure of being there.One country, two tracksOrange and blue; right bank/left bank;pro-West/pro-Moscow; Ukrainian-speaking/Russian-speaking:Ukraine is divided,with a line drawn between one politicalorientation and another, the closenessin the popular vote for the respectivepositions reflecting the division in thecountry. And the result has been stalemateat the highest level of government.This is hardly new. The country hasbeen split since the death of HetmanBohdan Khmelnytsky, 350 years ago thisyear. In 1648 he led a revolution againstPolish rule and then three years before hispassing aligned his country withMuscovy. Within a decade, Ukraine hadtwo hetmans at the same time: one on theleft bank of the Dnipro River, the otheron the right; one tilting toward Moscow,the other toward Warsaw, with both playinga side game with Istanbul. Both purportedto lead the country as a whole and,riven by personal ambitions and animosities,turned on each with a vengeance. Asingle word describes that period ofUkrainian History: “ruina” (ruin).Not surprisingly, Ukraine’s neighborstook full advantage, partitioning the countrybetween Poland and later Austria-Hungary in the west and Russia in theeast. It all culminated in catastrophe in1914, when young Ukrainians were conscriptedinto two armies, which clashedover issues that mattered not at all to thesoldiers who shivered with fear and coldin the trenches that scarred their land. Itwas heart-breaking when both sides ofNo-Mans-Land sang Christmas carols onJanuary 6, Christmas Eve for bothOrthodox (right bank) and Greek-Catholic(left bank) Ukrainians. On Christmas Day,they went back to killing each other.Fratricide and internecine conflicthave been a common subject inUkrainian literature. In Nikolai Gogol’s(Mykola Hohol to Ukrainians) “TerribleRevenge” (1832), Ivan murders hisbrother, Petro. When God allows the victimto determine his brother’s punishment,Petro is so overcome by hatred hecondemns Ivan’s children, descendantsand ancestors (and therefore his own, aswell) to a fate so monstrous that GodHimself is aghast and orders both brothersto share the horror.Nearly a century later, VolodymyrSosiura – best known for his World WarII anthem, “Love Ukraine as you love thesun,” – wrote a poem (1924) about aBolshevik who aims at the trident(tryzub) on his brother’s uniform andthen wonders how to tell their motherwhen he comes home.Provided, that is, another brother hadn’talready killed her: in MykolaKhvyliovyi’s “Myself, A Romance”(1928), the narrator, “Me” – also aBolshevik – embraces his mother, evenas he shoots her in the temple, allbecause her religious faith made her anenemy of the people. He wonders if hedid the right thing ...On the other hand, there’s MotherUkraine in Taras Shevchenko’s “PlunderedGrave” (1843), who regrets she didn’tstrangle her son, Bohdan, while he wasstill a baby. In Gogol’s “Taras Bulba”(1835), a father doesn’t hesitate. (I’ve readthe novel and seen the movie and, really,the Kozak leader Taras had no choice. Butmy God! To kill your own son?)I could go on ... Clearly this horrendoustheme speaks of deep trauma in theUkrainian national psyche, reflecting thehorrendous realities of Ukrainian history,where civil war occurred with disastrousfrequency. That legacy defines bitter differencestoday. Just look at the annualconfrontation taking place on the maidan(Independence Square) in Kyiv betweenRed Army veterans and those from theUkrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) – stillfighting battles from half a century ago –one side cursing in Ukrainian and theother in Russian.A free and independent Ukraineallows them to do that and stations youngpolicemen between them, to make surethe octogenarians who once aimed gunsand now wave canes at each other, don’thurt themselves or anyone else and gethome safely, where some of them, nodoubt, will see their grandchildren off toschool the next day, where the Ukrainianlanguage, happily, is gaining ground withevery passing day.And that’s the real story: the divisionsthat plagued the country for generationsstill exist, but there’s a different reality inUkraine that bodes well for the future:• After being partitioned for close to300 years, Ukraine’s territory for the pasttwo generations has been unified andconsolidated.• After the 1991 referendum on independence,approved by a margin of betterthan 9-1 with every oblast and theCrimean Autonomous Republic voting infavor, Ukraine’s status as a sovereign stateis no longer questioned. Just to make sure,a professional military establishmentrepeatedly and quietly affirms its commitmentto defend the country’s borders.• Passions that once led to fratricideare now channeled into a framework ofpolitical parties, the Central ElectionCommission, the Verkhovna Rada(Parliament), government ministries, aSupreme Court, etc. Their decisions arecontested, to be sure, but thus far, allsides respect them.• Above all, Ukraine – unlike severalother post-Soviet states – has a freepress, free speech and freedom of assembly– rights that were dramaticallydemonstrated, defended and affirmedduring the Orange Revolution.Ukraine has been independent for allof 15 years and, like the United Stateswith its blue and red states, is copingwith a political divide defined to a greatextent by a history of civil war.Candidates campaign behind blue-andyellowbanners even as supporters waveorange flags, blue flags, raspberry andblack and the crimson of the SovietUnion. Hey, in the U.S. many still salutethe stars and bars of the Confederacy.As in all politics, serious issues are atstake in Ukraine: careers, reputations,contracts and jobs. Above all, however, itis about reconciling two historical tracksand in the process defining a nation. Itlooks tangled, unruly and, frankly, scaryat times. Both sides have demonstratorscamping out on the maidan. Still, evenhigh-stakes politics can get boring and so,to pass the time while waiting for a dealto be cut, a soccer game broke outbetween Orange and Blue. Don’t knowwho lost, but as events move forward andpeople absorb lessons from the past, itlooks more and more that Ukraine wins.Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is:fedynsky@stratos.net.

8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Sixty years after...(Continued from page 1)tus as a scattered, diaspora people, witheach speaker having his own accent,whether Polish, Serbian or just plainJersey.They also demonstrated their unity byreferring to each other as “Dorohikrayany” (dear countrymen).“Before our generation stands one ofthe biggest goals of our life, that is to saythe most important strategy for our existence:how to preserve our sub-ethnos;how to preserve and revive a spiritual,material and original culture of a high traditionthat was destroyed; and how torevive our Lemkivschyna,” saidOleksander Venhrynovych, chair of theLemkivschyna All-Ukrainian Association.“It’s the essential issue of why we gatheras a world community gathers and whywe gather at congresses. It’s the mostpainful issue in our lives,” he stated.Akcja WislaJust as the Nazi Holocaust savagelypersecuted the Jewish people and becamea defining episode in their modern history,Akcja Wisla devastated the Lemkopeople like nothing else in their history.On April 28 and 29, Ukrainians andLemkos commemorated the 60th yearanniversary of the forced deportations inDrohobych, Stryi, Zymni Vody and Lviv,where President Viktor Yushchenkopledged his support for Lemko culturalrebirth both in Ukraine and Poland.Akcja Wisla’s “essential goal of resettlingUkrainians was assimilation into anew Polish environment,” said Prof.Volodymyr Serhiichuk, among Ukraine’smost prominent historians, in a historicalassessment he presented to the FourthCongress of the World Federation ofUkrainian Lemko Unions. - ! "' * & +!' ( ) , * & "+! Zenon ZawadaOleksander Venhrynovych, chair ofthe Lemkivschyna All-UkrainianAssociation.Between 140,000 and 170,000 ethnicUkrainians, ethnic Lemkos and those ofmixed marriages were forcibly deportedduring Akcja Wisla’s second phasebetween April and July 1947, he said.More than half of them were Lemkos,said Volodymyr Nakonechnyi, a postgraduatestudent at Taras ShevchenkoState University in Kyiv who is writinghis dissertation on Lemko history.Prior to Akcja Wisla, Lemkos petitionedthe Soviet Union’s government toinclude their lands in Soviet Ukraine, particularlywhen it became apparent the RedArmy would win, said Prof. Serhiichuk,who directs the Center for UkrainianStudies at Shevchenko State University.The Lemkos were very disappointedwhen the Soviets decided to surrender !! "#$ % & % $Lemkivschyna to Poland instead, he said,because they knew they stood to losetheir Ukrainian identity.“This is evidence that Lemkos felt themselvespart of the Ukrainian community, felta Ukrainian spirit and wanted to be part ofthe greater Ukrainian nation, even when itwas Soviet,” Prof. Serhiichuk said.Documents prove the Polish totalitariangovernment hatched Akcja Wisla far aheadof the assassination of Gen. KarolSwierczewski in March 1947, which wasthe official pretext used to carry out thedeportations, he said. “They planned on creatinga single-nation Poland, where thereweren’t supposed to be ethnic minorityrights for Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Germansand others who populated the territory ofmodern-day Poland,” Prof. Serhiichuk said.From then on, Polish authorities carefullywatched the activities ofUkrainians, preventing them from clusteringin any given town or village, prohibitingUkrainian churches and schools,and even going so far as to forbid thesinging of Ukrainian songs at marriages,Prof. Serhiichuk said.The Polish government ranked individualsperceived as threats on a scale ofA, B and C, indicating who needed to bewatched more carefully.To prevent Ukrainians from illegallyreturning to their native lands, the governmentpassed a decree in July 1949depriving them of their abandoned farmsand equipment, even if they didn’t findnew owners, Prof. Serhiichuk said.“Only respecting the rights of theUkrainian people on Polish lands, onlythe return of their property, only apologizingto them for the crimes committedby the Polish government as the successorto the Polish Communist regime –only those things can to some extentlessen that pain and heal that woundgiven to Ukrainians by Poland with thathorrible deportation of 1947,” he said.“Comfortable” in Poland?Sixty years after Akcja Wisla, Lemkosface their biggest challenges in preciselythe country that had absorbed andforcibly assimilated them.Currently, an estimated 80,000 to100,000 Lemkos live in Poland, a vagueestimate offered by researchers, of whichonly about 10,000 still reside in theirancestral lands.Full reconciliation hasn’t occurred, asno Polish government authority hasacknowledged Akcja Wisla as a genocideor ethnocide, Lemko leaders said.The closest thing to an official apologywas in an April 2002 letter to thePolish government-affiliated Institute forNational Remembrance, written byPresident Aleksander Kwasniewski toaddress an academic conference onAkcja Wisla.On behalf of the Polish government,he expressed regret to all those wrongedby Akcja Wisla, an event he described as“a brutal pacification of Ukrainian villagesand the expulsion of a populace”that should have been condemned.Yet, no Polish president has issued agovernment decree apologizing or condemningAkcja Wisla, Lemko leaders said.Only the upper chamber of the PolishParliament, the Senat, officially condemnedAkcja Wisla in August 1990, anact not followed up by the Sejm, thelower chamber.Vice-Consul Marcin Zieniewicz of thePolish Consulate in Lviv addressed theMay 5 meeting of the Lemko world federation,telling the audience “it’s a verymoving moment to see that Lemkosendured amidst the violence of theCommunist regimes of central andEastern Europe, that they live and passtheir traditions and customs to future generations.”He later added: “Amidst problems of alarge scale, national problems related todeportation and return of property, especiallyforest property, Lemkos feel athome in Poland, and they feel comfortablein Poland, and I am joyful for that,”Mr. Zieniewicz said.Those remarks were met by mildapplause, though some Lemkos didn’tagree.“That is a blatant lie,” said ZenonHalkowycz of New Jersey, president ofthe Organization for the Defense ofLemko Western Ukraine. “If the LemkosVice Consul of the Polish Consulate inLviv Marcin Zieniewicz.were comfortable, they would be allowedto migrate back to their ancestral home.”Lemkos in Poland have financial andlegal obstacles in returning to their nativelands, Mr. Halkowycz said, and the Polishgovernment doesn’t want it to happen.“The Polish government is happy aslong as the Ukrainian community inPoland is fragmented,” he said. “Theyare inserting ‘Rusynstvo’ into Ukraine sothere is infighting, instead of one commonLemko organization in America.”Yet the situation is encouraging inthose cities and towns where Lemkoshave established communities and organizedUkrainian schools and culturalorganizations, said Shtefan Hladyk, thechair of the Lemko Union in Poland.Mr. Hladyk thanked Mr. Pavlychkofor supporting efforts to establish a monumentand museum for Lemko poetBohdan Antonych in Horlycia.In the meantime, the Lemko communityhas been hosting annual “AntonychDays” and “Shevchenko Days” festivalsin honor of the great Ukrainian poets.The Lemkivska Vatra in Zdynia(Malopolskie voivodship) remains themain annual social event for Lemkos,who arrive by the thousands fromthroughout the world.Lemkos in Poland have also succeededin achieving financial compensation for anestimated 200 living victims of theJaworzno concentration camp, wheremore than 3,800 Ukrainians were interned.Mr. Hladyk is a leading advocate forthose who identify themselves as Rusynsbut also feel part of the Lemko community.While the Rusyn identity has largelydiminished in North America, it is activeamong Ukrainian communities inSlovakia, Serbia and Croatia, he said.The organizations representing thosethree countries in the World Federation ofUkrainian Lemko Unions refer to themselvesas Rusyns instead of Lemkos intheir titles.This has caused a slight rift within thecommunity, because Rusyns have led acampaign to distinguish themselvesentirely from the Ukrainian nationality,much to the dismay of Lemkos, whohave steadfastly considered themselves aUkrainian sub-ethnic group.

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 9Ukrainian American cycles cross-country for a causeby Matthew DubasPARSIPPANY, N.J. – Natalie (Natalka)Morawsky-Mudge, 43, is heading west toundertake the challenge of cycling crosscountryin 93 days for her chosen charity,which runs youth centers.The 4,200-mile route follows theTransamerica Bicycle Trail, an establishedpath that starts in Virginia with the traditionof dipping the rear wheel in the AtlanticOcean, continuing through Kentucky,Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado,Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and ending onthe Oregon coast with the tradition of dippingthe front tire in the Pacific Ocean.“I’ve been cycling fairly seriously roughlyfive years or so, and that’s what kind ofspurred this dream,” said Ms. Morawsky-Mudge, “But, I really started training earlierthis year. A lot of it entailed going to thegym, spending a lot of time in spin classand just spending hours on the spin bikeafterwards and over the past two monthswhen it has gotten warmer, spending timeoutside and most recently riding 40- to 50-miles a day, four days a week. For flexibilityand core strength training, I started totake yoga lessons and I ended up loving it.It has this whole mind-body alignmentthing that really seemed to click for me.”Bucking conventional wisdom of ridingwith the prevailing winds and weather patterns(west to east), Ms. Morawsky-Mudgewill ride east to west. According to her website(www.3millionrevolutions.com), whichwas named for the number of revolutionsher wheels would make during the trek, Ms.Morawsky-Mudge wrote, “There is somethingabout the head-west, pioneer spiritthat appeals to me … that sense of adventureheightens further away from home.”Providing full-time support along Ms.Morawsky-Mudge’s the journey will beher husband Paul, driving a vehicle fullof supplies. As the couple were lookinghow to make this all happen, Paul, aPh.D. chemist, qualified for the opportunityto retire, so he took it.The couple have never driven crosscountry.The closest thing, continued Ms.Morawsky-Mudge, was when she and herhusband moved overseas for a few years. “Alot was unfamiliar, so we had to rely on eachother. That really cemented out relationship.I see this as being a similar experience.”When asked where her pioneer spiritoriginates from, Ms. Morawsky-Mudgesaid: “I think my roots have something to dowith it. From our Ukrainian backgrounds,we are taught two important things. One isthat there is nothing you can’t do. Especiallywhen you look at what our parents had gonethrough, coming with nothing and makingsomething of themselves. And I think thebigger part comes from the power in believingyou can make a difference.”“When I was a kid, much of our youthwas spent convincing the world that therewas a country called Ukraine and whenyou look at the perseverance that it took, itreally was a collective effort to make a difference,”she explained, “I think this ridein many ways, encapsulates that spirit.”Ms. Morawsky-Mudge’s ride is dedicatedto the work of Middle Earth, which runstwo community youth centers in NewJersey that provide a safe, supervised environmentfor over 500 children. Amongother things, their programs focus oncareer and education development, decision-makingskills, community service,girls’ groups and music groups. Her goalof raising $25,000 is at over 80 percentnear completion, according to her website.On working with Middle Earth, Ms.Morawsky-Mudge said: “A couple ofthings came together for me regardingMiddle Earth. My company runs a charitablefoundation and I was in a good patchin my life professionally and personally,so I wanted to get involved in some charitableorganization. I asked my company ifthere was any availability in the organizationsthat they deal with for board membership.Middle Earth came up and it wasa bit arbitrary, but the thing that I likedabout it was that it was a smaller organizationand I was kind of new to it. So I wasallowed to step into the shallow end of thepool in a charitable organization. I felt Iwas able to learn and make an impact.”“And the last aspect that drew me inwas that it deals with kids,” she explained.“My husband and I don’t have kids, and alot of people give back to their communitiesthrough their children, so that was avery positive aspect of the organization.”Those interested in tracking the journey’sprogress can follow along as thepair keep an online travel log. Readerscan contact the Mudges by e-mail atNatalie@3millionrevolutions.com orpaul@3millionrevolutions.com or contactus@3millionrevolutions.com.“I think that the most challenging legwill be three to four weeks into it,” addedMs. Morawsky-Mudge, “and the reasonfor that is the initial euphoria is going tobe over and you’re going to feel likeyou’ve been doing it forever, but there isstill a long way to go. But by week five,my sister Lesia should be joining me,which will help me to get over that roughpatch. My sister Sonia Haley will also bejoining for about a week.”Natalka and her sisters Sonia, 49, andLesia, 40, attended St. Nicholas UkrainianCatholic Church in Passaic, N.J., belongedto Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organizationin Passaic and worked for several years atSoyuzivka, the estate of the UkrainianNational Association.Maintaining cross-country cycling tradition, Natalie Morawsky-Mudge beginsher journey by dipping her rear bicycle’s wheel in the Atlantic Ocean.When not enjoying the life of a freespirit, Ms. Morawsky-Mudge is a seniorbusiness director at National Starch andChemical, which is sponsoring her effortwith a pledge of $2 per mile, or $8200.As indicated on her website, Ms.Morawsky-Mudge is grateful to theorganization for its progressive careerbreak policy, which enabled her to take aone-year hiatus to pursue her goal.Ms. Morawsky-Mudge holds four U.S.patents in the cosmetics and personalSuffering honored...Dara Denysykcare industry. Three of the patents arefor novel ingredients for hairsprays andformulations containing said ingredients,while the fourth is for a unique thickenerapplicable in lotions, sunscreens andmakeup. The patent that translated to thegreatest commercial success resulted in aproduct line of hair fixative ingredientsthat currently generates multi-millions ofdollars annually. She also worked overseasfor several years and is a YWCATribute to Women in Industry honoree.(Continued from page 6)least all the Christians were now sittingat the same table.But by the end of 20th century the situationin the world changed. The politicizationof religion in the Middle Eastand in the West, now make it necessaryto rethink the terms of inter-faith dialogue.Therefore, the InternationalCouncil of Christians and Jews, anumbrella organization consisting of 32-member countries, is now involved in adialogue with Muslims. For a betterunderstanding of our society Christianorganizations like the Canadian Centerfor Ecumenism are now fostering dialoguewith Sikh, Muslim, Bahai,Buddhist and Aboriginal communities.For Ukrainians, involvement in thispeace-through-dialogue world movementis very important.As Ivan Dzyuba put it last year in hisspeech at Babyn Yar, “History willed thatthe fate of the Ukrainian and the Jewishpeople is intertwined and it is up to themto answer the challenge of that history. Tobecome for all of humanity an example ofhow to respect each other to know eachother, to understand each other, and tohelp each other – that would be our mutualgood contribution to world history.”And indeed, the first joint commemorationof the Holodomor and the Holocaust inCanada is a good beginning of that process.The art of Orysia Sinitowich-Gorski(Winnipeg, Canada)ßÒÍË / IskryLiving Embers(www.iskryart.com)21-24 ˜Â‚Ìfl 2007 . /21-24 June 2007Sponsored by:íhe Ukrainian Medical Association of North Americaïïïßß Ässembly of Delegates & ïXXIX Scientific Conference_____________________________________________________Soyuzivka (845) 626 -5641Kerhonkson, New York

10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Ukrainian Heritage Day celebrated by Florida communityby Christyna Bodnar SheldonPORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Thenewly constructed public library herewas festooned on a brilliantly sunnySaturday, March 31, with Ukrainian bannersand blue and yellow balloons, filledwith sounds of Ukrainian music, andcrowded with people dressed inUkrainian embroideries.Ukrainian Heritage Day was celebratedfrom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., drawing hundreds ofvisitors and engaging dozens of volunteerswho were proud to present samples ofUkrainian culture to the larger Americancommunity of southwest Florida.This festive event was organized bythe Ukrainian American Club, which iscentered in North Port and led by DariaTomashosky, president. The co-chairs ofthe Ukrainian Heritage Day, LiedaBoyko and Klara Szpiczka, spent thewinter planning the event, collecting artifactsand items for display, and invitingmany members of the club to participateactively in the preparations.Odarka Horbachevsky, Halya Lisnyczyj,Gene Tomashosky, Vladimier Szpiczka andPaul Wosny helped to set up the exhibits,which included embroideries, weavings,woodcarvings, ceramics, icons andpysanky. Nancy Wosny and LudmilaKostyk organized the buffet offerings withthe help of Bob Copie and Zena Ferenc.The menu included borsch, tortes and pastries.Visitors who came to the UkrainianHeritage Day had a chance to observeMaria Hirniak writing pysanky. Plus,they were able to join Easter egg workshopsled by Irene Copie and ChrystiaLazor Stecyk. Meanwhile, in Children’sLibrary, Neonillia Lechman set up a tablewith interesting books about Ukraine andtold young patrons about the countrywhile she wrote their names inUkrainian.There were two formal presentationsof the embroidered fashions created byIvanna Martynetz, and the models circulatedamong visitors all day, answeringquestions about the beautiful clothingand explaining the origins of the designsthey were showing.Impromptu kolomyika accompanied by Vladimier Szpiczka.Models showing off fashions by Ivanna Martynetz.And, in the best tradition of Ukrainiangatherings, music resounded throughoutthe exhibit spaces. Roma Steckiw Longpresented a brief but highly admired programof bandura playing. Mr. Szpiczka, aformer member of the band Ruta, playedUkrainian melodies on the accordion,entertained visitors and volunteers alike.His spirited playing made people singand dance with joy and exuberance.American visitors expressed great admirationfor the music and for the enthusiasmof Ukrainians for their culture andtraditions.The success of the Heritage Day wasgratifying to members of the UkrainianAmerican Club, especially since all proceedswere dedicated to a newly createdscholarship fund. In the fall of 2006members of the club had overwhelminglyapproved a resolution to create anannual scholarship for a North Port HighSchool senior planning to pursue furtherstudies.To nurture an interest in Ukrainianmatters, the scholarship committee, headedby Victor Lisnyczyj, decided toby Justyn MakarewyczNEW YORK – On the warm eveningof April 21, the Ukrainian Institute ofAmerica was transformed into an elegantcasino for a gala dubbed “A Night inMontenegro” – a fund-raiser benefitingthe institute’s redesign and installation ofan updated electrical system.Inspired by the latest James Bondmovie “Casino Royale,” the beautifullydecorated institute building became thevenue for guests in black tie and breathtakinggowns to place their bets on realcasino tables and play black jack, craps,poker and roulette.The institute’s grand ballroom wasturned into a casino gallery run by a professionaldealer organization. Guests didnot play for real money, instead competingfor the biggest amount of chips, withthe top winners receiving their choice ofprizes, such as an 18-carat white goldand amethyst pendant from the WoeskyCollection; two nights’ accommodationpackages at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa,the Winwood Mountain Inn, and theKaatskill Mountain Club; and an originaloil painting by Marko Shuhan.Throughout the evening, guestsenjoyed the beautiful music of SlavkoHalatyn, as well as culinary creations ofAndrey Sonevytsky served by the staff ofSoyuzivka. In addition to a martini bar,Zyr Vodka also featured the distiller’spremium vodka and a caviar bar.require each applicant to write an essayon any topic dealing with Ukrainian cultureor experience. In the next fewmonths the scholarship committee willoutline plans for several additional fundraisingactivities that will result in anendowment fund to support this scholarshipinto the future.The Ukrainian American Club wasfounded in 1997 for the purpose of creatingopportunities for UkrainianAmericans and other persons interestedin Ukrainian culture to learn about andparticipate in various aspects of theUkrainian experience.The club also promotes an interest inUkrainian culture among the Americanpublic. All meetings and business areconducted in English so that membersand guests who are not fluent inUkrainian can comprehend discussionsand issues, and feel comfortable at cluband public events.Persons interested in learning moreabout the Ukrainian American Club areinvited to call Ms. Tomashosky at 941-423-3948.“A Night in Montenegro” benefits Ukrainian Institute of AmericaGuests betting at the tables during the Ukrainian Institute of America’s casinofund-raiser “A Night in Montenegro.”The event was made possible by thegenerous support of over 50 communityand corporate sponsors, and was thebrainchild of an organizing committeecomprising Christine Hanifin, JustynMakarewycz, Kathy Nalywajko, RomaSlobodian-Odulak, Darka Temnycky,Melaniya Temnycky and OlenkaTerleckyj.All of the event’s proceeds will directlybenefit the upgrade of the Institute’sover 80-year-old electrical system, whichwill begin its next major phase in early2008. The upgrade is being partly fundedvia a matching-grant program by theNational Park Service and the NationalTrust for Historic Preservation called“Save America’s Treasures” (SAT). In2004, the institute received a $270,000matching grant from SAT, through whicheach dollar raised up to $270,000 by theinstitute will be equally matched by SAT,allotting the institute a spending capacityof $540,000 for use toward upgrading itselectrical system.Over the years, many generous supportershave donated to the UkrainianInstitute’s electrical upgrade project thatwill now bring the building’s electricalsystem up to modern standards of serviceand safety.Individuals who would like moreinformation about the institute’s electrical-upgradeproject and would like tomake a donation should call the instituteat 212-288-8660.

No. 21by Bozhena OlshaniwskyWHIPPANY, N.J. – On the sunnyspring afternoon of Sunday, April 29, artlovers were treated to an exceptionalevent – a group showing of works by 14artists. This exhibit – dubbed “An ArtfulAfternoon” – took place here in the newUkrainian American Cultural Center ofNew Jersey.The sponsor of this event was theUkrainian National Women’s League ofAmerica Branch 75, under the chairmanshipof Bozena Polanskyj. Olha Lukiw,the branch’s art chairwoman opened theevent, invited all to look, admire andpurchase the objects of art, and partakeof refreshments.The purpose of the art show was tosupport the artists, who exhibited andsold their works, and to raise funds forThe Ukrainian Museum in New York.The variety of styles and media of theartwork on display provided a widechoice for art aficionados – from starkrealism to impressionism, expressionismand cubism. In addition to admiringthe art on exhibit, the guests had anTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 11“An Artful Afternoon” in New Jersey highlights the work of 14 artistsMykhaylo Barabash with his paintings and a new album of his works.opportunity to converse with acquaintancesand sample the delectables andmimosas served by embroidery-cladyoung ladies – members of the sponsoringbranch.The exhibitors were: MykhayloOlha Lukiw, art chairwoman ofUNWLA Branch 75, welcomes gueststo the art exhibit.Barabash – landscapes, floral still life(oil and acrylic); Bohdan Borzemsky –still life, landscapes, depictions ofSculptor Ivan Bratko (right) discusses his work with Prof. Taras Hunczak andChristine Demidowich.Dora Homann (right) speaks with Roma Lisovich and Michael Koziupa.Lev KhmelkovskyGuests at the “Artful Afternoon” sponsored by Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 75 at theUkrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey.Hutsuls (oil); Ivan Bratko – sculpture inmarble and ceramics of human figures;Christina Debarry – floral still life (pastel);Dora Olshaniwsky Homann – portraits,floral still life, winterscape (oil);Gregory Hywel – floral still life, winterlandscapes (watercolor); Jerome(Yarema) Kozak – icons, fairytale pictures,landscapes (acrylic); BorysPatchowsky – woodcuts; LydiaPiaseckyj – icons (egg tempera); TarasSchumylowych – landscapes, depictionsof churches (tempera, sepia, coloredgraphics); Bohdan Tytla – floral still life,landscapes (oil, watercolor); Halya Tytla– icons (acrylic); Michael Varshavsky –floral still life (oil, watercolor); andWolodimira Wasiczko – floral still life(acrylic).The artful matinee was well-attended,with several luminaries of our communitypresent, including Michael Koziupa,second vice-president of the UkrainianNational Association and president of theOrganization for the Defense of FourFreedoms for Ukraine; Olha Hnateyko,president of The Ukrainian Museum’sboard of trustees; Dr. Taras Hunczak,Rutgers University professor emeritus;and Walter Bodnar, national adjutant ofthe Ukrainian American Veterans.The event ended with a silent auctionof items donated by benefactors. Mrs.Hnateyko offered expressions of gratitudeto UNWLA Branch 75 and the audiencewhich so generously supported thisfund-raising event for The UkrainianMuseum.

12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21TV meteorologist addresses young audience at UACCNJby Andrew NynkaSpecial to The Ukrainian WeeklyWHIPPANY, N.J. – Janice Huff, theweekday meteorologist for NewsChannel 4, typically forecasts the weatherfor a television audience in the NewYork metropolitan area. On May 5, however,Ukrainian children and their parentswere treated to an informal gatheringwith the television celebrity.Ms. Huff, who delivers weatherreports for the station’s “Live at Five”and “News Channel 4” newscasts, spenther day off at the Ukrainian AmericanCultural Center of New Jersey.During her hourlong visit, Ms. Huffdescribed her work and how she gotstarted in the business, and answered variousquestions from the audience ofabout 100 children and their parents.For Ms. Huff, who typically ends herwork day at 2:30 a.m. and lives in nearbyDenville, N.J., working six days a weekhas its own rewards, she said.“This is my passion. This is what Ireally love doing,” said Ms. Huff, whofirst got interested in meteorology at age4 while she was playing on a swing at hergrandparents’ home in South Carolina.“When I was growing up you neversaw people like me on television,” saidMs. Huff, an African American womanwho once thought of being an actress orzoologist.Recalling her time at her grandparents’home, Ms. Huff said, “I would swing forhours and hours and look up at the sky allthe time. I wanted to know what makesthe weather.”Ms. Huff got her start in the televisionbusiness in 1982 working as a weekendmeteorologist at WTVC-TV inChattanooga, Tenn. She graduated fromFlorida State University with a major inmeteorology after leaving her childhoodhome in New York to attend college.Ms. Huff joined NBC 4 in January1995 as meteorologist for the weekendeditions of “Today in New York” and“News Channel 4” at 6 and 11 p.m. andbegan her position as the weekday 6 p.m.and 11 p.m. meteorologist a year later. InJanuary 2000 she added “Live at Five” toher forecasting duties.In addition, Ms. Huff is meteorologistfor NBC’s Saturday edition of “Today,”and she is host of “Wednesday’s Child,”a weekly adoption feature that airsWednesdays during “Live at Five” andagain on Sunday “Today in New York.”For Ms. Huff, the idea of interactingwith the community is nothing new; shehas in the past received numerous honorsand awards for her work.After her presentation, NBC meteorologist Janice Huff met with children, includingDan Maksymowych (right), who wants to be a meteorologist.SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – TheUkrainian Canadian CongressSaskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC) held its annual general meeting andboard elections on Saturday, May 12, hereat Holy Trinity Ukrainian OrthodoxCathedral Auditorium. In attendance weredelegates from across Saskatchewan,including the communities of Canora,North Battleford, Regina, Saskatoon,Prince Albert, Weyburn and Yorkton.Delegates welcomed guests Sen. A.Raynell Andreychuk and ChristineDevrome, UCC-SPC’s first executivedirector, who was instrumental in the creationof the Saskatchewan Council ofCultural Organizations. The council wasthe forerunner to SaskCulture, of whichUCC-SPC is a founding member.The proceedings were chaired by theoutgoing president, Eugene Krenosky,who concluded his third term as presidentof the Saskatchewan Provincial Council.He extended sincere gratitude to the dedicatedvolunteers who served with him onthe UCC-SPC board and particularly tothe newly elected president, Ed Lysyk.In his report to delegates, Mr.Krenosky said the UCC is an organizationsteeped in tradition and one that, atthe provincial level, has been growing instrength, visibility and recognition. “Itcontinues to be dynamic, forward-looking,in touch with today’s community,while moving optimistically into thefuture,” said Mr. Krenosky.UCC-SPC Executive Director DanyloPuderak presented the audited financialreport for fiscal 2006. Mr. Puderak indicatedthat with controlled expenditures ina number of administrative areas, thecouncil made strides in reversing pastdeficits, and is well on its way to implementinga contingency plan to ensure fiscalstability for the future.The report of the executive directorfocused on the cultural and economicimpact of the Ukrainian community onthe province of Saskatchewan. “It is notan overstatement to say tens of thousandsof volunteers – a significant portion ofwhich are youth – give their time to bringto life the celebrations and expressions ofour culture,” said Mr. Puderak. “This alsoAlex Hatala (left) describes the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization to NBCmeteorologist Janice Huff as Mark Zawadiwsky listens.But she decided to come to the communitycenter here after a counselor ofPlast Ukrainian Scouting Organization,Christine Gnoy-Stasiuk, reached out tothe meteorologist.“I knew that Janice was active with children’sorganizations, so I wrote her a letter,and I was thrilled when she agreed tocome,” Ms. Stasiuk said prior to the event.While the event was open to the publicand to various other Ukrainian organizations,it was intended to help youngerPlast members satisfy requirementstoward a merit badge in meteorology,Ms. Stasiuk said.Two members of that group, AlexHatala, 10, and Mark Zawadiwsky, 10,briefly described the scouting organizationto Ms. Huff.In turn, Ms. Huff gave the group someinsight into the broadcast news business,both its moments when things run smoothlyand also when things don’t go as planned.Ms. Huff remembered one instancewhen a remote-controlled camera slowlybegan panning down during a live shot.In order to keep her head in the camera’sview she recalled having to keep crouchinguntil her head was near the floor.“You have to go with the flow, thingshappen,” she said.Despite the long days – Ms. Huff hasworked six days a week over the past 10years – and the occasional off-and on-airmishaps, she continues to love her job. “Itranslates into a significant economicimpact to their home communities.”While respecting and celebrating heritage,the UCC-SPC accepts change andgrowth as positive forces, Mr. Puderak said.Hundreds of immigrants from Ukraine arenow choosing Saskatchewan as their home.“These young families are some of thebuilding blocks to our community’sfuture,” he noted. To this end, the counciland a number of its branches have establishedimmigration settlement committeesto assist the newcomers with integration.“We serve our community and striveto provide a ‘place’ for all, young andold, new Canadians as well as those withdeep roots in our province,” Mr. Puderakunderscored.The newly elected UCC-SPC presidentthanked the delegates for their trust. Aftera brief description of his background andinvolvement in the community, Mr.Lysyk highlighted plans for the futurework of the UCC-SPC on behalf of theUkrainian community and in the bestinterests of Saskatchewan.The newly elected board of directors ofAndrew Nynkawent through a lot to get to this point inmy career. But it’s incredibly fun doingwhat I do,” Ms. Huff said.In addition to talking about how shegot started in the business, she explainedhow she works together with other NBCemployees to analyze meteorologicaldata in order to make predictions on theweather.“Projections can go months out, butthey’re general predictions,” she said.“The most accurate forecasts are within48 hours.”She briefly touched on the debate overglobal warming, saying there is generallymore warm air in the atmosphere nowthan three or four decades ago, whichspawns longer hurricane seasons. “Thereis little doubt that the climate throughoutthe world has warmed and affected theweather,” she said.Ms. Huff, who after her presentationstayed to chat briefly with a dozen kids,said aspiring meteorologists or amateursinterested in the business could find thesame wealth of meteorological data sheuses at the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration’s website(www.noaa.gov).Whether or not members of her audienceare aspiring meteorologists, Ms.Huff had one piece of advice for thegroup: “Find what interests you, whatyou love doing. And then read. Readeverything you can about it.”UCC-SPC members elect new board during weekend annual general meetingthe UCC-SPC is composed of: PresidentLysyk (Regina); Vice-President SlawkoKindrachuk (Saskatoon); Secretary MerleMaximiuk (Yorkton); Treasurer ElaineKoshman (Saskatoon); Past PresidentKrenosky (Regina); Directors-at-LargePeter Abrametz (Prince Albert), LarryBalion (Saskatoon) and Orest Gawdyda(Regina). Completing the 15-memberboard are the presidents of UCC-SPC’sseven branches: Paul Kardynal (BattlefordsUkrainian Canadian Cultural Council),Taras Korol (UCC-Canora), Elmer Malec(Prince Albert and District VeselkaUkrainian Heritage Club); Orest Warnyca(UCC-Regina), Mr. Kindrachuk (UCC-Saskatoon), Stan Ganczar (WeyburnUkrainian Canadian Cultural Council) andHarry Kardynal (UCC-Yorkton).The UCC-SPC’s Vision Statementnotes: “The Ukrainian Canadian CongressSaskatchewan Provincial Council is aninclusive, self-sustaining, vibrant organizationthat serves the SaskatchewanUkrainian community to maintain, developand share its Ukrainian Canadian identity,culture and aspirations.”

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 13Archbishop-Metropolitan blesses foundation of St. Stephen Parish House in Toms River, N.J.TOMS RIVER, N.J – As if on cue,rain and clouds gave way to a gorgeoussunny day on April 22 to welcome theArchbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Sorokato St. Stephen Ukrainian CatholicChurch, when he visited to bless thefoundation of its new rectory building.The new parish house, to be completedlater this year, will serve as the homefor the Rev. Ivan Turyk, the pastor forthe last two years. The Rev. Turyk is arelative newcomer from Ukraine, whoseyouthful energy (he’s only 30) and dedicationto service have been the drivingforce behind this successful buildingproject.Prior to the Sunday divine liturgy, thearchbishop-metropolitan was welcomedat the entrance to the church by the Rev.Turyk and the parish trustees, John Dzeraand Wasyl Chech. Little children dressedin Ukrainian attire presented the honoredguest with the traditional Ukrainianbread and salt.Then, the anxiously waiting congregationwitnessed a unique event as the headof the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy ofPhiladelphia co-celebrated the divine liturgywith Father Turyk for the first time.Following the liturgy, the congregationparticipated in an outdoor ceremonyin which Metropolitan Soroka consecratedthe cornerstone of the future home ofthe parish priest.The Ukrainian Catholic community ofthe Toms River area had to tread a longand arduous path before arriving at thisjoyous moment. St. Stephen Parish wasfounded in March 1986, with the Rev.Roman Dubitsky of the UkrainianAssumption Church in Perth Amboy,N.J., as its pastor. Father Dubitsky heldthat post until about two years ago,assisted since 1988 by the Rev.Augustine Molodowitz, and later for ashort time by the Rev. Petro Semenych.For its first seven years, the fledglingSt. Stephen Parish was granted permissionto celebrate divine liturgies at the St.Andrew United Methodist Church ofToms River. Thanks to the efforts of a veryactive and generous congregation, theThe St. Stephen Rectory Building Committee (from left): Ostap Jakubowycz, Vera Glowa, Stephen Dzubaty, Gerald Tchir,Dolores Dzubaty, Jessie Kaciuba, John Dzera, Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, the Rev. Ivan Turyk, WalterPowzaniuk (chairman), Wasyl Chech, Ihor Dworjan, Marie Glowa, Peter Yurkowski and John Bortnyk.present Church Center of St. Stephen wasbuilt and opened in 1993, but it comprisedno rectory. Thus, all the priests serving thiscongregation have been commuters.Following the cornerstone blessing onApril 22, the congregation and the honoredguest re-entered the church hall andsat down to a festive dinner ceremony,which was emceed expertly and withhumor by Ostap Jakubowycz. Mr.Jakubowycz first asked the metropolianto bless the food and those assembled,and then proposed a toast, in which heprayed for a successful completion of therectory and for “Father Ivan to stay withus until we build a new UkrainianCatholic Church.”He then introduced those seated at thehead table: Metropolitan Soroka, FatherTuryk, Walter and Oksana Powzaniuk, Johnand Anna Dzera, Wasyl and Daria Chech.During the dinner, the audience wasentertained by Ms. Dzera, who recitedthe poem “Dzvoniat Dzvony Velykodni,”and by the duo of Ms. Dzera and SlavaKochman, who sang three Ukrainian folksongs. Later, two additional songs wereperformed by the quartet of Ms. Dzera,Halyna Jakubowycz, Ms. Kochman andMaria Ryha.The high point of the entertainmentwas the piano rendition of Chopin’sNocturne in E-Minor and Kos-Anatolskyi’s Hutsul Toccata by MartaCybyk, music professor at Ocean CountyCollege, private piano teacher and pianosoloist.There were speeches by Mr.Powzaniuk, chairman of the BuildingCommittee; Dolores Dzubaty, presidentArchbishop-Metropolian Stefan Soroka, joined by the Rev. Ivan Turyk and parishioners of St. Stephen Church, at theblessing of the rectory foundation.of the Altar Rosary Society; and Mr.Dzera, representing the Ukrainian-American Club and the “pyrohy team.”A moving address, appropriate to thehistoric occasion, was delivered by FatherTuryk. He first welcomed the metropolitanand then referred to the history of St.Stephen Parish that culminated in this joyfulday. Almost 15 years ago, this samecongregation embarked upon the projectto build the church “where today we areworshipping because of their vision andsacrifice,” said Father Ivan. Now we musthonor our predecessors by building a rectoryto house a full-time pastor here toserve this community. “God is not callingus to build just a building. He is calling usto build the community of people,” FatherTuryk emphasized.He thanked all the parishioners fortheir support, prayers and sacrifices in thisbuilding project. In particular, he praisedthe tireless efforts of the BuildingCommittee, reserving special recognitionfor its chairman, Mr. Powzaniuk, to whomhe referred as “my right arm.” Finally, hethanked Mr. and Mrs. Dzera, the HolyName Society, the Altar Rosary Societyand, last but not least, Mr. Jakubowycz.Mr. Jakubowycz called his wife,Halyna, to the podium to present a checkfor $500 for the rectory building fund.The Jakubowycz’s check (another one ina long series) triggered an avalanche ofdonations and pledges in the amount of$30,000 from the congregation at thedinner. To date, the donations for thefund had totaled $130,000, while the costof the 2,500-square-foot ranch-stylebuilding is expected to be $325,000 plus$7,000 for permits. The raised money tobuild the rectory through donations andfund-raisers (pyrohy projects) will gotoward a down payment on a 20-yearmortgage of $200,000 from theProvidence Association of UkrainianCatholics in Philadelphia.Metropolitan Soroka closed the festiveoccasion with a prayer as well as wordsof confidence in a bright future for St.Stephen Parish based on the dedicationand energy he had witnessed both fromthe parishioners and their young pastor.The church’s address is: St. StephenUkrainian Catholic Church, 1344 WhiteOak Bottom Road, Toms River, NJ08755; phone 732-505-6293 or 856-825-4826; e-mail, aphinagor@hotmail.com;website, www. ststephenchurch.us.

14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Radoslav Zuk lectures at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Artby Irene AntonovychCHICAGO – Radoslav Zuk, professor emeritus atMcGill University in Montreal and a recipient of theFaculty of Engineering Ida and Samuel Fromson Awardfor Outstanding Teaching, presented a lecture on “Styleand Cultural Identity in Ukrainian Architecture” at theUkrainian Institute of Modern Art on Saturday, April 14.In his lecture, illustrated with slides, Prof. Zuk tracednot only Ukrainian, but also world architecture to Greekand Roman times.The audience included many distinguished guests.Among them were Consul General VasylKorzachenko with his wife, Olha; Consul OlehShevchenko with his wife, Iryna; the chairperson ofthe Chicago-Kyiv Sister Cities Committee, MartaFarion; John David Mooney and Barbara Jones fromthe John David Mooney Art Foundation with theirguests from the Czech Republic; and George Kawkaand George Sambirsky, architects who have beenworking on remodelling the UIMA.Oleh Kowerko, president of the UIMA, welcomedthe guests and Nicholas Sawicki, Art Committee chairman,introduced the distinguished speaker.Prof. Zuk was born in Lubachiv. He studied music inGraz, Austria, but turned to architecture and graduatedwith honors in this field from McGill University withthe B.Arch. degree. He earned his M.Arch. degree at theMassachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Hewon many prizes, among them the LieutenantGovernor’s Bronze Medal, the Dunlop TravellingScholarship and the highest award for a graduationdesign project in Canada, the Pilkington TravellingScholarship. Recently he was awarded an honorary doctorateby the Ukrainian Academy of Art in Kyiv.Among many other projects, Prof. Zuk has designednine Ukrainian churches in North America and one inUkraine. Most of his projects were recognized in theinternational architectural press. He has served on juriesby Oksana PiaseckyjMIAMI – Many major performingartists are enveloped by a grandiose aurathat automatically creates a barrier, renderingthe unapproachable. StefanSzkafarowsky completely removes thatimage with his unassuming, warm andvery approachable personality. The operasinger recently performed at the newCarnival Center for the Arts in Miamiand the Broward Performing Arts Centerin the role of the Old Hebrew in CamilleSaint-Saens’ “Samson Et Dalila.”A few weeks before Easter, Mr.Szkafarowsky came to divine liturgy atthe Assumption Ukrainian CatholicChurch in Miami and joined the churchchoir in singing the liturgical responses.His strong and beautiful bass joined theNational deputy chosen as Yale World FellowNEW HAVEN, Conn. – YaleUniversity President Richard Levin onMay 2 announced his university’sannual Yale World Fellows. Among thechosen few was Andriy Shevchenko, anational deputy in the Verkhovna Radaof Ukraine.This program, unique among toptieruniversities in the United States,seeks to build a worldwide associationof emerging leaders and to increaseinternational understanding. Once ayear, a select group of accomplishedindividuals attends a four-month leadershipprogram at Yale University.In addition to Mr. Shevchenko,among the 2007 fellows is a memberof Parliament from Singapore, a newsbroadcaster from China, a policy advisorto the Russian president, the chiefoperating officer of the BBC’s NewMedia unit, and a dramatist fromSoutheast Asia.At the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago (from left) are: Ukraine’s Consul General in ChicagoVasyl Korzachenko and his wife, Olha, Orysia Antonovych, Radoslav Zuk, Consul Oleh Shevchenko with hiswife, Iryna, Marta Farion and UIMA President Oleh Kowerko.of architectural competitions, and has published articleson design theory, cultural aspects of architecture and onthe relationship between architecture, music and otherarts.Among the many honors bestowed upon him are theThe 2007 winners were chosen from apool of 970 applicants. Since its first yearin 2002 the program has accepted 107candidates from 66 different countries.The 18 honored guests of Yale willtake part in a specialized seminar programtaught and led by the members ofthe faculty, attend regular classes andmeet with distinguished speakers suchas U.S. and foreign leaders. The universitycovers all costs associated withthe four-month program, and grants a$30,000 living stipend.Mr. Shevchenko, 30, is chairman ofthe Free Speech Committee inUkraine’s Parliament. One of his goalsis to create a system of public broadcastingin Ukraine. Himself a veterantelevision journalist, Mr. Shevchenkohelped establish Ukraine’s first 24-hourtelevision station and became the“face” of the 2004 Orange Revolutionfor the channel’s viewers.Ukrainian Canadian Congress Centennial Medal and theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canada GovernorGeneral’s Medal for Architecture (co-recipient).During his brief visit to Chicago, Prof. Zuk took anarchitectural tour of the city.Ukrainian bass Stefan Szkafarowsky feels at home in Miamiother voices, lifting the Sunday worshipto a higher level. For six weeks the congregationwas blessed with his extraordinaryvocal presence.After the liturgy Mr. Szkafarowskymingled with parishioners, chatting abouthis ties to the Ukrainian community.Unlike others who have gained fame anda lifestyle that gives them excuses not toattend Ukrainian organizations or minglewith local Ukrainians, he loves his rootsand always comes to the local Ukrainianchurch or group in the city where he isperforming. He feels at home and enjoysthe warmth and hospitality of hisUkrainian surroundings.This natural affinity comes from hisupbringing in the Ukrainian community ofYonkers, N.Y. As a member of St. MichaelStefan Szkafarowsky in Florida.Ukrainian Catholic Church and theUkrainian American Youth Association hewas raised on values that never left him.Mr. Szkafarowsky enjoys talking abouthis upbringing and what brought him tohis stature as a leading bass with manyopera companies throughout the world.Mr. Szkafarowsky began singing invarious Ukrainian community concertswhile growing up in Yonkers. He wastold that he had a beautiful voice. So, atage 12, after seeing an opera with his sister,he decided that he “could do that”and began his vocal training with EvhenKrachno. He had his first major recital atCarnegie Hall at age 17, with reviewsexclaiming that he was phenomenal.With such applause Mr. Szkafarowskyventured into a career with training in allaspects of opera with Madame JuliaDrobner. Soon he was engaged to performin many operas throughout theworld. He has traveled all over the globe:Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China,Japan, Chile, Canada and all the majorcities of the United States.He has performed at the City andMetropolitan Opera in New York,Washington Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera,West Palm Beach Opera and, most recently,here in Miami at the Florida GrandOpera. In June Mr. Szkafarowsky will beperforming in “La Boheme” at the LakeGeorge Opera in upstate New York. Hereturns to Miami next year to do “LaBoheme” with the Florida Grand Opera.The Ukrainian community in Miamiawaits his return next year and is planninga special concert with Mr.Szkafarowsky singing operatic arias andUkrainian songs. Details will beannounced when they become available.

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 15CONCERT NOTES: Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus inspires prideby Helen SmindakNEW YORK – Take 14 stalwart bandurists(seated, each with a 60-string banduraon his knees), and 18 tenors, eightbasses and eight baritones. Stir in thedashing garb of Kozak warriors – longtopcoats (zhupany) over embroideredshirts, gold sashes and wide-legged sharavarytucked into red boots. Add a handsomedirector who conducts with vitalityand impressive skill. Blend well.There you have it, the UkrainianBandurist Chorus, an all-male instrumental-vocalensemble that has been captivatingaudiences for decades with itssongs and the harp-like music of the bandura,the national instrument of Ukrainethat’s been the voice of the country forcenturies.With over 450 pieces in its repertoire,the troupe has visited 13 countries andpresented over 600 concerts since settlingin the United States almost 60 years ago.Stopping in New York on May 6 duringa spring tour in New York State andOntario, the chorus gave a superb performanceat Cooper Union’s Great Hall,stirring national pride and exhilaration inthe near-capacity audience.There were cries of “bravo” and “bis,bis” and several standing ovations as theaudience responded to the magnetism ofUkrainian classics, memorable folksongs and humorous ditties. So overpoweringwas the appeal of the chorus thatthe audience was willing to overlook afew small errors in pitch and synchronization.The 48-member chorus appeared onthe stage where Abraham Lincoln, anaspiring politician from Illinois whocame within five votes of becoming theRepublican Senator from Illinois, deliveredthe address “Right Makes Might”in 1860. Lincoln addressed the issues ofslavery and freedom in America; thebandurists extolled the virtues of anequally proud nation.In commemoration of the 100thanniversary of the birth of HryhoryKytasty, the ensemble’s original andlongest-reigning artistic director, the concertincluded several Kytasty compositions.“Zaporizhian March” told the storyof Kozaks going into battle against theTurks; the instrumental work “Song-Dance” underscored the beauty of banduramusic.Directed by Oleh Mahlay, the chorusled off the program with a reverent performanceof the majestic “CherubicHymn” by Dmytro Bortniansky, one of thegreat masters of Ukrainian sacred music.“The Testament” (Zapovit), a heartwrenchingcomposition set to the wordsof Ukraine’s beloved bard, TarasShevchenko, beseeching the Ukrainianpeople to arise, break the shackles oftyranny and become a free nation, wasinterpreted by the chorus with profoundemotion and sorrow.Epic ballads resonating with intensitytold the story of Bayda (DmytroVyshnevetsky), the first Kozak otaman inUkrainian history, and of Kozak Nechay.Bayda was captured by the Turks butoutwitted his captors and shot theTurkish Sultan with a bow and arrow.Kozak leader Nechay protected theUkrainian peasantry from the Polishnobility. The stories were recountedthrough remarkable instrumental passagesand robust vocalizing.Reflecting the history of a nation tornapart by avaricious neighbors, the choruslamented the Ukrainian people’s fate ofbondage and serfdom in the mournful“The Clouds are Rising.” The triumphant“Song of the Haydamaky” described theliberation of the city of Chyhyryn byKozaks who gathered “with the speed ofeagles” to rise against the Polish gentry.Alternating with somber and martialworks were such light-hearted pieces as“The Ash Trees,” a romantic story inwaltz tempo about lovers who plant ashtrees to symbolize their future happinessand love, and Kytasty’s lively, humorous“The Girl Who Sold Her Heart,” about amaiden who sells her belongings to buygifts for the young man she loves.The chorus turned to English for twoworks that embody American ideals –“Amazing Grace,” a work that matchesbandurist ideals of God, truth, freedomand human dignity, and “America, theBeautiful,” the song Americans equatewith their national anthem.A rousing finaleA joyful song and dance piece “Play,Kobzar” and the martial “UkraineMarch,” both Kytasty works, broughtthe program to a rousing finale. Theaudience would not let the chorus leavethe stage, and a medley of sprightly folksongs was presented as an encore, drawingamazement and laughter as the medleybuilt up in speed to a tongue-trippingconclusion.Solo roles were very capably sung byRaymond Beley, Theodore Bodnar,Volodymyr Brechun, Markian Gowda,Borys Kekish, Ihor Krislaty, IhorKusznir, Oleh Moroz, LubomyrPastuszenko, Andrij and OrestSklierenko, Andrij Soroka, Ihor Stasiuk,Lyubomyr Yakimiv, Taras Zakordonskiand John Zinchuk.Maestro Mahlay, 34, is the youngestdirector in the history of the chorus andpossibly its most charismatic. Stridingon stage with proud Kozak bearing, coattailsflying, he bows to the audience andturns to face the chorus. There are dramaticmoments of silence as he makeseye contact with all sections of the chorus,his arms go up briskly, and the performancebegins.Mr. Mahlay became artistic directorand conductor in 1996 at the age of 26. Amagna cum laude graduate of CaseWestern University with Phi Beta Kappahonors, he holds a bachelor of arts degreein music history and literature. He hasserved as concertmaster of the UniversityCircle Chamber Orchestra, was a memberof the Cleveland Orchestra YouthOrchestra, and has held the posts of choirdirector at St. Vladimir’s UkrainianOrthodox Cathedral in Parma, Ohio,music director of the Summer BanduraCamp, and assistant conductor of theParma Symphony Orchestra.His five recordings with the chorus,including some of his own compositionsand arrangements, have earned artisticLive in concert at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City.acclaim.Hryhory Kytasty, born in Kobeliaky,Ukraine, was a member of the StateBandurist Kapelle (capella) of theUkrainian SSR from its inception in1935, serving as concertmaster and assistantdirector. Conscripted into the RedArmy in 1941, he was captured by theGermans but managed to escape andreturned to Kyiv, where he founded theShevchenko State Bandurist Kapelle,reuniting many original members of theearlier Kapelle.Interned for a time in a Nazi concentrationcamp, the director and theKapelle were subsequently allowed totour Western Europe. Emigrating to theUnited States in 1949 with the ensemble,renamed the Ukrainian BanduristChorus, Maestro Kytasty served as conductorand director to 1954, from 1958to 1959, and from 1967 to his death.He wrote countless original works,including the haunting instrumentalpiece “Homin Stepiv” (Echo of theSteppes), and arrangements of folksongs, and set to music the works of variousUkrainian poets, includingShevchenko. A tireless propagator of thebandura art, he taught courses and seminarson the bandura and founded theKobzarska Sich Summer Camp inEmlenton, Pa.The first chorusThe first Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,formed in 1918 under the direction ofbandura virtuoso Vasyl Yemetz, had 15members. During the 1920s, a period ofresurgence of Ukrainian arts and culture,Maestro Oleh Mahlay and the bandurists acknowledge the audience’s applause.A. Balabanthe chorus developed into a professionaltouring troupe; the bandura was refinedand transformed from a folk to a classicalinstrument.Bandurists were among Ukrainianartists and intellectuals who were arrested,exiled or executed during Stalin’smove to eradicate every remnant ofUkrainian culture. Persecuted by boththe Soviets and the Nazis in the 1930sand 1940s, the chorus eventually foundhelp from the Allied forces, who assistedthe group’s members to emigrate to theUnited States.The troupe settled in the Detroit area,where most members had to learn newskills in order to support their families,and many joined Detroit’s automotiveindustry labor force.In 1950 the chorus embarked on itsfirst North American concert tour, performingin Canada’s western provinces.Its numerous tours have included two inUkraine, which honored the chorus in1992 with the Taras Shevchenko StatePrize – the highest award given by theUkrainian government for artisticachievement.The chorus shared the stage at a 1957festival in Toronto with movie actor JackPalance, has been featured at the internationallyrenowned Stratford SummerMusic Festival, and presented BanduraChristmas International withMetropolitan Opera soloist Paul Plishka.Chorus members, volunteering theirtime, come together from California,Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey,New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, andthe Canadian provinces of Alberta, NovaScotia and Ontario. Members are second-,third-, fourth- and even fifth-generationUkrainians, and many young members,such as 16-year-old MykolaMurskyi, are the product of the UBCsummer camp. Teodozij Pryshlak, 79, isthe chorus’ oldest member. Five recentimmigrants from Ukraine are chorusmembers.The New York performance wasassisted by donations from the SelfReliance New York Federal CreditUnion, and the Ukrainian NationalFederal Credit Union and SUMA(Yonkers) Federal Credit Union.Following intermission, concert narratorZenon Krislaty, who made announcementsin impeccable Ukrainian andEnglish, informed the audience thatYaroslava Bilyk of New York City hadjust donated $5,000 to assist the chorusin its endeavors.After a June 2 concert in Chicago, thechorus will take a break until October19, when it kicks off a 10-day tour thatbegins in Detroit.

16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Chornobyl as cited in North American popular songs is topic of Winnipeg lectureWINNIPEG, Manitoba – Is there acanon of Chornobyl songs in NorthAmerica? Making the case for its existencewas Dr. Denis Hlynka at a lectureseries sponsored by Oseredok UkrainianCultural and Educational Center on April26, the 21st anniversary of the Chornobylnuclear disaster.Dr. Hlynka, acting director of theCenter for Ukrainian Canadian Studies atthe University of Manitoba, together withDr. Robert Klymasz, has been researchingthe impact of the Chornobyl nuclear disasteron North American music makersand the recording industry. Their findingsshowed that Chornobyl resonates in manydifferent genres of Western music.Using the image of Shevchenko’s“perebendia,” Dr. Hlynka drew an analogybetween the “kobzar” or “bandurist” as anentertainer and the teller of stories, documentingsocial issues and historical events,and American folk singers. His examplesof the Chornobyl theme in folk ranges fromCanadian Bruce Cockburn and “RadiumRain” (1986) to American Richard HayesPhillips and his “Chernobyl” (1986) to PaulSimon (Rhythm of the Saints) and his“Can’t run but” (1990), among others.Dr. Hlynka said he sees Kristin Lems’song that begins with the words “I’ll tellyou a story that happened in April of 1986”as a Chornobyl narrative akin to Ukrainian“dumy.” He also found the Chornobylmotif in The Tea Merchants, a group fromthe United Kingdom performing Celticmusic and their song “Chernobyl” (1986),as well as the USA Klezmer group BraveOld World with its song “Chernobyl.”Dr. Hlynka said he likes to identifyprotest singers as “displaced bandurists,”disbursing the story of Chornobyl. Asexamples, he cited the Canadianpunk/grunge group Silent Scream andtheir song “Chornobyl Experience” writtenby Andrew Dragan and WilliamLento, and the American thrash metalgroup Screaming Headless Torsos and“Chernobyl Firebirds.”Finally, Dr. Hlynka took a brief look atjazz and classical music. In jazz he cited“Children of Chornobyl” by UkrainianCanadian John Stetch. He pointed outsome depth of field in classical musicwith examples such as Dennis Eberhard’s“Prometheus Wept” (1998, for orchestra),Nancy Van de Vate’s “Chernobyl” (1987,for orchestra) and Laryssa Kuzmenko’s“In Memoriam” (1997, for piano), amongothers. He mentioned in passing RomanHurko’s “Liturgy” (2001) dedicated tovictims of Chornobyl.Dr. Hlynka readily admitted that thereis no evidence that any of the composersand performers of popular music had anyawareness of the importance of the geographicand political dimension of theChornobyl disaster to Ukraine and theUkrainian nation. Chornobyl in thesesongs is a symbol for technology goneby Bohdan MarkiwNEW YORK – The Ukrainian Instituteof America concluded its musical seasonwith a successful performance on April14 by two women, Solomiya Ivakhiv(violin) and Angelina Gadeliya (piano).They both belong to a new generation ofhighly educated young artists who givehope for further development of Ukrainianmusical life. Their concert included sonatasby Mozart, Ravel and Liatoshynsky.The program started with Mozart’sSonata in G major in two movements. Itis a favorable piece to start, allowing aviolinist an opportunity to warm up. Ms.out of control; it is synonymous withconcern for the ecology of our planet.He argued nevertheless that the phenomenonof creating songs aboutChornobyl from the outside, frombeyond Ukraine, brings Ukraine into theglobal village. That, surely, is a goodthing, he added.CONCERT REVIEW: Solomiya Ivakhivdebuts in New York at Ukrainian InstituteIvakhiv produced an attractively softtone in the expositions, although sheopted for powerful sound in obbligatosegments, perhaps to highlight her debut.Next came Maurice Ravel’s Sonata(1927), which allowed Ms. Ivakhiv toestablish herself as a virtuoso with awide variety of technical skills and topresent a work of Gaelic (read: Spanish)sensuousness and African rhythm. Themiddle movement, “Blues,” is the mostchallenging part to perform in terms ofan ensemble. It is based on ragtime witha characteristic rhythm-and-blues tone;free rhythm and loose melodies demandfrom the performers simultaneous easeand tight command of their instruments.The violinist successfully achieved amelodic looseness with a rich bluessound. In the other two movements, shedemonstrated her passionate temperamentthrough pizzicato “guitar chords,”produced a deep throaty sound with herbow, and finished all the elements in fullcontrol of the work’s fabric and the pianoaccompaniment.In the second part of the program, theaudience heard a 1926 Sonata byUkrainian Neoclassic Liatoshynsky. I havevery little doubt that Ms. Gadeliya wasinstrumental in choosing this work, as sheis known for propagating Liatoshynsky’smusic. She interested Ms. Ivakhiv in thevalue of this work, which in conjunctionwith Trio and Second Quartet, had beenperformed since the 1930s in Europe andSouth America, sparkling the interest ofvarious instrumentalists toward theUkrainian composer’s chamber music.Liatoshynsky is perhaps the firstUkrainian composer to write music in thesound of the 20th century. His compositionsare characterized by special emotionalsaturation, perfect form, interestingthematic content and richness of harmoniclanguage. The part of the violin is additionallyenriched with double stops.Ms. Ivakhiv showed mature musicalityand performed the Sonata with rhapsodiclyricism, confident and beautifulsound, and intoned double stops. She hastechnical skills, as well as an understandingof the composer’s style.The last item on the program wasSchumann’s Piano Trio in D minor.Michael Haas, a reliable cellist, a graduateof Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute,joined the two women for this performance.Their performance reflected strongromantic passion, and their efforts wererevealed in the trio’s surmounting of thescore’s technical difficulties.The performance was smooth, contemplativeand sophisticated. The stringsused wide vibrato to produce a warm,seductive sound. The clarity of the punctuatedrhythm of Scherzo (the secondmovement labeled “lively, but not toofast,” in German) invariably enchantedthe audience. The Finale, performed“with Fire” according to the composer’sdirections, ran through the room withpassion and excitement. In the end, theperformers were rewarded by enthusiasticapplause and multiple calls of“Bravo!” from the audience.

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 17

18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040or e-mail: adsukrpubl@att.netSERVICESéäëÄçÄ íêàíüäèÓÙÂÒ¥ÈÌËÈ ÔÓ‰‡‚ˆ¸Á‡·ÂÁÔ˜ÂÌÌfl ìçëOKSANA TRYTJAKLicensed AgentUkrainian National Ass’n, Inc.2200 Route 10, P.O. 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MASNYJ, ESQ.Ukraine’s “political tourism...”(Continued from page 2)Residents of Kharkiv were offered a fullday’s “pay” of 150 hrv ($30). Poltavastudents were offered 80 hrv (withoutfood) or 50 (with food). Senior politicaltourists obtain between 100-150 hrv perday while students are offered 90.Transportation by coach or train to andfrom Kyiv is free. The mass use of trainsfor organized political tourism was firstundertaken in the 2004 elections when theYanukovych campaign organized hundredsof thousands of its political touriststo vote with multiple absentee ballots inwestern and central Ukraine. HeorhivKirpa, then minister of transport, committedsuicide on December 27, 2004, fearingthat his role in the organization of electionfraud would lead to criminal charges.In 2007, similar abuse of public transportationis sanctioned by SocialistMinister of Transport MykolaRudkovskyi. Train tickets are in short supplyand prices have increased. “Trains areheaded for the capital with people whohave little opportunity of earning a livingat home, and obtain income for their participationin political activities organizedby the pro-government coalition,”Tymoshenko Bloc member MykhailoVolynets said (byut.com.ua, May 4).Oleksander Chernenko, a member ofthe non-governmental organizationCommittee of Voters of Ukraine, wentundercover on an organized train travelingto Kyiv with blue supporters(Focus.in.ua, April 23). He reported that20 percent were genuine supporters, butthey still took the stipends offered. Eachpolitical tourist, primarily students andteenagers keen to see Kyiv, was paid 130hrv ($26) for an overnight protest.This per diem, plus the cost of traintransportation, meant that each politicaltourist cost the Party of the Regions 300 hrv($60). The Yanukovych government’s lackof transparency makes it unclear as to thesource of this funding. In April, Vice PrimeMinister Volodymyr Rybak appealed inwriting to the directors of enterprises to providedonations to the Party of the Regions,prompting the Tymoshenko Bloc to accuseMr. Rybak of abuse of office (Komersant-Ukraina and byut.com.ua, April 24).Political tourism comes with two majorproblems. During the Orange Revolution,Blue/Yanukovych voters stayed in Kyiv forone or two days and then either defected tothe Orange camp, which had arrangedaccommodations, warm clothes, food andmedical care, or returned to Donetsk. Fewhad the staying power of the Orange voters,whose convictions made them stay for 17days in cold weather on Kyiv’s streets. The2007 crop of political tourists stands forthree hours on the Blue maidan and thenreal tourism takes precedence.A second problem relates to depth ofconviction of the protesters. The Guardian(April 5) quoted Lyosha: “But I don’t supporthim [Yanukovych]. I just didn’t wantto lose my job. I’m for Tymoshenko.”Political tourists are not necessarily committedParty of the Regions supporters.The Party of the Regions has learnedfrom two mistakes committed in 2004.First, organizers now strictly ensure thatno hard liquor is drunk on the way toKyiv. In 2004, numerous film clipsshowed intoxicated Blue supporters,while alcohol was forbidden among theOrange crowds.Second, political tourists are warnednot to speak to journalists. The gangleaders remember in 2004 when intoxicatedBlue representatives gave outlandishinterviews to the two independenttelevision channels, Channel 5 and Era.The 2004 Orange and 2007 Blue maidansare different in another important manner.Crime dramatically dropped in Kyivduring the Orange Revolution, whereas thenumber of crimes during the Blue maidanhas risen by 65-70 percent and break-insby an even higher amount (maidan.org.ua,April 19). It would seem that some of thepolitical tourists have other things on theirminds besides politics or even tourism.Mr. Yanukovych’s U.S. public relationsadvisors are seeking to use Ukraine’songoing political crisis to portray him as a“re-born democrat” because he hasallegedly undergone “one of the mostextreme makeovers in global politics”(Wall Street Journal, May 15). ButPACE’s accusations, combined with Mr.Moroz’s public admission and evidencecollected by NGOs, undermine this claim.The article above is reprinted fromEurasia Daily Monitor with permissionfrom its publisher, the JamestownFoundation, www.jamestown.org.MERCHANDISEFIRST QUALITYUKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLEMONUMENTSSERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIESOBLASTMEMORIALSP.O. BOX 746Chester, NY 10918845-469-4247BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTSWEST ARKA2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6S 1N9Fine GiftsAuthentic Ukrainian HandicraftsArt, Books, CDs, CeramicsEmbroidered Goods and SuppliesGold Jewelery, Icons, MagazinesNewspapers, Pysankas and SuppliesAll Services to Ukraine, Mail-ordersAndrew R. CHORNYManagerTel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839e-mail: andrew@westarka.comwww.westarka.comRun your advertisement here,in The Ukrainian Weekly’sCLASSIFIEDS section.In the East Village since 1983Serious personal injury, real estatefor personal and business use, representationof small and mid-sizebusinesses, securities arbitration,divorce, wills and probate.(By Appointment Only)157 SECOND AVENUENEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003(212) 477-3002GEORGE B. KORDUBACounsellor at LawEmphasis on Real Estate, Wills, Trusts and Elder LawWard Witty Drive, P.O. Box 249MONTVILLE, NJ 07045Hours by Appointment Tel.: (973) 335-4555OPPORTUNITYEARN EXTRA INCOME!The Ukrainian Weekly is looking foradvertising sales agents.For additional informationcontact Maria Oscislawski,Advertising Manager973-292-9800 ext 3040or e-mail adsukrpubl@att.netUkrainian Catholic...(Continued from page 4)take part in a blessing of the cross ceremonyto begin construction of a thirdcampus in Lviv on Stryiska Street, adjacentto Stryiskyi Park.The eight-acre site will house 10buildings forming three major courtyards:one for residence halls, one foracademic buildings and a third for livingspace, Father Gudziak said.The new campus may be the site for anew UCU social science department,consisting of political science, sociology,law and psychology, he said.Turning the pages...(Continued from page 6)there were no broadcast or print accountsof the landmark vote, except the reportsof UNIAN, which were carried by thenewspapers Ukraina Moloda and Chas.During the first-ever hearing on thematter by the Verkhovna Rada, DmytroTabachnyk, vice-prime minister,addressed a nearly vacant parliamentarysession hall, calling for a VerkhovnaRada-led effort to have the UnitedNations recognize the Great Famine asgenocide, on par with the Holocaustcommitted against the Jewish nation.The campus plan has two focal points:a university church and contemporarymodern library and information technologyfacility.The UCU library currently attracts6,000 student users – far beyond its 500full-time and 500 part-time students,Father Gudziak said. “We hope the newlibrary resource center will become animportant institution for Lviv and all ofwestern Ukraine,” the UCU rector commented.“The event in Kyiv was geared toshow more closely what UCU is proposingfor higher education in Ukraine. Itwas a very beautiful beginning.”Voicing dissent, one Communist lawmakerstated, “There was a faminecaused by natural circumstances, but itwas not death by forced starvation.”This was despite the fact that it is generallyrecognized that nearly 10 millionUkrainians died in 1932-1933 as a resultof a deliberate Moscow policy to forcethe peasants of Ukraine into submissionand onto collective farms through confiscationof grain and other foodstuffs.Source: “Verkhovna Rada declaresFamine of 1932-1933 act of genocide,”by Roman Woronowycz, The UkrainianWeekly, June 1, 2003.

No. 21Constitutional Court...(Continued from page 2)Tymoshenko Bloc, allied with Mr.Yushchenko, tried to physically preventCC judges from entering the court, andthe judges managed to reach their workplaceonly thanks to intervention fromriot police. Since then, crowds ofYanukovych supporters have been watchingthe entrances to the court, whichprompted their rivals to accuse them ofputting psychological pressure on thejudges.On May 1 Mr. Yushchenko issued adecree dismissing Judge Stanik. He alsodismissed two other CC judges, ValeriiPshenychnyi and Volodymyr Ivaschenko,on April 30 and May 10, respectively,“for breaching the oath” of office. TheCC issued a statement on May 10, complainingof pressure. It expressed concernover the dismissal of the three judges, aswell as over a bill registered in parliament– dominated by Yanukovych supporterson April 30 and May 10 respectively– providing for the dismissal offive CC judges who are perceived to bebacking Mr. Yushchenko.On May 15-17 two courts located inMr. Yanukovych’s Donbas strongholdinvalidated the dismissals of the threejudges by the president. The PresidentialSecretariat has lodged appeals. But oneof the three, Mr. Pshenychnyi, becameacting chief judge of the CC on May 17,when CC Chief Judge Ivan Dombrovskyfinally resigned. (He had tendered hisresignation for the first time immediatelyafter Mr. Yushchenko’s April 2Parliament dissolution decree, complainingof pressure, but not specifying whowas pressuring him.)This angered the PresidentialSecretariat. Mr. Yushchenko’s legalTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 19adviser, Ihor Pukshyn, said in a commentaryissued on April 17, that “The CCdoes not exist as an institution inUkraine.” Mr. Pukshyn said there was noquorum on the court after the dismissalof three judges. Furthermore, he said,four CC judges were on sick leave. Oneof those four, Dmytro Lylak, resignedfrom the CC on May 21. Ukraine’s mainstreammedia have interpreted this as thebeginning of an exodus of pro-Yushchenko judges from the CC.On May 18, the head of thePresidential Secretariat, Viktor Baloha,declared, “After the appointment ofPshenychnyi as acting chief judge of theCC, no ruling of this court can be legitimate.”On the same day, Mr.Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine party issued astatement urging the Procurator General’sOffice to launch criminal proceedingsagainst the judges who had been dismissedby Mr. Yushchenko. Mr.Pshenychnyi complained to journalistson May 21 that state guards, acting oninstructions from the PresidentialSecretariat, had tried to prevent him fromentering the CC building.Also on May 21, PresidentYushchenko turned to a district court inKyiv suggesting that the ConstitutionalCourt should be banned from ruling onlegal cases. This may be the beginning ofthe end of the current ConstitutionalCourt of Ukraine.Sources: Interfax-Ukraine, April 4,May 10; UNIAN, April 10; Channel 5,April 18, 24, May 18; ITAR-TASS, May18; Ukrayinska Pravda, May 10, 17, 21.The article above is reprinted fromEurasia Daily Monitor with permissionfrom its publisher, the JamestownFoundation, www.jamestown.org.Elaine Yurchak RopkeMarch 31, 1915 – May 17, 2007With deep sadness the family of Elaine Yurchak Ropke informs ourcommunity of her passing into eternity. She was born in Brooklyn,N.Y. and passed away in Pittsburgh, PA. All her life she was active inUkrainian American organiztions and sang with the CombinedUkrainian Choir of New York and New Jersey as well as the ScholaCantorm in New York City. Her parents, Nicholas and Mary Yurchak,came to the U.S. in 1901 from Ukraine and were founding members ofSt. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York City in 1905. Herfather was the first cantor and choir director of that church.Parastas was held Sunday, May 20, at Kunsak Funeral Home inPittsburgh. The funeral was held the next day at St. George UkrainianCatholic Church in Pittsburgh with her son officiating. Burial was inCalvary Cemetery in Woodside, N.Y.She leaves behind in sorrow hersons Rev. Canon Dr. John Ropke of PittsburghRichard Ropke of Tamarac and Port Charlotte, Floridanieces Katherine Szmagala of Brecksville, OhioMarion Ford of Jacksonville, FloridaShe is also survived by three grandchildren and three great grandchildrenand family in Staryi Sambir, UkraineMay she rest in peaceFriends are invited to join his family in attending a mass,commemorating the LateMaestro Jurij Solovij,on the 40th day of his demiseSunday, June 3rd, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. atSt. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church219 President St. Passaic, NJ 07055,followed by a panakhda at 9:15 a.m.Masestro is survived by his beloved widow, LiselotteSon Jurij with wife Ireneand grandchildren Brandt and AlexisDEATH ANNOUNCEMENTSto be published in The Ukrainian Weekly – in the Ukrainianor English language – are accepted by mail, courier, fax, phone or e-mail.Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue.Information should be addressed to the attention of the Advertising Departmentand sent to: The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280 (NB: pleasedo not include post office box if sending via courier), Parsippany, N.J. 07054;fax, (973) 644-9510; telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040;e-mail, adsukrpubl@att.net.Please include the daytime phone number of a contact person.It is with great sadness we announce thedeath of our Beloved Wife, Mother,Grandmother and Aunt,MARTA KOKOLSKAMUSIJTSCHUK,former soloist with New York City Opera and long-time performer atUkrainian musical concerts.Marta Musijtschuk, 83, died on Monday, April 16, 2007. Born March 25,1924 in Stryi, Ukraine, she was the daughter of the late Mykola and NadiaKokolska.Funeral Services were held on April 21 at the Holy Trinity UkrainianCatholic Church, followed by interment at Pine Bush Cemetery,Kerhonkson, NY.In profound sorrow are: her husband Konstantyn, son George Kobryn with hiswife Nina and their children Nicholas and Alex, brother Roman Kokolskyjwith his wife Marta and their children Lydia and Larysa, the Jaremko familynieces and nephews: Nestor, Taras, Marta, Halya with her husband OlehOstrowsky, Myron with his wife Bonnie and their children Kevyn and Ryan,and Mykola Yaremko with his wife Oksana and their son Bohdan.She is predeceased by her son Andrij, and her sister Halya with her husbandMyron Jaremko.Vichnaya Pamiat

20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21NEWSBRIEFS(Continued from page 2)tery of the victims of political repressions.Commemorating that terrible tragedy, eachof us remembers this sorrowful and holyplace,” the president said, urging the nationto learn its history, as “it is only possible tospeak about the future through the prism ofthe historical truth.” The next day Mr.Yushchenko signed a decree proclaiming aDay of Memory for Victims of PoliticalRepression to be marked on the thirdSunday of May. Victims of Stalin’s repressionof the 1930s and 1940s were buried inthe woods in the vicinity of the village ofBykivnia. In 2000-2004 it was establishedthat the Bykivnia graves constitute thelargest burial place of victims of politicalrepression. Scholars estimate that 100,000to 120,000 persons were buried there during1936-1941. (Ukrinform)Constitutional Court chairman resignsKYIV – Constitutional Court ChairmanIvan Dombrovskyi has resigned and hisduties have been entrusted to Judge ValeriiPshenychnyi, Ukrainian media reported onMay 17, quoting the court’s press service.Mr. Pshenychnyi was appointed to theConstitutional Court in January 2003 byformer President Leonid Kuchma, and dismissedby President Viktor Yushchenko onApril 30. Earlier in May, Mr. Yushchenkosacked two other judges of theConstitutional Court, Suzanna Stanik andVolodymyr Ivaschenko. Ukrainian mediareported that earlier this week, a districtcourt in Donetsk ruled to suspend the presidentialdecrees dismissing JudgesPshenychnyi and Stanik. The presidentialadministration subsequently challenged thisruling in a higher court and had it annulled.But then another district court, in LuhanskOblast, reportedly passed a ruling suspendingMr. Yushchenko’s decrees on the dismissalof Judges Pshenychnyi, Stanik, andIvaschenko, thus apparently reinstatingthem as judges of the Constitutional Court.“Just like any other Ukrainian citizen, Iunderstand that Pshenychnyi, fired by adecree of [President Yushchenko], can beneither the chairman nor the acting chairmanof the Constitutional Court,” saidViacheslav Kyrylenko, leader of the propresidentialOur Ukraine bloc, toldInterfax-Ukraine. (RFE/RL Newsline)Constitutional Court judge resignsKYIV – Constitutional Court JudgeDmytro Lylak has tendered his resignation,Ukrainian media reported on May 21, quotingPresidential Secretariat ChairmanViktor Baloha. Mr. Lylak was appointed tothe Constitutional Court by PresidentViktor Yushchenko in November 2006.Constitutional Court Chairman IvanDombrovskyi stepped down last week.Since April, Mr. Yushchenko has sackedthree other Constitutional Court judges –Valerii Pshenychnyi, Suzanna Stanik andVolodymyr Ivaschenko – accusing them ofa “breach of oath,” but they were reportedlyreinstated in their jobs by a court rulinglast week. The 18-member ConstitutionalCourt needs a quorum of 12 judges to holdlegitimate sessions. Its rulings are legallybinding if they are endorsed by at least 10judges. The Constitutional Court is currentlyreviewing presidential decrees of April 2and April 26 dissolving the VerkhovnaRada and calling for early elections.(RFE/RL Newsline)President insists on early electionsKYIV – President Viktor Yushchenkosaid at a forum of investors in Kyiv on May18 that pre-term parliamentary elections willbe staged earlier than in October, UNIANreported. The Party of the Regions, led byPrime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, has suggestedOctober as the most probable periodfor early polls. Mr. Yushchenko’s decree ofApril 26 scheduled snap elections for June24. “The elections will not be held inOctober, we should not play with this [idea].We need a rapid and democratic reaction tothe crisis,” Mr. Yushchenko said. “[Ukraine]will surprise Europe and the world by howwisely and correctly, with respect to thepolitical realities and without even a hint of aforcible scenario, it can hold fair pre-termparliamentary elections,” the Ukrainian presidentadded. Meanwhile, Verkhovna RadaChairman Oleksander Moroz said at a conferenceof legal experts in Kyiv the sameday that early elections in Ukraine can bestaged no sooner than in November, andonly after the introduction of amendments tothe Constitution. (RFE/RL Newsline)Belarus fails to win Rights Council seatUNITED NATIONS – The UnitedNations General Assembly on May 17elected Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovinato the U.N. Human Rights Council, thusblocking Belarus’s bid to obtain a seat onthe 47-member body, international mediareported. International human rights groupshad campaigned for weeks to prevent theelection of Belarus after the EasternEuropean group submitted only Belarusand Slovenia for the two seats from thatregion. “Belarus has an appalling humanrights record,” Urmi Shah, a spokeswomanfor the New York-based group HumanRights Watch, told RFE/RL. “In January ofthis year, the [UN’s] special rapporteur onBelarus, Adrian Severin, noted that thegovernment had failed absolutely to cooperatewith the UN’s human rights mechanisms,”Ms. Shah said. Western countriespersuaded Bosnia to enter the campaignearlier this week. “We were particularlyconcerned about Belarus. Some have calledit the last dictatorship in Europe,” said U.S.Ambassador to the U.N. Zalmay Khalilzad,speaking to journalists after Belarus lost theseat to Bosnia in the second round of voting.(RFE/RL Newsline)ORTHODONTISTDr. Daniel A. KuncioÑ. чÌËÎÓ é. äÛ̈¸ÓSpecialist, Child and Adult OrthodonticsDiplomate, American Board of Orthodontics• Certified and Published in Invisalign®•• Complimentary Consultation •• Most Insurances Accepted •• Three New York City locations •WWW.KUN CIOORT H ODON TIC S.COMBAYSIDE • UPPER WEST SIDE • TRIBECARussian Orthodox Churches reuniteMOSCOW – Russian OrthodoxPatriarch Aleksy II on May 17 signed aCanonical Communion Act with the leaderof the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad,Metropolitan Lavr, at a solemn ceremonyin Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral,Russian and Western news agencies reported.The ceremony, timed to coincide withAscension Day, reunited the RussianOrthodox Church with the Church that splitoff following the Bolshevik Revolution,after the leader of the Russian OrthodoxChurch at the time, Patriarch Sergy,declared the Church’s loyalty to theCommunist government. Patriarch Aleksycalled the ceremony “a historic event thatwill liquidate the tragic consequences ofthe civil war,” the Associated Press reported.Leaders of the New York-based RussianOrthodox Church Abroad flew to Moscowfor the event. President Vladimir Putinattended the ceremony before leaving forSamara for a summit with European Unionleaders. Patriarch Aleksy said Mr. Putin, anOrthodox believer, has strongly supportedthe reconciliation and gave him a foldingicon of the Trinity, Interfax reported. TheRussian Orthodox Church has recoveredsome of its old influence since the break-upof the Soviet Union in 1991 and is a firmsupporter of the new Russian state. Theconnection of the Russian OrthodoxChurch with the state has been very stronghistorically. A spokesman for the RussianOrthodox Church Abroad, ArchpriestAleksandr Lebedev, has likewise stressedhis Church’s devotion to “Russianness,”Interfax reported. (RFE/RL Newsline)Ukraine’s government debt decreasesKYIV – The government debt ofUkraine as of March 31 decreased to$15.232 billion (U.S.) from $15.752 billionas of the previous month. The Ministry ofFinance reported that the debt haddecreased because of a reduction in directforeign debt, which had decreased in Marchto $9.377 billion from $9.772 billion, whilethe internal debt decreased to $3.204 billionfrom $3.207 billion. (Ukrinform)Chornobyl shelter to be builtKYIV – The building of a new shelterover the stricken reactor at the Chornobylnuclear power plant will soon begin, itwas reported by Minister of EmergencySituations Nestor Shufrych on April 25.He did not, however, provide an exactdate for the beginning of the new construction.The minister noted that theprocess of submitting tenders was underway and that he expected to make anannouncement soon. (Ukrinform)Rice sees no Cold War with RussiaMOSCOW – U.S. Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice met on May 14 withRussian First Vice Prime Minister SergeiIvanov to discuss bilateral and internationalissues; Mr. Ivanov’s secretariat describedthose talks as “informal.” Arriving inMoscow on May 14, Dr. Rice told journalistsit is not an easy time for U.S.-Russianrelations, but she insisted that the tensionsdo not amount to a new Cold War. “I don’tthrow around terms like ‘new Cold War,’”she was quoted as saying by Russian andinternational news agencies. “It is a big,complicated relationship, but it is not onethat is anything like the implacable hostilitythat really did lead to zero-sum politicsbetween the United States and the SovietUnion. If you look at the actual facts on theground and you look at the level of cooperationthat we have had on North Korea, onIran, if you look at the WTO agreementthat we’ve signed with Russia ... it justdoesn’t accord with some of the rhetoricthat does sometimes come out,” she added.During an hourlong meeting at RussianPresident Vladimir Putin’s Novo-Ogaryovoresidence on May 15, Mr. Putin and Dr.Rice discussed delicate issues in the difficultrelationship between the two countriesand agreed to soften the increasinglyaggressive rhetoric between Moscow andWashington. Speaking after the meeting,Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovsaid that Mr. Putin “supported the understandingby the American side that rhetoricin public exchanges should be toned down,and we should focus on concrete issues,”Reuters reported. Interfax quoted Mr.Lavrov as stressing that Dr. Rice and Mr.Putin agreed that Russian-U.S. relations“should not become an hostage of electoralcycles, that are about to start in both countries.”However, both refused to give anyground over some of the most delicateissues, including U.S. plans to build a missile-defenseshield in Central Europe.(RFE/RL Newsline)U.S.: press freedom shrinks in RussiaMOSCOW – Two U.S.-based nongovernmentalorganizations and the U.S.State Department have warned that pressfreedom is diminishing in Russia, TheMoscow Times reported on May 3. In areport issued on May 2, the Committee toProtect Journalists put Russia on a list of10 press-freedom backsliders that alsoincludes Azerbaijan, Cuba, Pakistan,Egypt, Morocco, Thailand and severalAfrican countries. Russia ranked thirdworst,better than Ethiopia. A press-freedomreport released by Freedom House onMay 1 placed Russia between Azerbaijanand Brunei near the bottom of a list of 195countries. Russia fell six places from lastyear to the 165th spot. The U.S. StateDepartment issued a report on April 30calling Russia one of the worst violators ofmedia freedom, together with Afghanistan,Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, the Philippinesand Venezuela. The Moscow Times quotedSergei Markov, director of the Institute ofPolitical Studies, which is closely linked tothe Kremlin, as saying that judgments offoreign organizations about press freedomin Russia “are inadequate and based on aphobia of Russia as a superpower.”(RFE/RL Newsline)Bush: Russia needs “better way”WASHIINGTON – U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush said in an interview withReuters in Washington on May 21 that his“message to [Russian President] VladimirPutin is there’s a better way forward”toward democracy than what Russia is currentlydoing. Mr. Bush added that Mr. Putin“thinks they’ve got a democracy emergingthere in Russia. Obviously there’s a lot ofsuspicion [abroad] about that, and I lookforward to continuing to talk to him as towhy he thinks his country is on the path todemocracy. It looks like at times it’s not tome.” Mr. Bush said that he would also tellthe Russian president that “your interestslie in the West, and we ought to be workingtogether in a collaborative way.” Mr. Bushnoted that “people in [the Russian] governmentharbor suspicions about our intention[regarding missile defense], and I was tryingto allay those suspicions [by sendingseveral top U.S. officials to Moscowrecently]. But there is a lot of tension withRussia, particularly with Europe now, thatRussia is using her energy and denyingmarket access to different countries, forexample, [to] Polish meat [exports].” Headded that he still is close to Mr. Putin personallybut described U.S.-Russian relationsas “complex.” Speaking at the May 9Victory Day ceremonies, Mr. Putin comparedthe United States to Adolf Hitler’sThird Reich. Russian state-run televisionsubsequently commented that “the victoryonce again will be ours.” Britain’s TheEconomist noted on May 18 that Russian“hatred of America gives cover for growingauthoritarianism, nationalism, and concentrationof money and power in the hands offormer and present members of the securityservices.” (RFE/RL Newsline)

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 21COMMUNITY CHRONICLEArtists donate work to UACCNJWHIPPANY, N.J. – St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church held its annualEaster bazaar for the first time here at its new home: the Ukrainian AmericanCultural Center of New Jersey. The event, held on April 1, attracted a variety of vendorswho sold art works, pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs), folk crafts, jewelry, photographs,baked goods, etc. Among the artists who came to display and sell theirworks were Myron and Maria Bokalo, with their Trypillian-style ceramics. They wereapproached by Christine Kryzaniwsky, head of the Campus and Building Designand Standards Committee at the UACCNJ, who asked if they were willing to donateone of their pieces to the center. “The idea was to have local artists donate theirworks to the UACCNJ, where they would be on display to the public,” explainedMrs. Kryzaniwsky. Above, Myron (left) and Maria Bokalo (right) present one of theircreations to Mrs. Kryzaniwsky and Victor Hatala, chairman of the UACCNJ board ofdirectors. The piece is to hang at the UACCNJ, facing the main entrance into thebuilding. The Bokalos have been creating Trypillian-style ceramics for more than 30years. (For more about the couple and their work, log on to www.trypillian.com.)Violinist Vasyl Popadiuk featuredat Cabaret Night in Philadelphiaby Andrea Porytko Zharovsky“… A three dimensional palate ofarchitecture and penitent mathematicalprecision, the violin is unique in its abilityto influence emotion through sound. Thepromise of its haunting, perfectly playednotes, echo somewhere in the deepestchasms of the heart and soul. Within itsstructure, the violin bears the inherenttemperament of human emotion, yet with alonging no human voice, no pen, nosweeping stroke of the brush could everproduce…” (Violin Making, Will Sullivan)JENKINTOWN, Pa. – Decorated toevoke a carefree gypsy spirit, theUkrainian Educational and CulturalCenter set the mood for its April 21Cabaret Night featuring Vasyl Popadiukand his musical group Papa Duke.Dimmed lights, exotic layering ofgypsy scarves, elaborate candle arrangementsand coins scattered on each tablewere a feast for the eyes. Gypsies“worked” the room, greeting guests of theconcert, one of many upcoming eventsintended to benefit the UECC BuildingRenovation Fund. The cocktail hour gaveguests an opportunity to mingle and buyappetizers or drinks at the bar.Mr. Popadiuk became a storyteller onstage. Dark and brooding with the sorrowof displacement and prejudice, then suddenlycarefree and soaring with the loveof unfettered life, he tantalized listenerswith his version of expressive lyricism ofgypsy world fusion music.He captured emotion as a narrativebringing incredible intensity and technicalbrilliance to each song. Performingsuch classics in the first set like “Hutsul,”“Cranes,” “Somewhere,” ‘Real Gypsy,”“Once Upon a Time,” “CarpathianHoedown,” “Cloud” and “Those Werethe Days,” Vasyl Popadiuk and PapaDuke provided expressive nuances andharmonic subtleties with contrastsbetween slow and fast, high and lowpositions, pizzicato and arco.In the second set, something truly magicaltook place. With exaggerated vibrato,heart-stopping chromatic runs and a rateof acceleration in songs like “Around theWorld,” “Dark Eyes,” “Tango,” “Sun,”“Romance,” “Mina de Carnaval,” “Lark”and “Czardash,” guests could close theireyes and be transported to a gypsy campwhere they could almost smell theircampfire and feel the music luring, temptingand inviting them to dance.Mr. Popadiuk energized the UECCwith his passionate performance. Theguests of the UECC, in turn, respondedby stamping their feet and clapping theirhands hoping to influence and “bribe”Mr. Popadiuk and the members of PapaDuke by refueling them, and providingthem with yet more inspiration to returnto the stage for two encores.Papa Duke comprises Stan Fomin onkeyboards, Victor Khomenko on bass,David West on guitar and Frank Botos ondrums.Playing key roles in the evening’s successwere: Laryssa Krywusha, chair of theorganizing committee; Marijka Cyhan,master of ceremonies; Phil Forchelli ofCity Entertainment Systems; Loj Designs;Oksana Ivanowych Catering; and the colorful“Gypsy” Voloshky dancers.All proceeds from the April 21Cabaret Night are designated for theUECC Building Renovation Fund.Chicago Business and Professional Groupvisits University of Chicago Oriental Instituteby George HrycelakCHICAGO – The Ukrainian Businessand Professional Group of Chicago (UBPG)visited the Oriental Institute Museum at theUniversity of Chicago campus on Sunday,March 18, to hear Prof. Norman Golb discussthe state of Khazar scholarship andrecent archeological finds in Ukraine.The UBPG, under the capable leadershipof Anna Mostovych and her team,holds regular meetings of interest toentrepreneurs and professionals coveringa variety of intellectual and informativetopics. On occasion, guest speakers areinvited from out-of-town, but local talentis not overlooked and is often foundamong the prestigious institutions ofbusiness and higher learning in Chicago.Prof. Golb has studied and publishednumerous books and scholarly articles ofJewish history, including a book authoredjointly with the late Prof. Omeljan Pritsakof Harvard University, titled “KhazarianHebrew Documents of the Tenth Century.”Prof. Golb informed the listeners abouta collection of ancient documents from the10th century, written by a Khazarian-Jewish community and brought fromEgypt. These documents contain textsmentioning the word “Kyiv” and relatingcertain names indicating Ukrainian ancestry.Dr. Golb related the fascinating detectiveprocess in deciphering and validatingthe texts, placing them in historical perspective,and broadening the historicaldiversity of 10th century Ukraine.In concluding his presentation, Prof.Golb described his recent trip to theNational University of Kyiv MohylaAcademy, showing several photographsof the academy’s campus.Prior to Prof. Golb’s lecture, the UBPGgroup of nearly 40 guests toured the prestigiousOriental Institute Museum, observingthe range of ancient Middle Eastern historywith an eye to current developments in thearea of today’s Tigris and Euphrates.At the close of the tour and lecture, thegroup retired to Medici’s on East 57thStreet for a well-deserved meal andopportunity to discuss the day’s academicand historical ponderings amid a friendlyand collegiate atmosphere.George HrycelakPresident Anna Mostovych of the Ukrainian Business and Professional Group ofChicago greets Prof. Norman Golb at the Oriental Institute.”Ukrainian Institute of Modern Artholds successful fund-raising auctionCHICAGO – The third annual fundraisingauction at the Ukrainian Instituteof Modern Art in Chicago was held onApril 21. The event, originally conceivedby Olenka Pryma, UIMA’s vice-president,had a very successful turnout with nearly100 attendees.The auction is held in the spring ofeach year at the UIMA and has gained areputation as a venue for those seekingthe opportunity to purchase modern artby well-known Ukrainian artists such asAka Pereyma, Jacques Hnizdovsky andEvhen Prokopov.More traditional items such asUkrainian textiles, embroidery andceramics were also auctioned. Localbusinesses make donations to the auctionas well, gift certificates for various servicesare offered for bidding.This years’ auction was conducted asboth a silent and live auction with thelive auction conducted by auction committeechair Luba Markewycz, longtimeUIMA executive committee member andchair of education.In addition to the opportunity to purchaseauctioned items, attendees enjoyed liveentertainment and a buffet. Cocktails for theevent were provided by Charles Franco.The auction committee membersincluded Lialia Kuchma, Ms. Pryma,Orysia Cardosso, Kalyna Pomirko,Christine Sobol and Alla Ostapenko. Theevening was generously supported byboth members and friends of the institute.Proceeds from the event will supportUIMA’s remodeling efforts in 2007.* * *The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Artwas created to preserve and promote theknowledge and appreciation of contemporaryUkrainian art and culture. It hasserved as an artistic anchor in Chicago’sWest Town community for more than 30years, providing world-class art exhibitions,concerts, literary readings, and educationaland cultural exchanges.The UIMA is located at 2320 W.Chicago Ave.; telephone, 773-227-5522.The institute is open Wednesday throughSunday, noon-4 p.m.

22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Ukrainian National Foundation in support ofSoyuzivka presents theUkrainian Film & CulturalFestival!Sum- July 11-15, 2007 merCampsat2004FEATURE ACTS:‘Natalia Buchynska’– Singer from Ternopil, UkraineRoma Pryma-Bohachevsky’s Ukrainian Dance Workshop‘Oleh Kulchytsky Ensemble’ from Lviv, Ukraine & featuring Soloist ‘Filip Zmacher’ from Kyiv, Ukraine‘Levko Durko’ Comedy Show from Lviv, Ukraine‘Bandura Rozmova’– Bandurist Duo Taras Lazurkevych & Oleh Sozansky, Lviv UkraineViolinists- Innessa Tymochko-Dekajlo & Marian Pidvirnyj, from Lviv, Ukraine‘Roman Tsymbala’- Ukrainian Opera Singer‘Marina Skliarova’– Singer from Kyiv, Ukraine‘Vidlunia’ Ukrainian Band featuring band leader Stepan BenMC– Folk Singer Erko Palydowycz‘Ukrainian Cinema’ presented by the Ukrainian Film Club of Columbia University,Film Program Director– Dr. Yuri Shevchuk & Film Festival Director– Christina KotlarUkrainian Art & Craft Vendors, Ukrainian & American Cuisine & more!Wednesday, July 11Opening Ceremony- 5 pm‘HUTSUL’ Dinner w/show- 6 pmFilm Festival Opening- 8 pmThursday, July 12Ukrainian Craft DemonstrationsFilm Festival 2-4 pm & 6:30 pmDinner in Dining Room 5-7 pmMusical Concert 9 pmFriday, July 13Ukrainian Craft DemonstrationsUkrainian Arts & Craft VendorPlaza 12 pmFilm Festival 2-4 pm & 6-8 pmFood Court BBQ 4 pmDinner in Dining Room 5-8 pmEvening Stage Show 8-9:30 pm‘Zabava’ (Ukrainian Dance)Featuring Ukrainian Bands“Burya” & “Luna” 9:30 pmFor more information CALL:(845) 626-5641Or visit our Web Site at: www.Soyuzivka.comFor interest in being a Vendor CALL:(203) ) 274-5579 after 6 pmSoyuzivka Heritage CenterSaturday, July 14Ukrainian Craft DemonstrationsUkrainian Arts & Craft VendorPlaza 10 amFood Court/BBQ/Pig Roast 11 amStage Shows 1-2:30 pm AND 7 pmFilm Festival 2-6 pmChildren’s Show featuring ‘LevkoDurko’ 3 pmDinner in Dining Room 5-8 pm‘Zabava’ Featuring Ukrainian Bands“Burya” & “Luna” 9:30 pm*all times subject to changeUNA Estate Soyuzivka P.O.Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (845) 626-5641ADMISSION:Wednesday only &Thursday only: $5.00(8 years old & under free)Friday: $10.00Ages 9-20: 9$5.00Saturday: $20.0000Ages 9-20: 9$10.004 DAYS: $25.00Bus Groups Discounted!Free Parking!Hotel amenities Include– Olympic size Swimming Pool, Kiddie Pool, TennisCourts, Hiking Trails, Sand Volleyball Court, Daily Breakfast & Dinner inDining Room, Snack Bar, Outside Tiki Bar, Trembita Lounge & Gift Shop.www.Soyuzivka.com

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 23NOTES ON PEOPLESon joins fatherin Hall of FameCLIFTON, N.J. – Dr. Severin B.Palydowycz joined his father, Severin M.Palydowycz, on April 15 as the firstfather and son to be inducted into theClifton High School Athletic Hall ofFame.The younger Palydowycz, who washonored for his achievements in Soccerand Golf, was the first freshman in CHShistory to make varsity team. Other honorsincluded being a three-time AllCounty and two-time All State winner,two-time leading scorer, team MVP, seniorcaptain, national scholar athlete andStar-Ledger Athlete of the Week.The elder Palydowycz, who wasinducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in1972, started the soccer program at CHSin the mid-1960s, coaching the team formany years.Dr. Palydowycz learned the game ofsoccer on the streets as he grew up in theAthenia section of Clifton, with manyother Ukrainians, Slovaks and Poles inthe neighborhood. Dr. Palydowycz callshis father his biggest influence alongwith coaches Angelo Izzo and FernandoRossi. During the summer after his sophomoreyear, Dr. Palydowycz was selectedto be one of two non-Italian citizens toplay on the Fraina Town Team in theProvince of Chieti Summer Tournamentin Italy, which he said opened his eyes tothat level of play.Looking back, Dr. Palydowyczrecalled the camaraderie that was builtamongst the players, the leadership rolehe played as senior captain and theresponsibility that helped him growbeyond the sport as a person.After playing for CHS, Dr.Palydowycz played varsity soccer forBrown University, becoming the onlyplayer of his generation to play everygame of his four-year career. In thatcapacity, he earned All Ivy and All NewEngland section honors, led the league inscoring in 1984 and became captain in1985.Currently, Dr. Palydowycz resides inGoshen, N.Y., and is a practicing ophthalmologistwith offices in Middletown,N.Y., and Milford, Pa., and continues tocoach soccer and hockey.Sisters competein skiing’s BodefestBRETTON WOODS, N.H. – Olenaand Tania Ripnick joined forces on April14th at the third annual Bodefest, a charityfund-raiser run by Bode Miller, U.S.and world champion skier and Olympicmedalist, at Bretton Woods.The sisters came to win and didn’t disappoint.Their team of four includedDave Chaffee, a former pro racer, andBryce Edwards, a former JuniorOlympian. Team Greene from Windhamput in a strong showing and finishedthird overrall.Olena Ripnick, who came out of raceretirement to race with her sister, first startedracing with the Ukrainian CarpathianSki Club, as did her little sister Tania.Tania Ripnick placed second after thefirst run, running 2/10ths of a secondbehind the leader. She overtook her competitorin the second run and won theoverall race by over a second. She is currentlyon the University of Vermont skiteam and trains in Austria.Tania Ripnick has been accepted tostudy slalom technique with Schild Race,whose first student is Marlies SchildWorld Cup winner and slalom-winningrecord-breaker of all time in Austria.Tania Ripnick plans to continue her questfor personal best in the world of competitivealpine ski racing.The Ripnick sisters, Olena (left) and Tania (right) at the Bodefest ski races with(from left) Dave Chaffee, Bode Miller and Bryce Edwards.Dr. Severin B. Palydowycz (center) is flanked by his father and his son, and surroundedby family and friends who attended his induction into the Clifton HighSchool Athletic Hall of Fame.Wins long jump event for Rutgers teamThe Ukrainian Weekly announces a special sectionCongratulations,Graduates!Every year tens of thousands of students throughout North Americareceive undergraduate and graduate degrees at colleges and universities,cresting a pinnacle of personal achievement.The Ukrainian Weekly’s special section – Congratulations,Graduates! – offers readers of The Ukrainian Weekly the opportunityto place a note congratulating family members and dear friends ontheir recent achievements. This annual section will be published onJuly 8, 2007.To place an ad congratulating a recent graduate,please send us the following by June 22:• your note of congratulations, in Ukrainian or English,which should be no more than 50 words, including names;• in English, the full name of the graduate, the degree completed or diplomareceived, along with the date it was presented, a list of awards andhonors given the graduate, and the name and location of the school;• a photo of the graduate (optional);• payment for the ad;• your daytime phone number.The ad sizes for the greeting are a 1/8 page horizontal for $100 or a1/4 page for $180.PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers University men’s track and field team tookfirst place at the 2007 Outdoor Metropolitan Championships, held on Saturday,April 21, with 28 top-five finishes. Winning the long jump with a distance of 7.16meters (23 feet, 6 inches) was sophomore Nicholas Syzonenko of Randolph, N.J.Mr. Syzonenko also tied for third place in the high jump, clearing 1.95 meters (6feet, 4.8 inches). Above, Mr. Syzonenko is seen during the long jump competition.Please make checks payable to The Ukrainian Weeklyand mail along with above information to:The Ukrainian Weekly – Congratulations Graduates!2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280Parsippany, NJ 07054Attn. Maria OscislawskiOr e-mail: adsukrpubl@att.netFor further information, please call (973) 292-9800 ext. 3040or visit www.ukrweekly.com

24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21SPORTSLINETennis• Ukrainian tennis player TatianaPerebyinis and Russian Vera Dushevinabeat Russians Elena Likhovtseva andElena Vesnina (7-5, 3-6, tiebreak 9-2) onMay 7 to win the doubles Women’sTennis Association championship inWarsaw and claim a prize of $600,000.In singles, Olena Bodnarenko reachedthe final against Belgian Justine Henin,but lost in two sets (6-1, 6-3). TheWomen’s Tennis Association rankedOlena Bodnarenko 25th, Yulia Vakulenko34th, and Kateryna Bodnarenko 46th, asreported by Ukrinform on May 21.• Tatiana Perebyinis beat PetraCetkovska from the Czech Republic inthe singles final of the InternationalTennis Federation tournament in Franceon May 21 and collected $50,000 in prizemoney. This is her fourth ITF prize in2007, adding to a tournament she wontwo weeks prior in Warsaw.Soccer• Ukrainian forward Andriy Shevchenkohad surgery on a hernia he sustained duringtraining, which forced him to sit out theUEFA Champions League match betweenManchester United and Chelsea. Accordingto the Associated Press, Shevchenko willmiss Ukraine’s Euro Cup qualifier againstFrance in June. Also out with injury forUkraine are Serhiy Rebrov with a hip injuryand Artem Milevsky with a foot complaint.• The chief of the DnipropetrovskRegional Football Federation, AndriyPavelko, said on May 11 that theAssociation of Football Fans is to beestablished in Ukraine, becoming thefirst association of its kind in Ukraine.The association will unite all fans andwill aim at securing proper behavior atstadiums. It will be established within theframework of gearing for Euro 2012,which will run in Kyiv, Donetsk, Lvivand Dnipropetrovsk.Boxing• Over 280 boxers from 25 countriesattended the seventh international tournamentat the Sports Palace in Kyiv onApril 23. The event was sponsored by theKlitschko brothers and was organized bythe Family Youth and Sports Ministry,the Ministry of Defense, Kyiv CityAdministration, the Brothers KlitschkoFund and the Volodymyr ZolotariovBoxing Club, as reported by Ukrinformon April 23. Representing Ukraine wereArtem Dalakian, Heorhii Chahariev,Oleksander Kliuchko, Ismail Silakh,Serhii Pyvovarenko and ViacheslavHlazkov, who collected six medals.Honorable guests included Volodymyrand Valerii Sydorenko, OleksanderYahubkin, Oleksander Tkachenko andViacheslav Yanovskyi.• According to SportsIllustrated.com,Ukrainian heavyweight Vitali Klitschko(37-2), will return to the ring inSeptember. Citing an anonymous sourceclose to Klitschko, the contract reportedlystipulates that the winner of the Peter-Maskaev fight will have 120 days to fightKlitschko, but the site of the boutremains undetermined. Prior to his retirementin 2005 due to a knee injury,Klitschko had the highest percentageknockout rate at 92 percent. Additionally,Klitschko voiced his intention to run asecond time for the post of mayor ofKyiv, according to Zerkalo Nedeli. “Iwant to stay in Ukrainian politics andbecome the mayor of Kyiv,” he said,adding that he would like to have theopportunity to influence the current politicalsituation in the country.• Ukrainian southpaw and WBO LightMiddleweight champion SergiyDzinziruk (34-0, 22 KO), retained histitle on May 22 for the third time with an11th round TKO of previously undefeatedCarlos Nascimento (16-1, 13 KO).The bout was stopped by referee BrianGarry after a combination fromDzinziruk sent Nascimento across thering and through the ropes.WeightliftingUkrainian weightlifter Olha Korobkawon the over 75 kg division of theEuropean Weightlifting Championship inStrasbourg, France, with 133 kg (setting anew record) in the snatch and 160 kg inthe clean and jerk, to win a gold medal, asreported by Ukrinform on April 23. YuliaDovhan won the bronze medal in the samecategory. Nataliya Trotsenko won gold inthe 53 kg division with 86 kg in thesnatch, third in the clean and jerk with 100kg; she won silver in the overall. In the 69kg division Nataliya Davydova won secondplace in the snatch with 109 kg, andthird place in the clean and jerk with 132kg, winning bronze in the overall. Ukrainefinished third overall with four gold, threesilver and seven bronze medals.Cycling• Over 1,200 cyclists participated in the“All-Ukrainian Day of Bicycle” in downtownKyiv, according to ArinaKuropatkina, the organizer of the event.The event started at the Arch of theFriendhip of Peoples and ended on St.Michael’s Square. The aim of the event isto demonstrate the advantages of travellingby bicycle rather than by car and tourge the authorities of Kyiv to create betterconditions for cyclists. Event participantsalso called on their colleagues to getto their workplaces by bicycle on May 21.On May 24, 2006, about 1,000 Kyiv bicyclistsheld the fourth event called “ToWork on a Bicycle” in downtown Kyivwith the aim of drawing the attention ofthe authorities and company owners tothe lack of bicycling infrastructure in the(Continued on page 28)Tryzubivka sports complexhosts spring tennis tourneyDuring the trophy presentations (standing, from left) are: Orest Wasyluk, SlavaLee, George Hrabec, Marijka Tatunchak, George Sawchak, Gene Serba and(kneeling) Greg Serba.HORSHAM, Pa. – The first Ukrainiantennis tournament of the 2007 outdoorseason was held here at Ukrainian SportCenter complex, Tryzubivka, during theweekend of April 28-29.Known as Tryzub’s Spring Tournament,this annual event has been attractingUkrainian tennis players from all parts ofthe United States and at times, Canada andUkraine, for the past 20 years. They comeyear after year to compete, enjoy camaraderieand rekindle friendships despite theless than perfect playing conditions.This year the tournament was contestedin the women’s and men’s open divisions.In the women’s group, past championSlava Pawlichka Lee defeated her sister,Marijka Pawlichka Tatunchak, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to win the championship. Both ladiescompeted to honor the memory of theirrecently deceased father, Dr. IwanPawlichka, a great soccer player and tennisenthusiast.In the men’s group, George Sawchaktook the title by defeating George Hrabec6-3, 6-1 in the final. In the semifinalsSawchak advanced when Jerry Tymkiw,with the score at 7-5, 2-0 for Sawchak,retired due to a hand injury.One of the best matches of the tournamentwas Hrabec’s semifinal win overGene Serba by the score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.Hrabec, who hails from Massachusetts,in the had a three-set win quarterfinalsagainst Orest Wasyluk from Maryland, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-1.Other good matches of the main tournamentwere Wasyluk's first-round winover George Popel, 6-4, 7-5, WalterDziwak’s first-round win over youngGreg Serba, 6-4, 6-0, and Gene Serba’swin over Dziwak, 6-3,7-6 (3).Gene Serba gained third place in themen’s group by winning a feed-in tournament,defeating Wasyluk in the pro-setfinal 8-2. Also in the feed-in, Popel wonover Ihor Buhaj 8-4, Wasyluk beat 17-year-old Greg Serba 8-3, Dziwak outlastedPopel 10-8, and Gene Serba won overDziwak 8-6 to reach the final feed-in.Presenting trophies at the closing ceremoniesto winners and finalists of eachgroup were Messrs. Sawchak, tournamentand USCAK tennis director, andHrabec of USCAK’s Tennis Committee.The next Ukrainian tennis tournamentwill be the USCAK-East Championships,which will be held on June 30-July 1 atthe Ukrainian National Associationestate, Soyuzivka, in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

No. 21WHIPPANY, N.J – The UkrainianAmerican Cultural Center of NewJersey (UACCNJ) sponsored its firstping-pong tournament, held at the newgymnasium, on Saturday, April 28.Thirty-seven participants were enteredinto five different divisions, and after74 matches and four hours of intense,yet fun, competition, five championswere crowned and trophies were handedout to the first and second place finishers.The age 13-18 division – one of themore competitive divisions with 16 participants– eventually saw Peter Lysiakdefeat Sviat Lesko in a thrilling threegame final. The tournament format forthis division was double elimination,best two out of three, with games playedto a score of 15. Lysiak took the firstgame 15-8 with Lesko bouncing backand taking the second game 15-10.Lysiak, showing consistency in his playall day, won the third game and thematch 15-10. Dan Tylawsky took a veryrespectable third place.“I was pleasantly surprised at howmany good, young players there were inthis division,” said tournament directorBo Kucyna.In the 45 and over division, Jan Lysiakdefeated Gene Chyzowych two games toone in a very well played and close final.The tournament format for this divisionalso was double elimination, best two outof three; however, games were played toTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 25UACCNJ sponsors its first ping-pong tournamentFINAL RESULTS12 and under1. Marc Andrian2. Oles Hatala13-181. Peter Lysiak2. Sviat Lesko3. Dan Tylawsky45 and over1. Jan Lysiak2. Gene Chyzowych3. Andy SemegenOpen1. Bo Kucyna2. Karl Wilbur3. Anna TylawskyDoubles1. Karl Wilbur/Greg Serheev2. Orest Kucyna/Bo Kucyna3. Victor Hatala/Oles HatalaTable tennis players of all ages who turned out to compete at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey.a score of 21. Lysiak took the first gamein an extremely tight game, 21-18.Chyzowych returned the favor with a 21-18 victory for himself in game 2 beforeLysiak took control of the match, takingthe championship with a 21-13 victory ingame 3. Third place honors went toAndy Semegen.In the open division (15 participants),Bo Kucyna defeated Karl Wilbur in amatch fitting for an open final. The formatwas a double elimination, best twoout of three, games to 15. This matchalso went the full three games, with eachgame being decided by the slightest ofmargins. Game 1 went to Kucyna by ascore of 15-13, with both players showingtheir ability to play in long rallys. Ingame 2 Wilbur went back to his aggressivestyle and won the game by a scoreof 15-11. A highlight of the secondgame was Wilbur diving full stretch toreturn a Kucyna smash. The third andfinal game went back and forth withboth players having the opportunity totake the match. But it was Kucyna whohung on for the 17-15 victory in the end.Third place honors went to a verydeserving Anna Tylawsky.The 12 and under division saw MarcAndrian defeat Oles Hatala in a closebest-four-out-of-seven match to takehome the first place trophy.The tournament day ended with a doublescompetition during which the teamof Karl Wilbur/Greg Serheev defeatedA view of tournament action in the UACCNJ gymnasium.Katia KucynaWinners in the 13-18 age group, Sviat Lesko (left) and Peter Lysiak.Winners in the 45 and over group, Gene Chyzowych (left) and Jan Lysiak (center)with tournament director Bo Kucyna.the team of Orest Kucyna/Bo Kucyna inthe final.At the closing ceremonies, thankswere extended to Gene Chyzowych, whowas able to loan six tables to the centerfor use in the tournament. Praise wasgiven to Myron Bytz and Orest Kucyna,who handled most of the referee andscorekeeping responsibilities, and specialthanks went to Kathy Kucyna and MariaKucyna for handling the registration ontournament day.Tournament director Bo Kucyna commented:“The tournament was a greatsuccess. The goal was to bring ourcommunity together, both young andold, to participate in an event such asthis at our Ukrainian American CulturalCenter of New Jersey. There was goodcompetition, and most importantly, funfor all participants and spectators whoattended.”In fact, the tournament was such a successthat there are plans to form a Ping-Pong Club at the center. Those interestedin joining or receiving more informationshould contact Mr. Kucyna atboksoc@aol.com.

26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21

No. 21With no end...(Continued from page 1)Yushchenko fired Procurator GeneralSviatoslav Piskun on May 24, the day afterthe nation’s top prosecutor upheld the rightof the three dismissed judges – ActingChair Valerii Pshenychnyi, Suzanna Stanikand Volodymyr Ivaschenko – to sit on theConstitutional Court.Mr. Yushchenko had appointed Mr.Piskun as procurator general just a monthago.“Yushchenko’s in trouble,” said IvanLozowy, president of the Kyiv-basedInstitute of Statehood and Democracy,which currently performs work for YuliaTymoshenko Bloc politicians. “He’sfailed to bring the court to heel, and thechips have fallen in a bad way for him.”Mr. Piskun’s dismissal provoked fights atthe Procurator General’s Office buildingbetween law enforcement authorities andgovernment officials – the second incidentof violence since the crisis began April 2and the first sign that the battling sides arewilling to use armed forces at their disposal.After leaving his office when notifiedof his dismissal, Mr. Piskun decided tostage a siege and returned with anentourage of personal guards and Partyof the Regions deputies who fought withthe state security officers allied with thepresident; they eventually forced theirway back into his office.Minutes later, Minister of InternalAffairs Vasyl Tsushko arrived accompaniedby Berkut Special Forces, assuringreporters that “the Ministry of InternalAffairs will provide for the normal workof Procurator General Piskun.”The special forces also fought withstate security officers, broke down doorsand entered Mr. Piskun’s office, where hewas accompanied by a swarm of journalistsand deputies, including Party of theRegions Parliamentary Faction ChairRaisa Bohatyriova and Communist Partyof Ukraine leader Petro Symonenko.In front of television cameras, coalitiondeputies shoved presidential ally and recentlyappointed State Security AdministrationChair Valerii Heletei from the office,smashing the door in the process.Mr. Heletei had arrived at theProcurator General’s Office to ensure theenforcement of the president’s decree todismiss Mr. Piskun alongside the statesecurity officers under his command.Soon enough, the coalition forces hadtaken full control of the building thathouses the Procurator General’s Officewith the help of Berkut Special Forces.Afterwards, the coalition and the oppositionforces accused each other of attemptingrebellion and engaging in criminal acts.Cross blessed...(Continued from page 1)ment budget will provide funding towardthe building project; Myroslav Senyk,head of the Lviv Oblast Council, confirmedthis. And Lviv Mayor AndriiSadovyi added that the deputies of theCity Council had passed a decision toinclude funds for the development of theUCU in the 2008 city budget.One of the first confirmed “majordonors” for the building project is PopeBenedict XVI, who has given the UCU100,000 euros ($135,000 U.S.) from themoney he received on the occasion of hisrecent 80th birthday.“This event has significance not onlyfor us,” said the Rev. Gudziak. “We arebeginning the construction of a new studenttown, which should become a forgefor the spiritual and intellectual life notonly of Lviv but of all Ukraine. The UCUwill always remain a relatively smallinstitution of higher education. However,THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 27The president appointed Mr. Piskun,most recently a Party of the Regionsnational deputy, presumably to conductthe Procurator General’s Office in defenseof his presidency against the coalitiongovernment’s political assaults.At the time, political observers wereconfused as to why the president wouldselect a procurator general with a historyof allying with his enemies.Mr. Piskun said on May 23 he believedthe Holosiyivskyi District Court reached theproper ruling in rejecting a legal complaintfrom the Secretariat requesting that it denythe right of the three dismissed judges toparticipate in the court’s judicial activities.The same day, Mr. Piskun dropped criminalcharges pursued by the Secretariatagainst the three dismissed judges for forcingtheir way into the Constitutional Courton May 17, and illegally assuming governmentauthority and official posts.Both these actions made it clear thatMr. Piskun was acting in the interests ofthe coalition government, though the officialreason Mr. Yushchenko offered for hisfiring was that Mr. Piskun failed to resignas a national deputy, violating the law forbiddingdeputies from moonlighting inother government posts.However, this reasoning appeared tocontradict the president’s position thatthe Verkhovna Rada is inactive as of hisApril 26 re-dismissal decree.During his more than two years asUkrainian president, Mr. Yushchenko hasbecome notorious for making poor personneldecisions, observers noted, andthe April 26 selection of Mr. Piskun hasthe potential to be most devastating.“His appointment was one ofYushchenko’s biggest mistakes in recenttimes,” said Oleh Riznyk, chair of the PoraCitizen’s Campaign in Ternopil. “I hope thisbecomes a lesson, and that after such a lapseYushchenko will finally turn his attention touncompromised, young and responsibleofficials in his personnel decisions, ratherthan ‘the lesser evil’ principle.”The three dismissed judges demonstratedthey are intent on issuing rulings.When reviewing the Ukrainian law onUkraine’s judicial system, the ConstitutionalCourt on May 23 ruled the article giving thepresident the authority to appoint or dismissthe Constitutional Court’s chair and assistantchair as unconstitutional.In reaction, presidential lawyer IvanPukshyn said the ruling had no legitimacybecause it was issued by dismissed judges.The same day, the Shevchenko DistrictCourt forbade the three dismissed judgesfrom taking part in the ConstitutionalCourt’s activity – a decision they dulyignored.Our Ukraine National Deputy MykolaOnyschuk suggested police officers usewe see its mission in the consolidation ofthe university environment of Lviv. Ourcity has 120,000 students, but in daily lifethe social weight of Lviv educationalinstitutions is not felt. We hope that jointprayer and joint work will make clear therole of the academic community of Lviv.”At present the UCU has 1,200 studentsin its day, evening and extension programs.The Rev. Guziak said that in fiveyears the UCU will have 1,000 studentsin the day program and another 1,000 inevening and extension courses. In additionto those from Lviv and other parts ofUkraine, the UCU has students from theUnited States, Canada, Belarus, Russiaand Argentina.Further information about the UCU inEnglish and Ukrainian is available on theuniversity's website at www.ucu.edu.ua.Readers may also contact the UkrainianCatholic Education Foundation, 2247 W.Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; phone,773-235-8462; e-mail, ucef@ucef.org;website, www.ucef.org. The phone numberof the UCEF in Canada is 416-239-2495.force to prevent the three judges from enteringthe Court.Nothing of the sort happened, however,as about 20 Party of the Regions andSocialist Party national deputies formed ahuman corridor on May 24 to ensure thethree judges would gain access to the courtwithout possible interference from protestorsor opposition deputies.Nevertheless, the Constitutional Courtcouldn’t convene that day because eightjudges were either on sick leave or vacation,preventing a quorum.Not all political observers believe thecoalition government has the upper hand.Even if the Constitutional Court rules thatMr. Yushchenko violated the Constitution,some experts said the court has been so discredited,particularly after three dismissedjudges forced their way into the chamber onMay 17, that both the Ukrainian public andinternational community will give its rulinglittle, if any credence.“Whatever the Constitutional Court’s ruling– it is most likely that there will beattempts to deem the president’s decreesunconstitutional – such rulings won’t be recognizedby the president’s side and a significantpart of society,” said VolodymyrFesenko, board chairman of the Kyiv-basedPenta Center for Applied Political Research.It remains unclear how the internationalcommunity will react to a ruling by aConstitutional Court tainted with so muchcontroversy.When the Parliamentary Assembly of theCouncil of Europe issued its April 19 resolutionurging a reliance on the courts, the presidenthadn’t yet dismissed three judges forviolations, the Security Service of Ukrainehadn’t yet alleged that Suzanna Stanikobtained $12 million in bribes through hermother and the three dismissed judges hadn’tyet forced their way back into the court.After the chaotic events of May 24,Parliamentary opposition leader YuliaTymoshenko declared an ultimatum againsther coalition opponents, stating that both theYulia Tymoshenko and Our Ukraine factionswill once and for all liquidate their parliamentarydeputy lists by May 29 if a politicalcompromise hadn’t yet been reached.Doing so would force an immediate, definitedismissal of Parliament, which wouldnot offer the discussed possibility of re-conveningfor two days and passing legislation,in a compromise with the coalition government,to prepare for pre-term elections.Parliament is automatically dismissed ifat least one-third of the deputies’ corps(150 members) surrenders their mandatesand resigns.Ms. Tymoshenko said she knows for afact that Messrs. Yushchenko and Mr.Yanukovych agreed to a date to hold pretermparliamentary elections during aMay 23 meeting. “It was agreed that inseveral hours following their meeting,the parliamentary forces would sign allthe necessary documents, the electiondate would be announced and the regularprocess of preparing for elections wouldbegin,” Ms. Tymoshenko said.“Unfortunately, the entire process of discussionsand signing documents disappearedat the same time the prime minister went towatch soccer,” she said, referring to Mr.Yanukovych’s decision to fly to Donetsk andwatch a Shakhtar soccer match. “It’s sad thatpoliticians at such a level, like the primeminister, can’t keep their word.”On May 23 Mr. Yanukovych appeared toback away from his May 4 agreement withMr. Yushchenko, in which they agreed tohold pre-term parliamentary elections. In avideotaped statement, he said such electionsshould be held only on the condition theywould benefit Ukrainians.The same day, Mr. Yushchenkoappointed Ms. Tymoshenko’s closest confidante,Oleksander Turchynov, as thevice-secretary of the National Securityand Defense Council.“Yushchenko’s trying to consolidatethe opposition so that they can push forwardtogether,” Mr. Lozowy commented.

28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Sheptytsky Institute prepares for 21st summer programOTTAWA – The Metropolitan AndreySheptytsky Institute of Eastern ChristianStudies (MASI) is inviting participantsfor its 21st summer intensive program.This is a unique opportunity to earn sixuniversity credits while living and prayingin community. There is a daily liturgicalcycle ranging from matins, divineliturgy, hours, vespers and eveningprayer. To complement class time, studentsvisit various area Eastern Christianchurches, centers and monasteries in theregion. The program runs from June 30to July 28.Since 1987, MASI has offered studentsthe opportunity to integrate the study ofthe theology, liturgy and spirituality of theChristian East with a lived experience ofEastern monasticism or community life.From 1996 this was achieved through theinstitute’s Summer Intensive Programs atHoly Transfiguration (Mount Tabor)Monastery in Redwood Valley, Calif., andat the Mother of God Monastery inOrangeville, Ontario, Canada. In 2005 theannual summer intensive program movedto Holy Spirit Seminary in Ottawa. Thishas allowed students to take advantage ofthe exceptional theological library at St.Paul University while working on theirclass assignments.Father Stephen Wojcichowsky, whotook over as director of the institute inFebruary, will be the on-site programadministrator. This will be a different hatfrom the one he wore in the late 1990s.Sportsline(Continued from page 24)city. The Kyiv city administration calledon Kyiv bicyclists to form their own association.The administration believes thatbicyclists will be able to cooperate withthe authorities effectively and betterlobby for road ways for bicyclists.• Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych,27, took on the lead of the DiscoveryChannel Team for the May 12 to June 3Tour of Italy, replacing Ivan Basso afterongoing suspicions of doping caused himto quit on April 30. The 29-year old Bassois one of dozens of riders implicated in the“Operation Puerto” doping affair last year,which re-erupted in recent weeks. Bassomaintains his innocence in the matter.WrestlingVasyl Fedoryshyn defeated Azeri AbilIbragimov, Greek Themis Jakvidsa,Hungarian Gergo Weller and BulgarianAnatoli Guydu to win gold at the EuropeanGreco-Roman Wrestling Championship inSofia, Bulgaria, on April 22. Oleh Khvoschwon third place overall in the 66 kg division.Serhiy Priadun won gold in the 120kg freestyle competition. In the women’sdivision, Olha Kohut won gold in the 48 kgdivision, Kateryna Burmistrova wonbronze in the 67 kg division.ArcheryUkrainian athletes have won gold, silverand four bronze medals at the EuropeanJunior Cup of Archery in Limassol,Cyprus, on May 16-20. Ukraine won silverin the junior men’s division with 214points. In the junior division, Ukraine’swomen archers won bronze with 204points. In the men’s cadet category,Ukraine tied for third with Belgium, eachwith 213 points, and again won third in thewomen’s cadet category with 197 points.In individual competition, OleksanderMalushyn won gold with 106 points.On the last day of the 2006 program, students participate in a re-entry seminarfollowed by some time for unwinding. The students ended the program by takinga boat tour of the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River.when he was a student in the program atMount Tabor in California.Father Maxym Lysack, a frequent sessionallecturer at MASI, will present acourse on the theology and spirituality ofPaul Evdokimov. Father MichaelKwiatkowski, who is the spiritual directorof Holy Spirit Seminary, will lectureon lay participation and the Eastern Codeof Canon Law.Students of all ages are welcome.Previous participants have come from allover North America and Ukraine andranged in age from teenagers to seniors.They have included Eastern Catholicsincluding Ukrainians, Romanians andRuthenians, as well as Roman Catholicsand Orthodox students. Once again, theCatholic Near East Welfare Associationwill sponsor four students from Ukraine.The cost of the program is $1,695 (U.S.).To receive an application package contact:Metropolitan Andrey SheptytskyInstitute of Eastern Christian Studies St.Paul University, 223 Main St., Ottawa,ON K1S 1C4; telephone, 613-236-1393,ext. 2332; toll-free in North America: 1-800-637-6859, ext. 2332; fax, 613-782-3026; e-mail, sheptytsky@ustpaul.ca;website, www.ustpaul.ca/sheptytsky.Mark Your Calendar & Join Us forOur Summer Kick-off Festivities!Memorial Day Weekend & Orchidia Patrons’ ReunionMAY 25-27, 2007Festivities all weekend– Friday night Tiki Bar entertainment featuring‘Zukie & Friends’, Saturday night zabava featuringUkrainian band ‘HRIM’ & Sunday BBQ!Overnight Room Rates– starting at $75 +tax & gratuitiesUNA Seniors Conference & BanquetJUNE 10-15, 2007Organized over 30 years ago, this week is full of interesting speakers &entertainment, concentrating on maintaining our own Ukrainian identity.Package Rate including 5-night stay & all meals– starting at $4254th Annual Adoptive Parents WeekendJUNE 15-17, 2007Sponsored by the Embassy of Ukraine and the UNA, this itinerary consistsof Ukrainian crafts, entertainment and demonstrations.Overnight Room Rates– starting at $65 +tax & gratuities23rd Annual Father’s Day Program & LuncheonSUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2007This year’s program will feature‘SYZOKRYLI DANCE ENSEMBLE’ from New York City,Tenor ROMAN TSYMBALA, a graduate of the State Theater in Lviv& Ukrainian band ‘VIDLUNNIA’ featuring violinist Marian Pidvirnyj.Luncheon- $20 inclusive/per person at 1 pm, followed by program.Serving Prime Rib, Salmon, Chicken in Portobello MushroomSauce & Pasta w/Shrimp & Vegetables.Photo by Pavlo MulykKerhonkson, NY 12446 www.Soyuzivka.com (845) 626-5641

No. 21Photography of Tania D’Avignonto be on view at Chicago’s UIMACHICAGO – “Tania D’Avignon:Images from a Roma Tabor” comes tothe Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art.The exhibit opens Sunday, June 3, at 1p.m. with a talk given by the artist at 2p.m. The exhibit of Ms. D’Avignon’sphotographs is co-sponsored by theUkrainian National Women’s League ofAmerica, Branch 29, and will be shownthrough July 22.The Roma are an ethnic group foundall over the world. They are oftenreferred to as Gypsies and sometimesstill thought of as wandering nomads.The arrival of Gypsies to Ukraine datesback to the 14th century. The worldRoma population is currently estimatedat 10 million to 12 million.Ukraine officially estimates that it ishome to 48,000 Roma, but unofficialsources put the figure at 400,000. InTranscarpathia there are officially 14,000Roma inhabitants, but unofficially thefigure is closer to 50,000. It is difficult tobe accurate because many Roma lieabout their heritage for economic, socialand political reasons. Throughout theirhistory, Roma have been banished frommany countries.In Zakarpattia most Roma are settledin 50 camps scattered throughout theregion. Each camp (tabor) is home tobetween 300 and several thousandRoma. Some of the camps are locatednear or in the major towns of Uzhorod,Mukachevo and Berehove.Many of the Roma in these camps liveon the edge of starvation. Houses are littlemore than mud huts; many are constructedfrom scrap metal and whatevermaterial the inhabitants have managed tosalvage. These encampments tend to bevery primitive, with no running water orsewage; few have electricity. As a result,illness and disease are endemic.Ms. Davignon has captured thetragedy of the Roma with vivid photographsof their living conditions. Moreimportantly, she tells the story of a life ofpoverty and injustice that exists withinmiles of metropolitan areas filled withmodern conveniences.Ms. D’Avignon is a freelance photographerliving in Newton, Mass., and parttimein Kyiv. She graduated fromMaryland Institute, College of Art, inBaltimore with a degree in photography.From 1986 to 1994 she worked on contract,with National GeographicMagazine. In 1994 she was recognizedand honored as an Outstanding AlumnaTHE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 29Tania D’AvignonRoma child, Berehove, Zakarpattia,November 2006.of Maryland Institute.Ms. D’Avignon is a member of thePhotographers Society of America (PSA)and Ukrainian Photographers Union. Herphotography has been shown at morethan 60 personal and internationalexhibits. In 1998 she published “SimplyUkraine,” an album of photographs fromher numerous trips to Ukraine spanningsome 35 years.In 1999 she was a semi-finalist forUkraine’s Shevchenko Prize in photojournalism.As a Fulbright Scholar to Ukraine(2002-2003) in photojournalism, she documentedUkrainian women in transition.Currently she is working on several projects;“Chornobyl – The HeartbreakZone,” “Landscapes of Ukraine,”“Ukrainian Women” and “Runaways.”The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Artwas created to preserve and promote theknowledge and appreciation of contemporaryUkrainian art and culture. It hasserved as an artistic anchor in Chicago’sWest Town community for more than 30years, providing world-class art exhibitions,concerts, literary readings, andeducational and cultural exchanges.The UIMA is located at 2320 W.Chicago Ave.; telephone, 773-227-5522.The institute is open Wednesday throughSunday, noon-4 p.m.“Ancestral Voices” productionto be presented in ClevelandCLEVELAND – The construct of one’slife is built on a path forged both by thechoices one makes of one’s own volitionand the choices made in response to eventsbeyond one’s control. The disparate pathscreated by the decisions two sisters makeare the focus of “Ancestral Voices,” anoriginal dance-theater piece presented byMN2 Productions. This poignant tale drawsits text from the translated works ofUkrainian poets Oleksander Oles, LesiaUkrainka, Taras Shevchenko and MykhailoDrai-Khmara, and Ukrainian folk songs.“One of my folk-singing teachers toldme a story about a village woman inUkraine,” said Nadia Tarnawsky, artisticdirector of MN2 Productions. “This womantaught her a song and prefaced it with thewords, ‘I will sing this song for you becausethis is my song. This is my life.’ At thatpoint, I noticed how many of these folksongs were tiny windows into a woman’slife. When I began to place these songs sideby side, an arc of a story emerged. Often theDancers (from left) Anna Roberts, CatherineMeredith and Mark Tomasic in “Ancestral Voices.”songs are somber in nature as village life,especially for women, is arduous.”For the production the songs are sung inUkrainian, but English translations of thelyrics are spoken by actors to facilitateunderstanding. Not only does the workmeld poetry and song lyrics to tell the storyof these two women, but the tale itself ispresented through an amalgamation ofmodern dance, puppetry and theater.“Ancestral Voices” was the premiereperformance of MN2 Productions, and itdebuted in Cleveland in 2000. The 2007version of the work includes new folksong arrangements composed by Ms.Tarnawsky and performed by mastermusicians: Ms. Tarnawsky as vocalist andbandurist, Alexander Fedoriouk on cimbalom(hammered dulcimer), AndreiPidkivka on sopilka (wooden flute), LieslHook-Langmack on violin and DonSafranek on percussion. Additional vocalsare provided by Divchata V Kukhni – TheGirls in the Kitchen Ukrainian folk trio.Originally choreographedby Ms.Kapeluck and BethSalemi, this productionfeatures revised choreographyby Natalie M.Kapeluck and newdances created by MarkTomasic of Verb Ballets.“Ancestral Voices” willbe performed by ErinConway, CatherineMeredith, Anna Robertsand Mr. Tomasic –dancers from VerbBallets of Cleveland.Ms. Tarnawsky serves asits director.Excerpts of the piecewill be performed at theResonance World MusicFestival in Cleveland onJune 2, and the fullwork will be performedat the Gordon SquareTheater on June 29-July1. The company willperform “AncestralVoices” as part of theCincinnati FringeFestival and has beeninvited to perform thework at the New YorkInternational FringeFestival in August.MAY WE HELP YOU?To reachThe Ukrainian Weeklycall (973) 292-9800,and dial theappropriate extension(as listed below).Editorial – 3049, 3088Production – 3063, 3069Administration – 3041Advertising – 3040Subscriptions – 3042

30 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21SummerCampsTennis CAMPAges 10-18Intensive two weeks instruction andcompetitive play directed by GeorgeSawchak. Limited to 45 participants.Weeks: June 24– July 6, 2007$670 UNA Members$720 Non UNA MembersEXPLORATION DAYCAMP Ages 7-10Six hours of fun-filled activities inthis day camp, which focuses on theoutdoors.Session 1: June 25– June 29, 2007Session 2: July 2– July 6, 2007$100/per week or $25/per dayPlast CAMP-TabirPtashatA Plast day camp held atSoyuzivka. Please contact Plast forregistration & Soyuzivka for roombookings.Session 1: June 24– July 1, 2007Session 2: July 1– July 8, 2007Roma PrymaBohachevskyUkrainianDance WorkshopAges 16 & upNEW!For over 30 years, Workshop hasbeen a popular summer dance programand this year it will be held atSoyuzivka! Continuing her mom’slegacy, this workshop will bedirected by Ania Bohachevsky-Lonkevych. Campers hard work willbe highlighted at our Ukrainian Film& Cultural Festival weekend.Session : July 1– July 15, 2007$910- UNA Members$960- Non UNA MembersA $75 deposit is requiredto register a child into camp(For Sitch camp- registerdirectly withSitch Sports School.For Plast camp– registerdirectly with Plast)For more information & forcamp applications call:(845) 626-5641orcheck out our website at:www.Soyuzivka.comAt Soyuzivka!Ukrainian heritageDAY CAMP Ages 4-7Formerly known as ChemneyCamp, this day camp exposes kidsto their Ukrainian heritage throughdaily activities such as dance,song, crafts and games. Price includestee-shirt & daily lunch.Session 1: July 15– July 20, 2007Session 2: July 22– July 27, 2007$150 Per Camper$190 if not an overnight guestDISCOVERY CAMPAges 8-15Calling all nature lovers for thissleepover camp filled with hiking,swimming, scuba, organizedsports, & bonfires .Week: July 15– July 21, 2007$400 UNA Members$450 Non UNA MembersSCUBA DIVING COURSEAges 12-adultsOne week course will completeacademic, confined water and openwater requirements for PADI openwater certification. Classes givenby George Hanushevsky, scubadiverinstructor.Pre registration is required.Week 1 : July 15– July 21, 2007Week 2 : July 22– July 28, 2007$400 for Course, $120 Deposit Required,All fees payable to GeorgeHanushevskyUkrainian “sitch”sports campAges 6-18This is the 38th Annual Ukrainian“SITCH” Sports Camp run by theUkrainian Sitch Sports School.This camp will focus on soccer andtennis & is perfect for any sportsenthusiast. Registration for thiscamp is done directly bycontacting Marika Bokalo at(908) 851-0617.Session 1: July 22– July 28, 2007Session 2: July 29– August 4, 2007$350 Per Camper$150 for Day CampersRoma PrymaBohachevskyUkrainian DanceCAMP Ages 8-16Directed by Ania Bohachevsky-Lonkevych (daughter of RomaPryma Bohachevsky). Expertinstruction for beginning,intermediate and advanceddancers. The camps will end with agrand recital- always a summerhighlight!Session 1: July 22– August 4, 2007Session 2: August 5– 18, 2007$910- UNA Members$960- Non UNA MembersSoyuzivka UNA Estate Heritage Soyuzivka Center POBox 529 216 Foordmore Road Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (845) 626-5641www.Soyuzivka.com

No. 21THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 31OUT AND ABOUTJune 1WashingtonSummer Social, The Washington Group, NationalGallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 240-381-0993 or703-241-1817June 2Graduation banquet, featuring the Odesa DanceSyracuse, NY Ensemble, School of Ukrainian Studies, 315-478-9272June 2Los AngelesJune 2Calgary, ABFrance vs. Ukraine EURO Cup qualifier broadcast,Ukrainian Cultural Center, 310-968-4214 orwww.yko-la.com“Kubasa Eating Competition,” sponsored by theKorinnya Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, St. StephenUkrainian Catholic Church, info@korinnya.comJune 2Memorial evening dedicated to Bohdan Pevny,New York Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130June 2PhiladelphiaUkraine vs. France UEFA EURO 2008 qualifierbroadcast, Ukrainian League of Philadelphia,215-684-3548June 2-3Wave 4 Entertainment presents DJ Lev, UkrainianJenkintown, PA Cultural and Educational Center, 508-934-9341June 3Art exhibit featuring sculpture by Nestor Topchy,North Baltimore, MD Evergreen House, 410-516-0341June 6Premiere film screening, “Bereza Kartuzka” byMontreal Yurij Luhovy, Ukrainian Youth Center, 514-481-5871June 8Hartford, CTJune 8Whippany, NJJune 9Clifton, NJConcert featuring the Yevshan choir and the ZolotyiPromin dance ensemble, Theater of the PerformingArts, 860-757-6388 or 203-265-2744Varenyky dinner, Ukrainian American YouthAssociation, Ukrainian American Cultural Center ofNew Jersey, 973-479-8715 or 908-994-3289“Ukrainian Evening with Friends and Family,”St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church,973-546-2473June 9“Ukrainian Day” in New Jersey, Ukrainian CulturalSouth Bound Brook, NJ Center,732-356-0090 or 908-307-4622June 9Tryzub Golf Tournament, Limekiln Golf Club,Ambler, PA 215-343-5412June 9Memorial concert for Ihor Sonevytsky, UkrainianNew York Institute of America, 212-288-8660June 9Yonkers, NYJune 9Ashton, ONJune 10Calgary, ABSchool of Ukrainian Studies graduation ball and dancefeaturing music by Hrim, Yonkers Ukrainian Center,914-738-7845Golf tournament, Ukrainian Canadian Professional andBusiness Association, Canadian Golf and Country Club,613-237-5094Opera/ballet “Kateryna,” Suzirya UkrainianDance Ensemble and the Edmonton Ukrainian MaleChorus, South Alberta, info@suzirya.comEntries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given toevents advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcomesubmissions from all our readers; please send e-mail tostaff@ukrweekly.com. Items will be published at the discretion of theeditors and as space allows; photos will be considered. Please note: itemswill be printed a maximum of two times each.An open invitation to local community activistsWould you like fellow Ukrainians to know about events in your community?Would you like to become one of The Ukrainian Weekly’s correspondents?Then what are you waiting for?The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes submissions from local community activists.You may reach The Weekly by phone, (973) 292-9800; fax, (973) 644-9510;e-mail, staff@ukrweekly.com; or mail, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.Main Office:108 Second AvenueNew York, NY 10003Tel: 212 473-7310Fax: 212 473-3251Kerhonkson:6325 Route 209Kerhonkson, NY 12446Tel: 845 626-2938Fax: 845 626-8636Your savings federally insured to at least $100,000 and backedby the full faith of the United States governmentNational Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government AgencyUniondale:226 Uniondale Ave.Uniondale, NY 11553Tel: 516 565-2393Fax: 516 565-2097Astoria:32-01 31st AvenueAstoria, NY 11106Tel: 718 626-0506Fax: 718 626-0458Outside NYC call toll-free:1-888-SELFREL

32 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007No. 21Soyuzivka’s DatebookMONDAYS, June 25-August 27, 2007Steak Night with Soyuzivka House band located on Veselka PatioWEDNESDAYS, June 27-August 29, 2007Hutsul Night with Soyuzivka House band located on Vorochta LawnFRIDAYS, June 29-August 31, 2007Odesa Seafood Night with Soyuzivka House band located on Veselka PatioSATURDAYS, June 30-September 1, 2007Ukrainian zabavas (dances) featuring a live Ukrainian bandMay 25-27, 2007Memorial Day Weekend BBQ,Orchidia Patrons’ Reunion,Summer kick-off and zabavaJune 1-3, 2007Ukrainian Language ImmersionWeekend offered at SUNYNew PaltzJune 4-8, 2007Stamford Clergy Days –Spring SeminarJune 9, 2007WeddingJune 10-15, 2007UNA Seniors WeekJune 15, 2007Wallkill High School Retirement PartyJune 15-17, 20074th Annual Adoptive ParentsWeekendJune 16, 2007PartyJune 17, 2007Father’s Day Luncheon and programfeaturing Syzokryli UkrainianDance Ensemble, tenor RomanTsymbala and band Vidlunnia withMarian Pidvirnyj, 1 p.m., $20++June 21-24, 2007UMANA ConventionJune 24-July 1, 2007Plast Camp – Tabir Ptashat,Session #1June 24-July 6, 2007Tennis CampJune 25-29, 2007Exploration Day Camp, Session #1,ages 7-10July 1-8, 2007Plast Camp – Tabir Ptashat, Session #2July 1-15, 2007Roma Pryma Bohachevsky UkrainianDance Workshop, Ages 16 and upJuly 2-6, 2007Exploration Day Camp, Session #2,ages 7-10July 6-8, 2007Fourth of July Festivities: Tiki BarEntertainment, Concerts, ZabavasJuly 8-10, 2007Discount Days, 25% off all room ratesJuly 11-15, 2007Ukrainian Film & Cultural Festival –featuring Roma PrymaBohachevsky Ukrainian DanceWorkshop, Ukrainian filmscoordinated by Yuri Shevchuk,founding director of UFCCU,Ukrainian arts and crafts, and moreJuly 13-15, 2007Ukrainian Language ImmersionWeekend offered at SUNYNew PaltzJuly 15-20, 2007Ukrainian Heritage Day Camp,Session #1, ages 4-7July 15-21, 2007Discovery Camp, ages 8-15July 22-27, 2007Ukrainian Heritage Day CampSession #2, ages 4-7July 22-28, 2007Sitch Sports Camp, Session #1,ages 6-18July 27-29, 2007Ukrainian Language ImmersionWeekend offered at SUNYNew PaltzJuly 29-August 4, 2007Sitch Sports Camp, Session #2,ages 6-18To book a room or event call: (845) 626-5641, ext. 140216 Foordmore Road P.O. Box 529Kerhonkson, NY 12446E-mail: Soyuzivka@aol.comWebsite: www.Soyuzivka.comGot a group?Need The Weekly?Call our subscription department to find out how you may qualifyfor a group discount on your Weekly subscriptions. (973) 292-9800 ext. 3042Sunday, June 3CHICAGO: Tania D’Avignon comes to theUkrainian Institute of Modern Art at 1 p.m.for an opening reception of her exhibit,“Images From A Roma Tabor,” which will beon display at the institute through July 22.Ms. D’Avignon will give an artist’s talk startingat 2 p.m.. For further information visitwww.uima-art.org or call 773-227-5522.Wednesday, June 6MONTREAL: The Montreal premiere ofthe one-hour documentary film “BerezaKartuzka 1934-39,” produced and directedby filmmaker Yurij Luhovy, will by presentedat the Ukrainian Youth Center at 7 p.m.The premiere is sponsored by theShevchenko Scientific Society and theUkrainian Canadian Congress, Montrealbranch. Present will be Mr. A. Hladylovych,one of the few remaining survivors ofBereza-Kartuzka. All proceeds from thescreening will go toward the English-versionof the documentary. For further informationcall Marika Putko, 514-725-0812 or 514-4815871; or e-mail mmlinc@hotmail.com.Saturday, June 9PREVIEW OF EVENTSNEW YORK: The Ukrainian Institute ofAmerica invites the public to a memorialPREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINESconcert in honor of Ihor Sonevytsky(1926-2006). Performers of the composer’sworks will include Anna Bachynska,Oleh Chmyr, Thomas Hrynkiw, YuriMazurkevich, Volodymyr Vynnytsky andthe Leontovych String Quartet (YuriMazurkevich, Michael Lakerovich, BorysDeviatov, Volodymyr Panteleyev). Theprogram will begin at 8 p.m. at theUkrainian Institute, 2 E. 79th St. A receptionwill follow the concert. Admission:$25; students, $20. To reserve a place call212-288-8660.SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J.: TheUkrainian Cultural Center in cooperationwith ArtEmes Entertainment Productionsis hosting Ukrainian Day in New Jerseyfeaturing dinner, entertainment and dancing.Performers include Otaman KarpatIvan Popovich, violin virtuosoVolodymyr Popadiuk, award-winningsinger Ludmila Fesenko, the danceensembles Yunist and Barvinok, and others.Music for dancing will be providedby Vidlunnia. Also, the second UkrainianVarenyky-Eating World Championshipwill be held, with the champions ofCanada and Ukraine participating. Theevent begins at 5 p.m. at the UkrainianCultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave.Tickets are $50. For tickets and informationcall Natalia, 732-356-0090.Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open tothe public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) byThe Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community.Listings of no more than 100 words (written in Preview format) plus paymentshould be sent a week prior to desired date of publication to: Previewof Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany,NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510; e-mail preview@ukrweekly.com.SCOP{E TRAVEL INC.2007 UKRAINE TOURSwww.scopetravel.com Tel 973 378 8998 Toll Free 877 357 0436BEST OF UKRAINEvia Austrian Airlines from New York15 Day Air/land all inclusive Tour tw fr $3600A lovely combination of Odesa, Crimea , L’viv and Kyivwith extensive sightseeing of Yalta, Bakchysaray,Sevastopol, Chersonesus and Ei Petri.Departures : Jul 18 and Sep 12MINI UKRAINEvia Austrian Airlines from New York10 Days All inclusive Tour tw from $2200Kyiv and L’viv – the two “capitals” of E. & W UkrainePace of this tour allows time for self exploration and permitsfor one/two day excursions into surrounding areas to visit famDepartures: Jul 12, Aug 16 and Sep 20HUTSUL FESTIVAL TOURvia Austrian Arilines from New York13 Day All Inclusive Tour $3350 twThis year, the Hutsul Festival is in Yaremchewill bringtogether some the finest dancers, entertainers and craftmakers from the region. Of course, no tour of Ukraine iscomplete without Kyiv and L’viv !Only ONE departure : Jul 21 – Aug 2, 2007KARPATY ARTS-CRAFTS FAIRvia Austrian Airlines from New York10 Day All Inclusive Tour $2200 twOne of a kind, where artists present their works in IvanoFrankvisk’s main city square. Ceramic creations, woodcarvings, paintings, wood etchings, weaving- needlepointare awesome. A great tour to visit Frankivsk- L’viv areas.Only ONE departure: Sep 06-15, 2007NEW ZEALAND+ FIJIVia Air New Zealand from Newark14 Day All Inclusive Escorted tour of NZplus 5 day FIJI Island Stop-over at thebeachfront Outrigger Reef HotelOctober 09 – 27, 2007Escort: Marijka Helbig Cost: $4890 estGUARANTEED DEPARTURES – TRAVEL WITH SCOPE !!