INSIDE: • U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing on Ukraine – page 4. • Special section: Ukrainian Debutante Balls – pages 9-17. • Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko at 80 – page 19.

ThePublished U by thekra Ukrainian Nationali Association n i a Inc., a n fraternal Wnon-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXVIII No.12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine Students, educators protest appointment of Tabachnyk as education minister by Zenon Zawada Kyiv Press Bureau LVIV – With no connection and little money, second-year student Olha Kviatkovska said she could have been denied admission into the well-regarded Ivan Franko National University in Lviv if not for the standardized admissions testing introduced during the Orange era. “I’m just a simple girl from a far-off village who came to Lviv with my test cer- tificate of a [perfect] score of 12 in history and language,” said Ms. Kviatkovska, who said she was relieved that she didn’t have to pay bribes. Yet, she believes the widespread bribery of Ukraine’s pre-Orange era will return to college admissions if the role of standard- ized testing is reduced – a plan already adopted by newly appointed Vice Prime Zenon Zawada Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Volodymyr Semynozhenko and Dmytro Lviv university students – with a banner reading “Out with Tabachnyk!” – march Tabachnyk, a scandalous politician who Education Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk through the city center on March 17 to demand the dismissal of newly appointed opposes Orange reforms and is known for in a photo from October 2009. Education Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk. his anti-Ukrainian positions, who has been tapped as minister of education in the Tabachnyk’s leadership. “The problem existed, it’s begun to be University support Mr. Tabachnyk and his Cabinet of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. “Before the introduction of the system resolved, we’re on the right path, so why neo-Soviet policies, while the National The emergence of such a divisive figure of standardized testing, we were witnesses, take a turn back to the way things were University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and in a key government post has ignited a according to the accounts of many people before? It has started to work in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic University have fierce conflict within Ukrainian academia, who went through it, that college admis- and I am simply afraid there will be a radi- called for his dismissal. with European-oriented authorities warn- sions to universities could be resolved with cal turn backwards,” he commented. “Sensitivity to a lack of tolerance dif- ing that any gains achieved during the money,” said Dr. Taras Dobko, the first Top universities have already taken ferentiates the entire post-war world, par- Orange era in adopting Western standards vice-rector of the Ukrainian Catholic sides: Taras Shevchenko National could be decimated under Minister University. University in Kyiv and Kyiv Polytechnic (Continued on page 28) Exhibit at Ukrainian Museum to focus on Ukraine-Sweden relations of 17th-18th centuries by Roma Hadzewycz on this level with Ukrainian and Swedish museums. And, it is quite a feat, given the PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Beginning on complexity of arrangements that had to April 25, The Ukrainian Museum in New be made with museums and other institu- York will present an unprecedented tions in both countries. exhibit that highlights the relations The Ukrainian Museum realized that between Ukraine and Sweden in the 17th the message of such an exhibit – that and 18th centuries, with a special focus Ukraine was a powerful state that had on their alliance and the Battle of Poltava relations in the 17th and 18th centuries that changed the course of history in with other major powers – transcends the Europe. effort and cost of bringing it to New York, Titled “Ukraine-Sweden: At the Ms. Shust noted. Crossroads of History,” the exhibit Thankfully Self Reliance (New York) encompasses historical artifacts from Federal Credit Union came on board as Ukraine and Sweden. It was originally on the major sponsor. view in Kyiv at the National Museum of It all began with a telephone call to Ukrainian History in 2008-2009 to mark Jaroslaw Leshko, president of The the 300th anniversaries of the Battle of Ukrainian Museum’s board of trustees, Poltava, which pitted Hetman Ivan from Yuriy Savchuk, curator of the Kyiv Mazepa and Sweden’s King Charles XII exhibit, who spoke about the landmark against Tsar Peter the Great of Russia, exhibition that had been opened in Kyiv and the subsequent death of Mazepa. by President Viktor Yushchenko and King Significantly, the exhibit in New York Flag with the coat of arms of Hetman Ivan Mazepa and Starodub Col. Mykhailo Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Prof. Leshko will include artifacts not displayed in Myklashevsky (1690-1696; silk; needlework, painted decoration; 176 by 264 cen- said, “we discussed bringing the exhibit Kyiv, among them many rare items on timeters), on loan from the Army Museum (Armemuseum), Swedish State Trophy of rarities here – things that people would loan from half a dozen Swedish muse- Collection, in Stockholm. not be able to see otherwise.” ums, as well as items from 17 institutions In the planning since December of Khmelnytsky, Ivan Vyhovsky and Pylyp Indeed, as noted by Maria Shust, direc- in Ukraine and three private collections. 2008, the New York exhibit was expanded Among the artifacts will be items related Orlyk, as well as the Kozak capital of tor of The Ukrainian Museum, this is the to Hetmans Mazepa, Bohdan Baturyn. New York institution’s first cooperation (Continued on page 4) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS

Yanukovych expected to ignore U.S. ready for cooperation ready to report to Ukrainian citizens that the time of ruin is going into history,” he noted. Russian espionage against Ukraine KYIV – The United States is ready to “As the president, I assume responsibility cooperate with the new Cabinet of Ministers for decisions that gave us the opportunity to by Taras Kuzio Independent States agreements in 1992 that has been appointed today, U.S. begin work as soon as possible,” Mr. Eurasia Daily Monitor banned conducting espionage between Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft said in Yanukovych said, adding that he will be member-states, an agreement that, like Symferopol on March 11. “We are ready to guided “only by national interests.” The election of Party of Regions leader most CIS agreements, is not adhered to. cooperate with the new government, and we (Ukrinform) Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine’s presi- Unlike Ukraine’s three former presidents, hope for the further carrying out of reforms dent presents a fundamental shift in the President Yanukovych and his prime min- that will be to the benefit of Ukraine, its Foreign affairs minister in Moscow country’s national security culture as out- economy and society,” Mr. Tefft said. ister will likely downplay and ignore KYIV – Ukrainian Foreign Affairs lined by his three presidential predeces- Russian espionage activities. (Ukrinform) sors. The most important revision will be Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko on An additional factor is Russian mili- Yanukovych on foreign policy guidelines Mr. Yanukovych’s, and the Party of March 16 left for a two-day working visit tary bases. Former President Viktor to the Russian Federation, the MFA Regions’, view of Russia as not constitut- KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych, Yushchenko unequivocally saw the Black reported. At a press conference in ing a threat to Ukraine’s national security, introducing Ukraine’s new minister of for- Sea Fleet (BSF) as a source of destabili- Moscow that day, Russian Minister of sovereignty and territorial integrity. eign affairs, Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, on zation in Ukraine (Ukrayinska Pravda, Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said There are no national security experts March 11 underlined that this diplomat is December 1, 2009). In 2005, Mr. Russia would like to sign the Strategic advising Mr. Yanukovych of the caliber well-known not only in Ukraine, but also Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the of Volodymyr Horbulin and Yevhen worldwide. “He has recently worked in Tymoshenko sought negotiations with United States in Kyiv. Mr. Gryshchenko Marchuk, who headed the National Moscow, and before that in Washington and Russia to prepare for the withdrawal of noted that Ukraine played a crucial role Security and Defense Council (NSDC) in Brussels.” The president also outlined guide- the BSF in 2017 (Eurasia Daily Monitor, in achieving progress on reducing nuclear 1994-1999 and 1999-2003, respectively, lines for the activity of the Foreign Affairs April 19, 2005). arsenals at a time when there were very under President Leonid Kuchma. Mr. Ministry. “These are national interests, the A recent espionage scandal in Ukraine, serious risks for international politics and Horbulin is the co-author of numerous priority of political-economic issues and and the expulsion of two Russian diplo- security. He said that Kyiv is interested in legislative acts pertaining to Ukraine’s pragmatic policy that would defend national mats last summer (EDM, July 31, August drawing attention to this experience and national security that are pro-NATO and interests,” he stressed. According to Mr. 17, 2009), proved Mr. Yushchenko’s point encouraging those countries that are now see Russia as a potential threat, including Yanukovych, relations with Russia, the and, as the Ukrainian newspaper Chas the subject of serious debates in the the 2003 law “On Fundamentals of European Union and the United States will Rukhu noted, it “should lead us to think United Nations Security Council, and National Security of Ukraine.” again about whether it is prudent to have always be the focus of the Foreign Affairs Following the 2008 Russian invasion Ministry. (Ukrinform) during international conferences to look Russian military forces on the territory of at the real balance of their interests. “We of Georgia, Mr. Horbulin continued to Ukraine” (Chas Rukhu, February 23). warn about the growing Russian threat to President delivers address to nation believe that the very fact of signing the Messrs. Yanukovych and Azarov do agreement in Kyiv could be an important Ukraine, threats which Mr. Yanukovych not view the BSF as a source of destabili- KYIV – Addressing the nation on March and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov dis- signal to countries that today are still at zation, and Mr. Yanukovych has repeat- 11, President Viktor Yanukovych said he the crossroads, it would strengthen the miss. The two approaches reflect different edly said over the past five years that he would spare no effort to prove to the people regional political cultures (Dnipropetrovsk nuclear nonproliferation regime in the supports the extension of the BSF base in of Ukraine that they did not make a mistake world,” Mr. Gryshchenko emphasized. In and Donetsk, respectively), social classes Sevastopol. That this would contradict his in their choice. “After five years of fruitless and educational levels (Soviet nomenkla- turn, Mr. Lavrov said that after the rejec- 2010 election program of seeking discussions and destructive confrontation, tion of nuclear weapons, Ukraine received tura, working class) and competing ethno- Ukraine’s neutrality is presumably, as which cost Ukraine the loss of almost all cultural allegiances (Ukrainian, neo-Sovi- security assurances from the United with Russia violating CIS agreements, economic and social achievements seen in States and Russia in 1992. “We appreci- et). nothing new as Mr. Yanukovych’s foreign the Soviet era and during the period of inde- One case in point is their different ate the stance taken by Ukraine, together policy has always been duplicitous pendence, we face a perspective to return to with Kazakhstan and Belarus after the approaches to Russian espionage and sub- the path of development and progress,” he version in Ukraine. Commonwealth of (Continued on page 30) collapse of the Soviet Union, having said. “Poverty and debts, a ruined economy given up nuclear weapons,” he said. The and financial system, a split society and minister also promised that guarantees for complete disappointment – this is the land- Ukraine in the new treaty between scape that opened before us after five years Moscow and Washington would be con- President Yanukovych in Moscow: of wanderings in the desert, where we were firmed in full. “We would be comfortable guided by false prophets,” said Mr. in signing the treaty in the capital of First round of tough talks? Yanukovych. “Empowered by the people to Ukraine,” Mr. Lavrov added. The next use all the institutions of governance for the day, the two foreign affairs ministers by Pavel Korduban Yanukovych that he hoped that “a black sake of Ukraine’s said prosperity, possessing the appropriate mandate of trust, we are (Continued on page 20) Eurasia Daily Monitor streak” in relations would be over (www. kremlin.ru, March 5). Mr. Medvedev had Viktor Yanukovych’s first visit to Russia shunned Mr. Yanukovych’s predecessor, Mr. as Ukrainian president on March 5 showed Yushchenko, after August 2008, when that he is no more prone to making conces- President Yushchenko had backed Georgia THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY FOUNDED 1933 sions to Moscow than any of his predeces- in its war with Russia. sors. Much was said in Moscow about the An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Mr. Yanukovych quickly came to an need to “turn a new leaf” in relations. Mr. a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. agreement with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signaled his readiness to meet Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir with Mr. Yanukovych at least twice more Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. Putin on humanitarian issues, but that was this year. Mr. Yanukovych said he would (ISSN — 0273-9348) natural, as Mr. Yanukovych and his voters in visit Russia in early May, and Mr. Medvedev The Weekly: UNA: eastern and southern Ukraine share with stated that he would visit Ukraine in the first Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 Russia the same post-Soviet mentality and half of 2010. The Russian president suggest- share views on their common history. ed that he thought about Ukraine every Postmaster, send address changes to: However, on economic matters, the morning (UNIAN, March 5). Boris Yeltsin The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Russian duumvirate will have to brace them- once also urged Russian officials to think 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas selves for tough negotiations with Mr. about Ukraine every morning. P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) Yanukovych on matters ranging from gas to Presidents Yanukovych and Medvedev Parsippany, NJ 07054 customs regulations. agreed to jointly honor Red Army veterans This was Mr. Yanukovych’s second for- and to celebrate the Victory Day in May The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] eign visit as head of state. Unlike President together. Mr. Yanukovych promised to can- Viktor Yushchenko, who in 2005 paid his cel Mr. Yushchenko’s decision to award the first foreign visit to Moscow, Mr. The Ukrainian Weekly, March 21, 2010, No. 12, Vol. LXXVIII Hero of Ukraine honor to World War II Copyright © 2010 The Ukrainian Weekly Yanukovych first traveled to Brussels to nationalist leader Stepan Bandera. Mr. meet with European Union officials on Yanukovych also reiterated that he would March 1. In response, Moscow reportedly push through Parliament the legislation ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA considered lowering the status of his visit needed to raise the status of the Russian lan- from official to working (Den, March 4). guage (Interfax-Ukraine, March 5). Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 Mr. Yanukovych tried to downplay this, say- These promises cost Mr. Yanukovych e-mail: [email protected] ing that “all roads lead to Moscow,” and that nothing, being in no way contradictory with Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 his choice of Brussels simply reflected it his team’s views and his election promises. fax: (973) 644-9510 being the first invitation (UNIAN, March 5). Regarding Bandera, not only Russia but also e-mail: [email protected] This was not a comfortable start with a the European Parliament condemned Mr. Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 strong neighbor that easily takes offense. In e-mail: [email protected] any case, Mr. Medvedev told Mr. (Continued on page 30) No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 3

NEWS ANALYSIS: Salient issues in Ukraine-Russia relations by Vladimir Socor Ukrainian territory. Characterizing this as a plies, in return for sharing control of • Customs Union: Russian leaders had Eurasia Daily Monitor very difficult and complicated problem, Mr. Ukraine’s transit system with Gazprom in a expected Mr. Yanukovych to consent, at Yanukovych implied that it can ultimately consortium. The current price is said to be least in principle, to join the Russia-Belarus- Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s be settled by the two presidents among $305 per 1,000 cubic meters, with Mr. Kazakhstan Customs Union and, in a fol- visit to Moscow on March 5 (see themselves. At the news conference, he Yanukovych seeking a reduction to $210 low-up stage, the Single Economic Space “Yanukovych in Moscow: More than bal- promised to help resolve the issue “in a way (Kommersant, March 5). planned by those countries (Rossiyskaya ancing the Brussels visit,” Eurasia Daily that would satisfy both Ukraine and Key industrialists behind Mr. Gazeta, March 9). Mr. Yanukovych Monitor, March 10) focused almost entirely Russia,” and even “very soon.” Yanukovych and his Party of Regions need demurred twice, citing Ukraine’s member- on bilateral relations, practically overlook- The first part of the answer merely discounted gas to maintain their competi- ship in the World Trade Organization ing or avoiding international issues. The echoes Mr. Yanukovych’s campaign rheto- tive position internationally. The party itself (WTO) as its overriding choice. This must following issues were discussed in public. ric, when he suggested prolonging the bas- would promise cheap gas to the populace, if have irritated the Russian leaders. When • Governance model: Mr. Yanukovych ing agreement beyond the 2017 deadline. snap parliamentary elections are held in Mr. Yanukovych spoke afterward of a praised Moscow’s handling of the financial- The “very soon,” however, is a disconcert- Ukraine this year, as seems distinctly possi- “complete turnaround in Ukrainian-Russian economic crisis as a worthy example for ing addendum, possibly presaging a quick ble. Gazprom control of Ukraine’s transit relations,” Prime Minister Putin retorted Ukraine to follow. Political stability has deal to Ukraine’s detriment. system would be the price for cheap gas. curtly: “Then join the Customs Union” helped Russia to cope better than Ukraine • NATO: Russian leaders had apparently Ironically, Mr. Yanukovych accused the (Interfax, March 5, 7). did with the crisis, he observed. “My task is hoped for an explicit Mr. Yanukovych state- outgoing Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko That remark displays Moscow’s now to catch up with Russia, bring our liv- ment that Ukraine will not seek NATO of “destroying the contractual basis” of the approach to the Customs Union as a ing standards, pensions and social assis- membership (Rossiyskaya Gazeta, March Russian-Ukrainian gas trade. However, it Russian-owned project, participation in it tance up to Russian levels,” the gaffe-prone 9). At the press conference, a planted ques- was Mr. Putin who signed the contract with being a function of each country’s bilateral Mr. Yanukovych pledged. Sarcastically he tion attempted to goad Mr. Yanukovych into Ms. Tymoshenko in January 2009, and relations with Russia. offered to send some Ukrainian “dema- endorsing an anti-NATO referendum, sig- Moscow declares itself satisfied with its The relevant paragraph in the joint con- gogues” (politikany) to Russia, so that the natures for which are currently being col- commercial terms to this day. According to cluding declaration, however, reads: Russian people could even better appreciate lected in Ukraine. Instead, Mr. Yanukovych Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, “Respecting the freedom of choice, mecha- the stability they enjoy. When Mr. merely declared that “Ukraine will develop the gas price and gas transport consortium nisms and forms of the countries’ participa- Yanukovych said at one point that he must its relations with NATO as a non-bloc state were not discussed with Mr. Yanukovych. tion in economic integration processes, await the formation of a new coalition, and in accordance with its national inter- Moscow will discuss this issue after the for- Russia and Ukraine will strive to ensure Russian President Dmitry Medvedev retort- ests” (Interfax, March 5). mation of a new Ukrainian government, and that this participation does not harm the ed: “I do not need to form a coalition to • Soviet legacy preservation: Messrs. as part of preparations for Mr. Medvedev’s interests of their bilateral cooperation.” resolve any problems” (BBC Monitoring, Medvedev and Yanukovych agreed to cele- planned visit to Kyiv in the first half of the Thus, Moscow desists, at least for now, March 9). brate the Soviet “Great Patriotic War” year (RIA Novosti, March 6). from asking Ukraine to choose between the According to the Levada Center’s latest together in Moscow on May 8, and to “syn- • Steel: Mr. Yanukovych solicited lower WTO and the Russian-led Customs Union. surveys of Russian public opinion, only 8 chronize” the celebrations on May 9 with tariff barriers and higher quantitative quotas • Agriculture: A cryptic remark by Mr. percent believe that Ukraine is more demo- Belarusian President Alyaksandr for Russian imports of Ukrainian steel prod- Yanukovych in Moscow seemed to allude cratic than Russia. Conversely, between 50 Lukashenka on a tripartite basis. This con- ucts (Interfax, March 7). This remains a to a Russian-Ukrainian grain cartel. This percent to 65 percent believe that Russia is figuration was the only hint at a post-Soviet contentious issue in bilateral relations at the idea has tentatively been broached earlier, more democratic than Ukraine and feel “Eastern Slavic solidarity” during Mr. state level from the mid-1990s to date. but was not developed. Mr. Yanukovych compassion for the country because it must Yanukovych’s visit. Former president Leonid Kuchma and his said in Moscow that Ukraine, always a live with uncertainty about election results Mr. Yanukovych promised to revoke, governments (including the Yanukovych- great breadbasket, “must use the huge (Vedomosti, March 9). Such findings spell before the May celebrations, the Hero of led cabinet) perennially raised this griev- potential of our agricultural sector” together the end of Western assumptions, and Ukraine titles that President Yushchenko had ance with their Russian counterparts. with Russia. He suggested that “joint Moscow’s fears, that the Orange Revolution awarded to Stepan Bandera and Roman Leading Ukrainian steel producers actions in the grain market” be included in might have provided a democratic example Shukevych, the leaders, respectively of the expanded into European markets in recent the action plan, which is to be prepared for to Russia. Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists years, reducing their interests in ties with the meeting of the Russia-Ukraine Interstate • Language policy: Responding to the (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army Russia. The economic crisis, however, has Commission in the first half of this year Russian media’s leading questions, Mr. (UPA). again increased the importance of the (Interfax, March 5). Yanukovych assured Moscow that he would • Natural gas: Mr. Yanukovych Russian market to the Donetsk steel indus- keep his presidential campaign promise to announced on the visit’s eve that he would try. It seeks not only to return there but also The article above is reprinted from implement the European Charter on urgently raise the issues of Russian gas sup- to bid for contracts to supply steel pipes for Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission Regional and Minority Languages. This plies and transit (Russia-24 TV, March 4), Russia’s Nord Stream and South Stream from its publisher, the Jamestown will result in conferring official status to the meaning price cuts for Russian gas sup- pipeline projects. Foundation, www.jamestown.org. Russian language (apparently on par with Ukrainian) in many of Ukraine’s regions, particularly in the Party of Regions’ strong- holds. Ukrainian school in Crimea in high demand Following his return from Moscow, Mr. Yanukovych made an appearance at the RFE/RL shrine to Ukrainian national poet Taras SYMFEROPOL, Ukraine – The only Shevchenko, assuring Ukrainians that their school in Symferopol where all subjects language would alone retain the status of are taught in Ukrainian is seeking to offer the state language on a country-wide basis, new classes to meet high demand, RFE/ while Russian would receive official status RL’s Ukrainian Service reported. in certain regions (Interfax, March 9). This Crimea is a predominantly Russian- will, however, not allay concerns about lin- speaking part of southern Ukraine. The guistic de-Ukrainization and re-Russifica- Symferopol Ukrainian Gymnasium was tion in Ukraine’s east and south, resulting established in the Crimean capital in 1997 from this measure. As a sop, Messrs. on the model of a European high school, Medvedev and Yanukovych have decided based on 11 grades. It has more than 800 to hold a joint Taras Shevchenko Year in students. Ukraine and Russia. It began accepting applications for the • Russia-Ukraine Interstate Commission: 2010-2011 academic year on March 6 created and co-chaired by Vladimir Putin and in one day had more prospective stu- and Viktor Yushchenko while presidents, dents than seats in its classrooms. the commission has remained inactive. The Symferopol Board of Education Some of the subcommissions have met has thus far allowed the school to have periodically, however, notably the one only two classes of 30 first-grade students tasked to delimit the maritime border and every year. The school has asked for an RFE/RL discuss contentious issues related to the additional 30 slots for first-graders due to The Ukrainian-language high school in Symferopol, Crimea. Russian Black Sea Fleet based on Ukraine’s the increased demand. territory. “This is really a referendum on the Symferopol Board of Education, said cess will continue until September 1. She Both sides now intend to hold a full meet- Ukrainian education in a Ukrainian envi- that Ukrainian-language education needs said they might even ask the city’s Board ing of the Interstate Commission during the ronment,” school principal Natalia are being satisfied by Ukrainian-language of Education for permission to put together first half of this year in Kyiv, in connection Rudenko told RFE/RL, adding that “peo- classes taught in mainly Russian-language a fourth first-grade class of 30 students. with Mr. Medvedev’s planned visit there. ple are voting [on the language issue] schools on an “as-needed” basis. Ahead of that event, the new Ukrainian gov- with their feet.” The school’s administration told RFE/ Copyright 2010, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted ernment will prepare an action plan for the Ms. Rudenko said the best way to sat- RL that the majority of the students do not with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ commission’s consideration. isfy the demand for Ukrainian-language come from ethnic Ukrainian families but Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, • Black Sea Fleet: Messrs. Medvedev schools in Symferopol would be to open are mostly from Russian, Tatar or ethnical- Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. and Yanukovych agreed that bilateral con- such schools in each of the city’s three ly mixed backgrounds. Many of the stu- (See http://www.rferl.org/content/ sultations should continue as before, based districts. dents are from wealthy families. Ukrainian_Only_School_In_Crimea_In_ on the 1997 agreements on the temporary But Irina Shykhorieva, the director of Ms. Rudenko said the admissions pro- High_Demand/1980027.html.) stationing of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing focuses on Ukraine by Yaro Bihun Rep. Hastings, the commission co- Special to The Ukrainian Weekly chairman, noted that Ukraine “has devel- oped an open and pluralistic political sys- WASHINGTON – The new govern- tem and media freedoms have expanded.” ment of Ukraine, which came into power Having served as deputy head of the with the election in February of President OSCE Parliamentary Assembly election Viktor Yanukovych, should concentrate observation mission in February and on conducting some basic domestic observed two other national elections in reforms if it wants to succeed as an inde- Ukraine as well, he added, “Although pendent nation and continue expanding Ukraine has had good elections now for its relationship with the West, and the the last five years, I can tell you that you U.S. government should continue to help need more than good elections to make a Ukraine in this effort. functioning democracy.” Those were some of the major recom- Presenting the U.S. government’s point mendations oft repeated during the first of view, Deputy Assistant Secretary Congressional hearing devoted exclusive- Russell stressed that Ukraine matters to ly to Ukraine since the 2010 presidential the United States and to Europe; it has a election. The hearing, held by the U.S. leadership role in building democracy in Commission on Security and Cooperation that region. And, while the election was a in Europe, also known as the Helsinki defeat for the Orange Revolution’s lead- Commission, was held on March 16 in ers, it was not a defeat of the Orange the Capitol Building. Revolution’s ideals. U.S. Helsinki Commission Titled “Ukraine: Moving Beyond “The peaceful expression of the politi- Dr. Anders Aslund speaks at the Helsinki Commission’s March 16 hearing on Stalemate?” the session examined the cal will of the Ukrainian voters would be Ukraine. scope of new challenges fced by Ukraine viewed as another step in strengthening and their implications for U.S. policy. It democracy in Ukraine,” he said. echoed by Mr. Wilson of the Atlantic Ukraine is a reliable energy partner.” was chaired by Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin As for the future development of U.S- Council, who also pointed to what one Dr. Aslund recently chaired an interna- (D-Md.) and Rep. Alcee L. Hastings Ukraine relations, Mr. Russell stressed should look out for in Ukraine’s regional tional experts commission that looked (D-Fla.), who heard expert testimony that Washington “will not waiver in its relations. Among them: “Does Ukraine into the problems Ukraine now faces. Its from Daniel A. Russell, deputy assistant support of a strong and independent use its regional weight to support report, “Proposals for Ukraine 2010: secretary of state for European and Ukraine.” The Obama administration’s Moldova and a resolution of Time for Reforms,” makes a number of Eurasian affairs; Damon Wilson, vice- efforts to improve its ties with Russia, he Transdnistria? How Mr. Yanukovych han- recommendations. president and director of the International added, do not threaten its relationship dles ties with Belarusian leader “And our contention is that Ukraine Security Program at the Atlantic Council; with Ukraine. [Alyaksandr] Lukashenka and Georgian today has a unique possibility to move and Anders Aslund, senior fellow at the Among the U.S. policy priorities with President [Mikheil] Saakashvili will offer ahead because a new presidential elec- Peterson Institute for International respect to Ukraine, Mr. Russell noted that insights into the regional role that Ukraine tion, with a new government, it’s always Economics. the United States stands ready to help it will play, as well as the role that it wants a good time to make reform. And on top “President Yanukovych will need to reach an assistance agreement with the to assume within GUAM (Georgia, of that,” Dr. Aslund added, “if you have accelerate economic and political reforms, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova).” been badly beaten by an economic crisis tackle systemic corruption and overcome reform its energy sector, strengthen bilat- Nonetheless, the most important factor and are coming out of it, then you can the rule of law deficit, including building eral business ties, continue cooperating in by which President Yanukovych will be act.” up an underdeveloped judiciary to the area of nuclear non-proliferation, and judged domestically and internationally, He said the Kyiv government should strengthen [Ukraine’s] independence,” strengthen bilateral security and defense he added, will be what he achieves prioritize its reforms and implement them Committee Chairman Cardin said in his cooperation, which would be enhanced domestically: “Mr. Yanukovych’s recep- with the help of the IMF and other rele- opening remarks. “Such reforms will by the Ukrainian Parliament passing leg- tion in Western capitals will be deter- vant international organizations, as well reduce its vulnerability to outside pres- islation allowing joint military exercises mined by whether he governs effectively, as the United States. On top of that list sures and bring it closer to its stated goals and training activities on its territory. protects democratic advances, stabilizes of European integration.” Some of these recommendations were and grows the economy and ensures (Continued on page 24)

“Nine months ago talks about funding Exhibit... began with Self Reliance. As caretakers (Continued from page 1) of our community’s money, we had to understand how costly this venture is and to include more artifacts from Stockholm, what was required.” where Mr. Savchuk was working on a Mr. Kurczak related that the credit Swedish grant and was able to identify union – which has already donated more many previously unidentified items, such than $1 million to The Ukrainian as the flag of Hetman Khmelnytsky. Museum, including funds for its new The first issue faced by The Ukrainian state-of-the-art building, as well as sever- Museum was how to cover the expenses al exhibits – “was interested in partnering for this ambitious undertaking, including once again with the museum.” costly insurance for the rarities to be “It was a very easy decision for us to transported and displayed. make to be able to bring something this Enter Self Reliance (New York) significant to the museum,” Mr. Kurczak Federal Credit Union. The credit union provided a generous continued. “What better way to thank our donation of $75,000. Self Reliance members than to bring to the New York President and CEO Bohdan Kurczak area an exhibit of artifacts that no one underlined the credit union’s “pleasure here has ever seen or will see again!” and responsibility to bring an exhibit of Also playing a key role in bringing this Lev Khmelkovsky this stature to New York.” He explained: unique exhibit to New York is AeroSvit airlines, which has agreed to provide free Prof. Jaroslaw Leshko (right), president of the board of trustees of The Ukrainian transport of artifacts from Ukraine. Museum, and Maria Shust, the museum’s director, with President and CEO Included in the exhibit, which is designed Bohdan Kurczak of Self Reliance (New York) Federal Credit Union, the major by Volodymyr Taran of Kyiv, will be such sponsor of the exhibit “Ukraine and Sweden: At the Crossroads of History.” historic items as hetmans’ flags, maces and other regalia; correspondence and maps; explains: “October 2007 marked the Sweden: At the Crossroads of History’ and religious artifacts owned and/or funded 350th anniversary of the signing of the will become a living historical document by Ukraine’s hetmans. 1657 Treaty of Korsun, in which Sweden demonstrating to the American public and In addition, The Ukrainian Museum recognized Ukraine as ‘a free people, the younger generation of Ukrainian exhibit will show how the Ukrainian subject to no one.’ March 2009 saw the Americans that the battle to preserve diaspora marked anniversaries of the 300th commemoration of a 1709 treaty Ukraine’s independence was already Kozak state and how it revered its lead- that sealed their military-political union being fought, by Hetman Mazepa and his ers. Among the items on display will be and included Sweden’s agreement not to troops, 300 years ago.” various stamps, banners, flags and memo- accept peace with Moscow until Ukraine The exhibit will be on view through rabilia related to anniversary commemo- was freed from Russian rule.” The two October 31. rations and the Hetman state. agreements, he underscores, “were defin- Hat of Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky Readers may ask: Why this attention ing moments in Ukraine’s development NEXT WEEK: Curator Yuriy Savchuk (17th century; silk, satin, silver thread, on Ukraine and Sweden of the 17th-18th as a modern sovereign state.” provides a closer look at the exhibit embroidery), on loan from the National centuries? And, as Prof. Leshko writes in a letter “Ukraine-Sweden: At the Crossroads of Museum of History of Ukraine in Kyiv. The exhibit’s curator, Mr. Savchuk, to museum supporters, “‘Ukraine- History.” No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 5

The Ukr a ini a n Nationa l Asso c iation For u m Local Ukrainians clean up park at Troy’s Shevchenko monument TROY, N.Y. – Several members of the St. On March 9, the Ukrainian community Nicholas Brotherhood Society/UNA Branch living in New York State’s Capital District 13 (Bratstvo) gathered on March 5 to clean- joined others around the globe in celebrating up the small urban park where a monument Shevchenko’s birthday. dedicated to Taras Shevchenko was erected Troy, N.Y., located within New York in 1988. State’s Capital District, is one of the early Shevchenko (March 9, 1814 - March 10, communities settled by Ukrainians in this 1861) is an iconic figure with unmatched country in the 1880s. In 1895, through the significance for the Ukrainian nation. A initiative of several energetic men, the poet, artist and humanist who awakened the Bratstvo was organized. This Bratstvo, national consciousness of his people, which marks its 115th anniversary on Shevchenko is known as Ukraine’s national December 5, 2010, has the distinction of bard. He was also a member of the Ss. Cyril being the first Ukrainian organization in the and Methodius Brotherhood, a loosely orga- Troy area. nized society whose aim was to transform Today, the Bratstvo has 50 members and the social order of that time according to the meets regularly in the neighboring city of Christian principles of justice, freedom, Watervliet, N.Y., continuing to fulfill a rele- equality and brotherhood. vant role in the area’s Ukrainian community.

Re: Proposals to the UNA Convention In accordance with the UNA By-Laws, Article 17, all branches, district committees and individual members are invited to submit their proposals for the good and welfare of the association to the UNA Executive Committee. These proposals will be reviewed, Cleaning up the urban park that is home to Troy’s monument to Taras and approved or revised, by the Executive Committee, which will them recommend Shevchenko, (from left) are: Slavko Tysiak (Bratstvo president and chairman of them to the UNA Convention’s Committee on Revisions of By-Laws for its consider- UNA’s Auditing Committee), Mykola Fil (UNA Branch 13 secretary and UNA ation. That committee will then recommend to the convention what action should be advisor), Taras V. Myshchuk (Bratstvo secretary and president of the Ukrainian- taken. Please address such proposals to the Ukrainian National Association, Att’n: American Citizens Club in Watervliet) and two of the Bratstvo’s newest mem- Executive Committee, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054. bers, Boris Matviyiv and Roman Povorosnyk.

The UNA: 116 years of service to our community 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

NEWS AND VIEWS Th e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y Tabachnyk in charge A journey to Ukraine, and a promise kept In November of last year, Executive umentary film “Holodomor: Ukraine’s Throughout his presidential campaign, Viktor Yanukovych accused his Orange Producer Luba Poniatyszyn Keske and Genocide.” The film, directed by Bobby opponents of dividing Ukraine by exacerbating ethnic and linguistic tensions and Co-Producer Maya Lew, who are part of Leigh, was produced in Hollywood to mishandling sensitive issues of language and history. Yet, in appointing Dmytro the production team for the documentary educate the Western world and in memo- Tabachnyk as minister of education and science, the newly elected president did film “Holodomor: Ukraine’s Genocide,” ry of the innocent millions who were more to exacerbate tensions and divide the country than any of his Orange prede- flew to Ukraine to screen the final version deliberately starved to death, for those cessors. of the 90-minute film to audiences there. never born and in honor of the survivors. The Education Ministry is among the most critical government bodies in any (The film has English narration, which Executive Producer Luba Poniatyszyn state, with unparalleled power in influencing a nation’s next generation of citi- was dubbed in the Ukrainian language.) Keske and Co-Producer Maya Lew flew zens. With Mr. Tabachnyk in charge, we can expect a generation of self-loathing The documentary, which utilizes archi- to Ukraine the week of the Holodomor Ukrainians with no sense of self-respect or self-identity. val footage taken from the regions in commemoration in November of 2009 to While eastern and southern Ukrainians may not have appreciated Mr. Ukraine most devastated by the make good on the team’s promise to sur- Tabachnyk’s predecessor, Ivan Vakarchuk, former rector of Ivan Franko National Holodomor – Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, University, this experienced and respected pedagogue never made defamatory or vivors to screen this dynamic and moving derogatory comments about his own country or people. Mr. Tabachnyk, on the Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk – was documentary for them. other hand, is openly contemptuous of ethnically conscious Ukrainians and the shown in Ukraine under the patronage of Arriving in Kyiv on Monday, people of Ukraine’s Halychyna region, whom he disparaged as lackeys who the Institute of National Memory of November 23, 2009, Ms. Lew and Mrs. barely learned how to wash their hands. Ukraine. Keske were joined by Viktoria Hubska, The new education minister’s contempt for Halychany knows no bounds, and The film’s strength lies in the inter- the film’s in-country production coordi- his remarks indicate that he fantasizes, and perhaps even plots, the separation of views and stories of survivors and those nator whose offices are located in the this region from “greater Ukraine.” He insults the “greater Ukrainians” as well – who witnessed the genocide, film and center of Ukraine’s capital, and her col- they were dreaming of selling salo (pork fat) when voting for independence in photo documentation from the 1930s, as league and co-production coordinator 1991, only to become disappointed when it turned out that Russian oil and natu- well as commentaries from historians and Iryna Mykolayenko. ral gas were more valuable. Holodomor experts in Ukraine, the Mrs. Hubska has worked closely with These are the valuable insights of a doctor of history, who somehow earned United States and Canada, including the film-makers since 2008 in connecting his degree in 1995 while serving as the Presidential Administration chair for Prof. Taras Hunczak, professor emeritus them with Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture Leonid Kuchma. A hanger-on to Ukraine’s most corrupt politicians, he has never of Rutgers University. and Institute of National Memory to held a teaching position. “Holodomor: Ukraine’s Genocide” is secure locations of villages devastated by Dr. Tabachnyk isn’t a loose-lipped fool. In the last five years, a deliberate now in its post-production phase, which the genocide, locate names of survivors strategy has emerged in Ukraine to demonize western Ukrainians, and ethnically involves completing finishing touches that and organize access to the Holodomor conscious Ukrainians, as radicals and extremists who speak an outdated peasant will bring the film up to a production archives in Ukraine. She also assisted Mr. tongue and consider fascists and Nazis their heroes. This strategy is aimed at value that is acceptable for theaters and Leigh, Ms. Lew, Marta Tomkiw, producer keeping the majority of Ukrainians thinking in Russian and identifying them- distribution. The producers are actively of the documentary, and their crew during selves with the Russian Federation as part of the Kremlin’s goal of building a seeking worldwide theatrical, television the filming of “Holodomor” at various Eurasian empire. and DVD distribution. The goal of the locations in Ukraine in the spring of Ukrainian intellectuals, such as Dr. Oleh Soskin of the Institute of Society film-makers is to make the documentary 2008. Transformation and Dr. Myroslav Marynovych of the Ukrainian Catholic available to libraries, high schools and Appropriately, the first showing of the University, believe Mr. Tabachnyk’s appointment is the launch of the Kremlin universities, along with an accompanying documentary was scheduled for Tuesday, plot to retake Ukraine, once and for all, and keep it in its sphere of influence. curriculum. November 24, 2009, at the National Assaults on Ukrainian identity, ethnicity, language and culture will only grow Screenings of the film are to be held at University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. fiercer, in their view. Cleveland State University on Thursday, Arriving at the prestigious university, the That Mr. Yanukovych has placed this hate-monger in a position of high March 25, at 2 p.m. and Saturday, March four women were ushered into a large authority only serves to further discredit his illegally formed government. 27, at 7 p.m. in the MC Auditorium. The hall where preparations for a memorial Mr. Tabachnyk’s proposal to reduce the role of standardized testing in college screenings are being co-sponsored by the table with flowers and candles in memory admissions eliminates one of the few areas of progress achieved during the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio of the victims had begun. Shortly thereaf- Orange era and sets Ukraine back to the post-Soviet era of corruption in higher and the CSU Michael Schwartz Library. ter, several camera crews arrived along education. For all his pro-Russian leanings, Mr. Vakarchuk’s predecessor, (For more information readers may call with the press, followed by historians Stanislav Nikolayenko of the Socialist Party of Ukraine, never went so far as to 216-875-9734 or e-mail Maria Kvit Flynn who appear in the documentary, survivors derail the Western-oriented reforms being introduced in Ukrainian education. Yet at [email protected].) and guests. Within a half hour the hall Mr. Tabachnyk has the gall to scrap seven years of work, disregarding wide- Ms. Lew noted that, within the was filled to capacity. spread support for standardized testing among students and parents alike. next three months, producers hope to Mrs. Keske and Ms. Lew welcomed Meanwhile, proposals to allow students to take the exams in Russian only show the film in major U.S. cities the audience and extended warm greet- ensures that another generation of Ukrainians will be incapable of speaking, to Ukrainian communities as a thank-you ings on behalf of Mr. Leigh, Ms. Tomkiw reading and communicating in the Ukrainian language, which suits the Kremlin to all donors and supporters of the film. and Executive Producer Nestor just fine. What follows is an account of the pro- Popowych. And then, the lights were Perhaps the most disturbing development in this episode is the decision by duction team’s experiences in Ukraine in dimmed and the film lit up the large more than 15 university rectors in Kyiv to sign a letter released on March 18 in November 2009. screen. support of Mr. Tabachnyk, among them the leaders of the (previously) well- The audience sat in silence through the regarded Shevchenko National University and Kyiv Polytechnic University. by Walter Keske film even as the end credits rolled by. Instead of using their international prestige to protest Mr. Tabachnyk’s appoint- When the lights went on, Mrs. Keske LOS ANGELES – A promise made in ment, the decision of Rectors Leonid Huberskyi and Mykhailo Zhurovskyi to broke the silence by inviting several of sign this letter is a complete capitulation of academic values. 2008 to the people of Ukraine was kept by film-makers of the feature-length doc- (Continued on page 27)

March Turning the pages back... 23 Last year, on March 23, 2009, the Ukrainian Congress 2009 Committee of America released a statement on the eve of the NATO summit, held on April 3-4, 2009, in Baden-Baden and Kehl, Germany, and Strasbourg, France. President George H.W. Bush’s description of a “Europe, whole and free,” the statement claimed, should include Ukraine, “for without it, Europe could once again be riddled with divisions and unnecessary dilemmas.” The statement recalled Ukraine’s record as a staunch ally of the West and the United States, in particular, by participating in NATO-led peacekeeping operations. Ukraine was one of the first post-Soviet republics to voluntarily relinquish its nuclear arsenal, the world’s third largest stockpile, and joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear-weapon state. In 2008, then presidential candidate Barack Obama wrote: “I fully support the efforts of Ukraine’s citizens to build a stable, independent and democratic Ukraine, integrated into Europe and contributing to trans-Atlantic security. The United States must work closely with our European allies to accelerate and deepen Ukraine’s integration into the West. Ukraine is ready for a NATO Membership Action Plan [MAP]: I pledge to work with America’s allies to build agreement among them for taking this next key step in Ukraine’s efforts to earn its In Kyiv, Holodomor survivor Tetiana Opanasyvna Karpenko is flanked by Luba Keske (left) and Maya Lew, executive producer and co-producer, respectively, of (Continued on page 30) the documentary film “Holodomor: Ukraine’s Genocide.” No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ukraine. Faces and Places Of oligarchs Igor Kolomoysky is a buddy of our own former ambassador and media mogul by Myron B. Kuropas and patriots Ronald Lauder. Good for him. Today Mr. Lauder knows what Ukraine is all about Dear Editor: and has serious investments there. Mr. Akhmetov may be a Russian- The February 21, issue of The Obama’s “perfect” year speaking Tatar, but Ukraine’s interests are Ukrainian Weekly arrived when I was close to his heart. All of these oligarchs reading a new (and very good) book by The “perfect” candidate who became with a deficit of $1.5 trillion this year have contributed to the market economy Anders Aslund, “Ukraine: How Ukraine the “perfect” president has now complet- alone. During the next 10 years deficits and democracy in Ukraine. Became a Market Economy and ed a “perfect” year. would add some $8.5 trillion to the “True” Ukrainian patriots are just not Democracy” (Washington: Peterson President Barack Obama’s first year national debt. Interest payments alone good businesspeople – as we have seen Institute for International Economics, was perfect, an A, not a B plus effort as would amount to $800 billion during this all over Ukraine where true patriots took 2009). he told Oprah Winfrey. I give him an A same period. As soon as the $787 billion charge. (Lviv’s Elektron enterprise and In that issue of The Weekly, Canadian because he has been open and honest stimulus package kicks in, all will be LAZ – the Lviv bus plant – always come columnist Oksana Bashuk Hepburn bash- about his plans. He promised to “trans- well. Sure. Where did the money go? No to mind). es Ukrainian oligarchs in general, and form” America, and during his first year one knows exactly. Mr. Obama basically Viktor Pinchuk in particular. After read- R.L. Chomiak he has tried mightily. took over GM a year ago and the auto- ing Ms. Bashuk I went back to the Aslund Washington President Obama unveiled his agenda maker is still in trouble. Forget Chrysler, book, whose author has had a close-up, openly and courageously in his address to another Obama takeover that has yet to professional view of the Ukrainian econ- Congress on February 24, 2009. work. omy since before independence. Dr. According to Charles Krauthammer, his A few more stimulus packages, similar Aslund contends that only the oligarchs Good questions remarks suggested the fundamental to the first $787 billion stimulus, will put could have pulled the Ukrainian economy restructuring of health care. everything back on track. Forget unem- out of the Soviet debacle. for the oligarchs Despite dozens of TV appearances, ployment figures. “Only Ukrainian and Russian oli- pleas, explanations by the president, as President Obama is one politician who garchs,” he writes, “appear able to Dear Editor: well as a summit with Republicans – all keeps his promises. He promised to close restructure large Soviet industrial enter- controlled, along with the Congress – by Gitmo and he’s ready to do so. He’s also Kudos to Oksana Bashuk Hepburn for our president, some 60 percent of the prises, which requires peculiar skills” (p. the very informative and courageous ready to bring terrorists to justice on 111). Ukrainian oligarchs bought up these American polity still oppose the health American soil, in New York City, for “hard questions” she leveled at Ukrainian bill. To his credit, Mr. Obama pushes on. destroyed assets cheap and, unlike the example. Personally, I would have pre- oligarchs (February 21). Some have called him Captain Ahab. foreign businessmen, knew how to make ferred the Detroit area, which has a large I know of no “oligarchs” who have What’s wrong with that? The skipper of them go again, without state support. Dr. Islamic population. Jury selection would earned their huge fortunes by investing the Pequod persevered, and that is Mr. Aslund admits that it was the absence of have included co-religionists, guarantee- and earning it through honest means. Obama in a nutshell. strong legal institutions in Ukraine, that They have all become wealthy by picking ing a fair trial by one’s peers. The Islamic required oligarchs (p.110). And, during The bill mandates a $400 million cut up assets belonging to the Ukrainian peo- in Medicare. So it’s bye-bye, Baba, and world would have seen how fair we really the 1998 economic crisis, Ukraine fared ple at ridiculously low prices (with the are and Jihad would end. better than Russia. Today, notes Dr. dump Dido too. How else are we to con- aid of Western financiers), or who bribed trol costs? It doesn’t matter. Canada has Mr. Obama’s first foreign trips were Aslund, “Ukrainian oligarchic corpora- and strong-armed their way to fame and barn burners. He broke bread with fellow tions EastOne and SCM (that’s Mr. become our model and, as Ukrainian fortune. Many are little more than thugs Canadians have explained to us on the “progressives” right here in our hemi- Pinchuk and Rinat Akhmetov) have and thieves wrapped in “silk stockings.” sphere. During the Summit of the excelled in buying international services pages of The Weekly, Canadians live lon- Ms. Hepburn is insisting on their ger than Americans and their health care Americas last April, Mr. Obama hugged of all kinds, notably auditing and man- accountability - not only through some Hugo Chavez, who is busily transforming agement services, while the state compa- is the best in the world. Never mind that self-serving “philanthropic” gimmickry - last year some 33,000 Canadians with Venezuela, and later thanked him for the nies resisted doing so.” (Russia, on the but in direct support to Ukrainians who book “Open Veins of Latin America” by other hand, destroyed the Western-style serious ailments came to the United have been dispossessed of these assets. States for treatment because they couldn’t Eduardo Galeano, a progressive writer Yukos energy corporation and put its My hope is that Ukrainians in Ukraine from Uruguay. His book outlined South founder, oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, wait. This does not include the Canadian will begin raising the same “hard ques- American “suffering” as a result of rapa- in prison.) prime minister, of course. He did wait – tions” that Ms. Hepburn does. cious American colonialist policies. Our Since Ms. Hepburn writes “From a until 2010 – to come here for heart sur- president promised to read the book and Canadian angle” I am surprised at her George Woloshyn gery. then hugged that Sandinista progressive disdain for oligarchs. Maybe she is not Linden, Va. If Canada is not your choice, there’s Daniel Ortega, who is still trying to trans- old enough to remember, but the building always Cuba. Katie Couric, Eleanor Clift and Barbara Walters all praised Castro’s form Nicaragua. of Trans-Canada Pipeline in the 1950s We welcome your opinion was a major oligarchic operation. People health program in 1992, 2000 and 2002, What does all of this have to do with in the know bought shares of this enter- The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters respectively. And those of you who are our community? Lots. Ukrainian prise for pennies and, when construction to the editor and commentaries on a vari- worried about abortion being out, don’t Americans spent much time and treasure started, sold them for big dollars. The ety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian be. It’s in! to support Mr. Obama, and that was good. benefit was that eastern Canada received American and Ukrainian Canadian com- The bill will help the uninsured, you We should be visible in America’s politi- munities. Opinions expressed by colum- cheap natural gas from western Canada. say, the 46 million Americans who the cal arena. Unfortunately, no Ukrainians nists, commentators and letter-writers are Census Bureau tells us are uninsured on a have been appointed to significant posts The main manager of this undertaking, their own and do not necessarily reflect the man who rounded up the oligarchic typical day. Right. According to the in the Obama administration. No the opinions of either The Weekly edito- Business and Media Institute, 10 million investors and pushed through construc- rial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian Ukrainian Americans, moreover, were tion, was a great Canadian statesman, National Association. of them are non-citizens. Also, millions appointed by President Obama to the U.S. C.D. Howe (incidentally, a native of the Letters should be typed and signed (anon- of that number earn enough to be able to delegation attending the recent inaugura- United States). Canadian Pacific ymous letters are not published). Letters are afford health insurance: some 17 million tion of Viktor Yanukovych. Nor was Railway? Ahem – oligarch-built. accepted also via e-mail at staff@ukrweek- make at least $50,000 a year; 8.4 million Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a mem- Ms. Hepburn seems to begrudge Mr. ly.com. The daytime phone number and made up to $74,000 and 9.1 million made ber. She did, however, manage to recently Pinchuk’s $120 million home in London, address of the letter-writer must be given more than $75,000. That leaves 2 million attend the inauguration of the new presi- for verification purposes. Please note that a uninsured who cannot afford health insur- dent of Uruguay, a man who was once and I ask why? If a Ukrainian can afford daytime phone number is essential in order to live like that, let’s all be proud of it. As ance out of a population of some 315 mil- “commandante” of a leftist guerrilla for editors to contact letter-writers regarding lion Americans. They need help so let’s far as I know Mr. Pinchuk pays regular clarifications or questions. group. Perhaps there was a State salaries to his employees and pays for Please note: THE LENGTH OF LETTERS put the federal government in charge. Department miscue. Ukraine and serious international conferences on CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS. In 2008, Big Labor invested half a bil- Uruguay both begin with the letter “U,” lion dollars in electing Mr. Obama and so maybe Secretary Clinton was really the current Congressional leadership. The supposed to go to Ukraine. pay-off is on the way in the form of the I hate to bring this up, but five years Quotable notes soon-to-be enacted Employee Free ago I had the honor and privilege to be a Choice Act. No more secret ballots member of the U.S. delegation to the regarding unionization of the workplace. presidential inauguration of Viktor “We need to create a united, integrated nation, and that means we must have It’s time for the private sector, only 7.2 Yushchenko. The delegation, appointed percent unionized, to match the 40 per- one common language. Everyone must speak the state language, Ukrainian.” by President George W. Bush, was head- cent plus unionization mark reached by “The Ukrainian state must use the powers of central government to promote ed by then-Secretary of State Colin government employees. We all know that the primacy of Ukrainian through the education system, the media, courts, cul- Powell and included two other members unionization has resulted in better gov- ture and so on. All states do this, and for us it’s a matter of national urgency.” of the Ukrainian American community. ernment productivity as well as lower But that was during the bad Bush years, taxes. Just look at how much the UAW – Pavlo Movchan, head of the Prosvita Society, as quoted on March 15 by the so it doesn’t count. Christian Science Monitor in a story headlined “Ukrainian vs. Russian lan- has done for the U.S. auto industry. guage: two tongues divide former Soviet republic.” And then there’s the budget. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Mr. Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is Obama’s proposed budget would leave us [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

Unloved but unbowed, Viktor Yushchenko leaves office by Gregory Feifer brought on by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s it can understand that, it will be its salva- minister. RFE/RL collectivization of agriculture across the tion. If it can’t, we’ll have to spend another The state of affairs has left many USSR – that Mr. Yushchenko called a geno- 15 to 20 years under Mr. Yanukovyches Ukrainians disillusioned, saying they have PART II cide against Ukrainians. and Ms. Tymoshenkos, under a Kremlin almost no trust in politicians or their gov- Sociologist Iryna Bekeshkina says Mr. project, just like under Kuchma.” ernment and don’t believe the Orange Yushchenko believes Ukrainians’ most Revolution did much beyond offer broken Anger in Moscow Orange Revolution repudiation important task is to learn values from their promises. By 2006, President Viktor Yushchenko own history. It was one of President Yushchenko’s Even in the western Ukrainian city of had lost a large amount of power to constitu- “He believes nation-building is the main final decisions in office that his burgeoning Lviv – one of Mr. Yushchenko’s biggest tional reforms he’d accepted during negotia- thing, the formation of the Ukrainian nation number of critics say drove the final nail support bases – resident Pavel Tereshchuk tions to settle the political crisis of 2004. But based on the past,” Mr. Bekeshkina says. into the coffin of his moribund reputation echoes common opinion, saying he’s been he maintained control over foreign policy, “But most people haven’t accepted that, as a reformer. severely disappointed by the man he sup- and with it Ukraine’s drive to join NATO. they want to live for today and tomorrow.” Eliminated from Ukraine’s presidential ported in 2004. Most Ukrainians opposed the NATO Nationalism controversy election after winning just 5 percent of the “Mr. Yushchenko’s ideas and intentions effort, especially in the industrial, Russian- vote in the first round, Mr. Yushchenko were good, but he wasn’t able to accom- speaking east of the country that had backed President Yushchenko stirred controver- signed a law changing the voting rules plish anything,” Mr. Tereshchuk says. Viktor Yanukovych and wanted closer ties sy again in January by bestowing the title three days before the runoff between Yulia “Most important, he wasn’t able to unite with Russia. Hero of Ukraine on an insurgent army Tymoshenko and Mr. Yanukovych. The the country and create effective authority. Moscow also vehemently objected to leader who fought against the Soviets new rules, initiated by Mr. Yanukovych’s Now there’s conflict and complete chaos in policies it saw as giving the West influence before his assassination by the KGB in Party of Regions, scrapped the requirement Ukraine.” over former Soviet territory in its own back- Munich in 1959. for a quorum of observers from all sides to Uncertain future yard. The Kremlin feared the Orange But many in eastern Ukraine denounce approve counts at each polling station. Ms. Revolution would provide a model to those Stepan Bandera for collaborating with the Tymoshenko called the legislation a “death What place will Mr. Yushchenko occupy Russians chafing under its own authoritarian Nazis during World War II. The Simon warrant” for Ukrainian democracy. in Ukrainian history? Mr. Rybachuk says rule. Wiesenthal Center, a U.S. Jewish human It was one of several last-minute moves his legacy was to temporarily unite the Russia had awarded Ukraine a five-year, rights group, criticized Mr. Yushchenko, that were seen to hurt Ms. Tymoshenko’s opposition and “break down the wall” of highly subsidized natural gas contract in saying Bandera’s followers were linked to chances and that prompted rumors Mr. the old Kuchma administration. 2004 meant to boost then-Prime Minister the deaths of thousands of Jews. Yushchenko had forged a secret agreement “He was probably the only chance for Yanukovych’s presidential bid. But after the Mr. Yushchenko’s move also caused an with Mr. Yanukovych to undermine Ms. us to break down that wall,” Mr. Rybachuk pro-Western opposition came to power, outcry in Poland, which has done much to Tymoshenko at any cost. says, “because if the result [of the Orange Moscow issued a fourfold price increase. repair traditionally antagonistic relations But it was Mr. Yushchenko’s instruction Revolution] were to have been the oppo- When Kyiv balked and last-minute negotia- with Kyiv. Polish President Lech to his supporters to vote “against all” site, we would already be cemented in a tions broke down, Russia cut off supplies Kaczynski, who says Bandera is responsi- instead of for Ms. Tymoshenko that many Belarusian type of country.” during a bitterly cold winter. A second shut- ble for the mass killing of Poles, criticized believe tipped the election to Mr. But Rybachuk says Mr. Yushchenko off last year lasted three weeks, disrupting Mr. Yushchenko for putting “current politi- Yanukovych, who won by less than 4 per- failed to replace the old administration with supplies to millions in other European coun- cal interests” over “historical truth.” cent. a new model. tries. Mr. Yushchenko dismisses the criticism However expected, Mr. Yanukovych’s Mr. Yanukovych visited Brussels on his President Yushchenko’s championing of against him. In a characteristically unbend- victory was a jarring repudiation of the pro- first foreign trip as president, a signal he the Ukrainian language and historical revi- ing assessment last month, he defended his Western movement Mr. Yushchenko once wants to continue improving relations with sionism further taxed Ukraine’s deeply presidency in an interview with RFE/RL’s led, exposing a country fundamentally split the European Union. But Mr. Rybachuk strained relations with its centuries-long for- Ukrainian Service. between its east and west. says the Yushchenko presidency has left mer imperial master. Chief among contro- “I’ll never bow my head and say I failed Few in Kyiv can explain the apparently versial topics was a calamitous 1932 Famine in some way during these past five years,” Ukraine further from achieving his major self-defeating actions of a politician who that Ukrainians call the Holodomor – partly he said. “I gave this nation what it needs. If promise of European integration than it carried off his previous roles as prime min- stood immediately after the Orange ister and opposition leader with aplomb. Revolution. There are rumors, none proven, of an affair For his part, Mr. Yushchenko – who dur- with Ms. Tymoshenko that ended badly. ing the election appeared to be doing Others say Mr. Yushchenko was motivated everything possible to make sure Ms. simply by the envy of a man who couldn’t Tymoshenko lost – bitterly complained stomach being bested in politics by a strong after casting his ballot in the runoff that woman. Ukrainians would regret any outcome with- Mr. Oleh Rybachuk, Mr. Yushchenko’s out him as leader. former aide, says he and others told Mr. “I think Ukrainians will be ashamed of Yushchenko that fighting with Ms. their choice,” Mr. Yushchenko said, “but Tymoshenko would surely end his political that’s also democracy.” career. He also says the president’s family The president made a quick exit from members and others in his inner circle con- the ballot station without answering report- tributed to a “vicious circle” of rumors that ers’ questions. It was a hasty, dour affair for Ms. Tymoshenko was plotting against him. the man once cheered by hundreds of thou- sands, and to whom he bequeaths a very Disillusioned Ukrainians uncertain future. Mr. Yushchenko leaves office with cor- ruption booming, Ukrainians suffering the Copyright 2010, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted effects of a devastating economic crisis and with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ the political leadership still in deadlock. Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Mr. Yanukovych was inaugurated on Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. (See February 25 with Ms. Tymoshenko accus- http://www.rferl.org/content/Unloved_But_ ing him of stealing the election and vowing Unbowed_Ukraines_Viktor_Yushchenko_ to fight his promise to remove her as prime Leaves_Office/1967436.html.)

IN THE PRESS: A controversial coalition “Caretakers,” The Economist, has circumvented this ‘formality’ and de March 12: facto appointed his own prime minister “… The process of forming this coali- and Cabinet. In effect, he has reinstated tion [in Ukraine’s Parliament] was con- the presidential power enjoyed by a for- troversial, bordering on bending the mer president, Leonid Kuchma. And he Constitution. Having failed to form a con- has managed it without scrapping the ventional coalition with other parties, Mr. constitutional amendment in 2004 that [Viktor] Yanukovich [sic] signed a law to split executive power between the presi- allow a coalition to be formed by individ- dent and the prime minister. The constitu- ual MPs, rather than by factions only, as tional court is yet to rule on the legitima- the Constitution demands. After a few cy of the coalition, but expectations in days of busy trading, Mr. Yanukovich’s Kiev [sic] are that the timing and out- Party of Regions has won over 235 mem- come of its decision will lean towards Mr. bers to its side. Yanukovich. Yet if Mr. Yanukovich “Under the Constitution the prime min- decides he wants new parliamentary elec- ister is nominated by Parliament and then tions after all, the court may find the forms a government. But Mr. Yanukovich coalition illegitimate. …” No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 9

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Washington School of Ukrainian Studies presents seven debutantes by Olena Shevchenko WASHINGTON – The local Ukrainian community gathered on Saturday, February 13, for a traditional celebration of welcoming young ladies into society – a debutante ball. This year, the ball was organized by the Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies of Washington. The organizing committee was headed by Bohdan Shevchik, who had previously served as the School’s treasurer for three years and Oleh Voloshyn, who for several years has been an event organizer. As a result of their vision, excellent organiza- tional skills and successful marketing campaign, the main banquet hall at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel was completely filled. Over 400 persons attended the ball, including seven debutantes and escorts, their families and friends, and members and friends of the Ukrainian community from near and far. In accordance with tradition, the for- mal portion of the evening began with a prayer, led by the pastors of several Sandy Wright Ukrainian churches in the Washington Debutantes and their escorts at Washington’s debutante ball (from left): Alex Mosko with Lala Chopivsky-Benson, Orest area: the revs. Robert Hitchens, Taras Michel with Maria Hewko, Zenon Smith with Andrea Hetmansky, Dmitri Deychakiwsky with Julianna Romaniuk, Erko Lonchyna and Wasyl Kharuk. Palydowycz with Lesya Chopivsky, Andrew Zwarych with Lialia Szyszka, and Eric Sopko with Tanya Kolybabiuk. The highlight of the evening of course was the presentation of the debutantes. ter of Vanessa and Bohdan Hetmansky of Plast and St. John’s High School Julia and Capt. Stephen Szyszka (U.S. The lovely young ladies, dressed in white (both retired lieutenant colonels of the Diversity and Mixed Cultures Club, an Navy retired), an active member of Plast, gowns and carrying bouquets of red roses, U.S. Army), accomplished clarinetist and accomplished athlete; Alexandra accomplished singer. circled the dance floor with their proud tennis player, member of her school’s Chopivsky, daughter of Anne and Dr. After the ceremonial presentation, the fathers, greeting the guests with lovely Christ in Action club; Tatianna Peter Chopivsky, an active member of debutantes danced their first waltz with smiles, while masters of ceremonies Kolybabiuk, daughter of Julia and Orest Plast, captain of her school basketball their escorts, and subsequently with their Halyna Voloshyn and Roman Ponos intro- Kolybabiuk, twice a delegate to the team; Lida Chopivsky-Benson, daughter fathers. The guests, enjoying the beauty duced them: Maria Hewko, daughter of Model United Nations at The Hague, of Lydia and Dr. Randall Benson, an of the girls and the dance, exchanged Margarita and John Hewko, an active Netherlands, an accomplished athlete; award-winning dancer and SCUBA div- their impressions and socialized. A deli- Plast member, captain of her school field Julianna Romaniuk, daughter of Julia and ing enthusiast, AP and National Merit hockey team; Andrea Hetmansky, daugh- the late Demetrius Romaniuk, a member scholar; Larissa Szyszka, daughter of (Continued on page 15)

Detroit chapter of Engineers’ Society sponsors 46th Winter Ball

Dennis Elliott Photography Debutantes and their escorts at the Winter Ball sponsored by the Detroit chapter of the Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America.

by Natalia Lewyckyj Katrina Szkilnyk escorted by Nicholas Maria Fedorak escorted by Seamus Kelleher, munity. She stated that it is noteworthy that Siokalo, Deanna Andrea Lawrin escorted by and Hannah Marie Soroka escorted by over 400 debutantes have been presented to WARREN, Mich. – The 46th Winter Ball Curtis Mann, Ivanna Olena Murskyj escort- Brandon Friant. the Ukrainian community in Detroit by and presentation of debutantes, organized by UESA since 1959. She then took the occa- the Detroit chapter of the Ukrainian ed by Orest Danylewycz, Justine Dominique Natalia Lewyckyj, president of the Marie Nestorowich escorted by Michael Detroit chapter of the UESA, welcomed the sion to honor past Detroit chapter presidents, Engineers’ Society of America (UESA), was of which five were present that evening. held on Saturday, February 13, at the Hnatiuk, Larissa Ivana Taras escorted by guests and presided as the mistress of cere- Adam Cole, Natalia Sachovska escorted by monies for the evening’s events. Mrs. The Winter Ball and presentation of Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, Mich. debutantes continues to be an opportunity Bogdan Belei, Natalie Serdiuk escorted by Lewyckyj began her opening remarks by Eleven debutantes were presented to the to bring the community together and to Ukrainian society: Roxolyana Olya Duzey Gregory Markiw, Maria Nadia Klepach sharing the historic role of the Detroit Winter escorted by Nicholas C. Buhay, Arianna escorted by Michael Olshansky, Alexandra Ball in the local Ukrainian American com- (Continued on page 14) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Philadelphia Ukrainian Engineers’ Society hosts its 56th annual ball

Frank Barbera Photography Debutantes and their escorts (from left) at the Philadelphia’s Engineers’ Ball: Oksana Vovchuk and Stefan Lesiuk; Alexa Marie Watters and Andrij Wirstiuk; Krystyna Maria Kupicha and Mychaylo Gopka; Oresta Victoria Borodevyc and Nestor Biletsky; Sofiya Mariya Sydoryak and Evan McIntyre; Sandra Zarichny and Nicholas Steven Kuzyk; Xenia Marta Kryluk and Oleh Kramar; Christina Zalucky and Christopher Krochak; Julianna Kateryna Petryk and Alexander Kozak; Yuliya Stupen and Yaroslav Sokolovsky; Nadia Eugenia Korsun and Nicholas Stephen Siokalo; Diana Rozumov and Rostyslav Bukachevskyy, Anastasia Chervonyak and Bohdan Torkit.

by Metodij Boretsky Hewka, head of the Philadelphia Branch Zarichny (Nicholas Steven Kuzyk), Nadia wife, Orysia. Halia Wirstiuk and Ania of the UESA, opened the event and greet- Eugenia Korsun (Nicholas Stephen Bohachevsky-Lonkevych prepared the PHILADELPHIA – The 56th ed the guests gathered for this occasion in Siokalo), Xenia Marta Kryluk (Oleh debutantes for the presentation ceremony. Engineers’ Ball of the Philadelphia the Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. He also Kramar), Krystyna Maria Kupicha Debutantes and their escorts began the Branch of the Ukrainian Engineers’ introduced the masters of ceremonies, (Mychaylo Gopka), Julianna Kateryna grand “zabava” with their first dance. Society of America (UESA) was held Danylo Bojcun and Taisa Hewka. Petryk (Alexander Kozak), Diana Then the parents of the debutantes danced here on Saturday, February 6, at the Park After the formal opening, the dinner Razumov (Rostyslav Bukachevskyy), with their daughters and their escorts. Hyatt Hotel. and an invocation delivered by the Rev. Sofiya Mariya Sydoryak (Evan McIntyre), Over 200 people attended the dinner, This year’s Engineers’ Ball, held on Ivan Demkiv, 13 debutantes and their Yuliya Stupen (Yaroslav Sokolovsky), and and more than 100 persons joined them the occasion of the 61st anniversary of escorts were presented. Anastasia Chervonyak (Bohdan Torkit). for the dance held afterwards. the Engineers’ Society, included the pre- They were as follows: Oresta Victoria The debutantes and their escorts were The committee that organized the 2010 sentation of debutantes, a banquet and Borodevyc (escorted by Nestor Biletsky), greeted by Dr. Hewka and introduced by Engineers’ Ball was composed of Dr. ball. The Fata Morgana orchestra provid- Oksana Vovchuk (Stefan Lesiuk), Alexa the masters of ceremonies. Dr. Hewka Hewka, Metodij Boretsky, Larysa Zayika, ed music for the entertainment of guests. Marie Watters (Andrij Wirstiuk), Christina congratulated each debutante and placed Ihor Kovaliv, Orest Shwed, Marko After the cocktail hour, Dr. Petro Zalucky (Christopher Krochak), Sandra sashes on them with the assistance of his Yarymovych and Myron Bilas.

Pittsburgh UNWLA evening features presentation of debutantes by Luba Hlutkowsky PITTSBURGH – It was during a magi- cal evening on Saturday, September 13, in Pittsburgh that five young women were presented to the Ukrainian community at the annual “Vyshyvani Vechornytsi,” or an “Evening of Embroidery” sponsored by Branch 27 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America. The ballroom was adorned with embroidery of many regions of Ukraine and family and friends of the debutantes anxiously awaited the start of the festivi- ties. President Marika Zalisczcuk greeted everyone and congratulated the debu- tantes, their parents and all those present and wished everyone a great time. Luba Hlutkowsky, who was in charge of the debutante presentation, called the members of the executive committee to help introduce the debutantes. The young ladies entered the ballroom as their names were called in alphabetical order. The first to enter the ballroom was Larisa K. Bodnarchuck and her escort, Justin Cole, both students at Shadyside Academy. She is the daughter of Paul and Lesley Bodnarchuck of Ross Township, Pa. Chrystyna O. Hlutkowsky, a student at Upper St. Clair High School, was escort- ed by Antony Chirovsky, a student at Central Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Roman Hlutkowsky and Shari Kevin Hall Adams Hlutkowsky. Pittsburgh’s debutantes (from left): Olia R. Lysak with Andriy Lasiychuk, Halyna Smereka with Frank Napolitano, Larissa (Continued on page 12) M. Spak with John Harbist, Chrystyna O. Hlutkowsky with Antony Chirovsky and Larisa K. Bodnarchuk with Justin Cole. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 11

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Rochester ball introduces 10 debutantes to Ukrainian community

Chris Langer The debutantes and their escorts at the Chervona Kalyna Debutante Ball in Rochester, N.Y.

by Christine Hoshowsky Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 120 and, with “posthu- ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Young ladies mous representation,” the Rochester Branch dressed in white gowns and long gloves, of the Brotherhood of Ukrainian Sich and young men decked out in starched col- Riflemen (Ukrainski Sichovi Striltsi). lars, black bow ties and tuxedo jackets, The debutantes’ waltz commenced with waited to be presented to the Ukrainian American community at the Chervona the father-daughter and mother-escort Kalyna Debutante Ball in the Grand dance, which was quickly followed by the Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel Riverside debutante-escort dance. Soon everyone in Rochester, N.Y., on Saturday, February 6. joined in, dancing to the melodies played The debutantes and their respective by the Fourth Wave Band from escorts were: Shannon Adamczuk with Philadelphia. Nicholas Serediuk, Nadia Wallace with A special thank you was offered to each Andrew Puhacz, Chrystyna Vysochan with of the individuals who made the festive Orest Omelyan, Katya Haiduczok with event possible. Among them are: George Dima Shcherbenko, Maria Daniels with Hanushevsky, Chair of the Coordinating Zachary Buniak, Nina Daniels with Committee; Daria Hanushevsky, banquet Oleksander Syzonenko, Khrystyna Dilai coordinator; and Helene Snihur, debutante with Alec Ulici, Larysa Droczak with Vasilii coordinator. Bushunow, Tatiana Lucszyn with William The ball came to an end on a high note Sereduik Jr. and Oleksandra Sokolova with with the last dance – the traditional’s Paul Klisz. “Kolomyika.” To the admiration of their The evening started with George parents, friends, and honored guests, these Christine Syzonenko Hanushevsky welcoming the assembled young Ukrainians of the diaspora stepped Three escorts at the deb, Oleksander Syzonenko, Vasilii Bushunow and Zachary guests with a brief recollection of the out with poise and elegance. Buniak, stand ready for their duties. 90-year history – 52 years of which trans- pired in Rochester – of the traditions of the ball. At the conclusion of his presentation he asked everyone to stand and join in sing- ing “Oy U Luzi Chervona Kalyna.” The debutantes were beautiful and their escorts were handsome. Each debutante carried a red rose and walked arm in arm with her escort around the dance floor. They bowed politely to the guests as Bohdanna Snihur, the presenter of debutantes, intro- duced them individually. Following this, the Very Rev. Archpriest Kiril Angelov, pastor of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rochester, led the guests in the Lord’s Prayer. Once the debutantes and their escorts were seated at two head tables, one on either side of the speaker’s podium, the banquet commenced. Before dessert was served, master of cer- emonies Ihor Hoshowsky, a U.S. Army vet- eran of the Vietnam War, called on the deb- utantes and their escorts to assume the chal- lenges of life with courage and honor. The Chervona Kalyna Debutante Ball in Rochester is co-sponsored by the Ukrainian American Veterans of the Vietnam War, Christine Syzonenko Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, A view of the dancing during the “kolomyika.” 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Chicago branch of UAYA hosts “Malanka” with deb presentation by Heather Baranivsky and Kristin Chylak CHICAGO – The American Ukrainian Youth Association (UAYA), Mykola Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago hosted its annual New Year’s Ball, “Malanka” on Saturday, January 23, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. Guests arrived for delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the foyer of the Grand Ballroom. The atmosphere was joyous and friendly, as old and new friends greeted each other throughout the hour. Guests entered the lovely gilded hall and were seated at elegantly set tables. Beautiful commemorative book- lets created by Heather Baranivsky and Jaro Chylak were included in the table settings. The celebration was opened by Irene Czerniuk, master of ceremonies, who greeted the 400 plus guests present. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 13 lovely debutantes from both the Chicago and Palatine branches of the UAYA. The presentation was cho- reographed and conducted by Adriana Karawan who also serves as co-choreog- rapher for the Iskra Dance Ensemble of the Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch (Palatine, Ill.), to which many of the debutantes 2010 debutantes and escorts of the Ukrainian American Youth Association in Chicago. belong. Each debutante was introduced, receiv- individual presentations ended with each Ralko), Roxolana Horajsky (escort reographed dance, interweaving tradition- ing a traditional sash and being congratu- of them greeting the guests with a deep Michael Olshansky), Orysia Lawrin al and Ukrainian flavors. Throughout a lated by Yarka Abramiuk, President of the and graceful bow as their parents looked (escort Vasyl Dobrianski), Victoria spirited series of dips, twirls and bows, Mykola Pavlushkov Branch (Chicago), as on, beaming with pride. Lewytskyj (escort Oles Wasiunec), Hanna they covered the entire large dance floor. well as by Michael Osyka, a leader of the The debutantes were: Olenka Mendyuk (escort Ivan Horajsky), Danielle Their radiance, grace, beauty, elegance Chicago branch, and Deanna Fedaj, coun- Berezecky (escort Vasyl Ilchyshyn), Owerko (escort Nick Kulas), Tanya and charm were rewarded with extended selor over many years for most of the Tamara Bozio (escort Jarema Pylypczak), Skworch (escort Daniel Wereminsky), applause from the guests. debutantes of the branch. The debutantes’ Sophia Fedachtchin (escort Alexander Olga Tymouch (escort Markian Before dinner, guests were led in Popowycz), Areta Wasiunec (escort Marc prayer by the Very Rev. Bohdan Nalysnyk Zaparaniuk), Roksanna Wasiunec (escort Markian Pylypczak), Natalia Woodbine of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic (escort Alexander Magera). Cathedral in Chicago. Ms. Abramiuk greeted all of the guests After dinner, guests enjoyed the rest of and their families with warmest wishes the evening, by dancing to the sounds of for the coming New Year. Congratulating the Hrim band from New York. the debutantes, she wished them success At the stroke of midnight, party favors as they embark on their path into adult- were brought out and friends and acquain- hood. She encouraged them to follow the tances embraced each other, welcoming UAYA’s motto for 2010: “As long as you the New Year. The Malanka Committee live, dream and search.” She encouraged was composed of: Ms. Chylak (chair), the debutantes to never forget who they members Ms. Baranivsky, Ms. Czerniuk, are or where they came from, to remem- Nadya Dudycz-DiBartolo, Ms. Karawan, ber that they are Ukrainian first and Andrea Mulyk and Deanna Wruskyj. always be proud of that. The American Ukrainian Youth Ms. Karawan continued with the pre- Association, Mykola Pavlushkov Branch, sentation, calling upon the fathers to lead thanked its members for their commit- their daughters in a waltz. The beautifully choreographed dance, ended with a kiss ment and hard work throughout the year. from the fathers on the foreheads of their Thanks also went out to parents, for their daughters. The mothers were honored cooperation and for bringing their chil- next with each of the debutantes present- dren to weekly meetings and activities; to ing a long-stemmed rose to their mothers. its benefactors, for their enthusiastic sup- The spotlight was then on the debu- port and belief in the organization; and to tantes and their escorts. They delighted spiritual fathers, for their continued the guests with another wonderfully cho- prayers and guidance.

After the introductions, each debutant Pittsburgh... presented her mother with a red rose and (Continued from page 10) spoke a personal message of love and Olia R. Lysak and her escort, Andriy gratitude. Lasiychuk, both attend Carlynton High Msgr. George Appleyard, dean of the School and both were born in Ukraine. Central Deanery of the Ukrainian She is the daughter of Roman and Tatyana Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Lysak of Carnegie, Pa. Parma, delivered the invocation, and the Halyna Smereka, a student of Chatham Rev. Father Timothy Tomson, pastor of University, was escorted by Frank St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Napolitano. She is the daughter of the McKees Rocks, Pa., delivered the bene- Rev. Ivan and Oksana Smereka of diction. Carnegie. After the singing of “Mnohaya Lita” Larissa M. Spak is a student at for the debutantes, their escorts and their Chartiers Valley High school. Her escort, parents, the debutantes began the John Harbist, attends Duquesne “Zabava” with a choreographed waltz University. She is the daughter of Myron and guests danced to the music of the and Barbara Spak of Scott Township, Pa. Ostap Stakhiv Orchestra. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 13

Ukrainian Debutante Balls California debutante ball raises funds to aid children in Ukraine by Anne Kokawa Prokopovych League is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged youth in Ukraine through LOS ANGELES – On a clear and balmy the sport of baseball. evening on Saturday, February 13, in the • Orphans in Ukraine – CAAU continues beach community of Marina del Rey, the to provide support to orphans in Ukraine CAAU Ball and Presentation of Debutantes with targeted funding for specific projects. featured the formal introduction of four For over a decade, most of CAAU’s projects young ladies to the community, as well as for orphans have been made possible with honored guests from Ukraine representing the collaboration with the Committee to the International Charitable Fund Ukraine Assist Ukrainian Orphans and Children 3000. without Parental Care. The committee’s The evening organized by the California founder, Col. John Kark, Ph.D., was Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU) fea- orphaned during World War II and was tured a lively mix of traditional and innova- brought to the United States in 1946 by the tive entertainment and social activities, with American Committee to Help European War the charitable goal to raise funds for pro- Orphans. After a distinguished career in the grams to aid needy children in Ukraine. military and education, he has dedicated Helping needy children in Ukraine himself to helping as many orphans in Ukraine as possible, including distributing Nearly 20 years ago, the democratic eyeglasses to orphans in all regions of movements that led to Ukraine’s indepen- Ukraine. dence from the Soviet Union stirred the Col. Kark, with the Committee to Assist local community of Ukrainian American Ukrainian Orphans and Children without immigrants and descendants to form the Parental Care, has personally delivered California Association to Aid Ukraine. Don Hagopian Photography CAAU support to orphanages – from school CAAU initially focused on channeling supplies to lavatory facilities. In recent California debutantes (bottom row, from left) Bianca Makara, Andrea Natalia humanitarian relief aid to address critical years, CAAU projects have emphasized needs that were basic and immediate. Kusina, Marisa Blumer and Alexandra Halyna Korol, and escorts (top row) Esau Huerta, Justin Stasiuk, Bohdan Kosenko and Andrij Soluk. education, especially the education that can Over the years, as the nation of Ukraine lead to higher education or training in practi- has evolved, CAAU’s efforts have expanded the Children’s Hospital of the Future in Kyiv The longer-term vision for the program cal skills that can lead to jobs and self-suffi- to include projects that leverage modest and improve maternal and child healthcare will establish an anchor location in a major ciency after the children graduate from the investments from the local community into outcomes. After months of planning and city to expand the partnership to include orphanage. lasting positive results for the people of coordination, the first two-week training hospitals and civic leaders to develop a more Ukraine. CAAU has also focused on collab- Program book greetings session was held at CSMC in November lasting and integrated presence. During the orations with partner organizations to com- The CAAU Ball program book begins bine resources and talents, as exemplified in 2008 with five Ukrainian physicians in upcoming delivery in late 2010 or early attendance. Other sessions were held in 2011, these local institutions in Ukraine will with greetings from Mrs. Yushchenko, this year’s four featured projects for needy expressing her appreciation for CAAU’s children. August 2009 and February 15-26 of this take a more active role in coordinating the year. logistics and preparing to evolve into an on- “dedicated efforts and deep commitment to • The Children’s Hospital of the Future in help Ukraine in so many vital areas.” Kyiv –First Lady of Ukraine Kateryna • Wheelchairs for Ukraine – Another suc- going program. cessful CAAU collaboration has been the CAAU has also initiated a “sponsor a “From teaching orphans to providing Yushchenko served as Honorary Chair of wheelchairs to the disabled, from supporting CAAU Ball 2007 to highlight the impor- partnership of more than 12 years with UCP/ wheelchair” fund-raising initiative. For a Wheels for Humanity to bring mobility, dig- minimum contribution of $75, donors will the Kyiv Mohyla Academy to publishing tance of the Children’s Hospital of the children’s books, the California Association Future in Kyiv. In her role as chair of the nity and independence to needy adults and receive a photograph of the recipient as well children with disabilities in Ukraine. as recognition in CAAU publications. to Aid Ukraine has taken on projects that Supervisory Committee for the International truly make a difference in the lives of Charitable Fund Ukraine 3000, the first lady Deliveries have reached hundreds of needy • Ukrainian Little League – In October people in Lviv, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, 2009, CAAU sponsored the housing and Ukrainian citizens. Moreover, your activities articulated her vision to build a state-of-the- provide an excellent example of effective Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Volyn, Uzhhorod, awards for the second annual Ukrainian art institution that will be a central source of community involvement, and I am certain Chernivtsi and Kharkiv. Little League Championships for children medical assistance to critically ill infants and your association will serve as a role model The most recent delivery to Chernivtsi in age 11-12 in Kremenets. Orphans from children in all regions of Ukraine. for Ukrainian grassroots organizations for 2008 was witness to the inadequacy of the regions throughout Ukraine participated in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los many years to come. By the way, my chil- medical system in Ukraine to provide ade- training and competition, as well as travel to Angeles has responded through its interest dren love the book ‘Ukrayinske Doshkillia’ quate mobility assistance to children with local cultural sites. in international collaboration and technolo- that you helped Smoloskyp to publish!” gy transfer to develop the International special needs. CAAU plans to address the Founded by Basil Tarasko, scout for the Mrs. Yushchenko specifically commends Healthcare Fellowship Program, in conjunc- needs of children with physical challenges San Diego Padres professional baseball the “fruitful cooperation that has developed tion with Ukraine 3000 and support from such as cerebral palsy during the upcoming team and coach for the National Baseball into the International Fellowship Program of CAAU, to provide training that will benefit delivery to Ukraine. Teams of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Little Training of Specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and video conferences that will greatly improve the knowledge and skills of Ukrainian doctors and allow them to provide better health care to our neediest children. My foundation and I look forward to working with you on worthwhile projects in the future.” Silent auction Guests arriving at the 2010 debutante ball enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they greeted friends in the silent auction gallery. The silent auction has become an outstand- ing feature at the annual event, with items ranging from handcrafted pysanky to movie DVDs. Good-natured bidding enlivens the festivities and helps to raise additional funds for the charitable cause. One of the featured items in the 2010 silent auction was the “Ukrainian Cuisine and Folk Traditions” cookbook, courtesy of the International Charitable Foundation Ukraine 3000, with signed greetings by Mrs. Yushchenko. Presentation of debutantes After guests were seated for dinner, CAAU Chair Luba Keske opened the pro- gram with introductory remarks before turn- CAAU board of directors and committees with International Healthcare Fellowship Program participants (first row from left, beginning with second from left) Dr. Vira Pavliuk, Dr. Olena Kreminska, Dr. Tamara Smolenska, Dr. Taras Tkachuk. (Continued on page 14) 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization introduces its debutantes by Daria Semanyshyn WHIPPANY, N.J. – On Saturday, January 30, the Newark branch of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and its Parents Committee held the traditional Plast Debutante Ball at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, N.J. The black-tie event began with a cock- tail and hors d’oeuvre reception followed by the presentation ceremony in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The evening began with an invocation by the Rev. Leonid Malkov, CSsR, pastor of the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J. Following opening remarks, masters of ceremonies Lida Moczula and Nestor Olesnycky had the pleasure of introduc- ing into Ukrainian society the 10 young ladies from the Newark Plast branch and Plast members from surrounding areas. As family, friends and guests anxiously awaited, a graceful promenade began the presentation. The debutantes and their escorts were welcomed by all, as each young lady was introduced by the masters of ceremonies, who highlighted her achievements and interests in the Ukrainian and American communities. The program included a warming and inspiring welcome from Chrystya Rob Kneller Kochan, the head of the Newark Plast The 2010 Plast debutantes and their escorts. branch, as well as a welcome from Olenka Olesnycky, speaking on behalf of Alexander Charchalis, Ivanka Misilo with the local Plast troop’s as their “hurtkova.” escort Maksym Kostryk, Katherine Miss Olesnycky fondly reflected on Mulyk with escort Toma Mandicz, Olenka the girls’ years together and their true Olesnycky with escort Alexander appreciation for being part of this Martynetz, Olya Rozvadovsky with escort Ukrainian community. On behalf of the Chris Krochak, Alana Smetaniuk with debutantes, she graciously thanked their escort Danylo Maksymowych, Christina parents and guardians, who raised them Temnycky with escort Stephan Kanarsky to become successful young ladies. and Andreya Cybriwsky and escort Paul A special thank-you was extended to Tershakovec. all the troop counselors who dedicated Over 440 guests enjoyed the dinner their time and helped educate the debu- and over 100 additional guests arrived to tantes in the true spirit of the Plast organi- zation, as well as to Dr. Zenon and Nadia dance to the music of Tempo. It was an Matkiwsky and Dr. Lev and Maria elegant and magical evening that will Wolansky for their role as dance instruc- leave everlasting memories for the debu- tors. Oksana Bauer was also thanked for tants and their families. her dedicated work as choreographer of The 2010 Debutante Ball Committee the promenade and presentation. members included Irka Turynsky, Zenia The ceremony concluded with the deb- Olesnycky, Laryssa Nahnybida, Ms. utantes dancing a traditional waltz with Moczula and Daria Semanyshyn. their fathers as the escorts danced with As in the past, the committee members Debutantes and escorts take a break on the dance floor. the debutantes’ mothers. thanked the Self Reliance Ukrainian The 10 debutantes were: Natalia American Federal Credit Union of Hryhorowych with escort Markian Newark for its continued support, and Marisa Blumer and Alexandra Halyna Korol Boyko, Nina Zwarycz with escort Stefan funding all printing and advertising costs California... – and their escorts during the presentation of Lesiuk, Marta Lewko with escort for the event. (Continued from page 13) debutantes. ing the program over to Paul Micevych, Before dinner, Zakhid band leader Ph.D., a member of the CAAU board of Markian Fedorowycz led the guests in the of the debutantes assuming leadership directors who served as the master of cere- singing of “God Bless America” and the Detroit chapter... roles in the Ukrainian community. The monies. Ukrainian national anthem. The invocation (Continued from page 9) debutantes were then congratulated by all Dr. Micevych introduced the four partici- was led by the pastors of the local parishes, the Rev. Myron Mykyta of the Nativity of show our youth that we welcome their role with a champagne toast and a resounding pants in the current session of the “Mnohaya Lita.” International Healthcare Fellowship the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic within the Ukrainian community, Mrs. Church, the Rev. Vasyl Sauciur of St. Mrs. Lewyckyj then invited the Rev. Program, and welcomed Dr. Vira Pavliuk to Lewyckyj noted. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Daniel Schaicoski, pastor and superior of narrate a slide show presentation with an Over 200 guests were gathered at the the Rev. Vasyl Shtelen of St. Andrew Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic update on the Children’s Hospital of the Ukrainian Cultural Center. All attention was Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Church, to lead the prayer before dinner. focused as the debutantes were introduced Future in Kyiv. The slides highlighted the The final segment of the evening includ- The festivities continued after dinner, as and their achievements, talents and life goals technologically advanced design features ed dancing to the music of Zakhid from were shared with the attendees. guests danced to the music of the famed incorporating “green” environmental ele- California, which played traditional and Following the formal introductions, the Veseli Chasy of Chicago. The evening was ments and accommodations that are com- contemporary Ukrainian and American evening’s festivities began with the debu- enjoyed by all, with many attendees sharing fortable and cheerful for the patients. The favorites, including a selection originally tantes’ first dance with their escorts. The stories of the numerous Winter Balls the final slides showed recently taken photo- sung by artist Lady Gaga. elegant presentation, choreographed by Detroit community has hosted. graphs of the concrete building foundations An extended set with the lively “kolo- Laryssa Kozak-Letarte and Zina Kozak- The familiar music of this renowned band covered in snow, evidence of the progress myika” Ukrainian folk dance brought all the Zachary, continued as the debutantes danced kept the dance floor busy up to the very last being made. Dr. Pavliuk echoed gratitude to guests into a handclapping circle to enjoy with their fathers. The debutantes then pre- dance, and the success of this evening Cedars-Sinai and CAAU for collaborating and encourage the spontaneous medley of sented their mothers with a long-stemmed imparted a certainty that this local Ukrainian with Ukraine 3000 in the International graceful and acrobatic steps by individuals roses as an expression of love and gratitude. tradition will continue well into the future. Healthcare Fellowship Program. in the center. The formal presentation portion of the The Winter Ball Committee comprised: The master of ceremonies was assisted CAAU is a non-profit 501 (3) (c) corpo- evening’s events concluded with a toast to Dianna Korduba-Sawicky, Mrs. Lewyckyj, by Marta Mykytyn-Hill, secretary of the ration. Contributions and inquiries may be the debutantes. Mrs. Lewyckyj addressed Dr. Ksenia Kozak, Ms. Kozak-Letarte, Ms. CAAU board of directors, with the introduc- addressed to CAAU, c/o Roman Wasylyn, the debutantes with an emotional congrat- Kozak-Zachary, Ihor Senyk, and Myron and tion of each of the four young ladies – 4645 Noeline Ave., Encino, CA 91436, or ulatory message that noted the importance Vera Senyk. Bianca Makara, Andrea Natalia Kusina, by e-mail to [email protected]. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 15

Ukrainian Debutante Balls Ukrainian American Youth Association holds 46th debutante ball

YC PhotoDesigns LLC Debutantes and their escorts at the Ukrainian American Youth Association’s ball in Parsippany, N.J. by Natalka Horbachevsky in Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted by Roman Kukil; Oksana Mayovska (Whippany, N.J.), PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 6 escorted by Yurij Kavatsiuk; Nadia in a ballroom filled with family and Szpyhulsky (Irvington, N.J.), escorted by friends, the Ukrainian American Youth Justyn Pyz; Oksana Melnychuk (Yonkers, Association welcomed 14 young women N.Y.), escorted by David Demianicz; Olya as new debutantes at its 46th UAYA Dumyak (Philadelphia), escorted by Danylo Debutante Ball. The traditional event, Kobyleckyj; Natalie Vergara (New York, held this year in the Sheraton Parsippany N.Y.), escorted by Nicholas Medwid; Erin Hotel, is a formal presentation of the deb- Niedzwiecki (Jersey City, N.J.), escorted by utantes to society after their 16th birth- Mykola Hlushko; Michelle Podberezniak days. (Passaic, N.J.), escorted by Adrian Teniuch; The night began with a cocktail hour Bohdanna Stolar (Baltimore), escorted by before guests were ushered into the ball- Nicholas Balko; Adriana Kohut (Irvington, room for the presentation. Over 450 peo- N.J.), escorted by Andrew Filewicz; Lydia ple attended dinner and the presentations Dzwonczyk (Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted by of the debutantes. Danylo Kuzemczak; Christina Dubenko The debutantes, along with their (Philadelphia), escorted by Stephan escorts, had practiced for over 10 hours Dubenko standing in for Roman for this evening and they lined up outside Mykijewycz; Taisa Krysyna (Whippany, the ballroom in their elegant white dress- N.J.), escorted by Matthew Betley; and es, sashes and gloves. Katryna Midzak (Philadelphia), escorted by After an address by Debutante Ball Matthew Skalski. Debutantes dance the traditional waltz taught by Hryhorii Momot. Committee Chairwoman Larysa Blahy- After the presentation, Miss Romaniw Tatarenko, the girls entered the room one read the traditional debutantes’ “pryrech- the dance with their escorts, the debu- acting as back-up singers for some songs. by one. The emcees for the evening, ennya,” or pledge, to the guests. Next, Andrij Burchak and Olya Figol, read out tantes were joined by their fathers or male Over 600 people attended the zabava. Andrij Bihun, president of the UAYA relatives for the traditional first dance. Guests received program booklets that the debutantes’ names and achievements national executive board, congratulated Before guests sat down for dinner, summarized the debutantes’ accomplish- as the girls slowly walked across the floor the debutantes and their families on this to their parents. They exchanged greet- Bishop Paul Chomnycky, OSBM, eparch ments and aspirations. milestone occasion. of Stamford led the room in a prayer. ings with their families, received bou- The debutantes and their escorts then The UAYA Debutante Ball is one of quets and, escorted by young men of the Also in attendance was the Very Rev. the biggest events on the organization’s lined up for a dance, choreograped by Mitred Archpriest Ihor Midzak. community, gracefully performed the cer- social calendar and an important fund- Hryhorii Momot. To the delight of the The “zabava” dance began after dinner emonial curtsy. raiser for the organization. UAYA’s audience and much applause, the debu- and two bands, Hrim from New York and The debutantes and their escorts this tantes twirled and spun in a waltz. After female members upon turning 16 are eli- year were: Anna Romaniw (UAYA branch Vorony from Syracuse, N.Y., traded off playing throughout the night, combining gible for participation in this special affair for a “kolomyika” that lasted over half an and rite of passage. hour and brought out dancers from many The organizing committee for the event Washington... Observing the fervor of the youths in ensembles throughout the Northeast. included: Ms. Blahy-Tatarenko, Genya performing these Ukrainian folk dances The bands played until 2 a.m. and were Kuzmowycz-Blahy, Daria Horbachevsky, (Continued from page 9) left no doubt that the Ukrainian spirit even joined onstage by the debutantes Olia Zahnijnyj and Myron Pryjmak. cious and elegant dinner service fol- remains strong and vibrant, while the lowed. Ukrainian school and community of Then the dance began. To a perfect mix Washington can be proud of the patriotic of traditional Ukrainian “zabava” music and dedicated youth raised in this com- and current popular songs, the popular munity. band Hrim from New York, had the dance All proceeds from the ball will be used Wherever you are, floor filled to overflowing all evening. to support the Taras Shevchenko School The highlight of the dance was the of Ukrainian Studies. In particular, the The Ukrainian Weekly ever-anticipated “kolomyika,” in which a school will now be able to adopt a long- majority of the debutantes participated. overdue and well-deserved increase in The presence of a large number of youths teachers’ salaries, as well as take the first can be there with you from several accomplished dance compa- steps toward creating an electronic nies, including Syzokryli of New York library. and the local ensemble Fantasia, led to a But most importantly, a wonderful time Check out Th e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y online at truly professional-looking “Hopak,” was had by all at this celebration of which included the artistic directors of youth, community and joie de vivre. www.ukrweekly.com both ensembles, Anya Bohachevska- Lonkevych and Lev Ivashko. – Translated by Stephen Szyszka 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 17

Ukrainian Debutante Balls UMANA Illinois Branch holds annual traditional debutante ball by Maria Hrycelak CHICAGO – The Illinois Branch of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA-Illinois) hosted its traditional annual Banquet and Charity Ball with Presentation of Debutantes on Saturday, January 30, at Chicago’s histor- ic Palmer House in the heart of the down- town “Loop” area. Planning and prepara- tion for this annual event began months ago, leading to a memorable event for all. Guests and friends greeted each other warmly throughout the cocktail hour to the relaxing melodies of the Wheaton Warrenville South String Ensemble. Over 300 guests were seated in the stunningly ornamental and uniquely decorated ball- room. White hydrangeas and roses in tall vases graced the tables seemingly reach- ing for the stars. The debutantes, their parents and escorts opened the formal program with a grand entrance into the main hall. Dr. Peter Liber, president of UMANA- Illinois, presented the 10 debutantes to Chicago’s Ukrainian community. The debutantes, bowing charmingly and gracefully, were introduced along with their proud parents and escorts. The young ladies and their escorts, who begun practicing their waltz months in advance, performed an intricate and beautiful dance program under the expert choreography of Roxana Dykyj- Pylypczak with help from Adriana Striltschuk-Karawan. In their flowing white gowns and holding their pink bou- quets, the debutantes danced elegantly MVP Studios Photography and effortlessly to the sounds of Strauss Chicago debutantes and their escorts: (front row, from left) Julian Chernyk, Kateryna Gudziak, Daniel Sambirsky, Olena waltzes, first with their fathers, and then Stasula, Roma Mirutenko, Paul Derkach, Ulana Zwarycz, Markian Dziuk, (middle row) Julian Hayda, Adriana Saldan, with their escorts. Mark Stankevych, Arianna Rudawski, Solomia Grushchak, Seamus Kelleher, Zoe Ripecky, Mark O’Connell, (back row) Dr. Liber welcomed the debutantes, Joseph Belkairous, Marianne Seneczko, Andrea Marushka and Nicholas Kuzyk. their parents, escorts and guests, who came from all over the United States and funds for charity. The proceeds from this Canada for this charity ball. Ruta Ripecky year’s ball will benefit the Foundation of and Dr. Marko Gudziak, speaking on the Ukrainian Medical Association of behalf of the proud parents, warmly North America. In addition to the major addressed the debutantes and wished donors, the debutantes personally raised them well in their future endeavors. over $500. More guests arrived after the delicious The foundation, which awards scholar- dinner and danced the night away to the ships to medical students, also sponsored music of Chicago’s renowned Good First Aid and CPR Certification courses Times band. One “kolomyika” lasted over for counselors of Ukrainian youth camps. 20 minutes, with guests, debutantes and Such courses were recently held in escorts participating in the traditional folk Chicago and Whippany, N.J., and this dance. This year, Klopit, a new band in spring will be offered in three new U.S. the Chicago area, also entertained the cities. guests. The debutantes and their families The 2010 organizing committee for the celebrated well into the night amidst fine debutante ball included Dr. and Mrs. music and friends. Peter Liber, Dr. Maria Hrycelak, Larissa Traditionally, debutante balls help raise Iwanetz and Kathryn Hrynewycz.

Debutantes dance a graceful waltz.

Debutantes await their presentation. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 Odesa Philharmonic and Krysa/Tchekina perform in D.C. area by Yaro Bihun gram at the Lyceum – from Johannes Special to The Ukrainian Weekly Brahms’ “Sonatenzatz” to Henryk Wieniawski’s “Scherzo-Tarantella.” Their WASHINGTON – Classical music lov- concert, like their last performance here ers in the greater Washington area, and in 2003, was organized by The especially those of Ukrainian descent, Washington Group Cultural Fund as part were twice blessed in the second week of of the Sunday music series it conducts March when a prominent Ukrainian under the patronage of the Embassy of orchestra and an admired violin-piano Ukraine. duo they had not seen for some time For the Odesa Philharmonic, it was the returned to this area’s concert and recital eighth of 11 performances on its two- halls. week tour of the eastern United States, On Tuesday, March 10, it was the which began on March 1 in Naples, Fla., Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra at the and concluded March 13 at the Brooklyn Montgomery College Performing Arts Center for the Performing Arts in New Center in Rockville, Md., and on Sunday York. In between, they also performed in the 14th, the Ukrainian American violin- Sarasota, Gainesville and Panama City, ist Oleh Krysa and pianist Tatiana Fla.; Opelika, Ala.; Morgantown, W.Va.; Tchekina returned to the historic Lyceum Johnstown and Hazleton, Pa.; and building in Old Town Alexandria, Va., Worcester, Mass. Joe Bangay where they last performed in 2003. While the Washington press did not The Odesa Philharmonic made its U.S. review the concert here, the philharmon- Hobart Earle conducts the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra during a 2003 perfor- debut and last performed here in 1996. It ic’s performances were reviewed very mance on Prymorsky Boulevard in Odesa. was a special memorial concert marking favorably by the music critics in Sarasota the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl and Worcester. melded perfectly into that subterranean, Mr. Krysa, a student of David Oistrakh, nuclear disaster in Ukraine and held at “Who’d have thought that the most throbbing energy that drives Beethoven’s and Ms. Tchekina are married and have the John F. Kennedy Center for the brilliant performance of Strauss waltzes music into ever deeper emotions.” He been performing together since 1967, as Performing Arts. There they introduced and such we’ve heard in some time would added: “One wonders whether the Vienna well as teaching music in Kyiv, Moscow themselves, as well as the works of a few come from a group of Ukrainians led by a Philharmonic, that bastion of male music- and, since moving to the United States in Ukrainian composers, to Washington’s Venezuelan-born American conductor!” making, will begin to rethink its gender the late 1980s, at the Eastman School of classical music audience. was how the Sarasota Herald Tribune bias as heat from Odessa [sic] streams in.” Music in Rochester, N.Y. Their return performance, now as then critic Gayle Williams began her review. Hobart Earle joined the Odesa They have performed solo and cham- under the baton of Hobart Earle, focused The Worcester Telegram’s music critic Philharmonic soon after Ukraine’s inde- ber music recitals in major concert halls on compositions more familiar to the John Zeugner underscored the philhar- pendence, and as its music director and throughout the former Soviet Union, American audience, beginning with Franz monic’s “blisteringly paced, wondrously principal conductor has raised it to a posi- Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Peter Schubert’s “Suite of Waltzes” and energetic performance of Beethoven’s tion of international prominence. It has China, Korea, Japan and the United his “Unfinished Symphony,” and con- 7th, (which) transformed a routine, com- traveled widely, performing not only States, including Carnegie Hall and Alice cluding after intermission with a selection petent concert into an amazing and joy- throughout Ukraine and its neighboring Tully Hall in New York, and The of waltzes, marches and polkas by Johann ous experience.” countries, but in major Western European Kennedy Center in Washington. Strauss Jr. Mr. Zeugner also focused special atten- capitals as well. It also prides itself in Just two days before their performance Mr. Krysa and Ms. Tchekina presented tion on Mr. Earle’s string section, which being the first Ukrainian orchestra to here on March 14, they had returned from an equally satisfying and uplifting pro- “made up of mostly female musicians, cross both the Atlantic Ocean – to Canada a trip to Ukraine, where they had a recital and the United States – and the Equator. in Lviv, and Japan, where Mr. Krysa is The Krysa-Tchekina program, titled visiting professor at the Tokyo University “Great Violin Miniatures,” was a pot- of the Arts. pourri of memorable short compositions, Mr. Krysa first performed in the United beginning with Brahms, Richard Wagner, States in 1971, when he joined Ukraine’s Franz Schubert, Fritz Kreisler, Pablo very popular opera star, baritone Dmytro Sarasate, Claude Debussy and Nicolo Hnatiuk, on his U.S. tour. His first Paganini. Yevhen Stankovych’s Triptych appearance in Washington, accompanied “Na Verkhovyni” followed after intermis- by Ms. Tchekina, came 20 years later – in sion, along with “Melody and “Waltz- a solo recital at the Kennedy Center. They Scherzo” by Piotr Tchaikovsky, Four returned here in 1999 as the featured art- Preludes by Dmitri Shostakovich, “The ists in the prestigious Sunday concert Fountain of Arethusa” by Karol series at the National Gallery of Art, and Szymanowski, “Romance” by Reingold again in 2003 with the Leontovych String Gliere and “Scherzo-Tarantella” by Quartet at the Lyceum. Henryk Wieniawski. The next concert in the TWG Cultural In response to the audience’s enthusi- Fund’s Sunday music series, on May 2, astic reception, they returned to the stage will feature the collaboration of pianist for an encore: Andriy Shtoharenko’s “A Toma Hrynkiw and cellist Nestor Song.” Cybriwsky on Ukrainian composers.

Yaro Bihun Oleh Krysa and Tatiana Tchekina play Andriy Shtoharenko’s “The Song” as an encore to their recent recital at the Lyceum in Alexandria, Va. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 19 A poet on the shore of the eternal river: Lina Kostenko at 80 by Michael M. Naydan like many of her colleagues, she eventually reacted to pressure from the Soviet govern- Lina Kostenko the poet ment with a self-imposed hiatus (we might also call it internal exile) from publishing The poet Lina Kostenko turned 80 on for 16 years. Her collection “The Starry March 19. It is an appropriate time to reflect Integral” (1962) was rejected by the censor- on her enormous contributions to Ukrainian ship and 10 years later her collection “Prince culture. Ms. Kostenko is an icon larger than Mountain” (1972) was also banned from life for Ukrainian culture, a Poet with a capi- publication. The poet protested with her tal “P” in the rarified company of such lumi- silence rather than submit to the wishes of naries as Taras Shevchenko, Lesia Ukrainka, the authorities. and Ivan Franko. Ms. Kostenko’s prominent absence from Virtually everyone in Ukraine and the official literary scene ended in 1977. Her throughout the diaspora has read her poetry, collection “On the Shore of the Eternal her intimate lyrical works, her long poems River” (1977) appeared that year and cen- such as “A Scythian Odyssey,” and her nov- sors relaxed their pressure on Ukrainian els in verse. Schoolchildren in Ukraine today writers somewhat. read her works as a seminal part of the Her later major publications included: her school curriculum and know her as one of exquisite novel in verse “Marusia Chural” the leading representatives of the “Writers of (1979) about the legendary Ukrainian song the Sixties” (Shistdesiatnyky) phenomenon. writer, the poetry collections “Originality” These were mostly poets, who strove for the (1980) and “The Garden of Unmelting freedom to write openly and without censor- Sculptures” (1987), a children’s book “The Lina Kostenko with Vasyl Barka at Verkhovyna in Glen Spey, N.Y., spring 1990. ship in the dismal times of Soviet repression Elderberry King” (1987), a “Selected in the 1960s. By virtue of the reception Ms. Works” (1989) edition of her poetry that anything of hers I could find. I was particu- Kostenko the person for five months when I Kostenko received from her reading public came out in an edition of 60,000 copies, the larly grateful for the Smoloskyp Publishers invited her to be a writer-in-residence at she virtually instantaneously became a cult historical novel in verse “Berestechko” volume of her works “Poetry” (Poezii) that Penn State University for the spring semester figure and a living classic in her own time. (1999), and the soon-to-be-published novel Osyp Zinkevych published in 1969. of 1990. She was one of the first Ukrainian Ms. Kostenko published her first book in “Notes of a Ukrainian Madaloneman” writers allowed to leave the Soviet Union for 1957 and became an immediate sensation at My translations of her poems were (Zapysky Ukrainskoho Samashedshoho), among my very first publications in the an extended period of time. the very beginning of Khrushchev’s Thaw which, according to the well-known pub- journal Hyperion in 1975. And I eventually Through my contact with the poet, I when, after the death of Stalin, writers were lisher Ivan Malkovych’s assessment, is an learned that the personality of Ms. Kostenko published two books of her poetry in trans- allowed once again to write about their per- impressive hybrid prose work written from the human being sometimes coincided with lation: “Selected Poetry of Ms. sonal lives instead of kowtowing to the col- the point of view of a male narrator. the beautiful image of the sensitive, caring lective and the Communist Party. Over the last decade Ms. Kostenko has LinaKostenko: Wanderings of the Heart” persona one finds in her poetry. It may be a Ms. Kostenko published three collections also been intensively engaged in civic-mind- (Garland Publishers, 1990) and a bilingual biographical fallacy for us as readers to of poetry at that time: “Earthly Rays” ed environmental issues, calling attention to edition edited by Olha Luchuk, “Landscapes draw that connection too closely. The lyrical (1957), “Sails” (1958), and “Wanderings of the Chornobyl tragedy by leading expedi- of Memory” (Litopys Publishers, 2001). the Heart” (1961). Her poetry was a breath tions to the dead zone. I had the opportunity to interact with Lina (Continued on page 30) of fresh air with its simple yet beautiful style Why did Ms. Kostenko become so popu- and aphoristic grace. This was for a Soviet lar? Her poetry was direct. It spoke right to From “Earthly Rays” From “Garden of Unmelting Sculptures” Ukrainian reading public that had been coer- the heart of the Ukrainian people in a con- (1957) (1987) cively nourished on the dull drabness of versational, natural and beautiful style; it socialist realism for nearly three decades. was readily accessible and without the com- * * * * * * Even though there was not even a hint of plexity that sometimes can obscure meaning I grew up in orchards A shady spot, twilight, a golden day. anything political in her poetry, which con- in poetry. Her poetry spoke to everyone in where warm pears ripened, White roses cry and pray. sisted mostly of nature lyrics and love the way that she garnered life lessons from where a leaf was covered with dust, Perhaps it’s me, or someone else, or you poems, Ms. Kostenko was vehemently her personal experiences. While she often and juicy stalks were fragrant. sitting over there in a corner of the veran- attacked in the press on fabricated charges wrote of sadness in her lyric works, she vir- da. such as “modernism,” “formalism” and tually always ended her poems on a positive, I grew up in fields “sickly hazy philosophizing.” It was per- life-affirming note. where the sunrise was like a flare, Perhaps he’s crying, or waiting— haps her very popularity and the fact that When she was at her best, Ms. Kostenko where disturbed tillage he heard footsteps, or the wicket gate she wrote in Ukrainian instead of Russian fused sound with meaning in a stunning softly steamed at noon. squeaked. that made Soviet authorities put pressure on mellifluence that showcased the quintessen- Perhaps he’ll get up, and press his head, her to conform. They started to clamp down tial beauty of the Ukrainian language. Some I grew up in forests, there, on the veranda, against the door. on what they perceived as the excesses of of the best of her poems include the dream- where pines like slender waists grew pink, the Thaw and began to arrest Ukrainian like meeting with Ukrainian poet Maksym where dew fell heavily Where are you, people, who used to live in intellectuals in the mid-to-late1960s. Rylsky in “Landscape from my Memory,” on light blue sylvan glades. this house? Ms. Kostenko courageously signed peti- the exquisite ecologically oriented elegy “A My wide world, what flat lands lie here all tions and letters defending her colleagues shady spot, twilight, a golden day...,” the I grew up on the River Dnipro, around! against the authorities. She was particularly poetic return to a paradisal past in “Fields of where blue slopes tower above, The sadness of posterity—like the dance vocal in the defense of Vyacheslav My Childhood,” and the exploration of free- where fishermen--a not very talkative peo- of a bee, Chornovil at his trial in Lviv in 1965. While dom, art and madness in “Van Gogh.” ple-- the dance of the bee to the immortal field. she herself was not arrested and imprisoned Lina Kostenko the person set out their nets for the night. Perhaps after a thousand years— Michael M. Naydan is Woskob Family I personally became enamored of Ms. And the hues of those distant years-- I will not be me, but awakened in genes, Professor of Ukrainian Studies at The Kostenko’s poetry during my undergraduate wherever I may go, here on the earth I will seek out the trace Pennsylvania State University. and graduate studies, voraciously reading whatever I may write, lie like a reflection of my lineage at least in laments and leg- on white paper. ends! * * * Voice of the well, why have you gone When wind is born silent? I do not call it a storm. Arms of mulberry trees, why have you So what if it does not break branches, grown stiff? but only raises dust? Windows nailed shut, and the lock hang- ing — Leaves sprinkle the grasses with dust, a rusty ring above the claw of the knob. this way it will be hard to wash away, and afterwards a clear downpour Rainy weather beats the white side of the will run from them like a dirty torrent. building. Who is wailing there in this house every When wind is born night? I do not call it a storm. Perhaps loneliness lives there alone, I look at how the branches come alive stuffing the emptiness into the oven with and simply listen to the grass. tongs.

A quivering, a rustle, a swelling-- Perhaps this is our pain, perhaps our guilt, and wind already has become a storm... perhaps a balsam for neglected souls — And I will be the last to believe this-- memory of a well and memory of a win- after the gardens and after the grasses. dow, memory of a path and a wild pear… Lina Kostenko with Michael Naydan in Glen Spey, N.Y., spring 1990. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

General Claudio Bisogniero. The main NEWSBRIEFS topic of discussion was the priorities of CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) Ukraine’s foreign policy after the presi- announced a Plan of Cooperation between dential election, as well as the develop- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040 their two ministries for 2010. Mr. ment of political dialogue and practical cooperation between NATO and Ukraine or e-mail [email protected] Gryshchenko noted that, through the end of the first half of 2010, he expects to as part of the Annual National Program for conduct a number of negotiations on the 2010. Ukraine’s Vice Minister for Foreign SERVICES bilateral issues that are most important Affairs Kostiantyn Yeliseyev pointed to for the development of the economies and the coherence of Ukraine’s foreign policy. the future of both countries. Mr. Lavrov In particular, he confirmed the inviolability emphasized that the signed plan provides of the main priorities of foreign policy: a clear schedule of work by diplomats of European integration, consolidation of a both countries, including preparations for strategic partnership with Russia in all spheres, development of a partnership with a meeting of the Ukraine-Russia the United States, pragmatic cooperation Commission headed by presidents of the with NATO, good-neighborly relations two countries that is to take place during with surrounding countries, and a broad Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s and open cooperation in the field of inter- upcoming visit to Kyiv. (Ukrinform) national security. Mr. Yeliseyev stressed Russian president to visit in May that the main task is to ensure the sustain- able and steady democratic development KYIV – Ukrainian President Viktor of the Ukrainian state through wide-rang- Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart, ing reforms to achieve high socio-econom- Dmitry Medvedev, agreed on the date of ic living standards. The meeting welcomed the Russian president’s official visit to the first foreign policy moves of Ukrainian Kyiv in a phone conversation on March President Viktor Yanukovych, namely, a 17. Mr. Medvedev will visit Ukraine on visit to Brussels and restoration of strate- May 17-18. (Ukrinform) gic partnership with Russia. (Ukrinform) Renewal of cooperation with IMF Semynozhenko on Holodomor… KYIV – President Viktor Yanukovych KYIV – Volodymyr Semynozhenko, said during a meeting with the new Ukraine’s new vice prime minister for Cabinet of Ministers that he wants an humanitarian policy, said on March 11 that immediate renewal of cooperation with the the issue of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 PROFESSIONALS International Monetary Fund, it was will not be a key point in humanitarian reported on March 12. He said the govern- policy. Speaking in the Verkhovna Rada, ment, jointly with the National Bank of he said, “Everything will now fall right Ukraine, should do their best so that this into place. Ukraine is different, so mutual cooperation is renewed, adding, “I am respect is needed. The problem of ready to be your partner.” In November Ukraine’s integration will be one of the 2008 the IMF approved a two-year stand- most important. That is why the new presi- by arrangement with Ukraine totaling dent does not escalate the issue of the $16.4 billion (U.S.). To date, the IMF has Holodomor in order not to repeat the mis- allocated three tranches of funds totaling takes of the ex-president. And we shouldn’t S10.9 billion. In December 2009 the IMF defile this issue. We need the spirit of win- turned down Ukraine’s request for addi- ners and this spirit will be brought into tional financing in the amount of $2 bil- humanitarian policy,” Mr. Semynozhenko lion, pointing out that Ukraine’s authorities explained. (Ukrinform) GEORGE B. KORDUBA had failed to fulfill obligations taken with- Counsellor at Law in the framework of the program and that … and on the Ukrainian language the country’s leaders were in confrontation Emphasis on Real Estate, Wills, Trusts and Elder Law KYIV – Vice Prime Minister for Ward Witty Drive, P.O. Box 249 on the eve of the presidential election. A Humanitarian Affairs Volodymyr MONTVILLE, NJ 07045 technical mission of the IMF arrived in Hours by Appointment Tel.: (973) 335-4555 Semynozhenko believes that the Ukrainian Ukraine on March 15 for consultations on language is a must for officials, he told the budget issues. Max Alier, resident repre- TVi TV channel. At the same time, he said FOR SALE sentative of the IMF in Ukraine, had said that television should more closely consid- at a meeting with Ukraine’s Vice Prime er issues of the Ukrainian language. He TRAVEL Minister Sergey Tigipko on March 13 that said that news on state TV channels and Beautiful contemporary chalet - 8.5 pri- the IMF stands ready to support Ukraine vate acres in Kerhonkson, NY, near radio stations should be broadcast in in its endeavor to return to a sustainable Ukrainian, however, Russian-speaking cit- Soyuzivka. Year-round or vacation home. growth path. (Ukrinform) Electric heat or wood stove heats entire izens should also have access to informa- house. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, huge kitch- Azarov on cooperation with EU tion. (Ukrinform) en, new appliances, pantry/laundry room, KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister OU-PSD faction in opposition above ground insulated basement, wide Mykola Azarov said at a meeting with the 2nd floor indoor balcony with unique cop- KYIV – The Our Ukraine-People’s head of the EU delegation to Ukraine, Jose per railings. Plenty of windows and natu- Self-Defense bloc’s faction will form an Manuel Pinto Teixeira, that he is counting ral light. 32x38 Trex synthetic deck, under opposition to the ruling coalition created in deck new construction. Master suite/ on active and effective cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of guest quarters, private entrance, floor to the European Union in all areas of activity. Ukraine, faction leader Mykola ceiling Loewen windows, sliding doors, News media reported on March 16 that Martynenko said on March 11. Mr. with radiant slab heating ready for sheet- Mr. Teixeira said that the Ukrainian gov- Martynenko did not say whether this was rock, flooring and wiring. Call ernment could fully count on support and the position of all 72 members of the fac- 917-609-1642. cooperation from the EU. Mr. Azarov also tion. He noted that the OU-PSD would noted that the government had started to fight against privatization of the opposition stabilize the economic situation. He said by political forces that have already OPPORTUNITIES about 6 billion hrv will have to be paid to declared their oppositional activity. “Our service the domestic debt in April this purpose is the development of Ukraine year, which is half of the revenue of the rather than a revenge by any politician,” Earn extra income! state budget’s general fund. About $700 Mr. Martynenko said. He declined to million (U.S.) will have to be paid for The Ukrainian Weekly is looking answer a question about whether the Russian gas, he added. Mr. Azarov noted OU-PSD might cooperate with the Yulia MERCHANDISE for advertising sales agents. that the priority tasks for the government Tymoshenko Bloc’s faction, which earlier For additional information contact are the adoption of a realistic budget and declared itself to be in the opposition. Maria Oscislawski, Advertising the reduction of its deficit. (Ukrinform) (Ukrinform) Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, NATO to further support Ukraine Union of opposition forces formed 973-292-9800, ext 3040. KYIV – NATO is going to further sup- KYIV – A union of opposition forces port Ukraine in implementing domestic has been formed in the Verkhovna Rada, reforms, the Ukrainian Mission to NATO Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the epony- Insure and be sure. reported on March 17. The statement was mous bloc, has said on March 16. “Eight made in Brussels during a meeting of the opposition forces in Parliament today Join the UNA! Ukraine-NATO Commission under the chairmanship of NATO Deputy Secretary (Continued on page 21) No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 21

Mr. Yushchenko “to account” due to his NEWSBRIEFS presidential immunity. “Now there are no (Continued from page 20) obstacles to calling citizen Yushchenko to signed a statement on unification and a account,” he added. (Ukrinform) clause on the creation of a coordinating Tatars protest minister’s comments council of the united parliamentary oppo- sition,” she said. The statement and the SYMFEROPOL, Ukraine – Crimean clause were signed by Borys Tarasyuk Tatars have protested what they say are (People’s Movement of Ukraine), Yurii inflammatory comments by Ukraine’s new Lutsenko (People’s Self-Defense), Serhii internal affairs minister, Anatolii Mohiliov, Sobolev (Reforms and Order Party), RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service reported In Eternal Rest Volodymyr Stretovych (Christian and on March 16. The Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Our Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather Democratic Union), Yurii Karmazin the unofficial national Parliament of the (Motherland Defenders Party), Mykola peninsula’s indigenous Tatar population, Katerynchuk (European Party of Ukraine), wants the Ukrainian Procurator General’s Doctor and Professor Olena Shustyk (Ukrainian Social and Office to open a criminal case against Mr. Democratic Party) and Ms. Tymoshenko Mohiliov. Mejlis leader Mustafa Michael Rostyslaw Cehelsky (Batkivschyna Party). (Ukrinform ) Dzhemilev told RFE/RL that the Mejlis’s legal experts are drafting a request for an September 3, 1918 – March 5, 2010 Victory Day to be marked jointly expert evaluation of statements and articles Wife: Irene KYIV – Ukraine and Russia have by Mr. Mohiliov. Mr. Dzhemilev said those statements incite hatred against agreed to celebrate Victory Day jointly, Daughters: Dr. Marta Cehelsky with husband John Saylor Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych Crimean Tatars and undermine political stability in Crimea. Mr. Mohiliov has Melania Conte with husband Jeffrey Conte said during a press conference with Susanna Rak with husband Dr. Ihor Rak Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on claimed in public statements and published Hania Powch with husband George Powch March 5. “We have a joint understanding articles that Western powers are inciting a Dr. Priscilla Cehelsky with husband Dr. Jeffrey Sachs of Victory Day celebrations being one of repeat of the Kosovo scenario in Crimea the steps we are to do together,” Mr. and thus endangering the local Russian Grandchildren: Dr. Evan Conte, Tatiana Conte, Yanukovych said. He also discussed a population. He also said Crimean Tatars Gregory Rak and wife Kim, Stephen Rak, joint solution to social issues related to collaborated with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler Maya Powch, Lt. Andrew Powch (USN), the veterans of the Great Patriotic War during World War II. Soviet leader Joseph Michael Sachs, Natalia Sachs (World War II). Russian President Dmitry Stalin used that very charge as grounds for Medvedev said he likes Mr. Yanukovych’s deporting the Crimean Tatars to Central idea of arranging a train for veterans to Asia in May 1944. “Not only Crimean Great Grandchildren: Teodor and Katya Rak go to Moscow for the festivities. Tatars, but all people of good will, should (Ukrinform) protest the promotion of such chauvin- Brother-in-Law: Nicholas Nenadkevich ism,” Mr. Dzhemilev said. “The future of a Communists want probe state where such fascists are named to top Nephews and Nieces: Dr. Orest Popovych; state posts is quite clear.” Mr. Dzhemilev Luba Cehelska, Romana Nightingale, KYIV – The Communist Party of Andrew Cehelsky Ukraine (CPU) is planning to initiate an added that if courts fail to condemn Mr. Mohiliov’s statements, the Crimean Tatar investigation into Viktor Yushchenko’s Close and distant family in the United States, Ukraine, and Canada. activities as president, the party’s press Mejlis will consider filing a complaint service quoted CPU leader Petro with the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. Mr. Mohiliov served Donations may be made in Michael Cehelsky’s memory to: Symonenko as saying in late February. Orphans’ Aid Society for Ukraine: 718-423-4966; www.oasukraine.org “We’ll raise the question of an immediate briefly as head of the Crimean police and comprehensive investigation into the force. He was dismissed from that post in abuse of office and criminal abuse of 2007 by then-Ukrainian Prime Minister power by citizen Yushchenko when he Yulia Tymoshenko. Tatar activists say that held the presidential post,” he said. Mr. as police chief he condoned the use of Symonenko accused the ex-president of excessive force by police against Tatar tolerating an illegal trade in weapons, the protesters. (Ukrinform) privatization of enterprises with the help Yanukovych spent more on campaign of raiders and the seizure of land plots. “While holding the presidential post, citi- KYIV – A report on the formation of zen Yushchenko conducted a criminal Viktor Yanukovych’s electoral fund, which policy of destroying state institutions and was published in the Uriadovyi Kurier usurping power, the policy of neo-fascism newspaper on February 23, said that the in Ukraine, and imposed the ideas of cave presidential candidate spent 322.546 million nationalism, xenophobia and religious hrv on his election campaign. Presidential discord,” the party said. Mr. Symonenko candidate Yulia Tymoshenko spent 289.93 said that earlier it was impossible to bring million hrv on her campaign. (Ukrinform)

With deep sorrow we inform you that on Monday, March 1, 2010, at the age of 86, our beloved husband, father and grandfather

Mykola Wasylyk passed into eternity. Born October 5, 1923, in the village of Tyshkivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast in Ukraine. He is survived by: Wife Olga Son Roman Daughter Minka Wasylyk Hrechniw with husband Taras Grandchildren Dianna, Andrea and Matthew Other family members and relatives in Ukraine including his Sister Maria

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of the deceased to Tidewell Hospice & Palliative Care (www.tidewell.org) 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 23

BOOK NOTES Collection of articles reflects Ukraine’s road to independence

“The Road to Ukraine’s Independence,” The authors describe in some detail the freedom, those were achieved peacefully, by Eugene Melnitchenko and Helena Mann- nature and character of Ukrainians residing rather than by military means. And the road Melnitchenko. West Conshohocken, Pa.: in the United States. They are ambitious, to the independence of Ukraine started long Infinity Publishing, 2010, 157 pp., paper- hard-working, and generally try to stay out time before 1991; it began in the late 18th back, $12.99. of trouble. They are hard to stereotype, and early 19th centuries thanks to intellectu- because there are three distinct groups of als and writers. These activists defined by Ihor Lysyj Ukrainian immigrants in United States: Ukrainian national identity and the “The Road to Ukraine’s Independence” those who emigrated before the second Ukrainian nation’s desire for independence is a collection of articles by Eugene world war were mainly driven here by eco- during the long and brutal period of Russian Melnitchenko and Helena Mann- nomic necessity, those who immigrated after occupation. Among them, the authors high- Melnitchenko, some published in The the second world war were largely political light early native philosophers, such as Ukrainian Weekly. Their writings shed light refugees, and those who immigrated after Hryhorii Skovoroda, and writers who dared on the long history of Ukraine through the the collapse of Soviet Union are primarily to write in Ukrainian, such as Ivan searching for a better life in the West. While eyes of the World War II refugees who car- Kotliarevsky and Taras Shevchenko. This all of them refer to themselves as Ukrainians, ried on their shoulders the preservation of intellectual road to defining Ukrainian there is little commonalty in their world the national identity, traditions, culture and national identity continued with such writers view or culture. The book characterizes this history of Ukraine for more than 50 years. and poets as Ivan Franko, Lesia Ukrainka, diversity in an accurate and concise manner, Those were the torturous years of Soviet Volodymyr Vynnychenko, Mykola and should be a good source of information occupation and eradication of Ukrainian for those in the United States who try to Khvyliovy, Ivan Bahriany, Oleh (Kandyba) national identity in their homeland. understand this diverse ethnic group resid- Olzhych and, closer to the present time, While Russia was an enigma to Winston ing in our country. Ania Savage. We owe them our national Churchill in the 1950s, Ukraine was an even The book also describes the torturous identity. greater mystery to Margaret Thatcher in the road to Ukrainian independence that was The authors also describe what life was 1990s. To her Ukraine was a province of finally realized in 1991, after centuries of like for the children of World War II though Russia, like Quebec in Canada, or California and without natural boarders to protect it, suffering and conflicts, through hard work their own experience: German occupation of in United States. The prime minister of the country was subject to endless invasions and the leadership of Ukrainian intellectuals, their land, life in German concentration Britain was not alone. That is how the and occupations by foreign marauders from writers, poets and artists (with brief synop- camps, slave labor, escape from the advanc- Western world saw Ukraine before the proc- east, west, north and south. These invasions ses of their contributions to the Ukrainian ing and marauding Red Army of the Soviet lamation of its independence in 1991. Just and occupations date well before Christian national identity and the intellectual and Union, and finally the first rays of freedom read “The Ukrainians: Unexpected Nation” era. The latest occupier was Russia. emotional impacts they had on the life of experienced in the United Nations Relief by Andrew Wilson (Yale University Press, “The Road to Ukraine’s Independence” book’s authors). and Rehabilitation Administration 2000). Ukrainian independence was indeed unveils some of the mysteries of this unpro- While many patriots paid the ultimate (UNRRA) displaced persons camps across unexpected to many in the academic and tected borderland. Ukraine is hardly mono- price on Ukraine’s road to independence and the western part of Germany. political elites of the Western world. lithic, and its people are highly independent Such observers could not have been more in thought and action, and resilient in times wrong as subsequent events demonstrated. of adversity. About 46 million Ukrainians The Melnitchenkos describe, in an accu- reside in their home country and over 20 A guide to Ukrainians’ rate and concise manner, Ukraine as a coun- million live in the diaspora – some in the try with more than a millennium-long histo- former republics of Soviet Union and others ry. Located on the open steppes of Europe in the West. contributions to the world “Ukrainian Contributions to the World,” compiled by Volodymyr Serhiychuk, trans- lated by George Zahaykevich, edited by Debut novel is inspired Vadym Schaldenko, Kyiv: Volodymyr Serhiychuk, 2009. ISBN: 978-966-2911-25-1. by historical events, challenges 480 pp. $25.00 (add $4.95 S+H)

“House of Bears,” by Orysia A new resource, “Ukrainian Contributions Dawydiak, Charlottetown, Prince Edward to the World,” highlights the biographies of Island: Acorn Press, 2009. ISBN: Ukrainians. From famous celebrities and 978-1-894838-34-4. 320 pp. $22.95. athletes, to scientists and artists, the book proves that Ukrainians have left their mark A debut novel by Orysia Dawydiak, on the world. “House of Bears,” tells of the conflict Originally written in Ukrainian by when Luba Kassim returns home to a Volodymyr Serhiychuk, a professor at the strained relationship with her mother and Kyiv National University of Taras a family crisis that brings the ghosts of Shevchenko, the book highlights the the past to the present. From the turbu- achievements of Ukrainians in all spheres of lence Luba realizes that she is not so dif- activity. The book was translated into ferent from her mother. English by George Zahaykevich and edited Inspired by historical events and the by Vadim Schaldenko, M.D. From an origi- accounts of relatives who survived the sec- nal text of 2,200 pages, the book was scaled ond world war, Ms. Dawydiak recounted down to a finished version of 453 pages and her own experience during her book was translated and edited over the course of launch on December 3, 2009. In trying to approximately six months. understand her mother, she said: “I kept This reference book is a handy resource Borders of Ukraine.” returning to her childhood, to her survival for scholars and researchers, or the curious. (Dr. Schaldenko noted that Prof. of the Nazi occupation and the war. I tried Copies have been sent to all the U.S. and Serhiychuk took it upon himself to redo to be empathetic and wondered if I could foreign embassies, and the Library of some spellings, therefore the editor could have endured what she had, and still Congress; a copy was given to Secretary of not take responsibility for some of the spell- emerged with my sanity intact.” State Hillary Clinton. ing substitutions, lack of italics, misspellings She further recalled how award-win- Prof. Serhiychuk is the author of many and deletion of punctuations.) ning Canadian journalist, broadcaster and dren and young adults. books and articles on Ukrainian history, with Readers may obtain copies by contacting novelist Linden MacIntyre commented She received the Joyce Barkhouse a specialization in Kozak history, the disper- Mr. Zahaykevich by mail, 1860 N. Atlantic that traumas suffered by one generation Writing for Children Prize honorable sal of the Ukrainian diaspora and minorities Ave. B 703, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; can affect the next generation. mention from the Writers’ Federation of in Ukraine. His previous book, released in e-mail, [email protected]; or tele- Ms. Dawydiak was born to Ukrainian Nova Scotia for her fictional work 2008, was “Ethnic Boundaries and the phone, 321-784-6987. immigrants who settled in Northern “Oksana.” Ontario. When not writing, she works at Readers can obtain copies of “House Atlantic Veterinary College in of Bears” by contacting Nimbus Notice to publishers and authors Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Publishing, 3731 MacKintosh St., P.O. she resides on a small farm on the island’s Box 9166, Halifax, NS, B3K 5MB; tele- It is The Ukrainian Weekly’s policy to run news items and/or reviews of newly published northern shore where she raises Shetland phone, 800-646-2879; e-mail, custom- books, booklets and reprints, as well as records and premiere issues of periodicals only after sheep and Akbash dogs. She has also [email protected]; or website, www. receipt by the editorial offices of a copy of the material in question. written “Livestock Protection Dogs: acornpresscanada.com. The book is also Send new releases and information (where publication may be purchased, cost, etc.) to: Selection, Care and Training,” and has available online at Amazon.com and Editorial Staff, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. published short stories of fiction for chil- Amazon.ca. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

action,” help Ukraine engage in gas reform U.S. Helsinki... and, since Ukraine needs a new broader- (Continued from page 4) educated elite, the United States should would be the creation of a high-level gov- offer hundreds of student scholarships for ernmental reform commission with an Ukrainian scholars to come to this country. adequate budget to implement reforms. Responding to a question near the end His commission listed 10 priorities that of the 90-minute hearing, Mr. Wilson Ukraine should be pursue this year. They returned to the issue of Russia’s growing influence on Ukraine under President are: gas reform; making the National Bank Yanukovych. of Ukraine independent so as to give a “I think he certainly has adopted a proper basis for the banking system; mov- much softer position towards Russia – he ing toward inflation targeting with a float- wants to pursue positive relations,” Mr. ing exchange rate to stop future high infla- Wilson said. “But he hasn’t turned his tion; cutting public expenditures; undertak- back on Europe,” he added, even though ing comprehensive deregulation of enter- he has “pressed back” on a NATO agen- prise capital and cut red tape; concluding a da, which “obviously pleases many in European association agreement, which Moscow.” would include a deep and comprehensive “But I think once you become presi- free trade agreement; getting privatization dent of Ukraine, it’s, kind of, nice to be going again; legalizing private sales of agri- president of an independent, sovereign cultural land; adopting a law on the public country,” he said. “And I would hope that U.S. Helsinki Commission information to fight corruption; and com- this position of responsibility would make Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (left) and Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin chair the hearing titled pleting modern commercial legislation. him think more about the benefits to “Ukraine: Moving Beyond Stalemate?” “All these measures are truly vital,” Dr. Ukraine of an independent streak, of an Aslund said, “and they can be implemented independent decision-making process.” attend because of illness. In a written developing “friendly, mutually beneficial within a year.” As for the U.S. role in this, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United statement forwarded to the commission, and pragmatic relations between Ukraine he added, as the biggest shareholder in the States, Dr. Oleh Shamshur, was scheduled he noted that “substantial attention” of and the Russian Federation in all spheres, IMF, Washington can “push the IMF into to appear at the hearing but could not Ukraine’s new leadership will focus on including the sphere of energy.” He added, however – noting the post- election telephone conversation between the President Yanukovych and President Barack Obama – that “there is no doubt that relations with the United States will remain in the center of the foreign policy of Ukraine” and that Ukraine “is ready to enhance the positive dynamic acquired by bilateral cooperation” between the two countries in the past. May we help you?

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As a fraternal insurance society, the Ukrainian National Association reinvests its earnings for the benefit of its members and the Ukrainian community. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 25

Ukrainian pro sports update: Hockey history by Ihor Stelmach Terry Sawchuk still the best goalie ever in the NHL When seemingly unsurpassable career Greatness transcends eras being traded by the Canadiens, Sawchuk’s ians: the veteran Sawchuk back to Detroit for marks are broken, it is appropriate to salute depression may certainly have begun when a young forward and future fellow Hall of Where did he rank among all-time NHL not only the new record holder, but also the he was traded by the Red Wings. Famer, Johnny Bucyk. Although the Red goalies? For those younger hockey fans out previous one. In 1955, after Detroit’s Stanley Cup vic- Wings were no longer a perennial Cup con- there who equate the art of goaltending with As Barry Bonds came upon Hank tory celebration, General Manager Jack tender, Sawchuk did his part to return them the butterfly style of Patrick Roy and later Aaron’s career home run total, the baseball Adams dispatched Sawchuk to the Boston to the finals in 1961, 1963 and 1964. Brodeur, let us introduce you to the original world remembered to celebrate Hammerin’ Bruins in order to make room for a young Alas, the Red Wings again dispatched the “Golden Era of Goaltending” and its class of Hank’s slugging accomplishments. goalie prospect named Glenn Hall. Adams venerable netminder, this time through Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, Johnny Bower When Brett Favre was getting close to was an old-school general manager, show- waivers. At 34, Sawchuk found himself in and, yes, Terry Sawchuk. eclipsing Dan Marino’s career touchdown ing little loyalty to his players, not afraid to Toronto, mostly playing back-up to Johnny The general opinion among the sport’s pass record, the Dolphin great was in the Bower. Yet again the Ukie backstopper rose pundits is that Sawchuk was at the head of shoot from the hip with the media. to the occasion, when in 1967 he proved to news almost as much as when he was hook- this 1950s-1960s goalie class. Gordie Howe Reportedly he thought Sawchuk was getting ing up with Duper, Clayton and those other referred to him as “the best goalie I ever a bit overweight. be the difference maker in the Leafs’ sprint Miami receivers. saw,” at the ceremony to retire Sawchuk’s “He used to weigh 220, 230, maybe, in to the Stanley Cup. On December 21, 2009, when New 1951 or 1952,” said Delvecchio, “but Adams No. 1 jersey in Detroit, only a few months *** Jersey Devils’ goaltender-extraordinaire after his death. (Having played over 30 sea- told him to lose weight and he came back Martin Brodeur blanked the Penguins, 4-0, sons in the NHL and WHA, Howe, it is safe next year and he looked like a skeleton. All Finishing up the Sawchuk-Brodeur com- to notch his 104th NHL shutout, joining him say, is a goalie expert.) his bones were showing.” parison, we should not be at all surprised the in the spotlight was Terry Sawchuk. For it His career totals withstand all compari- Fighting his personal demons did not current Devils’ goalie is the one who broke was the “King of Pain,” the Ukrainian sons: a 2.52 goals-against average over 21 prevent the dedicated netminder from con- the old Ukrainian’s shutout record. Sawchuk, that Brodeur finally passed to seasons with 447 wins, 103 shutouts and tinued excellent performance. His new team Analyzing technique, the two tend goal in a become the league’s new No. 1 ranking net- 971 games played. in Boston was not exactly a Stanley Cup very similar manner. Brodeur happens to be minder. Sawchuk’s 103 career NHL shut- Sawchuk’s first five NHL seasons with contender, but Sawchuk nonetheless was a one of the few contemporary goaltenders outs had stood atop the list for 39 years. Detroit were arguably the best ever: in candidate for the league’s Hart Trophy who has not completely adopted the strict It’s a shame Sawchuk is not alive to com- 1950-1955 his goals-against average was (MVP) in the 1956-1957 season. At the butterfly style, sometimes standing up to ment about Brodeur’s exploits. He passed unbelievably under 2.00 (at 1.93), he aver- midway point of the campaign, the block shots. away in 1970 at the young age of 40, a mere aged 39 wins per season (the league played Ukrainian was diagnosed with mononucle- As unfair as it is to attempt goalie com- couple of months following his last NHL a 70-game schedule), won three Vezina osis. Taking still another one for the team, parisons in vastly different eras (consider game with the New York Rangers. Trophies and three Stanley Cups (1952, Sawchuk hurried back from his illness, like present-day equipment innovations and Sawchuk’s last breaths of life were in the 1954 and 1955). always. It was later suspected his playing modern training regimens), Delvecchio spring, the part of the hockey season during He was the heart of one of the league’s through the mono worsened the clinical echoes the sentiment of his era’s greatest which he excelled. His death mirrored his greatest teams, the 1951-1952 Red Wings depression that went on to darken the last players in suggesting Terry Sawchuk hard life – Sawchuk was a tormented soul, a squad, which won 44 games, finished a 13 years of his short life. deserves a revered spot in hockey history. big drinker who was clinically depressed. whopping 22 points ahead of second-place There were several more highlights. “I’ve seen a lot of goaltenders,” In the late 1960s when his marriage Montreal and swept the Maple Leafs and Sawchuk had an opportunity to return to his Delvecchio told Canwest News Service. ended, he often worried about taking care of Canadiens in the playoffs. Perhaps the most beloved Detroit as part of another Red “And I’d say he was probably the greatest of his seven children, who lived in Detroit with amazing 1952 Stanley Cup playoffs statistic Wings-Bruins trade. It was a swap of Ukrain- them all.” their mother. was Sawchuk’s four straight shutouts in the “When he was sober, he wouldn’t fight four Detroit home games – a pair over each anyone,” former Toronto Maple Leafs cap- opponent. tain George Armstrong said of Sawchuk in “He was our mainstay,” Delvecchio said. the book “67: The Maple Leafs, Their “You could tell in the warm-up when he was Sensational Victory and the End of an going to have a hot night. We’d say, Empire.” “When he was drunk, he wanted ‘They’re not going to get a pea by him.’ ” to fight everyone all the time.” All of 37 and considered old for a goalie back then, Brotherly love Sawchuk tended the nets brilliantly in those Ironically, Sawchuk would never have 1967 playoffs. become a goaltender if not for a tragic fami- In today’s world of interventions and ly death. At age 12, growing up in Winnipeg, players association-sponsored rehabs, Terry was a smooth-skating forward who Sawchuk would have had an easier time. could pass and shoot the puck. He had a His personal story would have played well close bond with his older brother, Mitch, in the press, on talk shows and perhaps even who was a goalie. Mitch Sawchuk died of a in a reality series. However, back in the heart ailment at 17 and it was then that 1950s and 1960s, hockey players were sup- younger brother Terry decided he would posed to be tough, suck it up and move on. continue in Mitch’s footsteps and be a goal- This is how Sawchuk lived his life both on tender. and off the ice. On the ice, he played goalie At first, the position switch didn’t take, as without a mask and in equipment no one Terry tried out for goalie and didn’t make it. would use in today’s game. He was assigned to the center position and Sawchuk once estimated he had some went on to win the Winnipeg scoring title. 400 stitches in his facial area prior to finally This translated into his future development succumbing to a mask in the late 1960s. An as a great goalie – his agility, vision and insecure person by nature, he was always thinking allowed him to revolutionize play- worried he’d lose his starting position. ing goal by playing angles. Although there weren’t many back-up net- How athletic was Sawchuk? He also minders in the NHL back then, there were played a bit of football, where he perfected prospects in the minors who dreamed of the crouch of a three-point stance. In foot- stealing one of the NHL’s six starting goalie ball and hockey he was always prepared to slots. The result was tight-checking, hard- pounce: either to tackle an opposing running hitting defensive play, usually low-scoring, back or to capture a flying puck. Athletic? creating tremendous pressure on goalten- There’s an old photo of Sawchuk leaping ders. over the top of his net to play a puck behind “He’d get hurt, and have aches and pains, the goal. Have Patrick Roy or Martin but he’d say: ‘There’s no way I’m going to Brodeur ever done that? sit out because these guys will take my As a youngster, he incurred a bad fracture job,’” recalled Alex Delvecchio, longtime of his right arm from a football injury. When Detroit captain and one of Sawchuk’s clos- it healed, his right (blocker arm) was a few est friends on the Red Wings. (Quote from inches shorter than his left arm, one of the interview with Wayne Scanlan of Canwest first scars for the “King of Pain,” an early News Service.) hurdle to overcome. Sawchuk’s death itself was mysterious – Adapting to trades a liquor-induced battle with Rangers team- mate Ron Stewart left Terry’s internal organs If hockey lore is accurate in stating that so damaged he passed away within a month. Howie Morenz died of a broken heart after 26 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12 No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 27

“Holodomor” from the Kyiv City A journey... Administration. The two ladies accepted (Continued from page 6) these certificates with thanks and humili- the survivors to the microphone. Although ty. frail in appearance, their voices were Prior to screening the documentary, the strong as they extended their deepest audience was addressed by a survivor thanks to the film-makers for accurately who relayed her experience of the horrors portraying the horrors of the Holodomor she saw and lived through during those that they were fortunate to survive. Ms. dark times. Immediately following the Lew presented each survivor with flowers screening, a panakhyda was held in the as a remembrance of the special evening. large theater with the audience’s partici- The next speaker, Natalia Dziubenko pation. No one left the hall until the final Mace, who is interviewed in the docu- note of “Vichnaya Pamyat” had faded mentary, spoke about her late husband, away. Dr. James E. Mace, the prominent On Friday morning, November 27, the researcher on the Holodomor and former group got an early start, knowing that the executive director of the U.S. Commission drive to Chernihiv would be much longer on the Ukraine Famine. She underlined than the previous day’s trip. The van the importance of having documentaries arrived, with time to spare, at the city’s on the Holodomor. theater, an interesting circular building Several more prominent speakers boasting tall columns on either side of the In Lviv (from left) are: Luba Keske, the Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian extended their thanks, including Prof. entrance, where Serhiy Butko, head of the Catholic University, Maya Lew, and Viktoria Hubska and Iryna Mykolayenko, pro- Chernihiv Region Information Bureau Vasyl Marochko, director of the Center duction coordinators in Ukraine for the Holodomor documentary. and the local representative of the for Research of the Genocide of the Institute of National Memory was waiting Ukrainian People. ed in a panakhyda in memory of all those in their traditional local folk costumes to greet the group. Observations and a short discussion who perished in 1932-1933. made their way to place candles at the Inside the theater, on the small stage, followed on the causes and effects of the Following the panakhyda, the priest foot of the memorial from each oblast, an oblong table covered with a Ukrainian genocide brought about by the Soviet thanked Mr. Leigh, the production team, representatives were led by an elderly embroidered tablecloth had been placed Communist regime against the Ukrainian the Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S. and all person along with a child, representing in front of the large screen. Ms. Lew and people in the early 1930s. The program who helped to make this documentary a the future of Ukraine. During this silent Mrs. Keske were seated for the introduc- concluded with a moment of silence in reality. A lone survivor who was brought procession, the only sound that was heard tion and press conference along with Mr. memory of the 10 million victims. to the screening by her daughter was pre- was the mournful music of the bandurist Butko and Nadiya Molochko, the repre- That evening the four ladies boarded sented a round loaf of bread on a beauti- capella. sentative from the Chernihiv Regional the overnight express train to Lviv where fully embroidered Ukrainian ceremonial The most touching moment came Administration Offices. the second screening was to be held the “rushnyk.” She slowly stood up with her when, led by a child, President The theater was filled to capacity and following day at the Ukrainian Catholic daughter’s help and, although unable to Yushchenko, Kateryna Yushchenko and there were several TV crew members speak at length to the audience, her face Yulia Tymoshenko, who were walking University. Arriving on Wednesday, with their cameras off to the side taping November 25, they were driven to the showed gratitude and her eyes held back side by side carrying identical arrange- the session. As the press conference came tears as she reflected on the suffering that ments with memorial candles in the mid- campus of the university located in the to a close, the room went dark, and the heart of this historic city. she and millions of Ukrainians had dle, made their way slowly toward the only glimmer of light remaining as endured. large Cande of Memory. On the hillsides Upon entering the University’s lecture “Holodomor” appeared on the screen hall they were greeted warmly by the rec- Likewise, to show Yahotin’s gratitude on either side of the memorial, 25,000 red came from five votive candles flickering for bringing “Holodomor: Ukraine’s candles burned representing the 25,000 tor of the university, the Rev. Dr. Father on the table in front of the screen. Genocide” to Ukraine, the members of men, women and children who died each Boris Gudziak. The room, already buzz- When the lights were turned back on, the “Holodomor” film team were present- day during the Holodomor. ing with expectation, was filled with TV many in the audience were wiping tears ed a round bread. It was a touching After Mr. Yushchenko’s moving cameras, students, seminarians and from their faces. Before the panakhyda moment for the foursome. speech, the group, along with thousands guests, many of whom were seated in the commenced, the local priest spoke to the That same afternoon the group returned of others who had gathered, approached balcony as the main floor had filled up audience and, on behalf of those in atten- to Kyiv, where they attended the com- the memorial to pay their respects by quickly. A small memorial altar with an dance he extended his heartfelt thanks to memoration of the Holodomor at the placing yet another candle in memory of icon and lit candles stood in the right- the Ukrainian diaspora, the four women city’s memorial built to the victims. It the victims of the genocide. hand corner. The Rev. Gudziak intro- for bringing the film to Chernihiv and all was a fitting end to their road trip in Later that evening everyone met to say duced the guests and following a brief but those who had contributed to the making Ukraine. farewell, as the time had come for Ms. sincere welcome by Ms. Lew and Mrs. of the documentary. Despite the chilly weather, thousands Lew and Mrs. Keske to return to the U.S. Keske, the “Holodomor” screening To the group’s surprise, Mr. Butko had of people had gathered on the grounds of Through tears and hugs they expressed began. arranged to give them a walking tour of the memorial. The group watched as rep- their gratitude and thanks to each other Following the preview, the Rev. this very important and historical city dat- resentatives from various oblasts dressed for “a job well done – a promise kept.” Gudziak addressed the audience. He first ing back to the ninth century – the city of expressed his thanks to those who con- Ukraine’s “Kniazi” (princes). The group tributed to the making of the documentary was fortunate to see, among other histori- and pointed out to everyone that even cal buildings, Ukraine’s oldest cathedral To The Weekly Contributors: though western Ukraine was not directly dating back to 1030 A.D. affected by the Holodomor, it is a legacy Saturday, November 28, was a bleak We greatly appreciate the materials – feature articles, news stories, press clip- of Ukraine’s history. He went on to stress day with light rain falling steadily. pings, letters to the editor, etc. – we receive from our readers. In order to facili- that all Ukrainians, as well as the interna- Perhaps the skies were weeping along tate preparation of The Ukrainian Weekly, we ask that the guidelines listed tional community, should be educated with so many in Ukraine who on this day below be followed. about this crime against humanity that were commemorating the 76th anniversa- took millions of innocent lives to ensure ry of the Famine that slowly, painfully • Persons who submit any materials must provide a complete mailing address that history does not repeat itself in any and brutally took the lives of 10 million and daytime phone number where they may be reached if any additional infor- part of the world. In conclusion, the Rev. men, women and children. Later that day, mation is required. Gudziak conducted a panakhyda (memo- President Viktor Yushchenko was to lead • News stories should be sent in not later than 10 days after the occurrence of rial service) for those who died during an official commemoration in Kyiv at the a given event. this man-made famine. memorial to the victims of the • All materials must be typed and double-spaced. That night, the small group once again Holodomor. • Photographs (originals only, no photocopies or computer printouts) submit- boarded the overnight train and returned The group started out at 8 a.m. for the ted for publication must be accompanied by captions. Photos will be returned to Kyiv. The next morning, Thursday, ride to the Children’s Art Institute and only when so requested and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. November 26, they drove on to their next School located in Yahotin, a small city • Full names (i.e., no initials) and their correct English spellings must be pro- destination, Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskyi southeast of Kyiv, whose beginnings as a vided. University for the third screening. flourishing city date back to the mid-16th • Newspaper and magazine clippings must be accompanied by the name of the To the group’s pleasant surprise, the century. This would be the last “road trip” publication and the date of the edition. university, or pedagogical institute, and the final screening in Ukraine. • Information about upcoming events must be received one week before the named after Hryhorii Skovoroda, housed Arriving at the school, they were wel- date of The Weekly edition in which the information is to be published. a full-fledged theater seating approxi- comed by members of Yahotin’s Regional • Unsolicited materials submitted for publication will be returned only when so mately 500 people. As the group was Administration and the director of the requested and accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. dealing with the final details of the institute. The screening room had already screening, students were scurrying into filled up and, again, there was a camera MAILING ADDRESS: The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, the theater to grab any empty seat still crew set up to film the proceedings. Parsippany, NJ 07054. available. Following brief introductions, the screen- E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS: Materials may be sent to The Weekly also via e-mail to Ms. Lew and Mrs. Keske welcomed ing commenced. the address [email protected]. the director of the university, administra- As the lights returned, candles were Please call or send query via e-mail before electronically sending anything tive staff, students and guests to the spe- distributed to the audience and lit along other than Word documents. This applies especially to photos, as they must be cial screening. Ms. Lew and Mrs. Keske with the lone candle next to the Icon of scanned according to our specifications in order to be properly reproduced in were then presented with official certifi- Mother and Child which stood on a small our newspaper. cates of acknowledgement and apprecia- low table on the left side of the screen. As Any questions? Call 973-292-9800. tion for the entire production team of in previous cities, the audience participat- 28 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

Army Commander-in-Chief Roman last two years. independence to take moral positions. Students, educators... Shukhevych was a Nazi officer who Out of a 1,000-point scale system of They have also been leaders in support- (Continued from page 1) received high awards from Adolf Hitler. evaluation for admissions, standardized ing higher education reforms to enable ticularly Europe,” Kyiv-Mohyla President Yet it’s Mr. Tabachnyk’s proposed ret- testing scores will count for 600 points, Ukraine’s universities to move closer to Serhiy Kvit wrote in his statement. “Which rograde education reforms, which involve school grades will count for 200 points Western standards. is why such a minister can’t sit at the table eliminating the reforms of the Orange era and a university’s own admissions exam Meanwhile, those universities entirely of negotiations with the ministers of civi- and returning Soviet practices, that have and interview will count for 200 points, dependent on state funding have either lized states, can’t be held responsible for sparked outrage throughout Ukraine, even Mr. Semynozhenko said on March 17. remained silent, or voiced support for the academia and the education of our coun- among students in the Russophile eastern In the view of educators and students new government. try.” oblasts. alike who support standardized testing, More than 20 Kharkiv Oblast universi- Indeed, Mr. Tabachnyk is a lifelong Mr. Tabachnyk has called for canceling while allowing for different factors to be ty rectors on March 15 issued a statement standardized admissions testing altogether, bureaucrat and politician, with no experi- considered in college admissions makes supporting Mr. Tabachnyk, deeming him making Ukrainian-language testing option- sense in developed societies, re-introduc- ence teaching at a university. He earned a “a highly intellectual, experienced leader, al and even returning the 10 elementary ing interviews merely re-opens the door to doctorate in history in 1995, accomplish- a principled person with high moral qual- grades of the Soviet system to replace the corruption, namely paying bribes for ing this feat while simultaneously chairing ities, capable of resolving urgent prob- current 12-grade system that conforms admissions. the Presidential Administration of former lems of reforming the educational with Western standards. An education system that was so rife President Leonid Kuchma. sphere.” Some of Mr. Tabachnyk’s proposals with corruption by the end of the Kuchma Ms. Kviatkovska and her classmates Another letter surfaced on March 18, have already been endorsed by Mr. era needed strict admission rules that don’t ignored frigid weather to join a protest on declaring that “thanks to the positions of Semynozhenko, who served as a close offer even the smallest opening for bend- March 17 of more than 2,500 demonstra- Mr. Tabachnyk, education was free from advisor to former President Kuchma as his ing the rules, authorities said. totalitarian ideologization, which is tors outside the Lviv Oblast Council build- vice prime minister for humanitarian “Ideally, in the absence of corruption in ing to protest Mr. Tabachnyk’s appoint- incompatible with the norms of the exis- affairs for three years. admissions, a different system could tence of a democratic society and its ment and demand his dismissal. For instance, Ukraine’s standardized work,” said Rostyslav Paranko, a lecturer A similar protest was held outside the declared course of Euro-integration.” testing for college admissions will be con- at the Ukrainian Catholic University. “But This letter was signed by Shevchenko Education Ministry in Kyiv on that day, ducted in several languages this year, Mr. in the current situation of Ukraine, with but nowhere was the outrage greater than National University Rector Leonid Semynozhenko announced at a March 17 exceptional corruption in admissions to Huberskyi, National University of Kyiv in the Halychyna region and its central city press conference. higher educational institutions, it’s a com- of Lviv, whose ethnically conscious resi- Polytechnic Institute Rector Mykhailo “Inequality and unequal competition pelled step which is effective in at least Zhurovskyi, Bohomolets National dents have been the target of a slew of was allowed for college applicants regard- significantly reducing the level of corrup- vicious, derogatory remarks made by Mr. Medical University Rector Anatolii ing the language of independent testing,” tion at the current stage.” Moskalenko, Kyiv National Economic Tabachnyk in recent years. he said. “Our principle, which will be laid Allowing other factors to be considered Halychyna residents are backwards University Rector Anatolii Mazaraki, down, is the language in which he finished in admissions, besides exclusively relying among more than 15 rectors in Kyiv. herdsmen with a justified inferiority com- school – for example, completed a on standardized testing, is merely a tactic Most disturbingly, they supported Mr. plex, who have practically nothing in com- Hungarian school in Mukachiv, completed intended to eventually phase out the whole Tabachnyk’s call for a “free choice” of mon with the residents of Greater Ukraine, school with the Bulgarian language of practice, suspected Dr. Dobko. language in instruction and examinations, Mr. Tabachnyk has said. study, Russian schools, Ukrainian – they While state universities are fearful of which refers exclusively to allowing During World War II, Halychany com- will take the test in the language in which losing state funds, it’s the most financially instruction in the Russian language prised the majority of Nazi auxiliary they studied.” independent universities – the National instead of Ukrainian. police, Abwehr intelligence gatherers and Yet, educational authorities said the University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Franko National University in Lviv SS (Schutzstaffel) formations, and were measure is clearly aimed at allowing the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) hasn’t issued a statement, but Vice-Rector the motivating force of the 2004 maidan Ukraine’s Russian-language speakers to – that have most vocally protested Mr. Maria Zubrytska told The Ukrainian revolt, he said. avoid taking the test in the Ukrainian lan- Tabachnyk’s appointment. Weekly she personally condemns the Such statements are gross exaggera- guage. Both Kyiv Mohyla and UCU receive plans to undermine progressive reforms tions, typical of Mr. Tabachnyk, who also In addition, standardized testing will no significant financing from the West, partic- in education. engaged in outright slander. In 2008, he longer be the single determining factor in ularly the Ukrainian diaspora, which has falsely claimed that Ukrainian Insurgent college admissions, as it had been for the given their respective leadership enough (Continued on page 29) No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 29

Students, educators... Dmytro Tabachnyk (Continued from page 28) Plans to introduce standardized apti- tude tests in 2011, parallel with achieve- in his own words ment tests, are under threat of derailment, • “Halychany practically have nothing she said. “I am scared of the absence of in common with the people of greater succession of government policy,” said Ukraine, not in mentality, not in confes- Ms. Zubrytska. “No country can allow sion, not linguistically nor politically. We this. The absence of succession is a sign have different enemies and different of the political culture and stability in a allies. Moreover, our allies and even state’s management.” brothers are their enemies, and their Standardized testing has a seven-year ‘heroes’ to us are killers, traitors and history in Ukraine, which has been con- accomplices to Hitlerite executioners.” sistently upheld by every education min- ister since 2003 – Vasyl Kremen, • “Halychany supplied the larger part Stanislav Nikolayenko and Ivan of personnel in the Hitler auxiliary police, Vakarchuk. the formation of Abwehr and the SS. It’s “There was a certain succession, regard- they who made up the motivational force less of the frequent changes in govern- of the maidan putsch. Only with a mira- ments, which happened often,” Ms. Zenon Zawada cle, thanks to the self-restraint of the gov- Zubrytska said. “But consistency and suc- Olha Kviatkovska (center) and fellow second-year students at Ivan Franko ernment at the time, did it not spill over cession is a guarantee of stability and suc- National University in Lviv said they could have been denied admission if not for into a civil war.” cess of reforms. To move toward the future standardized testing, which has eliminated bribery in the admissions process. by returning to the past is irresponsible.” •“The last 20 years of co-existence of Opponents to Western educational chairman of the For Ukraine party who is to the views held in her native Halychyna Ukrainians and Halychany have shown standards have various motivations, most positioning himself to succeed Viktor but is rarely reflective of the policies of that the government, forcibly elevating of which are grounded more in power and Yushchenko as the leader of Ukraine’s the Party of Regions of Ukraine. imposed Halychyna ideologues and val- money than ideological issues, authorities national democratic movement. She also has a history of issuing con- ues alien to Ukrainians which aren’t held said. They want to return to the pre- He registered a bill in Parliament on flicting statements. In the case of Mr. by the majority of the population, isn’t Orange ways because they earned money March 12 calling for Mr. Tabachnyk’s Tabachnyk, she said there weren’t any viable. The last five years of Halychyna from admissions bribes, as well as exten- dismissal, which has gained the support “realistic pre-conditions” on which to dominance have brought the government sive tutoring fees. of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc. Mykola base his dismissal, two days before stat- so close to the edge of crash, collapse and “The absence of standardized testing Tomenko, one of Ms. Tymoshenko’s top ing he ought to resign. Then, on March civil conflict that Halychany should them- gave enormous structural and financial advisors, called on the Volodymyr Lytvyn 18, she said she would defend Mr. selves be interested in leaving if not powers to university leaders,” Dr. Bloc to support Mr. Tabachnyk’s dismiss- Tabachnyk. Ukraine, then at least its government Marynovych said. “Corrupt schemes con- al, but its national deputies declined. Mr. Tabachnyk said he isn’t concerned institutions.” cluded with the rector, who could accord- In response to the dismissal calls, about his critics, claiming he’s become ingly support his favorites, or easily ruin Presidential Administration Vice-Chair the target of “McCarthyism or a witch • “In 1991, Ukrainians in the second teachers he didn’t favor. It was a well- Hanna Herman said Mr. Tabachnyk’s vol- hunt.” He said his statements made dur- referendum voted for independence, developed system of influence and con- untary resignation would be “honest” and ing political campaigning shouldn’t be dreaming of how they would begin sell- trol. Standardized testing partly reduced benefit the administration of President confused with his actions as minister. “No ing to the Muscovites pork fat [salo] at this power.” Viktor Yanukovych. Yet she said she one today can place blame for any bad global prices. They still get offended, that Among the leaders in the campaign for didn’t expect that would happen. decision of mine during my three work- as it turns out, global prices for oil and Mr. Tabachnyk’s dismissal has been Ms. Herman has a history of express- ing days in the position of education min- natural gas are constantly rising, while no Viacheslav Kyrylenko, the 41-year-old ing her own viewpoint, which conforms ister,” he said. one needs pork fat.” 30 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

officers, he fled to the Transdniester. Moscow to either abandon the South Stream Yanukovych will... Another senior FSB officer, “Vladimir President... gas pipeline project, or correct it to allow the (Continued from page 2) Alexandrov,” had flown in from Moscow (Continued from page 2) participation of Ukrainian companies. (EDM, November 12, 2004). to help coordinate the operation. During Yushchenko’s decision as several EU mem- If no agreement was reached, the daily’s Implementing stricter security policies the arrest the SBU found “a whole arsenal bers including Poland, view Bandera as a sources on the Yanukovych team said, Kyiv ordered by President Yushchenko, the of espionage equipment” that included Nazi collaborator (www.europarl.europa.eu, might consider resuming gas exports to cen- Security Service of Ukraine (known by digital microphones, a mini video camera February 25). tral Europe, which were abandoned in the its Ukrainian-based acronym as SBU) built inside a pen, a miniature container There was little progress reached beyond mid-2000s at Moscow’s insistence, and began adopting a tougher approach for storing digital data with instructions humanitarian issues. Commenting on the importing liquefied natural gas from Algeria toward Russian intelligence activities in for Mr. “Pylypenko,” a holder for flash Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol, or Qatar in order to lessen dependence on Russian gas. Crimea and Sevastopol. Responding to drives and $2,000 (Infotag, February 4). Mr. Yanukovych said that consultations Despite Mr. Yanukovych’s determination, these clandestine activities in southern A mobile telephone memory card belong- would continue and that Mr. Medvedev Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko Ukraine, Russia’s Federal Security ing to Lt. Andriy Khort of the FSB con- shared his view: “this issue is complicated” said the gas price issue was not discussed Service (FSB) in the BSF was ordered to tained photocopies of classified Russian (Interfax-Ukraine, March 5). Moscow wants during Mr. Yanukovych’s meeting with Mr. leave Ukraine by December 2009, an instructions for informants. to extend its navy’s stationing in Sevastopol Medvedev. Mr. Shmatko suggested it might order with which it complied (EDM, July The reaction of the Party of Regions to beyond 2017, as agreed in 1997, but this the espionage scandal was the same as be raised once a new Ukrainian Cabinet is 14, 2009). Moscow has demanded that would contradict the Constitution of when President Dmitry Medvedev sent an formed (Interfax-Ukraine, March 5). the new Ukrainian president re-admit the Ukraine. inflammatory letter to President Prime Minister Putin invited President FSB to the BSF and “end all cooperation The Kremlin duumvirate was reluctant to Yushchenko in August 2009; on both Yanukovych to join the customs union of with the Central Intelligence Agency discuss gas with Mr. Yanukovych, who is occasions it supported Russia and blamed Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. However, (CIA)” (Kommersant Vlast, February determined to revise the January 2009 gas the Ukrainian side. Prime Minister Mr. Yanukovych told the Russian Vesti TV 22). contract with Gazprom. Ahead of his visit, Azarov accused President Yushchenko of on March 6 that Ukraine as a World Trade Russian intelligence activities against Mr. Yanukovych had signaled that gas Ukraine have continued from bases locat- provoking the scandal and thereby adding Organization (WTO) member could only to the already poor state of Ukrainian- would be among the main issues on his join the union on WTO conditions. Russia, ed near Ukraine’s borders. On January 27 agenda. He said in an interview with the four FSB officers were detained in Odesa Russian relations (Ukrayinska Pravda, Belarus and Kazakhstan are only in talks to February 2, 4). “We categorically con- BBC Ukrainian Service on March 1 that he join the WTO, while Ukraine joined in by the SBU after they attempted to obtain would push for a revision of the contract secret military information from a demn such unfounded accusations,” Mr. 2008. Azarov said (www.proua.com, February with Russia, which was concluded by Mr. In an interview with Euronews, Mr. Ukrainian citizen. Another three FSB Yanukovych’s archrival Yulia Tymoshenko, officers provided support to the operation, 3). Yanukovych said he could not see a clear who was ousted as prime minister on March while a fourth was an officer from the The deported FSB officers were picture of what Ukraine would be doing in 3. Mr. Yanukovych said the price for Operational Group of Russian Forces in banned from entering Ukraine for five the customs union and how it might benefit Ukraine was not fair. Moldova (OGRF). One FSB officer was years. This followed the practice of plac- from membership. He also ruled out recog- Ahead of the Yanukovych visit, the subsequently charged with espionage, ing civilian Russians, such as Moscow’s nition of the Georgian breakaway regions of Kommersant-Ukraine daily said on March while the remainder were deported on Mayor Yury Luzkov, who has been South Ossetia and Abkhazia (www.eurone- January 30 (www.sbu.gov.ua, February banned from entering Ukraine since May 5, citing sources on Mr. Yanukovych’s team, ws.net, March 5). 3). 2008, on blacklists because of their sub- that his main task in Moscow would be to The Ukrainian citizen (“Ruslan versive activities directed against lower the gas price for Ukraine from the The article above is reprinted from Pylypenko”) was an undercover officer in Ukraine’s territorial integrity. current $305 per 1,000 cubic meters to as Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Ukrainian military intelligence who was A senior deputy of the Party of low as $205. The daily also predicted that its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, forcibly recruited during an October 29, Regions, Aleksandr Yefremov, described Mr. Yanukovych would try to persuade www.jamestown.org. 2009, visit to Tiraspol in the Transdniester this as a “stupid practice” and vouched enclave where the FSB claimed he had for Mr. Luzkov as someone whom “I been undertaking an intelligence mission. respect very much” (www.ukranews.com, independence. Mr. “Pylypenko” was illegally arrested, February 17). Mr. Luzkov has been the A poet... The more heated the discussion became, hooded and taken to a Russian base, most vocal Russian supporter of Russian (Continued from page 19) the more Ms. Tolstaya raised her voice – and where his life was threatened in order to sovereignty over Sevastopol and he “I” of poems, of course, comprises a mask the more Ms. Kostenko answered in a quiet- compel his cooperation with the FSB attended and gave a keynote speech in that shows a part, a projection of an author’s er and quieter whisper. At the height of the (www.ukranews.com, February 3). The support of eastern Ukrainian separatism self and not the complete person. argument I recall Ms. Tolstaya shouting out, threat was accompanied by Mr. at a rally organized by presidential candi- In the time I interacted with Ms. “That’s MY Kyiv. That’s MY Odesa. That’s “Pylypenko” being shown FSB photo- date Mr. Yanukovych in Severodonetsk in Kostenko, she proved to be an iron-willed the Odesa of my childhood!” The argument graphs of his family and himself in Odesa November 2004 (EDM, November 29, individual who could quickly change her ended in a deflating silence shortly after the taken by Russian intelligence. 2004 and June 24, 2005). mood from an ecstatic high to a profound outburst, just about when I stopped for gas near the Pennsylvania border. The final hour Mr. “Pylypenko,” an officer of Mr. Yanukovych’s election signifies a low. Perhaps that was part of the creative or so of our drive continued on without Ukrainian military intelligence, had fundamental revision of how Ukraine personality that she writes about in her another word being said. played along and arranged a meeting in defines its national security. An unwill- poem “Van Gogh.” In that poem the artist The other event of particular note for me Odesa on January 27 to hand over secret ingness to see Russia as any form of psychologically abides on the edge of was a meeting with Ukrainian poet Vasyl materials of Ukrainian intelligence opera- threat will have profound implications for madness while he tries to achieve both Barka. I had told Ms. Kostenko about the tions against Russia (Radio Ukraine, Ukraine’s foreign policy and could under- personal and creative freedom. I noticed writer’s nearly monastic life as a kind of February 3). How seriously Moscow con- mine its territorial integrity. that Ms. Kostenko’s reaction to people sidered the operation was evident when it present-day Hryhorii Skovoroda in the often hinged on her visceral response to a woods of Verkhovyna in Glen Spey, N.Y., dispatched the head of the FSB in the The article above is reprinted from single word that someone would utter, OGRF, with the rank of lieutenant-colo- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission and she took a particular interest in visiting often in passing. Yet when Ms. Kostenko him. My in-laws Bohdan and Maria Robak nel, to personally oversee the Odesa oper- from its publisher, the Jamestown enjoyed someone’s company, she exuded ation. After the SBU arrested the Russian Foundation, www.jamestown.org. owned a vacation home in Glen Spey, and great affability and charm. they were kind enough to give us their com- It was almost as if there were two Ms. fortable place to stay just a short walk from Kostenkos, one of whom would invariably Mr. Barka’s one-room abode in the small NATO. We agreed today that these coun- emerge, depending on the situation or her caretaker’s house at the entrance to Turning the pages... tries will become members of NATO… reaction to the person interacting with her. Verkhovyna. (Continued from page 6) MAP is the next step for Ukraine and One was delightfully open and sociable, the Since he had no phone, we just dropped rightful place as a member of the Euro- Georgia on their direct way to member- other closed and contrarian. by at his second-floor room, which was, as Atlantic community.” ship. Today we make clear that we support Two events particularly struck me during usual, scattered with loose-leaf papers filled Ukraine and the United States signed a these countries’ applications for MAP.” her visit. One occurred while I was bringing with his pencil script and piled high with Charter on Strategic Partnership in Many Ukrainians felt that, if NATO back Ms. Kostenko and her son Vasyl to books. His room was spartan, with only a December 2008, which indicated their wavered in its stance, it would send the Penn State from Washington, where she had bed, a small wobbly table, a few wooden “mutual desire to strengthen our relation- wrong message to Russia: that it had veto just received the Antonovych Prize for her chairs and a hot plate. In the winter months ship across the economic, diplomatic, cul- power in the Alliance, of which it was not collection “The Garden of Unmelting Mr. Barka lived in the heated room, while tural and security fields.” During Secretary a member. Other concerns included Sculptures.” I also was giving a ride in the during the summer he lived in the “vezha,” of State Hillary Clinton’s trip to Brussels NATO’s affirmation of a Russian sphere same car to Russian writer Tatyana Tolstaya, the unheated tower just past the Ardmore in 2009, she proclaimed, “We [Western of influence, giving Russia permission to who was coming to my university for a lec- Mansion. allies] should continue to open NATO’s dictate the foreign policy choices of its ture. Vasyl sat quietly in the front seat with Mr. Barka had read virtually everything door to European countries such as neighbors, and Ukraine’s and other for- me for the four-hour drive, while Ms. of Ms. Kostenko’s and had high praise for Georgia and Ukraine.” mer Soviet states’ further isolation from Kostenko and Ms. Tolstaya sat in the back. her works, but Ms. Kostenko only had heard The UCCA statement urged U.S. offi- the West. The two writers at first exchanged pleas- legends about Mr. Barka since he had been cials to reaffirm the NATO Bucharest sum- antries and discussed mutual friends and fig- declared an “enemy of the people” by the mit’s language, when it stated: “NATO Source: “UCCA statement on Ukraine ures in the Union of Writers. But then the Soviet government for his novel on the conversation turned to the “natsionalnyi welcomes Ukraine’s and Georgia’s Euro- and its application for a MAP,” The Holodomor “The Yellow Prince” and for his vopros” – the nationality question in the Atlantic aspirations for membership in Ukrainian Weekly, March 29, 2009. religious poetry. The conversation lasted USSR. This was in the spring of 1990, a about an hour between the two poets. Ms. year before Ukrainian independence. During Kostenko treated Mr. Barka with great awe the conversation Ms. Tolstaya took the tact and reverence, hanging in anticipation on that Ukraine needed to remain in close alli- every word he said. Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com ance with Russia, and Ms. Kostenko argued It was an extraordinary meeting between for the absolute necessity for Ukrainian the two poets that day. No. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 31 OUT AND ABOUT

March 23 Lecture by Ihor Poshyvailo, “The Ecology of the Period and their Sources,” Ukrainian Youth Center, New York Museum Sphere in Ukraine,” Columbia University, 514-481-5871 212-854-4697 March 28 60th anniversary concert, Dumka Chorus of New March 25 Film screening, “Evilenko” by David Grieco, New York York, Merkin Concert Hall, 212-501-3330 New York Columbia University, 212-854-5627 March 29 Seminar by Oksana Kis, “Women’s Participation in March 25, 27 Film screening, “Holodomor: Ukraine’s Genocide of Cambridge, MA the National Liberation Movement in Western Cleveland, OH 1932-1933” by Bobby Leigh, Cleveland State Ukraine Region in the 1930s-1950s,” Harvard University, 216-875-9734 University, 617-495-4053

March 27 Ukrainian Easter Traditions workshop, The March 30 Concert, featuring pianist Marianna Humetska, New York Ukrainian Museum, 212-228-0110 Toronto Gallery 345, www.gallery345.com or 416-822-9781 or [email protected] April 1 Lecture by Taras Koznarsky, “Late Imperial Kyiv March 27 Concert, featuring pianist Angelina Gadeliya and New York and Its ‘Others’,” Columbia University, New York the Lviv Duo of violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv and 212-854-4697 pianist Marianna Humetska, Ukrainian Institute of America, 212-288-8660 April 5 Seminar by Ivan Katchanovski, “Political Regionalism Cambridge, MA in ‘Orange’ Ukraine,” Harvard University, March 27 Fund-raiser, “Hip-Hop Hopak,” Concordia Ukrainian 617-495-4053 Montreal Students’ Union and the McGill Ukrainian Students’ Association, Ukrainian National Federation hall, April 8 Lecture by Adriana Helbig, “Brains, Means, Lyrical [email protected] Stanford, CA Ammunition: Hip-Hop as Empowerment Among African Students in Kharkiv, Ukraine,” Stanford March 27 Pysanka demonstration, Alta Vista Branch Library, University, 650-723-3562 Ottawa 613-737-2837 April 11 Church dinner, “Sviachene,” St. Nicholas Ukrainian March 27 Lecture by Alexander Lushnycky, “The History of Passaic, NJ Catholic Church, 973-779-0249 New York Ukrainian Emigration in America: Stereotypes and Myths,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, April 17 Spring Flea Market, St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic 212-254-5130 Baltimore, MD Church, 410-870-1720

March 28 Easter Bazaar, St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic April 17 Fund-raiser, “Casino Royale,” St. Nicholas Ukrainian Baltimore, MD Church, 410-870-1720 Passaic, NJ Catholic School, 973-471-0303

March 28 Easter Bazaar, Ukrainian Homestead, Lehighton, PA 610-377-4621 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions March 28 Lecture by Prof. Radoslav Zuk, “Key Characteristics from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Montreal of Ukrainian Church Architecture of the Mazepa and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 32 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 No. 12

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Tuesday, March 23 APOPKA, Fla: Holy Week and Easter services in Central Florida will be held at NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Studies St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Program at Columbia University will host Church, Apopka, Fla. (near Orlando) as a presentation by Dr. Ihor Poshyvailo titled follows: Sunday, March 28, 11 a.m., Palm “The Ecology of the Museum Sphere in Sunday liturgy and willow blessing; Ukraine.” Dr. Poshyvailo is deputy direc- Thursday, April 1, 10 a.m., divine liturgy, tor of the National Center of Folk Culture, and 5 p.m., reading of 12 Gospels; Friday, Ivan Honchar Museum. Presently, he is a April 2, 10 a.m., Holy Sepulcher Service; Fulbright Scholar at the Smithsonian Saturday, April 3, 10 a.m., divine liturgy; Center for Folklore and Cultural Heritage. Sunday, April 4, 10 a.m. Paschal Matins The lecture will be held at noon in Room and 11 a.m. Easter divine liturgy. St. Mary 1219, International Affairs Building, 420 Protectress is located at 245 Lake McCoy W. 118th St. The event is free and open to Drive. the public. For additional information call 212-854-4697. Thursday, April 1 Saturday, March 27 NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Studies Program at Columbia University will host NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific a presentation by Dr. Taras Koznarsky Society invites all to a lecture by Dr. titled “Late Imperial Kyiv and its Alexander Lushnycky titled “The History ‘Others.’” Dr. Koznarsky is an associate of Ukrainian Emigration in America: professor at the University of Toronto, Stereotypes and Myths,” with an introduc- where he teaches Ukrainian, Russian and tion by Dr. Andrij V.R. Szul. The lecture comparative Slavic literatures, as well as will take place at the society’s building, 63 culture courses. The lecture will be held at Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th noon in Room 1219, International Affairs streets) at 5 p.m. For additional informa- Building, 420 W. 118th St. The event is tion call 212-254-5130. free and open to the public. For additional Sunday, March 28-Sunday, April 4 information call 212-854-4697.

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