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Alberta’s Ukrainian Arts and Culture Magazine 17, Volume 2010 ummer pring/ S S
The photography of Robert Semeniuk
Trypillian Pysanky: Bridging the Ancient and the Modern
The jewelry design of Maria Rypan and Luba Bilash
A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERTA COUNCIL FOR THE UKRAINIAN ARTS CARE AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR SENIORS
7404 - 139 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5C 3H7
Tel: 780-473-5621 Fax: 780-472-4506 Toll Free: 1-800-472-6169 www.smhg.ca ACUAVitae Spring/Summer 2010
8 10 18 22 features
Trypillian Robert Empowerment 8 Pysanky 12 Semeniuk 18 by Design departments
Maria Lesiv Spencer Forgo Liz Lepper 4 From the Editor shares the interviews brings us 5 Arts & Culture News history of photojournalist beauty and Trypillia and Robert tradition 7 Profile: Viter Ukrainian it’s impact Semeniuk. through the Folk Choir on modern art of Maria Ukrainian Rypan and 10 Art Around the Globe: culture. Luba Bilash. Maria Priymachenko 15 Profile: Kobzar Literary Award 16 CD Review: Maryka’s Treasures 17 Movie Review: Mamay 21 Dance Around Alberta: Troyanda 22 Lystivky: A Ukrainian Wedding Brazilian Style on the cover Ukrainian Cheese Vendor Photograph by Robert Semeniuk
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 3 FROM THE EDITOR
I am inspired by art. I am amazed by the talented people who create art. I am comforted by the constant opportunities that allow us to see and learn about art and artists. I am fortunate to belong to a community rich in art. This issue of ACUA Vitae shares the poignant Alberta’s Ukrainian Arts and Culture Magazine photographic life work of Spring/Summer 2010 | Volume 17 Number 1 Robert Semeniuk – his photographs capture the truths of humanity and reveal both beauty Publisher: and sorrow; a brief ACUA, history of Trypillian The Alberta culture and how Council for the it has manifested Ukrainian Arts itself into our contemporary Editors: culture through Andrea Kopylech Rena Hanchuk pysanky; and the art of adornment – how jewelry has long been a part of our culture, and how that trend continues. To celebrate the arts is to learn and engage in the many art forms that we come upon each and every day. Just to name a few of our daily encounters: Natalie Ozipko presents us with a glimpse into Viter choir, Tasha Diamant highlights the success and commitment of a community through its Ukrainian dancers, and Genia Boivin reviews the Ukrainian film, Mamay. Contributors: To celebrate the arts is to appreciate the extraordinary in Genia Boivin, Tasha Diamant, Daena Diduck, what might be the most ordinary. I hope our stories Spencer Forgo, Ian Jackson, Andrea Kopylech, Liz give you a glimpse of some of the extraordinary in our Lepper, Mariya Lesiv, Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky, Ukrainian arts. Natalie Ozipko, Robert Semeniuk, Nadija Szram, Natalka Talanchuk, Darka Tarnawsky Andrea Kopylech Production Management: The Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts would like to Bottom Line Productions thank the Shevchenko Foundation for its support of our five day workshop with Maria Rypan on the art of Gerdan. Art Direction: jellyfish design
Advertising: [email protected] Ukrainian Book Store 10215-97 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9 ACUA Vitae is published biannually. Views expressed 780.422.4255 by the writers are not necessarily those of ACUA. 866.422.4255 Copyright individual writers. Permission required to re-produce contents. Send inquiries, subscription requests, address changes to: [email protected] ukrainianbookstore.com Printed in Canada by McCallum printers. [email protected] Serving the Ukrainian Community for 94 years! Correction: Fall/Winter 2009 issue - back page poem ‘Ptakhy’ was written by Liliya Pantelyuk.
4 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 ARTS & CULTURE NEWS
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Ukrainian Artist Wins Photo Supplied. Cultural Diversity Award
The Cultural Diversity in the Arts Awards were presented on March 2, 2010 by City of Edmonton Councillor and Deputy Mayor Kim Krushell, and Edmonton Arts Council board member James De Felice. Among the recipients was visual artist and ACUA member Iryna Karpenko. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Iryna graduated with honours from the Children’s Fine Art School, then the Kyiv College of Industrial Arts, and the Ukrainian Academy of Fine Art & Architecture. Iryna moved to Edmonton in 2004 where she now makes her home. She is a talented visual artist and – amongst other projects – runs the Barvy Art Studio with Valeriy Semenko in Edmonton. Artist Iryna Karpenko. Photo supplied. The Cultural Diversity in the Arts Awards Program, now in its second year, provides 12 awards of $7,500 to encourage and support Edmonton artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. come here from other countries with Edmonton’s thriving arts The recipients in this program come to Edmonton from community. Edmonton continues to grow as a culturally diverse countries around the world and demonstrate a strong dedication city and we want to ensure that Edmonton’s audiences and to continuing their artistic practice in their new home. artists have an opportunity to benefit from this diversity,” said “Our main goal with this program is to connect artists who Laurie Stalker, Grants Director of the Edmonton Arts Council.
Special Events 2010 Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village May 24 Celebration of Dance July 1 Canada Day (Ivana Kupala) August 8 Ukrainian Day August 29 Friends' Ukrainian Music Fest September 12 Harvest of the Past & Taste of Heritage Food Festival (Kalyna Idol) 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Hwy 16. ph 780 662 3640 www.ukrainianvillage.ca photo: Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Society photo: Vohon
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 5 ARTS & CULTURE NEWS
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Photo supplied.
World FM Racks Up Back-to-Back Kudos
The anniversary-year momentum machine keeps on rolling for Edmonton’s ethnic radio station, 101.7 World FM, which features the popular Ukrainian program. Celebrating its 30th year of service to Edmonton’s many diverse communities, the station was awarded the title of Multicultural Radio Station of the Year in March of 2010 at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards in Toronto. This was the second year in a row the station was honoured with this distinction. Calgary’s Inaugural World FM Program Director and Ukrainian program host Roman Brytan, who was on hand to receive the Ukrainian Festival honours in person, remarked, “When we received this award last year, it was a huge boost to our efforts to move On May 29 and 30, the first-ever Calgary Ukrainian Festival is forward in new directions of excellence with ethnic radio. serving up a dose of Ukrainian art, culture and hospitality. The This year’s honour will act as a major encouragement to celebration will feature Main Stage performances by Suzirya all of our hard-working staff and producers/hosts as we Ukrainian Dance Theatre, Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, continue to develop innovative, engaging radio for our and the vocal stylings of the Korinnya Folk Ensemble. Local loyal and ever-growing list of dedicated listeners.” vendors will be on site with artwork and other wares and a World FM’s Ukrainian program has promoted Ukrainian children’s craft area will be abuzz with activities for little ones. music of all genres and been a platform for up and Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their appetites as well. coming Ukrainian artists for decades. In addition to this Locally-made varenyky, holubtsi and kovbasa will be available, musical showcase, the station has been a strong supporter as well as a variety of imported beers and vodkas for sampling. of Ukrainian artists and organizations through in-depth One of the festival highlights is a Saturday evening Zabava interviews, on-air promotions, and sponsorships of events (party) with entertainment by Calgary’s popular polka bands. and key milestones in the Ukrainian community. Ukrainians make up Calgary’s sixth largest ethnic It is time for the station to now celebrate its own group, with more than 76 000 people claiming descent milestones. Said Brytan, “keep your eyes (and ears) in the 2006 census. The festival’s aim is to bring together on 101.7 World FM, as the 30th anniversary year the city’s Ukrainian groups and organizations, to promote unrolls more major events and surprises.” the city’s rich Ukrainian heritage, and to put Calgary on the map as a centre of Ukrainian culture in Canada. Festival Chairman Chris Gnyra says guests will find, “all the sights, sounds, tastes, and textiles that make up our colourful and vibrant culture, all under one roof for every Calgarian to experience and enjoy.” The Calgary Ukrainian Festival takes place at the Triwood Community Centre (2244 Chicoutimi Dr. NW.). For festival hours and more information, visit www.calgaryukrainianfestival.ca.
6 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 PROFILE
Viter Dancers and Choir. Photo by EPIC Photography. Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir: A Mighty Wind
By Natalie Ozipko Director) and Tasha Orysiuk (Associate and finding connections with them. Director)) in their performances, which It’s incredibly exciting to be a member It started with a simple invitation include song/dance ensemble pieces of this newest Ukrainian folk choir to sing and when our voices sounded and solo choir pieces. When performing in Edmonton and share our simplistic the first chord, we were all hooked! with the dance group, themes like love of folk music with the community. The Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir was Malanka, or fall harvest are brought to Taking such a new ensemble on the formed in 2009 and started with a life with song and dance. The unique road and embarking on a tour of Brazil group of people sharing their passion of combination of live choir moving with and Argentina this summer is not only Ukrainian folk music and performing. dancers is effective, not to mention ambitious, it’s mind-blowing! What began Under the direction of Lesia Pohoreski entertaining, and emulates performance as a small group of singers has grown to the repertoire is mainly made up of styles made popular by ensembles from over 30 members and the Viter Ukrainian Ukrainian folk songs – themes range Ukraine such as the Volyn Folk Choir Folk Choir is now a mighty wind! from seasons, love, and humour. and Veryovka. The Viter Ukrainian The choir was formed to accompany Folk Choir strives to connect with the Natalie Ozipko is an Arts Marketing the Viter Ukrainian Dancers (under audience when performing and the professional in Edmonton and member the artistic team of Les Sereda (Artistic singing involves animation, passion of the Viter Ukrainian Folk Choir.
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 7 FEATURE
rypillian T ysanky PBridging the Ancient and the Modern
8 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 FEATURE
By Mariya Lesiv this tradition was brought to Canada constant innovation. And it is as an art Pysanky by Natalka Talanchuk (pages 8 & 9) by the first Ukrainian settlers, the form that the pysanka has incorporated a and DAena diduck (page 3) pysanka served predominantly as a ritual new set of Trypillian designs. Although it (religious and magical) object. It was is unknown whether the pysanka existed There once was a civilization blessed in church along with traditional in ancient Trypillian times, “Trypillian” called Trypillia….Actually, we do Easter foods. At home, pysanky were pysanky have become an important part believed to have magical powers to of contemporary Ukrainian culture. not really know what it was called protect from lightning and fire (if hung A variety of animal and geometric at the time it existed, between under the icons), bring a good harvest (if motifs inspired from Trypillian pottery 5400-2700 BCE. It received its buried in the garden), make one beautiful are applied to pysanky in Canada as present-day name from Vikentii (if one’s face was washed in a container a matter of pride and as an aesthetic Khvoika, a Ukrainian archeologist of water with a pysanka in it), etc. These response. The majority of private and of Czech background who initially magical beliefs varied depending on the museum pysanky collections include at region from which a family emigrated. least a few “Trypillian” pysanky. This discovered the ancient Neolithic The form and function of pysanky shows the great potential of this form ruins in the late 19th century. have changed markedly over time of art, its ability to both maintain the This discovery took place near in Canada. In addition to playing an tradition and adapt to new contexts, the village of Trypillia situated important religious role, the pysanka values and aesthetics; its ability to on the Dnipro river about 40 can now serve as a gift for any occasion: bridge the ancient and the modern. km south of Kyiv. Khvoika wedding, birthday, Mother’s Day, etc. This change is largely connected with Mariya Lesiv is Assistant Director of named this archeological culture the pysanka’s transformation from a the Kule Centre for Ukrainian and after the village of Trypillia. ritual object to an art form and to a Canadian Foklore, University of Alberta. Khvoika and his fellow archeologists significant marker of Ukrainian were impressed by this finding. Further identity in the multicultural excavations revealed that Trypillian context of Canada. culture was richly represented by the As an art form, remains of various material objects it encourages including settlement patterns, two-story dynamic dwellings and especially clay items such change as ceramic pottery and figurines. These and objects were often richly decorated by abstract, geometric, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic (animal) designs. Since its initial discovery over one hundred years ago, scholars have been trying to reconstruct the world of the Trypillians. While some aspects of this culture are clear, others represent only academic hypotheses, and still others remain a mystery. This civilization fascinates not only scholars but also wider circles of Ukrainians. The hypothesis that Trypillians represent the oldest ethnic base of the contemporary Ukrainian people significantly contributes to the development of national pride and to the building of a distinct ethnic identity. Trypillian culture does not remain simply a matter of the past, reaching the contemporary public exclusively through museum exhibits of archeological artifacts. It attracts and inspires creative minds today finding its continuation in new intriguing art forms. One of these forms is the Ukrainian pysanka. Originally, or at least when
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 9 ART AROUND THE GLOBE Maria Priymachenko: Artistic Brilliance
Inspired by her dreams and the household of a skilled carpenter and began to exhibit her works nature that surrounded her, Maria and a remarkable embroiderer. Early across Ukraine, the former Soviet Priymachenko dedicated her life in her childhood, Maria contracted Union, Paris, Warsaw, Montreal and to creating joyful works of art. polio which affected her entire life. Prague. But the lure of urban life “Once I was pasturing geese on a Because she could not work out in the did not last, and Maria returned to flowery meadow near my house over field together with everyone else, she her native village of Bolotnya where the river. On the sand I was drawing suffered from enforced solitude which she in turn raised her son, and lived all kinds of flowers that I could see. prompted the young village girl to out her days painting for the love of Then I noticed some bluish silt. I express herself in painting, interpreting it, until she passed away in 1997. put some of it in the hem of my skirt all of the details she saw around her. Her famous words, “let people live and painted our house with it...” 1 In 1935 Maria was invited to Kyiv as flowers bloom”, best describes the Born in 1909 in the Ukrainian to work at the art studio of the Kyiv essence of her work. Her work links village of Bolotnya, near Kyiv, Maria Museum of Ukrainian Folk Art. There ancient cultural heritage to the present. Priymachenko grew up in the artistic she met other talented folk artists, Maria’s paintings are magic. Brilliantly
10 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 ART AROUND THE GLOBE
bold colours and whimsical creatures portray the world of folk legends and fairy tales set in a very realistic background. Her work reflects great optimism and playfulness. To look at her works will put a smile on one’s face. As one looks closer, her images give pause, and make one reflect on where and why these images were chosen. Her most famous images are those of majestic creatures with large eyes framed by distinct eyelashes. Maria Priymachenko is noted as a founder of a great style of Ukrainian folk art and is renowned as a painter of Naive art. Her name has been entered into the World Encyclopedia of Naïve Art (Belgrade, 1984), and holds a place of honour among such established masters of “naïve” art as Niko Pirosmani and Henri Rousseau.2 Picasso once said after visiting a Priymachenko exhibition in Paris, “I bow down before the artistic miracle of this brilliant Ukrainian.” Maria Priymachenko is an Honoured Artist of Ukraine and a Taras Shevchenko Prize Winner. In 2003 a monument Eneide/FolkArt.htm was unveiled in Bolotnya, dedicated to Maria and to her artistry. 2009 marked the 100th birth anniversary of Maria Priymachenko and UNESCO named her Artist of the Year.
1, 2 Embassy of Ukraine in Canada website (http://www.ukremb.ca/canada/en/publication/ content/25363.htm). Biographic information gathered from http://1000years.uazone.net.
Facing page: Mythical figure Volyvakha from the collection of the State Museum of Decorative Art, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Top: Yellow beast from the collection of the State Decorative Art Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Botttom: Long necks, from the private collection of Ihor Verba.
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 11 FEATURE
engaging with life, one frame at a time
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Facing page: Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Andrew, Alberta
Left: Building an igloo, N. Baffin Island
Below: Rainy/malaria season on the Thai/Burma border
Following page: Icon painter Skete of Xenephonos, Mount Athos
By Spencer Forgo PhotoS by Robert Semeniuk
Photography is a uniquely influential art. It has the ability to capture, with unmatched clarity, moments of sublime beauty or abject misery. No moment in time can be duplicated, nor will any two photos ever be exactly the same. When you take a moment to reflect on the nature of photography, it is no wonder that this once maligned medium has become so thoroughly entrenched in modern art. If you aren’t familiar with Robert Semeniuk, let me put it this way: the man environmental issues across the world. His began his career studying Cultural is a renowned photographer, journalist, focus is on the global community, and the Ecology and Human Geography. and human rights activist who has lived images he captures tell fascinating stories It was his college roommate’s and worked in more war zones than I -- tales that transcend the carefully plotted camera, a university darkroom and have fingers on both hands. He has seen borders and boundaries that divide us. an otherwise unremarkable trip to people and places so far removed from Semeniuk has worked in over 80 Canada’s east coast that kick-started an our sheltered havens that it is difficult countries and spent months at a time unheralded life’s work for Semeniuk. to imagine that they could exist at all. photographing some of the world’s “I was walking along the beach Now residing in Bowen Island, B.C. with most dangerous conflicts. His photos and saw this pile of rocks, all worn his wife and daughter, Semeniuk was born provide a compelling visual history, both smooth and bleached by the sun. In to Canadian Ukrainian parents and raised in beautiful and terrifying, of circumstances this pile of stones was the skull of a the small farming community of Big Valley, and places beyond our wildest dreams dog which had also been bleached.” Alberta. Since then he has seen thousands and, at times, our worst nightmares. To So he made the photograph – one of of miles pass beneath his well-worn put it simply: he’s good, really good. the more than 350,000 now contained in boot heels. A full-time photojournalist Ironically, for a man who has his library. and freelance author for almost thirty found such meteoric success as “At first, nobody noticed the skull when years, Semeniuk has spent much of his a photojournalist, Semeniuk’s they looked at the image but when they life campaigning for human rights and beginning wasn’t in photography; he finally saw it they couldn’t stop looking.”
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 13 FEATURE
An entertaining little anecdote on its own, landmines,” says Semeniuk. “Nobody “In those places you see the worst but the story of this photograph seems to cared about landmines because there things people can do to one another have foreshadowed Semeniuk’s entire are none here. But if there were and then the very best,” he reflects. career – people still just can’t stop looking. even two landmines here on Bowen “Often, they happen close together Don’t mistake Semeniuk for your Island it would be a different story.” and within minutes of each other.” standard studio-bound artist or headline- Valid point, and when the International This open-minded philosophy has driven journalist however, as he considers Campaign to Ban Landmines won the prompted Semeniuk to pursue a variety himself neither. The idea of photographing Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, Semeniuk’s of human rights and environmental issues shadows on a brick wall or a chair in an groundbreaking work was all of a sudden over his career. Among the many projects empty room doesn’t cut it; neither does extremely relevant. (In fact, he contributed keeping him busy these days is On chasing a newsworthy cover shot for the to the work of the ICBL long before they The Ground, a tax exempt organization sake of his next paycheque. The intent of were recognized by the Nobel people.) dedicated to helping photographers his photography is simple: to tell it like it is. And while being situated at ground document and present important work. “For me, photography has always been zero to some of the world’s deadliest Today, On The Ground is working on a way to tell a story about something,” warzones might sound nightmarish, a photo-documentary project titled explains Semeniuk. “I look at the Semeniuk insists that he often has a Bringing in the Light, which is aimed at photographs that some people consider hard time leaving; to hear him say it, confronting and reducing discrimination art, and I’m a big fan of the arts, but he is, “condemned to freedom.” against people living with mental issues. for me a photograph has got to say “We don’t call people with cancer something as opposed to ask a question.” ‘cancerous’ and yet we call people with If making a statement is his goal mental issues ‘mentally ill,’” he explains then mission accomplished. Throughout “...you see the avidly. Even in our brief discussion, it was his career, Semeniuk has shone a obvious that this issue means a great deal spotlight on some of the most pressing worst things to the renowned human rights champion. human rights crises of our time. The longer we spoke about Semeniuk’s He spent more than two years in Burma, people can do to storied career, the more I found myself Mozambique and Afghanistan working wondering about what his legacy will exclusively on the global landmine crisis. one another and be. When I finally asked him about His riveting photography documented an the “footprint” he hoped to leave unfathomable catastrophe which wouldn’t then the very through his work he was cautious, be globally recognized for years to come. but deliberate, about his response. “I spent many months trying to get best,” he reflects. “I think my work means something a magazine to pick up my work on different for everyone. How much they “Often, they know coming into it will affect how much they take away from the images.” happen close “I’m not so concerned about what Joe Public thinks – I’m more concerned together and with what my daughter thinks,” he says simply. “I want to leave a legacy of within minutes of consciousness. It’s not about collecting material things, it’s about how engaged each other.” and truthful you are with life. All that any of us really have are our values.”
AV note: Semeniuk first worked with ACUA in 1991 when, collaborating with the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre at Grant MacEwan Community College we published a perpetual daytimer engaging six professional photographers to share their photographic documentaries of Ukrainians at work and play for the publication, Mosaica: Photographic Explorations.
Spencer Forgo is an arts writer and communications fanatic in Calgary.
14 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 PROFILE
also help to promote the work and A good book is a great story with Recognizing raise public awareness of excellence memorable characters. It stays in the in Canadian literature. “Canadian reader’s consciousness overtime. When Great Canadian culture is always competing with what readers keep reading the book over we get from across the border so generations, it has staying power and can reminding Canadians about what we be viewed as a classic,” says Turkewych. Literature are creating here at home, and how There are so many stories to be great it is, is important,” says Ruth told. There are so many books to be By Andrea Kopylech Linka of Brindle & Glass Publishing. read. Celebrate literary arts. Read a With the growth of literary awards good book. Make it Canadian. For the third time, the Kobzar Literary financially, and with new awards such Awards have recognized an outstanding as the Kobzar Awards, Canadian talent Andrea Kopylech is a freelance writer Canadian author whose work was of gains accolades at home and abroad, and editor. She lives in Edmonton a Ukrainian Canadian theme. Randall and great Canadian books flourish. with her husband and 3 children. Maggs received the honour of his “What I look for in a book basically peers and a $25 000 award from the would be something that speaks to Shevchenko Foundation for Night me. Not necessarily personally, but Author Randall Maggs. Photo Supplied. Work: The Sawchuk poems on March in some way, where I can see a need 4, 2010 at the awards gala in Toronto. for this book, a market for it, where I Maggs is a renowned poet, editor, believe it should be made available to artistic director of Newfoundland ’s readers. I have to believe in it in order March Hare festival, and a professor to invest the energy, time and money to of literature at Memorial University . publish and promote a book. It’s such The Kobzar Literary Awards have a competitive market out there that the been recognizing Canadian authors authors’ and publishers’ passion is key and excellence in Ukrainian Canadian to a book’s success,” confirms Linka. themed writing since 2006. Maggs is one The Kobzar Literary Awards are of four Canadian authors to have been aimed specifically for Ukrainian reviewed by his peers, and awarded themed stories. What makes this the Kobzar Award. As a biannual award interesting is that the stories can award, the Shevchenko Foundation be written in English, Ukrainian, or awards $25 000 to the winning author French, by any Canadian writer. The and $5 000 to the publisher. Ukrainian Canadian experience is an Literary awards have been supporting important part of our Canadian identity. and promoting authors for decades. Dr. Christine Turkewych, Program The Kobzar Literary Awards, and other Director for the Kobzar Literary Award Canadian Literary awards, such as the & Writer’s Scholarship notes, “The more Canada Council for the Arts’ Governor non-Ukrainian writers explore Ukrainian General Awards, are substantial as Canadian themes, the greater the impact they give not only financial support these stories will have, the greater the to the writer and publisher, but they value of the award in the literary world.”
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Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 15 CD REVIEW
This delightful interactive that combine storytelling, entertainment children’s CD really does have and education. It is hard to resist tapping it all. Fun, educational, and your foot to the beat and a smile forming engaging, the songs will appeal on your face. Maryka’s Treasures CD was to children and adults alike released at the St. Anne 50th anniversary as they beckon to get up to concert in Winnipeg where Maryka dance and sing along. Maryka co-ordinated and sang with 200 children. Gulka-Chabluk skillfully blends After listening to this CD, it is not hard to English and Ukrainian as her conjure the image of Maryka, a modern passion and love of working day pied-piper inspiring and leading a with children clearly comes huge line of children happily singing and through the many and varied dancing along. The songs are infectious. rhythms. Children will not realize What is most appealing is that they are learning as they are you don’t have to be Ukrainian to entertained by the many themed appreciate this music. Ukrainian is tunes; princesses and princes, woven throughout into the original dancers, folk stories, marching in English songs and before you know parades, borscht, and musical instruments. it, you are singing and understanding Maryka’s Christian values are also represented Ukrainian. All the lyrics are online at as the songs teach the golden rule, and www.marykastreasures.com as well Treasures encourage the children to love each other as the 50th Anniversary Children’s and get along. Learning concepts are concert DVD that can be watched with By Nadija Szram demonstrated through tangible examples as the whole family, including Baba. in the song “Instruments Ring,” a rhythm Jump like a frog, dance like butterflies, stick becomes a musical instrument. Nadija Szram is the Community leap like a Ukrainian dancer to the The song “Wise John” from the CD is Project Coordinator of ACUA compelling tunes of Maryka’s Treasures! indicative of Maryka’s compelling lyrics and an avid arts enthusiast.
10219 - 97 Street Ukrainian Community Council Edmonton, AB T5J 0L5 creating better communities. Your Co mplete
Ukrainian C onnection To join the council: If you are interested in joining the Ukrainian Community Council * Travel Services please contact Ryan Borle, Delton Branch Manager at * Translations with Notary Services * Money Transfers [email protected] or 780.638.7182. * Immigration * Parcels To apply for funding: * Western Union If you are an organization that supports Ukrainian culture and * Ukrainian Dance Supplies language and would like to apply for funding please contact * Ukrainian Gifts and Souvenirs * Ukrainian Music and Videos Ryan Borle, Delton Branch Manager at [email protected] or * Ukrainian Blouses and Clothing 780.638.7182 for an application. Phone: 780 422-5693 Travel: 780 423-5916 Fax: 780 426-7466
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16 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 MOVIE REVIEW
Mamay: When Folklore Hides Politics
By Genia Boivin instrument from which today’s bandura While Oles Sanin never clearly derives. Furthermore, Cossack-Mamay states his political position, one can In 2003, Ukraine presented Oles is also a trickster figure in Ukrainian see in Mamay an attempt to create a Sanin’s film, Mamay to the Academy folk tales and Vertep, which is a form dialogue between Tatars and Ukrainians Awards for Best Foreign Language Film of folk puppet theatre. In both genres, in a conflicted land. Sanin’s movie where it won international recognition. the folk tale and the Vertep, Cossack- offers another view of the problem Mamay is a love story in a familiar Mamay plays tricks to fool his enemies. of land ownership by introducing Romeo and Juliet style; a love between Oles Sanin’s film Mamay is based the Tatars’ legacy and the right to fugitive Cossack Mamay and the Tatar on Ukrainian poetic cinema with the region as well as encouraging a beauty Omai, which defies ethnic and an emphasis placed on the visual nationalism based on shared land. religious taboos. The director presents image enabling a verbal economy: the The movie presents breath-taking their worlds as divided yet sharing the movie presents almost no dialogue. shots, painting-like images, beautifully same natural elements and legends; the Instead of language, Sanin uses saturated colors and ingeniously proposes movie is based on two of these legends. pose, gesture, landscape and colours a rather simplistic storyline that examines Sanin’s movie starts with a Ukrainian that create symbolic imagery in the complicated historical events. Mamay is duma, which is an ancient 16th century tradition of great Ukrainian movie a treat for any art or film amateur. epic genre. The Escape of Three Brothers classics such as Dovzhenko’s Earth from Azov tells a story of three brothers or Parajanov’s Shadows of Forgotten Genia Boivin is a student at the Kule who escape from Tartar captivity. The Ancestors. Mamay offers an open Centre for Ukrainian Folklore at the youngest brother is left behind in the ending to the viewer because most University of Alberta. She offers this escape and dies. The other two brothers of the motion picture is based on review as part of her course-work at the perish under the enemy’s sword. personal interpretation of the image. UofA and for readers of ACUA Vitae. The Tartar epic poem used in the movie The Song of a Dervish about Two Mamlyuks also tells a story of two Christians who escape from Tartar captivity. Both epics, the duma and the poem, present the moral issue of killing those who cannot defend themselves. The title, Mamay, holds a variety of meanings taken from different cultures: “no one” in Turkish, “the spirit of the steppes” in Persian legends, etc. It is also the name of a Mongol conqueror. In Ukrainian culture, Cossack-Mamay is a character that appears in traditional folk paintings. The character personifies the Cossack era and is almost always represented playing the kobza, the
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 17 FEATURE
empowerment by design Rypan and Bilash’s adornments give women the tools to unleash their creative spirit
18 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 FEATURE
By Liz Lepper
Speaking on the phone from instructional books and developed her father’s home in Detroit, dozens, if not hundreds, of patterns and Maria Rypan sorts through and all-inclusive kits so enthusiasts can create their own “miniature works of wearable assembles what I imagine to be art” using glittering glass seed beads. a rainbow-coloured mountain of Maria’s zeal for bead weaving was seed beads in preparation for a first piqued by a gerdan given to her at sequence of workshops in Ohio. Christmas in the early 90’s. She had no Her expertise in Ukrainian-style idea how it was made, and her curiosity Rypan. “I want to do the same for beadwork sees her travel across about the necklace’s construction opened other people because it’s so cool!” the door on a new career. Working Edmonton jewelry designer and Canada and the US, hosting as the cultural program director at maker Luba Bilash also has a passion courses on all-things bead-related, Toronto’s St. Vladimir Institute at the for adornment she cannot help but from hands-on bead-weaving, time, Maria had the opportunity to share. Creating modern jewelry inspired loomwork and netting techniques, learn a netting technique from Oksana by ancient themes, Bilash harnesses to presentations outlining the Ivanochko, a visiting bead artist from the power of a myriad of materials history of Ukrainian beadwork. Ukraine. As Rypan learned new to design one-of-a-kind pieces. Her methods of creating jewelry, many of collection includes rings, brooches and For the bead enthusiast who had them virtually unknown at the time, bracelets but she focuses on creating the misfortune to miss her February her enthusiasm and desire to share her bold statement necklaces, with earrings ACUA workshops in Edmonton, take skills grew and she began teaching. to match using everything from copper heart: Maria has also authored several Although she’s been working with enamel and freshwater pearls to semi- beads for two decades and full-time since precious stones, crystal, bone and amber. 2001, Maria admits she hasn’t actually Bilash’s jewelry combines traditional made very many necklaces. But, she elements in non-traditional ways, mixing estimates the ideas, samples and styles and matching everything from beads and she’s bred to be around a “zillion.” pearls to shoe-buckles and ancient coins. Maria has also been travelling to Because of this, she finds materials Ukraine every two years talking with everywhere, at home and abroad: fabric beaders, picking up samples and shops, second-hand stores, garage exploring museum collections to learn sales, street vendors, and museums. more about her craft. Her designs are An interest in ancient cultures inspired by what she finds on her travels pushed Bilash to research all types and adapted for students to make on of symbolism, including Sanskrit, their own. “I’ve made it very accessible Celt, Ukrainian, North American to learn and do,” she says, and the photo Aboriginal and African, and she gallery on the Rypan Designs website noticed similarities, both in design is a testament to this. The site contains and meaning spread throughout each. nearly 100 photos of stunning, intricate Inspired by her research, she began collars and necklaces inspired by her own drawing and painting symbols on silk designs, but created by her students. scarves and then leather which led “The gerdan I received was the key her to create Great Goddess brooches. that opened the door for me,” says From her silk and leather work,
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 19 FEATURE
Bilash’s jewelry combines traditional elements in non-traditional ways, mixing and matching everything from beads and pearls to shoe-buckles and ancient coins.
she began working with stones. collections of one-of-a-kind necklaces A few years into her jewelry making, and selling them out of her home. As Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Borodai always, every design is unique, just like brought an exhibit featuring his work the people who wear her creations. with copper enamel to Edmonton, Both Rypan and Bilash have enjoyed and Bilash introduced herself. She was success by tapping into their love of surprised to learn Borodai knew about adornment and the creative process. her work in the music industry. (Bilash Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of is also a local recording artist.) During their respective careers is the sense of their conversation, she mentioned power and beauty women feel when that she made jewelry, and he began wearing a favourite piece of jewelry. sending her his enameled copper. “A piece has to speak to you, and When Bilash started making it has to speak of you,” says Bilash. “If necklaces incorporating Borodai’s art, it speaks to you, it’s your piece.” she had people offering to buy them off her neck. Her passion for creating Liz Lepper is a freelance writer and jewelry flared and she began making publicist living in Edmonton.
Maria Rypan. Photo supplied.
20 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 DANCE AROUND ALBERTA
(l to r): Ukrainian dancing is a family affair for the Lysyk family: Theo, dad Tim, and Stasha; Longtime dancer and dance mom, Kathy Van Dellen gets her hair braided by Patt Williams and Nicole Stewart; Anastasia Sereda tutors this year’s crop of Little Stars: Sophia Howell Diamant, Aliya Koliaska, Oscar Babits and Riley Vanderburgh. Troyanda: Lethbridge’s Rose
By Tasha Diamant director. Dean’s weekday job is is amazing.” Troyanda owns $85,000 teaching Ukrainian dance in Calgary. worth of costumes representing the Some of the tiny dancers who charmed Cal Koskowich, a Troyanda dance different regions of Ukraine, mostly Lethbridge with their steps in the 1990s dad, senior dancer and longtime handmade by club members along are still with the Troyanda Ukrainian club member says, “We’ve been very with some imported from Ukraine. Dance club, which is celebrating its 15th fortunate with our teachers over the Troyanda members regularly perform anniversary this year—but they show off years. The calibre of instruction has at cultural events in the southern far fancier footwork these days. Anastasia helped keep the club as vibrant as it is.” Alberta region. From Lethbridge’s Sereda, 22, has been with the club since Indeed, the club is a Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days to Taber’s Cornfest its very first class. She is now one of institution. The annual Malanka and Fort Macleod’s Santa Claus Parade, the club’s instructor-choreographers performance, dinner and dance is one the club performs dozens of times in a and an accomplished all-round dancer. of the highlights of the early social year. Club members also teach pysanka Tamara Sudar, 23, was a 12 year-old calendar in Lethbridge. Founding member decorating and go door-to-door caroling from the troubled former Yugoslavia. Cheryll Oakes, says she misses the days for Ukrainian Christmas, complete The club offered her a transition into when the club, with the help of the with “Ukr-English” songbooks. a new land and culture. Tamara has church ladies from Holy Trinity Church, Tamara Sudar is one of many dancers been a fiery performer in the Troyanda actually made the Malanka supper, a in the club who has no actual Ukrainian Ensemble for seven years. For these tradition that endured until 2002. This heritage. “It’s not the point what your women and for hundreds of others, the year’s 15th anniversary Malanka did not genes are,” says Tamara. “This has club has been a home away from home, disappoint anyone. The 400-seat house been a welcoming part of mine and my a community within a community. at Lethbridge’s senior centre was sold family’s lives since we moved here. I have The volunteer club was founded in out early on and many observers called grown in so many ways in this club and 1994 by former Lethbridge resident it the best Malanka ever. The group’s made so many friendships. The point Laura Korbett. When Korbett left town, spring festival - Vesna - in early May, is community and carrying on some Bev Mikalson took over instruction. along with May performances for all the beautiful traditions. I feel very lucky to Eventually Les Dutchak, a veteran grade three kids who are learning about have been part of it for so long.” And Ukrainian dancer and teacher from Ukraine in school, are also must-see for those with Ukrainian backgrounds, Calgary, became dance director. He events that are regularly sold-out. adds Cheryll Oakes, “The experiences commuted to Lethbridge every Sunday David Howell, the father of two young with the club do give the young dancers from September to May for eight Troyanda dancers says he couldn’t believe and families connections to their cultural years. Today, Dean Mackedenski, the first performance he attended, “The heritage which may be very distant.” one of many Troyanda alumni who level of choreography and the quality have gone far with their dancing, of the costumes is incredible in a club Tasha Diamant is an artist, college makes the weekend trip as dance of all volunteers. The commitment instructor, and writer living in Lethbridge.
Spring/Summer 2010 ACUAVitaE 21 LYSTIVKY
Korovai and wedding cake (bolo) surrounded by sweet gifts for each guest;
Talita dos Santos Fonseca and Cleberson Carlos Vetorazzi wedding, buying a chunk of the groom’s tie is a widespread Brazilian tradition;
Talita Burack and Rafael Moriya, Sao Josafat Ukr Catholic church. A Ukrainian Wedding…Brazilian Style By Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky hugs to every guest at the wedding, of the dancers took the korovai and All photos by Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky cutting the wedding cake (bolo) and started dancing a polka with it in front throwing the bride’s bouquet. The of the head table. The other costumed When I arrived in Prudentopolis in bride and her bridesmaids spent half an dancers joined the polka with each November of 2009, Mrs. Burack at the hour noisily selling raffle tickets for the other. As each took turns with the hotel greeted me warmly with a hello “bride’s shoe.” The groom and his gang, korovai, they may have done prysiadky and an invitation to her daughter’s meanwhile, go around to each male or povzunets, more polkas, etc. After a wedding. She put me in room 14, the guest and sell pieces of his necktie. few minutes, they pulled in the bride same one I stayed in during my first My favourite part of the night, and groom from behind the table, Brazil trip in May. The Burack Hotel, my however, is dancing with the korovai. as well as their parents; sometimes home for most of the next six months, It seems the story of the korovai here one sometimes two or more people is on the main drag in downtown is quite a bit like in Canada, where hefting the large bread and keeping Prudentopolis. The Burack Hotel is the immigrant generation and children it moving. Meanwhile the dancers also home to the bride’s family. kept this tradition, then it mostly kept on improvising a bunch of solos The bride and groom - Telita and died out around the middle of the wherever there was room. It felt quite Rafael-were married in the town’s main 20th century, then recently revived like a Canadian kolomyika. The groom church, the Ukrainian Catholic church in popularity. The revival came out and his family were thrilled to join in of St. Josaphat, at 8:30 on a Saturday different than in Canada however, and as well, in their own way. Cameras and night. The church service was mostly I’d never heard about dancing with videos were buzzing, mine included. sung in Ukrainian with the priest’s it on the other two continents. I’ve After the dancing died down, the commentary in Portuguese. Dinner seen it in May with the bridal party bride and groom carried the korovai and celebrating to 3:00a.m. followed. leading the dancing, and I understand around to each guest at the wedding, Rafael’s family are Japanese that’s the normal way it is performed starting with their parents, and we were Brazilians from the city of Curitiba, at hundreds of weddings each year each expected to rip a chunk out of it and there was lots of joking about how in the local farming communities. and eat it. Communion. It was sweet this was a big Ukrainian culture shock Indeed, many have told me that dancing and yellow with egg yokes; tasted great. for them. Some were expecting them the korovai is the most important Posted by Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky to be quite proper and formal as is the difference between a Ukrainian at 11/29/2009; http://andriybrazil. stereotype, but they came quite ready to wedding and a regular Brazilian one. blogspot.com. party. Must have been “Brazilianized”! Telita was a member of the local You could hear whispers of awe Ukrainian dance group here, Vesselka Dr. Andriy Nahachewsky is doing as the guests entered the huge and (sic). Many current and former dancers fieldwork and research on Ukrainian beautiful church. They were also attended the wedding, and six of them folklore and ways in Brazil funded by the quite engaged in culture shock put on their costumes to dance for Kule Folklore Centre at the UofA. ACUA throughout the evening’s traditions; her and Rafael around midnight. They has recently partnered with the Kule me too, and that’s why I’ve come. started with their small hopak, then Centre on three ethnographic workshops These traditions included the bride the band started up a kolomyika and dealing with storytelling, regional paska and groom passing little gifts and big they danced with the korovai. One decorating and gerdan necklaces.
22 ACUAVitaE Spring/Summer 2010 Dr. Christine Fialka-Eshenko
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ALBERTA COUNCIL FOR THE ukrainian arts
Instructional Art Classes
BLOCK PRINTING ▪ Irene Demchuk - Saturday, May 8, 10:00am - 3:00pm, #217, 11803 - 125 Street Fee: $75 (Members $68)
PAINTING SUNFLOWERS ▪ Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn - Saturday, May 15, 10:00am - 4:00pm, #217, 11803 - 125 Street Fee: $65 (Members $58) Irene Demchuk Block Print GRAPHIC ART - PEN & INK ▪ Lyuba Seletska - Saturday, May 22, 10:00am - 2:00pm, #217, 11803 - 125 Street Fee: $42 (Members $37)
Culinary Series - ACUA and the St. Mary’s Ladies’ League of St. George’s present:
ART OF TORTE - Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:00am - 3:00pm, St. George’s Church Hall, 11301 - 96 Street, Fee: $45.00
POPPY SEED ROLL - MAKIVNYK - Saturday, November 27, 2010, 10:00am - 3:00pm, 11301 - 96 Street, Fee: $45.00
ACUA EVENTS
Calgary Ukrainian Festival - May 29 and 30, 2010, Triwood Community Arena, 2244 Chicoutimi Dr. Larisa Cheladyn Sunflower Detail Saturday 11 am – 7 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Heritage Festival 2010 - July 31 - August 2, Hawrelak Park. Look for the ACUA table in the Ukrainian Pavilion
Ukrainian Day - August 8, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Look for us in the Red Barn Arts Display and Sale and the children’s Crafts Tents.
______
Lyuba Seletska Celebrate Ukrainian Art Join ACUA Graphic Art Detail Participate in great workshops, art events and festivals; read ACUA Vitae. Volunteer. Sign up for a membership - Your membership ensures our great programs will continue!
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