Inside: l D.C.’s dysfunction may embolden Moscow – page 3 l Ukrainian National Association Forum – page 5 l Ukrainian Debutante Balls – pages 10-15

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXV No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 $2.00 Bipartisan congressional resolution New bill forces graft watchdogs condemns Russian aggression in Ukraine to file declarations of assets by Mark Raczkiewycz could be classified as a “vendor” under the Urges maintenance of sanctions on Moscow provision because it also conducts public KYIV – Controversial amendments to the opinion polls on corruption, the sociologist nation’s “e-declaration” law that require said that “civil society groups don’t belong in corruption watchdogs registered in the public sector and civil activists don’t have Ukraine to file asset declarations went into decision-making power in government.” effect on March 30 She continued: “If you want to make President Petro Poroshenko signed the their [civil society groups’] declarations bill this week after the Verkhovna Rada public (because they actually draft reports approved changes to Ukraine’s anti-corrup- and submit declarations to the tax authori- tion legislation on March 23. ties) – then adopt the respective laws, but The measure obliges employees of civil not in the one on corruption.” society groups that monitor graft and the Among the groups that will be affected vendors with whom they conduct business by the new law is the Anti-Corruption to disclose their incomes and purchasing Action Center, whose team includes ana- activity. Their first asset declarations are lysts, lawyers, journalists and others who due in 2018. seek change in a country where corruption Non-governmental organizations that goes unpunished. fight corruption will now join the 50,000 Mr. Poroshenko said the amendments high-level public officials, including the were necessary to exclude lower-ranking president, the prime minister, Cabinet soldiers from having to file asset disclo- members, lawmakers, judges, prosecutors, sures. This week, after meeting with civil Sponsors of Senate Resolution 100 (from left) Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and local government officials and managers of society leaders, he promised to protect Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). state-owned companies who must file elec- non-profits and form a working group with them to draft additional amendments. WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Rob Portman “The United States must stand with tronic declarations. Some Western experts defended the (R-Ohio) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Ukraine against Russian aggression,” said Representatives of the U.S. and the provision. March 27 introduced a resolution con- Sen. Portman, co-chair of the Senate European Commission, as well as the “Non-governmental organizations in British government, said the provision was demning illegal Russian aggression in Ukraine Caucus and a member of the Ukraine receive most of their funding from detrimental to Ukraine’s reform efforts. Ukraine and urging the president to main- Foreign Relations Committee. “The anni- foreign governments and often engage in “Members of civil society play a vital role tain sanctions on Russia as long as it con- versary of Russia’s illegal annexation of lobbying and direct pressure on their gov- for transparency; targeting them is a step tinues its military aggression in the coun- Crimea is an opportunity to highlight the ernment, which is legitimate but should be backwards,” the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv tweeted. try. The resolution follows the three-year continued challenges Ukraine faces, as well fully transparent,” wrote Adrian Karatnycky, U.S. Embassy press attaché Geoff anniversary of the annexation of Crimea a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Anisman was unavailable for comment. earlier in March. (Continued on page 7) Washington. “However, given their pen- British Ambassador to Ukraine Judith chant for extreme transparency, civic activ- Gough described the new reporting ists have not themselves been equally trans- requirement as “a serious step back” for parent about their own wages and budgets.” Ukraine that could “limit NGOs’ capacity” Ukraine asks U.S. for status The e-declaration measure and the public and “expose them to pressure.” procurement system – called ProZorro – are as major non-NATO ally However, as a condition for receiving among the most popular reforms undertak- Western aid for its battle-scarred economy, en by the post-Maidan government, public status and concluding a U.S.-Ukraine bilat- Ukrinform Kyiv has had to make headway on eliminat- opinion polls have consistently found. eral defensive agreement will have a huge ing widespread public corruption. Apart Public anger erupted when the bloated KYIV – Ukrainian national deputies on impact on ending Russian aggression from the e-declaration system for public assets of public officials – often incommen- March 22 adopted draft resolution No. against Ukraine, deterring the aggressor officials, the government has instituted a surate to their salaries – were disclosed. 6111 – the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada and preventing a larger war in Europe. much-lauded electronic public procure- Calculations in October 2016 by the Reuters to the U.S. Congress regarding security This is in the interests of Ukraine, the ment system that has already saved mil- news agency found that the 24 members of guarantees. United States, Europe and the entire lions of dollars. Ukraine’s Cabinet hoarded nearly $7 million The resolution was supported by 232 world, the resolution reads. Members of Ukraine’s civil society called – just in cash. Luxurious yachts, watches, members of the Ukrainian Parliament. Editor’s note: According to the U.S. the new measure discriminatory and said it $10,000 wine bottles, $5,000 antique books “Ukraine seeks to significantly deepen State Department, MNNA status provides will also affect journalists who uncover cor- and other assets were disclosed. the bilateral security partnership a long-term framework for security and ruption because many work for non-profit For example, Roman Nasirov, the former between Ukraine and the United States... defense cooperation to countries that groups. head of the State Fiscal Service, disclosed In accordance with the spirit and letter of have a strategic partnership with the U.S. Citing the Bureau of Investigative co-owning with his wife Swiss watches, the Budapest Memorandum, as well as but are not members of NATO. MNNA Journalism, Oksana Romaniuk, director of diamond jewelry, fur coats, crystal, as well for sake of the development of the strate- qualifies a country for certain privileges the media watchdog Institute of Mass as $2.2 million in cash. gic partnership between our states, we supporting defense and security cooper- Information, said many journalism outlets Meanwhile, the average monthly salary ask the United States to consider the ation, but it does not entail any security are “registered not as mass media but as in Ukraine hovers at $200. issue of concluding a defensive agree- commitment to that country. Ukraine’s civil society organizations.” Incidentally, Mr. Nasirov was arrested on ment with Ukraine and granting Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko had request- By definition, corruption watchdogs March 2 on suspicion of helping to embez- the status of a major non-NATO ally,” the ed such a status back in July 2014, and shouldn’t be lumped into to the anti-corrup- zle about $75 million. Denying the charges, resolution says. the Ukrainian Congress Committee of tion bill because they don’t work in the pub- he has since been released on $3.7 million The resolution also noted that granting America has pressed for this designation lic sector, said Iryna Bekeshkina, director of bail, for which his wife paid. Ukraine major non-NATO ally (MNNA) for Ukraine. the Democratic Initiatives Foundation. Noting that the policy center she heads (Continued on page 8) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

ANALYSIS

NGO assets declaration becomes law have their heads examined. (RFE/RL, based European Union poised to scrap on reporting by Izvestia, RBK, and Gazeta.ru) KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed into law controversial Crimean Tatar leader likely to face trial visa requirements for Ukraine amendments to the country’s anti-corrup- tion legislation that require representatives A Crimean Tatar leader who has criti- by Oleg Varfolomeyev according to local statistics (Radiopolsha. cized Russia’s seizure of the Black Sea pen- pl, January 20, 2016). The people Ms. of nongovernmental organizations to file Eurasia Daily Monitor assets declarations. Mr. Poroshenko on insula appears likely to face trial soon on March 27 signed the amendments, which what he says are spurious charges of sepa- Negotiators from the European labor migrants. Poland issued over 1.3 ratism. Ilmi Umerov, deputy chairman of Parliament and the Council of the millionSzydło workwas evidentlypermits to alludingUkrainian to citizens were also relieve military officers of the obliga- tion to file such declarations. The president the Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body, European Union struck an informal deal last year (BBC Ukraine, January 23). said the measure acknowledges “the neces- the Mejlis, said he and his lawyer were on February 28 for Ukrainian citizens to Once the visa curtain is lifted, more sity of taking into account the interests of informed on March 21 that the case against travel visa free throughout the European people from Ukraine are likely to seek hundreds of thousands of servicemen who him had been sent to a court in Russia- Union, except for in the United Kingdom jobs in the EU countries more economical- currently defend Ukraine from Russian controlled Crimea. He also said he had and Ireland. Later, the deal was endorsed ly developed than Poland, such as aggression.” Earlier, British Ambassador to received the final written charges, a step by the civil liberties committee of the Germany, whose consulates in Ukraine Ukraine Judith Gough described the report- that is often followed within days or weeks European Parliament (Ukrayinska Pravda, have thus far been much more reluctant to ing requirement for NGOs as “a serious step by a trial. Mr. Umerov, 59, was charged with March 9). issue visas than the Polish ones. back” for Ukraine that could “limit NGOs’ separatism in May 2016 after he made pub- Although EU bureaucratic procedures According to a survey conducted by the capacity” and “expose them to pressure.” lic statements opposing Russia’s seizure of still require a formal approval of the deal local pollster Rating last December, 36 The reporting requirement for NGOs takes Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014. He by the European Parliament and the percent of Ukrainian labor migrants work effect in 2018, and Mr. Poroshenko agreed denies the charges, saying he has the right European Council, Ukraine is now almost in Poland, but that destination is preferred to create a working group with NGO repre- to express his opinions freely. (RFE/RL) sure to follow Georgia into the privileged by only 22 percent of them. Meanwhile, sentatives to discuss its implementation. In Five dead after military copter crash club of countries whose citizens do not Rating reports, Germany, where only 5 a meeting with NGOs in Kyiv on March 27, need visas to enter the EU’s border-free percent of Ukrainian labor migrants work, Mr. Poroshenko expressed his support for KYIV – Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said a Schengen area. The formal endorsement is preferred by 23 percent overall. their efforts to fight corruption and said any military helicopter has crashed in the eastern is expected in May, and Ukrainians will Moreover, 61 percent of the polled said political pressure or restrictions on their Donbas region, killing five people aboard. start to travel to the Schengen area with- their unemployment was informal, mainly activity was inadmissible. (RFE/RL, based The ministry said the crash happened March out visas by the end of June, according to seasonal in construction and agriculture – on reporting by the Kyiv Post and UNIAN) 26 near Kramatorsk, the headquarters of the military operation against Russia-backed EU Ambassador Hugh Mingarelli (UNIAN, so the EU’s caveat that the visa waiver will Russian court issues warrant for Yatsenyuk March 13; Ukrayinska Pravda, March 2). not apply to job seekers is unlikely to be separatists in the eastern part of the country. Visa-free travel to the EU was one of an effective deterrent for seasonal labor KYIV – A municipal court in the southern Two crew members and three passengers the main demands of the pro-European migrants from Ukraine (Ratinggroup.ua, Russian town of Yessentuki has issued an died when the Mi-2 copter crashed after protesters in November 2013. Those February 1). arrest warrant for former Ukrainian Prime apparently flying into some power lines, the Euro-Maidan demonstrations led to the Low incomes rather than joblessness Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. According to the ministry said. Ukrainian government forces have battled separatists in the east for nearly toppling of President Viktor Yanukovych prompt Ukrainians to seek work in the EU. court’s March 27 statement, an international three years, in a war that has killed more in February 2014. Several months later, Last year, unemployment did not exceed warrant for Mr. Yatsenyuk’s arrest has been than 9,900 people and displaced hundreds of Ukraine signed an association and free 10 percent in Ukraine (Ukrstat.gov.ua, in effect since February 21. Russia wants to try him on charges of participating in an thousands. (RFE/RL, with reporting by RFE/ trade deal with the EU, which provisional- accessed on March 16). This is worse than armed group in the Russian North Caucasus RL’s Ukrainian Service) ly came into effect in January 2016. in Germany and Poland, but better than in region of Chechnya in the mid-1990s and Manafort agrees to testify in Russia probe However, it would be wrong to think that Italy or Portugal, where many Ukrainian fighting against Russian troops. Mr. the EU rewarded Ukraine for the pro- guest workers also reside. At the same Yatsenyuk confirmed that the Ukrainian gov- WASHINGTON – President Donald Western and anti-corruption revolution. time, wages are not comparable. The aver- ernment told him of the warrant against him Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Ukraine had introduced its own visa-free age monthly income barely exceeded in a post on Facebook on March 27. He dis- Manafort has volunteered to speak to a U.S. regime for the EU, the United States and $200 in Ukraine last January. This is missed the allegation, saying that “hatred congressional committee that is investigat- other Western democracies in 2005 and roughly half the minimum wage in Poland, and total absurdity are the foundations of ing Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 began its talks with the EU on both free which itself is not rich by EU standards. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s regime.” U.S. presidential election. Rep. Devin Nunes trade and visa-free travel in 2008. The EU visa waiver will be a rare In September 2015, Russian Investigative (R-Calif.), who chairs the House Intelligence Ukrainians had for years complained of achievement for President Petro Committee head Aleksandr Bastrykin Committee, said on March 24 that Mr. red tape involved with applying for visas Poroshenko, who has thus far failed to ful- accused Yatsenyuk of fighting in Chechnya Manafort’s lawyer contacted his committee to EU countries, which often resulted in fill such election campaign promises as an and of torturing and executing Russian sol- the previous day and offered to make his cli- travel plan cancellations. Ukraine had met end to the war with Russia and a success- diers. At the time, Mr. Yatsenyuk’s spokes- most of the EU’s requirements for visa ful anti-corruption campaign. The middle woman said that Russian officials should (Continued on page 16) waivers by 2014. class, which brought Mr. Poroshenko to The EU was reluctant to scrap visa power in 2014, will benefit from free trav- requirements in 2014-2015 because it el most of all. After all, the richest feared an inflow of refugees following Ukrainians – who could afford to pay the he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 Russia’s invasion of southeastern Ukraine. steep fees to visa intermediaries in order T U W Last year, the EU bureaucracy was wor- to travel to Europe – frequently have mul- An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., ried by the migrant crisis triggered by the tiple citizenships or hold diplomatic pass- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. war in Syria. This prompted another delay ports and thus rarely encountered any Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. related to Ukraine and Georgia, as the EU visa barriers anyway. The support of the Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. decided to first set up a visa-waiver sus- middle class may again be crucial for Mr. (ISSN — 0273-9348) pension mechanism to prevent similar Poroshenko if he runs for re-election in The Weekly: UNA: emergencies in the future. The final agree- 2019. Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 ment on the mechanism was reached last Those worse-off may also benefit from month (Liga.net, February 27). Now, the more access to seasonal jobs and lower Postmaster, send address changes to: delay until May-June seems to be due to transportation fares, as European low- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz the upcoming elections in France in April- cost air and bus carriers are likely to 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas May, where it is apparently feared that a queue up to the local market after the visa P.O. Box 280 visa waiver for Ukraine might boost the waiver comes into effect. Ryanair, Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] popularity of anti-establishment and Europe’s biggest low-cost airline, has The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com Euro-skeptical candidates. already announced its first 11 new routes The absence of a visa-free-travel from Kyiv and Lviv to EU airports, to be regime has not prevented millions of launched next fall (UNIAN, March 15). The Ukrainian Weekly, April 2, 2017, No. 14, Vol. LXXXV Copyright © 2017 The Ukrainian Weekly Ukrainians from already seeking jobs in Thus, the impact of the EU’s visa-free trav- the EU, mainly Poland. In January 2016, el regime for Ukraine could prove signifi- cant for the country’s gradually recover- claimed in the European Parliament that ing but still fragile economy. ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA herPolish country Prime accepted Minister 1 million Beata refugees Szydło Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 from Ukraine. However, only 2,000 The article above is reprinted from and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Ukrainian citizens applied for refugee sta- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission e-mail: [email protected] tus in Poland in 2014, and only two of from its publisher, the Jamestown Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 e-mail: [email protected] them were granted the status in 2015, Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 3

NEWS ANALYSIS D.C.’s dysfunction may embolden Moscow, as Russian defector is gunned down in Kyiv

by Pavel Felgenhauer “outside sponsors” and of neglecting the core interests “of Crimea and the Donbas (which he previously supported Eurasia Daily Monitor Eastern Slavs – Ukrainians and Russians” (Mid.ru, March as a Duma deputy), and provided evidence against former 23). President Viktor Yanukovych (in exile in Russia), who is Diplomats from the United States and Russian are pre- Meanwhile, on the same day as Mr. Lavrov’s speech, two accused in Ukraine of treason and of scheming to invite paring for U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s planned major calamities hit Ukraine. A fire, followed by a series of Russian occupying troops. Mr. Voronenkov was visit to Moscow next month. Mr. Tillerson will be talking massive explosions, engulfed a major munitions dump in denounced in Moscow as a traitor, and the Ukrainian with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and possibly eastern Ukraine. The arms depot, located in Balakliya, authorities had provided him with an armed bodyguard. meeting President Vladimir Putin. Traditionally, U.S. sec- south of Kharkiv, some 90 kilometers from the Russian In the subsequent shootout with the armed assailant, retaries of state have an audience with Mr. Putin while in border and about 100 kilometers from the front line in Mr. Voronenkov was killed on the spot. His alleged killer Moscow: Mr. Putin, not Mr. Lavrov, is Russia’s true foreign Donbas, reportedly housed over 100,000 tons of old artil- was also hit and later died in the hospital from a head policy decision-maker. lery shells and rockets. According to unconfirmed reports, wound. The former Russian lawmaker’s bodyguard is in a As CEO of ExxonMobil, Mr. Tillerson signed multi-bil- this calamity could have been the result of a hostile drone critical condition with a serious stomach wound (Liga.net, lion-dollar oil deals with Rosneft’s Igor Sechin, a close attack. As a result of the explosive flames, Soviet-made March 23). Putin confidante. In 2013, Mr. Putin decorated Mr. anti-aircraft SA-6 Gainful missiles from the base have been Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia Tillerson with the Order of Friendship – the top Russian inadvertently firing off and flying in different directions. of being behind the Voronenkov killing, of “state terror- decoration that may be given to a foreigner – in apprecia- Some 20,000 local inhabitants were evacuated; the fires ism” and of “the diversion in Balakliya” deliberately hap- tion of his joint work with Mr. Sechin and Rosneft. In and explosions could continue for many days before ser- pening the same day. Russian officials and politicians 2014, after the annexation of Crimea and fighting in east- vicemen can begin to move in to assess the damage and rejected any responsibility, in turn accusing Ukrainian spe- ern Ukraine, Western sanctions were imposed and collect unexploded munitions. Ukrainian officials hope cial services and authorities of organizing the Voronenkov ExxonMobil was forced to put on hold its joint projects newer, usable munitions survived in Balakliya, in under- killing to later accuse Russia (Interfax, March 23). with Rosneft, reportedly losing some $1 billion. As ground concrete bunkers (Gordonua.com, March 23). The investigations of the Voronenkov murder and the ExxonMobil CEO, Mr. Tillerson had called for dropping the Additionally on March 23, in Kyiv, a former Russian Balakliya fire will continue, but the opposing positions in sanctions to allow business to resume (Aif.ru, March 23). Duma deputy from the Communist Party, Denis the escalating Russo-Ukrainian confrontation seem to be The first official visit to Moscow by an old and trusted Voronenkov, was gunned down in the city center. Mr. firmly set. Kremlin friend-turned-U.S. secretary of state could have Voronenkov, a former military lawyer, an anti-narcotics been anticipated as a possible major step forward in U.S.- agency official and a dubious businessman, defected to The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Russian relations – of returning to business as usual. But Ukraine last fall. There, he claimed and received Ukrainian Monitor with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown alleged Russian interference in the U.S. elections and sus- citizenship, publicly denounced Russian policies in Foundation, www.jamestown.org. picions about possible collusion between Donald Trump associates and Russian government agents continue to rock Washington. The Moscow press concludes that Mr. Tillerson’s hands will be tied during his Moscow visit. Any Quotable notes friendly moves by Mr. Tillerson or his Russian hosts could be interpreted as signs of undue collusion. “…a resurgent Russia has turned from partner to antagonist. Countries along Russia’s periphery, especially Mr. Putin may be forced to snub Mr. Tillerson by not Ukraine and Georgia, are under threat from Moscow’s malign influence and military aggression. granting him an audience and, by so doing, miss an impor- “…Moscow intends to re-emerge as a global power, and views international norms such as the rule of law, tant opportunity to begin to build the outline of a major democracy and human rights as components of a system designed to suppress it. Therefore, Russia seeks to possible deal with the Trump administration. If Messrs. undermine this international system and discredit those in the West who have created it. ... Tillerson and Putin do meet next month in Moscow, their “Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, including occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and actions in Syria talks will be overshadowed by ongoing investigations of underscore its willingness to use military force to exert its influence in Europe and the Middle East. In Ukraine, alleged Russian involvement in the U.S. elections and con- Russia’s willingness to foment a bloody conflict into its third year through the use of proxy forces in the Donbas, tacts with the Trump campaign. These investigations may and elsewhere, is deeply troubling to our allies and partners, particularly Russia’s closest neighbors. ... last for years in Washington, effectively preventing any “Together with forces from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the U.K. and Canada, using State Department-provided possible Putin-Trump détente (Kommersant, Mach 21). Foreign Military Financing and Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds, EUCOM [United States European Foreign Affairs Minister Lavrov, speaking on March 23 Command] trains, advises and equips Ukraine security forces, helping them build the capacity to defend their sov- to a gathering of top military officials at Russia’s most ereignty and territorial integrity. Our team, working through the Multinational Joint Commission, has developed prestigious military school – the Academy of the General Ukraine’s institutional training capability so that Ukraine can create a NATO-interoperable armed force. Our Staff – defended both Mr. Trump and extreme-right-wing efforts include the training of both conventional and special operations units, as well as advising Ukraine on French nationalist politician Marine Le Pen, the leader of defense reform priorities. ...” the National Front party and one of the main contenders – Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, testify- in the French presidential elections next month. ing before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on March 23. According to Mr. Lavrov, Mr. Trump and Ms. Le Pen are “realists and anti-globalists,” who are defending the true “Three years ago this month, Russia illegally annexed Crimea and laid the groundwork for its campaign to interests of their respective countries, while being viciously attacked by the neoliberal and globalist anti- destabilize Ukraine. That moment marked the end of a period of more than 20 years when the countries of the Russian establishment. West looked to Russia as a partner. …Russia’s aggression against Ukraine – including the first changing of borders Still, according to Mr. Lavrov, U.S.-Russian relations by force in Europe since World War II – represented a new strategic reality, and a wake-up call for the United after Mr. Trump’s inauguration are effectively on hold. States and its NATO Allies. Moscow is ready for dialogue, the foreign affairs minister “That new strategic reality is even starker today: Russia has not only continued to undermine the post-World continued, but is not prepared to discuss any further bilat- War II and post-Cold War international order – an order based on respect for the sovereignty of nations, and the eral nuclear disarmament with Washington – such talks rule of law – through its illegal occupation of Crimea and its ongoing war of aggression in eastern Ukraine; Russia would only be possible if they include mandatory cuts by has also engaged in political aggression against our societies, using cyber-attacks, disinformation, propaganda other nuclear powers and take into account different con- and influence operations (what the Soviets called ‘active measures’) to affect the outcome of elections and to ventional capabilities as well. U.S.-Russian nuclear arms undermine confidence in our democratic institutions. control – which, since 1972, was the basis of global strate- “In essence, Russia is trying to undo decades of progress toward a more stable and integrated Euro-Atlantic gic stability and eventually led to massive bilateral nuclear community. It wants to turn back the clock to a time when Russia dominated neighboring countries through force disarmament and the end of the Cold War – today seems and coercion. Using military intimidation, economic warfare and ‘active measures,’ it aims to weaken and divide dead, as seen from Moscow (Mid.ru, March 23). NATO and the European Union, which it sees as the main obstacles to its expanded power in Europe... According to Russia’s state propaganda mouthpiece, “To achieve a more stable and constructive relationship with Moscow that is sustainable for the long term, we radio Sputnik, the relentless Washington infighting must speak with Russia from a position of strength. … between supporters and opponents of the Trump presi- “NATO has been engaged for many years in assisting Georgia and Ukraine to carry out defense reforms, to raise dency has “collapsed the U.S. political system” (Sputnik, the proficiency of their armed forces, and to bring them closer to NATO standards. Since 2014, NATO has expand- March 23). A dysfunctional U.S. may embolden Moscow to ed these efforts through the Substantial NATO Georgia Package and Comprehensive Assistance Package for act unilaterally instead of waiting for a possible deal with Ukraine, and it has deployed a team of resident defense advisors to each country. But both these efforts are rela- Mr. Trump that may never materialize. The Moscow press tively under-resourced in comparison to European Union efforts in the police and judicial sectors, and I recom- predicts an impending total collapse of governance in mend that the Trump administration push for their expansion. Ukraine. Russia must facilitate Ukrainian self-destruction “Bilaterally, the U.S. has provided non-lethal defensive weapons assistance to Ukraine, and together with and then move to pick up the pieces, politically and geo- Canada, offered valuable training to Ukrainian armed forces. This has helped them prevent further Russian incur- graphically, fully “reformatting” what is today’s Ukraine sions in the Donbas. We should consider expanding this support both quantitatively and qualitatively, to include (Nvo.ng.ru, March 17). lethal defensive weapons such as anti-tank weapons and air defenses, if Russia continues its aggression in eastern According to Mr. Lavrov, “the internally weak Ukrainian Ukraine. …” state is in deep crisis, and there seems to be no prospect – Former NATO Deputy Secretary General (2012-2016) Alexander Vershbow, testifying on March 21, during the of a solution by implementing the Minsk agreements.” Mr. Senate Armed Services Committee hearings on U.S. Policy and Strategy in Europe. Lavrov accused Kyiv of intransience, of being a pawn of 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14 No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 5

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM UNA representatives visit St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic by Oksana Stanko the UNA to host the event. He spoke about the benefits of membership in the UNA, PASSAIC, N.J. – The New Jersey District inviting everyone to pick up the “Guide to of the Ukrainian National Association host- Life,” UNA’s new publication, at the display ed a presentation by Roman Osadca titled table. He then introduced the guest speaker, “The World of Garlic” on Sunday, March 5, Mr. Osadca. after liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Mr. Osadca delighted the audience with Catholic Church in Passaic N.J. his vast knowledge about the history of gar- This was the third in a series of fraternal lic, the many types grown worldwide and its events sponsored by the UNA that were tai- many benefits, including its medicinal value. lored to provide local communities an A former pharmaceutical engineer, he has a opportunity to congregate and learn more lifelong interest in growing and collecting about what the UNA has to offer as a frater- garlic and honey. Mr. Osadca and his wife nal benefit society. own Valley Fall Farm in Johnsonburg, N.J. Oksana Stanko, the district chairperson, Along with his locally grown organic garlic, welcomed the parishioners and introduced he brought with him his all-natural unfil- UNA National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk. Mr. tered honey products and his farm-fresh Symczyk thanked the pastor, the Rev. Andriy eggs, which were available for purchase. Mr. Dudkewych, for his hospitality in allowing Osadca generously donated half of his sales

Yuri Stanko At the “World of Garlic” presentation at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Passaic (from left) are : UNA National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk, New Jersey District Chairperson and Branch 37 Secretary Oksana Stanko, and Maria Drich, UNA sales agent. that day to St. Nicholas Church. et, which turned out to be that of parishio- Mr. Symczyk presented Father ner Irena Sywenkyj. Dudkewych with a donation from the UNA A good time was had by all who attend- after which a free drawing was held for all ed this informative session. Observers said in attendance for the very popular Fitbit. it’s likely that more than one dinner that Father Dudkewych picked the winning tick- evening included some garlic in the recipe. Young UNA’ers

Nataliya Symczyk Roman Osadca promotes the many benefits of garlic to the parishioners of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. UNA supports Ukrainian Heritage Day at New Jersey Devils hockey game

Nicholas Michael Rudyk Jr. and his younger sister, Michaela Nicole Rudyk, children of Nicholas and Kelly Rudyk, are new members of UNA Branch 42. They were enrolled by their grandparents Olia and Stephen Rudyk.

Chris Bytz NEWARK, N.J. – The Ukrainian National Association and its two newspapers, The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda, were major partners of the Ukrainian Heritage Day held on March 19 at the Prudential Center during a National Hockey League game between the home team, the New Jersey Devils, and the visiting Columbus Blue Daniel Tabatchouk, son of Roman and Stefan Paul Odomirok, son of Adrianna Jackets. Seen above at the UNA information table – where booklets about the UNA’s Katherine Tabatchouk of Towaco, N.J., is and Robert Odomirok, is a new member offerings, copies of The Weekly and Svoboda, the Ukrainian Heritage Day program a new member of UNA Branch 269. He of UNA Branch 42. He was enrolled by and Ukrainian flags were distributed to all interested – are: (from left) Ola Bihuniak, was enrolled by his grandparents Oksana his grandparents Olia and Stephen UNA National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk, Maria Drich and Tanya Bihuniak. and Vladimir Tabatchouk. Rudyk. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Voronenkov murder and arms dump explosion A community milestone Within our Ukrainian American community, there are many milestones that may suggest Putin is getting ready to attack we come together to commemorate or celebrate, ranging from anniversaries of questions about whose drone and for what various organizations and historic events to local events like first holy commu- by Paul Goble purpose. But there is a far more serious nions and Ukrainian school graduations. One of our most celebrated milestones “Two terrible events in one day” – the issue involved here. is the annual presentation of debutantes at gala balls held across the country. A murder in Kyiv of former Russian Duma “The level of trust in the official authori- tradition that goes back to the 1950s in this country and to the 1920s and 1930s member Denis Voronenkov and the blowing ties in Ukraine, as anyone can see, is quite in Lviv, Ukraine, these balls are truly a community event as we welcome the next up of the Balakliya arms dump, the largest in low. Citizens far from always trust official generation of young people into our hromada. Europe – may mean that Vladimir Putin has information.” And so many are likely to Notice that we said young people, not young ladies? Well, that’s because we launched “a major diversion” in preparation think that the explosion at Balakliya was know full well it’s not only the parents of our lovely girls who are proud to intro- for an expansion of his attacks on Ukraine, something intended to cover a massive duce their children (soon to be adults) to society. The parents and families of the according to Avraam Shmulyevich. theft and diversion of military equipment escorts also consider these balls to be something special as their handsome The Israeli analyst argues that such by Ukrainian officials themselves. young men are introduced alongside the debutantes. Our community is proud of diversions have often preceded Mr. Putin’s Of these three versions of events – a all of them and harbors the collective hope that they will remain active members aggression in Ukraine and elsewhere, and diversion by the Russian Federation, a of our hromada and, eventually, will become its leaders. that there are compelling reasons to think spontaneous fire or a conflagration This week’s issue contains the special full-color section “Ukrainian Debutante that he believes he can break the Ukrainian designed to cover theft – Mr. Shmulyevich Balls” that spotlights six such special galas held in Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, regime of Petro Poroshenko and put himself says, he has difficulty choosing “the least Pennsylvania and New York. Sixty debutantes, and their 60 escorts, were pre- in line to advance on Kyiv (ru.tsn.ua/blogi/ traumatic” because “they all testify to the sented this year to family, friends, community members and special guests who themes/politics/plohi-dela-829025.html). colossal crisis of the Ukrainian state.” arrived expressly for the occasion. We extend hearty congratulations to all! “In any Western country, such events – The situation with regard to the In case you’re wondering, we’ve published debutante ball sections since 2001, even more when they occur simultaneously Voronenkov murder is simpler, he continues. although before that we, of course, ran separate stories on these events as they – would be sufficient to raise the issue of This act “almost certainly was undertaken by arrived at our editorial offices. The decision in 2001 to prepare a special section trust in all ministers of the force block and Moscow,” although even in this case “there was welcomed by all – organizers of these balls, families of debutantes and their even the head of government because such are questions” and inconsistencies in the offi- escorts, and our readers – who were happy to see all the Ukrainian debutante things in a normally organized country can- cial reports have already been pointed to balls presented in a very attractive single section of our newspaper. (By the way, not be allowed by definition,” Mr. by Ukrainian commentators and officials. you can check out that first edition by going to our archives online. See http:// Shmulyevich says. But one can accept the conclusion of U.S. www.ukrweekly.com/archive/2001/The_Ukrainian_Weekly_2001-17.pdf.) Protecting a prominent defector is obvi- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) that this murder Judging by the submissions to each succeeding year’s section, our “Ukrainian ously a matter of importance for the state in the center of Kyiv was “a bold act of state Debutante Balls” issues really have been a hit. We regularly start fielding inqui- because such an act of liquidation “must be terrorism” by Russia. But “if Putin has ries about each year’s issue as the debutante ball season begins, and the results excluded in principle,” and “the very largest decided on such a major terrorist act and of our cooperation with the community activists involved in all facets of the deb dump of military materiel must not be even more if he is behind the explosion at balls are evident. Thank you to all who send in materials for this very popular blown up or blow itself up.” However, in the arms dump, then “this means that he is annual section. Ukraine this week, “the deputy was killed going over to the attack and that all red And, lest you think that these balls go unnoticed outside our hromada, our and the dump blown up.” lines have been crossed,” the analyst notes. community’s debutante balls have even made it into the Wikipedia entry on The causes of the explosion are not yet And that, in turn, means something even “Debutante,” where they are cited in the section on American debutante balls. completely clear, “but the best variant more disturbing to Ukraine and the world. Here’s what it says: about which it is possible to dream is that If Mr. Putin is doing that, Mr. Shmulyevich “Various Ukrainian émigré [sic] organizations in the United States such as the this was a diversion of Russia.” If it blew up says, then it is only because he is “certain Ukrainian American Medical Association of North America, the Ukrainian on its own or by the actions of Ukrainians, that America is paralyzed and Ukraine will Engineers’ Society of America, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the then the conclusions would be much be afraid to respond in an adequate man- Ukrainian American Youth Association have hosted annual black-tie debutante worse. They would suggest that all critical ner,” or will be unable to do so because of balls since the Second World War as fund-raisers and [to] introduce young infrastructure in that country, including fundamental problems within its own gov- Ukrainian ladies between the ages of 16 and 18 to their local Ukrainian commu- atomic power stations, are at risk. ernment apparatus. nities. Ukrainian American debutante balls take place in many American cities “So let us exclude that this was a diver- “Both the reaction of the Ukrainian pow- such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark, Washington, D.C., Detroit and Boston. sion,” Mr. Shmulyevich says “even though ers that be,” Mr. Shmulyevich concludes, Besides the traditional waltz of the debutantes, one of the highlights of these the other variants are much worse.” Some “and the results of the investigations will balls is the Kolomyika, which usually takes place past midnight, wherein every reports say that the dump was blown up show us and Putin and indeed the entire guest has the opportunity to spontaneously demonstrate their Ukrainian dance after a drone flew into it, but that raises world whether this is the case.” skills such as the Hopak or Arkan. Kolomyika dances tend to last upwards of a half-hour of nonstop folk dancing, ultimately returning to the traditional black- tie ball atmosphere.” With that, dear readers, we leave you to enjoy The Ukrainian Weekly’s 17th annual edition of “Ukrainian Debutante Balls.” Stalin’s Great Terror wasn’t so bad, Russia’s central television suggests by Paul Goble was broadcast under the title “1927: Remembering Everything” (youtube.com/ April Turning the pages back... The evolution in official Russian treat- watch?v=SfYUwaABXhU and reviewed by ment of Joseph Stalin continues. He is no Irina Pavlova at ivpavlova.blogspot. Fifty years ago, Archbishop Mstyslav, president of the longer a tyrant, nor is he an effective man- com/2017/03/1937.html#more). Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., wrote ager who may have occasionally exceeded As the U.S.-based Russian historian points 5 the bounds of the acceptable. Now, the late an open letter that appeared in the April 5, 1967, issue of The out, the Moscow television program was 1967 New York Times. Soviet dictator is being refashioned into a timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary The letter, addressed to the editor of Radianska Ukraina in great leader without modification who is of the February-March 1937 plenum of the Kyiv, accused the central government of the Soviet Union of com- unjustly attacked by the opponents of Bolshevik Party’s Central Committee, an plicity in the case of former Nazi Reichskommissar Erich Koch. Russia. event which “is typically considered as the Archbishop Mstyslav said that he was publishing the article in English “to make certain An indication of this latest shift came on beginning of the Great Terror.” that the message of my letter reaches” the editor of Radianska Ukraina. A Ukrainian- March 24 during Roman Babayan’s talk Mr. Babayan’s show was “shocking,” Ms. language version of the letter was sent directly to the newspaper’s office in Kyiv. show on Russian central television, which Pavlova continues, because it shows that, A story carried on February 26, 1967, by Radianska Ukraina prompted the letter by the despite all the available documentation archbishop. The story was carried by the Soviet TASS news service on the basis of an arti- Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on about what happened in the late 1930s, cle in the Polish daily newspaper Trybuna Ludu, regarding treasure looted by the Nazis in ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia Russians “know practically nothing about the Soviet Union. who has served in various capacities in the it” and are prepared to accept the line, Mr. Koch, who was serving a life sentence in a Warsaw prison, told reporters that the U.S. State Department, the Central offered by “liberal historian” Yury treasure, mostly artistic objects, was valued at “50 million in gold” and was hidden in the Intelligence Agency and the International Pivovarov that 1937 was simply “a quarrel bunkers of a church in Kaliningrad, at a place called the “amber room” in the city of Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice among the ruling group.” Pushkin. of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Unfortunately, she continues, there is Mr. Koch’s crimes against Ukrainians, as cited by Archbishop Mstyslav, showed Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for nothing surprising in the fact that “these Moscow’s collaboration, including these facts: Moscow provided Mr. Koch with exclusive International Peace. The article above is people even today do not understand what medical care and comfortable living quarters; Mr. Koch, prior to joining the Nazi party, was reprinted with permission from his blog took place, do not see in the arrests of gov- called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- (Continued on page 9) woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). (Continued on page 8) No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 7

Whereas a failure of the United States to Autonomous Republic of Crimea or of the (UNICEF) reports that nearly 600,000 chil- Bipartisan... uphold the terms of the Budapest city of Sevastopol,” the government of the dren living in eastern Ukraine have been Memorandum would have significant con- Russian Federation continues to refer to deeply affected by the conflict and that (Continued from page 1) sequences for the credibility of United Crimea as a “region of the Russian 1,000,000 children in Ukraine are in as the fundamental principles of the U.S.- States guarantees related to nuclear non- Federation,” declaring that “of course the “urgent need” of humanitarian assistance, led international system at stake. The proliferation and undermine America’s subject of our region is not up for discus- and the European Union reports that a total United States and its allies must renew commitment to the principle of the inviola- sion”; of 3.8 million people are in need of humani- their political, economic and military sup- bility of national borders; Whereas the United Nations General tarian assistance; port for Ukraine and, at a minimum, contin- Whereas an association agreement Assembly adopted Resolution 71/205, Whereas the United Nations Working ue to maintain sanctions on Russia until its between Ukraine and the European Union which condemned the “abuses, measures Group on Mercenaries in March 2016 behavior changes. Ukraine deserves our was signed in 2014, a move which will and practices of discrimination against the raised “deep concern” about the conflict in support, and as the conflict enters its third strengthen ties with Europe and which residents of the temporarily occupied Ukraine and called on Ukraine to “ensure year, we must leave no doubt about where President Poroshenko described as Crimea, including Crimean Tatars, as well accountability for human rights violations the U.S. stands.” Ukraine’s “most important day” since it as Ukrainians and persons belonging to committed by foreign armed actors”; Sen. Brown stated: “Ohio’s Ukrainian secured its independence in 1991; other ethnic and religious groups, by the Whereas the United Nations High community knows the dangers of Whereas, on February 28, 2014, Russian Russian occupation authorities”; Commissioner for Human Rights reports unchecked Russian aggression, which is forces in unmarked uniforms occupied Whereas, during a hearing held by the several instances of pro-unity supporters why we must use every opportunity to strategic civil and military infrastructure in Committee on Foreign Relations of the and Crimean Tatar activists being abducted speak out against Russia’s illegal annexa- Crimea and provided support to pro-Rus- Senate on March 10, 2015, former United or “found dead in circumstances resem- tion of Crimea and continued presence in sian militias and activists as part of a coor- States Ambassador to Ukraine John E. bling a summary execution” alleged to be Ukraine.” He added, “This resolution is one dinated strategy to seize control of Crimea Herbst cautioned that President Putin is committed by “the de facto authorities of small way to condemn Russia’s continued and create the illusion of an organic, local attempting to “overturn the post-Cold War Crimea, or with their authorization, sup- military presence – but we must also take rebellion against oppressive Ukrainian order established in Europe and Eurasia”; port or acquiescence”; action. That’s why I’m working to maintain authorities; Whereas the government of the Russian Whereas journalists have come under and strengthen sanctions on Russia.” Whereas, on March 18, 2014, following a Federation has previously cut off natural attack or arrest for speaking out against The resolution, which was referred to fraudulent public referendum that was gas to Ukraine as a bargaining chip; Russian aggression, such as Pavel G. the Foreign Relations Committee, is co- boycotted by most Crimean Tatars and Whereas the government of the Russian Sheremet, who was killed by a car bomb in sponsored by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Ukrainians and conducted under the shad- Federation has gone to great lengths to July 2016, and Mykola Semena, a reporter Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Dick Durbin ow of Russian military forces, President hide evidence of its military support, for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (D-Ill.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bob Casey Putin signed a treaty annexing Ukraine’s including deploying mobile crematoriums arrested in Crimea and currently on trial (D-Pa.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeanne Crimea region, which was immediately met to dispose of the bodies of servicemembers for writing that Crimea was part of Ukraine; Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Pat with condemnation by the United States and classifying the deaths of its service- Whereas NATO pledged, during the July Toomey (R-Pa.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and the international community; members during peacetime a state secret; 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw, to provide Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Cory Whereas, on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Whereas the government of the Russian additional training and technical support to Gardner (R-Colo.). Airlines flight MH17 was shot down near Federation is directly arming, training, sup- the Ukrainian military and re-endorsed a S. Res. 100 “Condemning illegal Russian the village of Grabove [Hrabove – ed.] over plying and commanding separatist forces in Comprehensive Assistance Package that aggression in Ukraine on the three year rebel-held territory, killing the nearly 300 eastern Ukraine, and Russian military per- will ensure the government of Ukraine anniversary of the annexation of Crimea,” people onboard, an attack for which the sonnel maintain a regular presence inside receives further advisory support, calls on Russia “to immediately end its sup- Dutch Safety Board concluded that the the territory of Ukraine; enhanced defense capabilities, and military port for the separatists in eastern Ukraine, Russian-backed separatists were responsi- Whereas Russia vetoed United Nations training; allow Ukraine to regain control of its inter- ble; Security Council Resolution 2015/562, Whereas the United States government nationally recognized borders, and with- Whereas the government of Ukraine and which would have established an interna- has committed over $600 million in securi- draw its military presence in eastern Russian-backed rebels agreed to a now- tional tribunal to prosecute those responsi- ty assistance to Ukraine since 2014; Ukraine, including Crimea,” and “declares failed ceasefire (“Minsk I”) on September 5, ble for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Whereas Congress has authorized the that the United States government must 2014, which called for the withdrawal of flight MH17; provision of defensive lethal assistance to never recognize the illegal annexation of “illegal armed groups as well as militants Whereas OSCE vehicles have been Ukraine in the Ukraine Freedom Support Crimea by the Russian Federation.” and mercenaries from the territory of attacked in an attempt to intimidate Special Act (Public Law 113-272), the National It also “urges the President of the United Ukraine”; Monitoring Mission (SSM) personnel, with Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year States not to agree to any final settlement Whereas a memorandum was signed by the deputy head of mission Alexander Hug 2016 (Public Law 114-92), and the of the conflict in Ukraine without the con- parties to Minsk I on September 19, 2014, noting the attacks seemed to be “aimed at National Defense Authorization Act for sent of the government of Ukraine.” outlining their understanding of and obli- stopping the OSCE from reporting what is Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328); The resolution’s lengthy preamble gations to the agreement; going on [in Donetsk]”; Whereas, in 2014, President Barack details Russia’s violations of international Whereas the fragile ceasefire estab- Whereas Ukraine’s National Security Obama issued Executive Orders 13660, law and agreements; and its aggressive lished by the Minsk I agreement deteriorat- Council outlined a new military doctrine in 13661, 13662 and 13685, which imposed actions, including the invasion of Crimea, ed following heavy fighting in the Donetsk September 2015 that declared Ukraine’s sanctions blocking property of certain per- the war in Ukraine’s east by Russian-led region, which included operations by intention to achieve the criteria for joining sons and prohibiting transactions with separatists and regular Russian forces, and Russian-led separatists and regular Russian NATO; respect to the Crimea region of Ukraine as a the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17; forces; Whereas Ukrainian leaders, including result of Russia’s illegal annexation and as well as egregious violations of human Whereas the Minsk II agreement signed President Petro Poroshenko, have stated military aggression in Ukraine; rights on Russian-controlled territory. on February 12, 2015, by the Russian the government of Ukraine’s desire to pur- Whereas NATO Secretary General Jens The full text of the resolution follows. Federation, Ukraine, Germany and France, sue closer cooperation with NATO with the Stoltenberg stated on November 21, 2016, included the withdrawal of all foreign goal of potentially joining NATO in the that NATO “will never recognize the illegal S. Res. 100 armed groups, weapons and mercenaries; future, with Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy annexation of Crimea, and [NATO] Whereas the illegal Russian military Whereas, on February 25, 2015, Gen. stating in June 2016 that he is “convinced continue[s] supporting the territorial integ- occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine Philip Breedlove, NATO Supreme Allied that for Ukraine, at the time of Russian rity and sovereignty of Ukraine”; is an affront to international norms, an Commander, said that the state of affairs in aggression, NATO membership is the stra- Whereas, on February 3, 2017, United unprovoked aggression, and a threat to Ukraine is “getting worse every day” and tegic direction of our development”; States Ambassador to the United Nations regional stability; the Russian Federation has no intention of Whereas the United Nations has report- Nikki Haley stated, “Crimea is a part of Whereas Russian President Vladimir V. retreating from Ukraine until its “objectives ed that, since the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine. Our Crimea-related sanctions will Putin has a history of regional aggression, are accomplished”; almost 10,000 people have been killed, remain in place until Russia returns control including the Russian invasion of the South Whereas Russian-backed separatists including more than 2,000 civilians; over the peninsula to Ukraine”; Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of the continue to shell parts of Ukraine and sepa- Whereas the United Nations Georgia in 2008 and intervention in favor ratists have executed Ukrainian service- International Children’s Emergency Fund (Continued on page 8) of the breakaway region of Transnistria in members, both in direct violation of the Moldova in 1991-1992; negotiated ceasefire; Whereas Article II of the Charter of the Whereas aggression by Russian-led sep- United Nations states that “all members aratist forces in Avdiyivka in early February Quotable notes shall refrain in their international relations 2017 sparked the worst fighting since 2015 from the threat or use of force against the and resulted in significant damage to civil- “Today, in yet another brazen act of Russian state terrorism, former Russia parlia- territorial integrity or political indepen- ian infrastructure and the displacement of mentarian Denis Voronenkov was assassinated in broad daylight on the streets of dence of any state”; thousands of civilians; Kyiv. This horrific crime marks the continuation of a campaign of KGB-style brutality Whereas, in 1994, the United States, the Whereas, despite President designed to intimidate anyone who dares to oppose the tyranny of Vladimir Putin. Russian Federation, the United Kingdom Poroshenko’s statement that Crimea is still Denis Voronenkov spoke out against Putin’s reign of terror and his illegal invasion of and Ukraine signed the Budapest Ukraine, and in the face of Resolution Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. He was also assisting Ukrainian prosecutors with Memorandum, in which all parties pledged 68/262 adopted by the United Nations the treason case against former Ukrainian president and Putin stooge, Viktor to respect and uphold Ukraine’s sovereign- General Assembly on March 27, 2014, Yanukovych. Sadly, Denis Voronenkov has joined others like Sergei Magnitsky and ty and territorial integrity in exchange for which reiterated the sovereignty and terri- Boris Nemtsov who have paid with their lives for speaking the truth, for in Putin’s Ukraine voluntarily giving up the world’s torial integrity of Ukraine and stated that Russia, there is no greater crime.” third-largest nuclear arsenal, which it the referendum held on March 16, 2014, – Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in a statement on March 23 about the killing of Denis inherited following the collapse of the had “no validity [and] cannot form the Voronenkov. Soviet Union; basis for any alteration of the status of the 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

National Defense Authorization Act; Bipartisan... (6) urges the President of the United Penn State University to mark States to continue United States support for (Continued from page 7) the Ukrainian economy and civil society, three 25th anniversaries Whereas, on February 16, 2017, including continued support by interna- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated, “As tional financial institutions, such as the UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Woskob dence and to mark 25 years of Ukrainian we search for new common ground we International Monetary Fund; Family Foundation, the College of Liberal studies in liberal arts and agricultural sci- expect Russia to honor its commitment to (7) condemns efforts by the government Arts, the College of Agricultural Sciences, ences at Penn State. There will also be an the Minsk agreements and work to de- of the Russian Federation to intimidate and and the Department of Germanic and Slavic exhibit of woodcarvings by Ukrainian artist escalate violence in Ukraine”; coerce nations in Eastern Europe from Languages and Literatures will be celebrat- Serhiy Karpenko during the reception. Whereas, on March 13, 2017, the strengthening their ties with NATO and the ing the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s inde- European Union extended sanctions European Union; pendence and 25 years of Ukrainian stud- group DakhaBrakha will perform in against Russian individuals and entities (8) supports efforts by the United States ies at The Pennsylvania State University in Schwab• 7:30 Auditorium. p.m. – The Ukrainian The performance world music is imposed because of the annexation of government and United States allies to University Park, Pa., on Tuesday, April 4. sponsored by The Woskob Family Crimea by the Russian Federation; strengthen the energy sector in Ukraine in The event will also mark 25 years of Foundation at Penn State. Whereas United Nations Secretary- order to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on cooperation in Forestry and Agricultural Dr. Dobczansky studied Soviet, East General Antonio Guterres on February 21, natural gas imported from the Russian Sciences with the National University of European and imperial Russian history at 2017, stated that the United Nations Federation; Life and Environmental Sciences (NULES) Stanford University. The topic of his disser- “remains committed to supporting the (9) acknowledges the government of in Kyiv. The rector and representatives of tation was “From Soviet Heartland to peaceful resolution of the conflict in a man- Ukraine for its commitment to reform and NULES will be in attendance at the daylong Ukrainian Borderland: Searching for ner that fully upholds the sovereignty, terri- encourages it to continue implementation series of events. Identity in Kharkiv, 1943-2004.” His aca- torial integrity, and independence of of key reforms, including judicial reform, The schedule for the day includes the demic interests include Soviet history, Ukraine”; greater parliamentary oversight, further following: nationalism, Russian-Ukrainian relations Whereas President Putin has made implementation of anti-corruption initia- and urban history. alarming claims about his views on Russian tives, including prosecutions and convic- “Freedom and Beyond: My Journey from DakhaBraka is a world-renowned group territoriality, stating that Russia’s border tions of major figures involved in corrup- Ukraine• 3 p.m. to a –New Helen Life Woskob’sin America,” memoirs as well from Ukraine whose music, described as “doesn’t end anywhere,” and has since tion schemes, budget and procurement as Prof. Michael Naydan’s novel about the “ethno-chaos,” presents unexpected music announced that he “[does not] regret any- transparency and accountability across city of Lviv, “Seven Signs of the Lion,” will be at the intersection of folklore and theater. thing” about annexing Crimea; and government, civilian control of the military, launched at the Hintz Alumni Center on the Using traditional music from various Whereas Ukraine celebrated its 25th and improved end-use monitoring and sus- Penn State University Park campus. Actor regions of Ukraine as a starting point, the year of independence on August 24, 2016: tainment plans for United States security Michael Bernosky will provide dramatic quartet incorporates rhythms from around Now, therefore, be it assistance items; readings from both books. the planet to create a bright, fierce and Resolved, that the Senate – (10) urges the President of the United unforgettable sound. (For information on (1) condemns the government of the States not to agree to any final settlement history from Stanford University and Jacyk tickets call 814-863-0255 or go to cpa.psu. Russian Federation’s illegal, unprovoked of the conflict in Ukraine without the con- Fellow• 4 p.m. at the– Markian University Dobczansky of Toronto) (Ph.D. will in edu or http://cpa.psu.edu/news/dakhab- military occupation of the Crimea region of sent of the government of Ukraine; present a lecture on “The Legacy of Soviet rakha-infuse-controlled-rhythmic-chaos- Ukraine and continued aggression in east- (11) pledges continued support for all State-Building: A Historical Primer on the april-4.) ern Ukraine, and reiterates that it is the pol- democratic allies and partners of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict” at the Hintz Mr. Karpenko is an artist who was born icy of the United States not to recognize the United States facing increased Russian Alumni Center. in the town of Koziatyn, Vinnytsia region of de jure or de facto sovereignty of the aggression; Ukraine. Originally educated as a physical Russian Federation over Crimea or any (12) reaffirms the commitment of the College of Liberal Arts and Dean Richard education teacher, he has been a woodcarv- other seized area in Ukraine, its airspace, or United States to the Budapest • 5 p.m. – Dean Susan Welch of the Roush of the College of Agricultural er since 1993. He has exhibited throughout its territorial waters; Memorandum on security assurances; Sciences will open a reception at the Hintz Ukraine and the U.S. His woodcarvings are (2) supports the vigorous enforcement (13) reiterates the obligation of all Alumni Center. known for extraordinary detailed and of sanctions and opposes the lifting of sanc- nations under the United Nations Charter refined technique, as well as for the presen- tions as long as Russia continues its mili- to respect the territorial integrity and sov- tation of traditional Ukrainian historical the Woskob Family of State College will be tary aggression in Ukraine in violation of ereignty of other nations; held• 5:15-7 at the Hintzp.m. – Alumni A reception Center sponsored in honor byof themes in the unique medium of wood bas- the Minsk II agreement; (14) encourages United States allies in the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s indepen- relief. (3) calls on the government of the Europe to continue their coordinated Russian Federation to immediately end its efforts to counter Russian aggression in the support for the separatists in eastern region, including economic sanctions, ing” the country of “so-called anti-Soviet Ukraine, allow Ukraine to regain control of increased defense spending, and greater Stalin’s... elements, including simple people.” its internationally recognized borders, and action against Russian disinformation and “No one understood why this happened,” (Continued from page 6) withdraw its military presence in eastern propaganda in order to make clear that Ms. Pavlova says. “Just like today, the powers Ukraine, including Crimea; Russian efforts will not go unchecked; ernors, siloviki and entrepreneurs signs of were absolutely untouchable. No one knew” (4) declares that the United States gov- (15) calls on the government of the the very same Great Terror that occurred in what the secret police chiefs were saying ernment must never recognize the illegal Russian Federation to provide greater 1937 and do not include in this picture the behind closed doors or what the regime annexation of Crimea by the Russian access to the Organization for Security and arrests of ordinary Russian citizens and was deciding at Politburo meetings. And Federation; Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Special dissidents.” they didn’t see it coming, because it was car- (5) urges the President of the United Monitoring Mission (SMM) in order to And when one individual in the audience, ried out “under the cover of the election States, in coordination with United States ensure credible international monitoring of Yan Rachinsky of Memorial, attempted to campaign to the Soviet parliament.” allies, to stand by Ukraine, condemn con- compliance with the Minsk agreement; and raise these issues, he was told by the host to “The Russian powers that be and society tinued Russian aggression and use all pos- (16) calls on the government of the shut up because the human rights activist in essence have little changed from the sible tools to combat Russian belligerence, Russian Federation to engage seriously in supposedly was only going to present what times of 1937,” she argues, “even though including increased economic sanctions, dialogue with the government of Ukraine – foreign governments that have given his open borders and the Internet provide defensive lethal assistance, and democracy in coordination with key international part- organization money want him to say. incomparably greater opportunities to find and humanitarian assistance, as authorized ners – in order to come to an agreement To provide a corrective to this latest out and understand one’s history.” For a by the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, the that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, ensures Moscow re-write of the history of the Soviet brief time at the end of the 1980s, that hap- Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense regional stability and puts both nations on past, Ms. Pavlova offers a summary of an pened, but “it quickly dissipated to nothing.” Authorization Act, and the Fiscal Year 2017 the path towards a permanent ceasefire. article she published in Grani a decade ago “No one took responsibility for the about the Great Terror, adding some com- crimes. No one undertook a real attempt to ments about why this misunderstanding of condemn the policy of state terror. The his- Stalin’s actions is particularly dangerous torical lesson wasn’t drawn. And, as under Coynash of the Kharkiv Human Rights now (graniru.org/Politics/Russia/m. Stalin, society did not understand the nature New bill... Protection Group. “The real aim is to put a 122961.html). and consequences of terror,” just as society clamp on those who continue asking incon- (Continued from page 1) The February-March 1937 plenum now, to judge from this television program, venient questions and demanding open- “marked the beginning of the visible part of does not understand these things either. “When the Economy Ministry says that ness and accountability. Unfortunately, the the Great Terror,” that is, “the mass destruc- As a result, what has happened in Russia in some areas around 60 percent of the president has now become complicit in tion of the party-state bureaucracy.” But is the restoration of “the exact same closed economy is in the shadows, then this is this.” “this is only part of the truth” about that mechanism of power with the secret adop- accounted for by the volume of cash regis- Which is why the new provisions should event, and that “half truth” is leading some tion of decisions.” Legal methods of fighting tered by civil servants, officials and law- be abolished, according to Jose Ugaz, chair now to say that “it would be good to corruption, imposing control on officials makers,” Taras Kachka, deputy executive of Transparency International, a corruption repeat” what Stalin did against corrupt fig- and replacing them simply do not work in director at George Soros’s International watchdog based in Berlin. ures like Dmitry Medvedev. that kind of system. Renaissance Foundation, told Reuters. “These amendments are a vindictive In 1937, the historian points out, “the And this has an even more tragic out- “This is a reflection on the state of our soci- retaliation by lawmakers who are angry people also supported the powers that be” come, Ms. Pavlova concludes. “The political ety.” that they are required to declare their at meetings organized by those powers. But technologists, publicists and ‘opposition Because of the vague language of the wealth,” he said in a statement issued by “there was also an invisible part of the figures’ who serve the powers that be are provision’s amendments, they could be the Transparency International Secretariat. Great Terror which began in August 1937, a now testing the reaction of society to the used to put “pressure on NGOs, investiga- “There is no justification for singling out far more massive effort directed at “cleans- recipes of 1937 for ‘cleansing’ the country.” tive journalists or activists,” said Halya anti-corruption groups.” No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 9

Turning... (Continued from page 6) a German Communist Party member; he carried out brutal suppression of Ukrainian independence movements; and Mr. Koch avoided prosecution during the Nuremburg trials thanks to Moscow’s protection. The archbishop said that the Kyiv news- paper’s failure to speak out in the Koch affair stemmed “not so much from lack of courage, but from lack of independence in this and endless other cases.” Mr. Koch, the archbishop stated, was responsible for mass executions of “thou- sands upon thousands” of Ukrainians. “It is my feeling that, along with this report, you should have published either an additional or a special article which would have given the appropriate background of the Koch affair,” Archbishop Mstyslav wrote.

Source: “Archbishop Mstyslav accuses Moscow of complicity with Nazis, Open letter to ‘Radianska Ukraina’ published in N.Y. Times,” The Ukrainian Weekly, April 8, 1967.

* ALSO AVAILABLE: SELECT SEVEN – 3.5%* PREMIER NINE STARTER FIVE – 3.0%* Contact us: 888-538-2833

* First year rate. Second Year Rate – 3.0%. ANNUITIES All annuity rates are subject to change. Not available in all states Ukrainian National Association, Inc.

2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 General Information: 800-253-9862 • Fax: 973-292-0900 www.UkrainianNationalAssociation.org facebook.com/UkrainianNationalAssociation 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

Cleveland debutante “zabava” hosted by Plast sororities by Myroslava Holubec Taissa Zappernick (of the Shostokryli) pre- sented the debutantes as they walked in, INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The Plast soror- listing each one’s many accomplishments. ities Buryverchy and Shostokryli hosted Approximately 300 dinner guests, some their debutante ball at the Holiday Inn – from as far away as Arkansas and Ontario, Cleveland South, in Independence, Ohio, on watched as each debutante walked to cen- February 18. This year, five young women, ter stage on the arm of her father to take all in their lovely white gowns and accom- the traditional bow before many family panied by their escorts, were presented to members, friends and guests. Cleveland’s Ukrainian community before a Following the presentation, the debu- packed ballroom. tantes and their escorts danced to a beauti- The evening began as emcees Maria fully choreographed waltz arranged by Zachary Kyffin (of the Buryverchy) and Andrea Komichak Mural (a member of

Courtney Marie Photography Inc. Debutantes and escorts (from left): Victoria Sysak and Ivan Wolansky, Marika Olijar and Alexandr Bokatch, Lesya Zappernick and Danylo Powers, Julia Kashuba and Pavlo Stasiuk, Lydia Lisowsky and Mykola Seneczko. Plast’s Kniahyni sorority). Next, the debu- dance floor for the entire evening. tantes danced with their fathers, while the The debutantes this year were: Julia escorts danced with the mothers of the deb- Anna Kashuba (Cleveland), escorted by utantes, after presenting each mother with a Pavlo Stasiuk (Cleveland); Lydia Chrystyna rose. After the completion of the debutantes’ Lisowsky (Cleveland) escorted by Mykola dance, everyone sang the Plast “Otche Nash” Seneczko (Chicago); Marika Sofia Olijar (Our Father) before dinner was served. (Philadelphia) escorted by Alexandr Right afterwards, the band Klopit from Bokatch (Cleveland); Victoria Anna Sysak Chicago started the “zabava” (dance) with The debutantes’ dance. expert playing that kept everyone on the (Continued on page 12) No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 11

Chervona Kalyna Cotillion Ball presents 14 debutantes

Andriy Wowk 2017 Chervona Kalyna Cotillion Ball debutantes and their escorts (from left): Hanna Trojanowski and Alexander Komarynskyj, Natalia Moroch and Matey Adriyan Bach, Olivia Tytla and Alexander Paul Iwaskiw, Moonya Reszytniak and Matthew Stefurak, Sophia Senyk and Markian Ougrin, Julia Moroch and Ross Kujdych, Zoriana Moulton and Ostap Holovashchenko, Marta Savchuk and Michael Moroch, Ivanka Lubov Jaremczuk and Maxim Peter Joseph Murphy, Sofia Tasker and Adrian Charchalis, Aleksandra Chomiak and Stepan Shkrobak, Christine Voynarovskiy and Oleksa Rybchuk, Tara Anna Duffy and Darien Roman Fiorino, Katherine Voynarovskiy and Kevin Reznikov.

by Xenia Ferencevych begun with an impromptu introduction of tuny,” and a former Ukrainian ambassador by two bands: Fata Morgana and the New young ladies in 1959. to the United Nations, Yuriy Sergeyev and York City-based Hrim. Both ensembles pro- PEARL RIVER, N.Y. – On February 11, This year’s debutantes were a group of his wife, Nataliya. vided favorite standards and new music over 400 members of the Ukrainian exceptional high school juniors and seniors. The debutante presentation – consisting throughout the night, which culminated American community welcomed into soci- They distinguish themselves academically of individual introductions and curtsies, a with the seemingly never-ending and ety 14 young women from the New York and athletically, participate in many extra- group dance to Pachelbel’s Canon in D and always fun “Kolomyika” that had everyone metro area and capital region at the curricular activities, and give their time as a waltz to Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Blue on their feet. Chervona Kalyna Cotillion Ball held at the volunteers and leaders in their respective Danube” – was choreographed by the ines- The Plast fraternities Chervona Kalyna elegant Hilton Pearl River in Pearl River, N.Y. communities. Most of their escorts hailed timable Ania Bohachevsky Lonkevych. As and Khmelnychenky enjoyed their third The ball, known as “Vechornytsi,” is a from the New York region as well, with sev- per custom, fathers, or in some cases male year as joint organizers of the debutante tradition established in 1951 in New York eral from as far away as Massachusetts, relatives or godfathers, of the debutantes ball. “This year’s Chervona Kalyna deb was City by members of the Ukrainian Sich Pennsylvania and Maryland. danced part of the waltz with their daugh- a huge success,” said Bohdan Iwaskiw, vice- Riflemen and military veterans who, upon Among the honored guests of the eve- ters, while escorts, single red rose in hand, chair of the Organizing Committee. “We are emigrating to the U.S., revived the Lviv soci- ning were the Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak, who invited the mothers of the debutantes to now looking forward to next year’s ball.” ety balls of the 1920s and 1930s. Today, began the formal program with an arrange- dance. For more information about the one of the main attractions of the ball is the ment of the prayer “Otche Nash” (Our The formal program was followed by a Chervona Kalyna Cotillion Ball, please visit presentation of debutantes, a custom Father) sung by Ukrainian scouts, or “plas- banquet and zabava (dance), accompanied Kalynadeb.org. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ONLINE FOR ONLY EDITION $40 A YEAR

The Ukrainian Weekly, founded in 1933, appears May 7, 2017, is published by the Ukrainian National in The Ukrainian Weekly Association, Inc. We invite readers and community organizations to submit articles, plus photos, on upcoming summer camps, courses, workshops and other events

Subscribe to our PRINT EDITION for $90 ($80 for UNA members) Subscribe to The Weekly in PRINT AND ONLINE for $95 ($85 for UNA members) Contact our Subscription Department at [email protected] Editorial materials deadline: APRIL 24 or 973-292-9800, ext. 3040. [email protected] We welcome advertisements for this special issue. Advertising deadline: APRIL 27 • [email protected] 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

Ten debutantes introduced at Plast ball in New Jersey

Bitcon Productions The 10 debutantes with their escorts at the 2017 Newark Plast ball.

by Zezya Tershakovec Zawadiwsky Nata Voronka Bilash and Borislaw which is based in Whippany, and South to a newly choreographed arrangement Bilash, who served as this year’s masters of Bound Brook, N.J.: Melanie Anne Boychuk assembled by Natalia and Andriy Cybyk. WHIPPANY, N.J. – On January 21, the ceremonies, formally opened the event by (escorted by Ross Kujdych), Deanna Each debutante also joined her father in a Parents’ Association of the Newark branch welcoming the debutantes, their families Hanchuk (Danylo Duvalko), Adriana special waltz. of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and guests. After being formally intro- Hirniak (Max Chuma), Romana Hladky After dinner, more guests arrived and sponsored its annual debutante ball at the duced, each debutante was welcomed by (Mykyta Duvalko), Sophia Hodowanec danced the night away to the music of Hanover Marriot in Whippany, N.J. The deb- guests as she was escorted through the (Mark Kachai), Viktoriya Ivanyshyn (Danilo Tempo and Hrim, including a great 30-min- utante ball is a traditional event at which center of the ballroom. Kyzyk), Anna Kosachevich (Alexander ute “Kolomyika.” each debutante is formally presented to the This year’s debutantes included young Komarynsky), Juliana Orysia Ivanka The success of this memorable event community as a young lady. ladies from the Newark branch of Plast, Paslawsky (Matthew Bach), Julia Pavlyuk was made possible by members of the (Zack Firko), and Christine Starozytnyk organizing committee: Ms. Bilash and Anya (Darko Borsa). Tershakovec-Tomko (co-chairs), Christina In their flowing white gowns, the debu- Gnoy-Stasiuk, Alexandra Tershakovec- tantes danced gracefully with their escorts Zawadiwsky and Marta Sygida-Kowal.

The debutantes and escorts during the “Kolomyika.”

Cleveland. Each debutante was presented Cleveland... with an original woodcut depicting a tradi- tional Ukrainian “Tree of Life,” created by (Continued from page 10) local artist and member of the Buryverchy (Cleveland) escorted by Ivan Wolansky Daria Hulak Kulchytsky. (Cleveland); and Lesya Antonina Many guests, especially the youth, Zappernick (Cleveland) escorted by Danylo danced well into the night to the lively Powers (Chicago). music of Klopit, making this debutante ball Most of the debutantes are active in a lasting memory for the debutantes, their Cleveland’s Ukrainian community. Many families and guests. are members of Plast Ukrainian Scouting The Plast sororities Buryverchy and Organization and the Kashtan School of Shostokryli thanked the event sponsors – Ukrainian Dance, and are graduates of the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union Osnova, School of Ukrainian Studies (Ridna Shkola) Cleveland Selfreliance Federal Credit Union or the Taras Shevchenko School of and Ohio Export Corporation – as well as Ukrainian Studies. other generous donors for helping make At their presentation, the debutantes this debutante ball successful. Proceeds are were encouraged to continue their activity earmarked for Pysanyi Kamin, the in the Ukrainian community of Greater Ukrainian Plast camp in Middlefield, Ohio. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 13

Engineers’ Society hosts Philadelphia Debutante Ball by Peter Hewka PHILADELPHIA – The 63rd annual Engineers’ Banquet and Ball, with presen- tation of debutantes, sponsored by the Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America, Philadelphia Chapter, took place on February 4 in the elegant Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel at the Bellevue in Philadelphia. This gala event was, by all measures, a tremendous success. There were nearly 550 guests at the banquet, and a total of over 850 attended the ball. The Bellevue Grand Ballroom was full to overflowing, and a second ballroom was opened to accommodate all the guests. Archbishop Stefan Soroka, metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S.A., opened the gala with a prayer for Ukraine and his blessing. Sixteen lovely young ladies were pre- sented as debutantes: Maryna Chuma, escorted by Daniel Sawicky; Adriana Dale, escorted by Adrian Charchalis; Ustyna Danylovych, escorted by Severyn Kushmeliuk; Kathryn Halarewicz, escorted by Michael Seneczko; Christine Heren, Wowk Photography escorted by Dmytro Nebesh; Sophia The presentation of debutantes and escorts at the 63rd annual Engineers’ Banquet and Ball. Holowaty, escorted by Matthew Bach; Irena and ball were Natalia Antoniak Pylyp and Kondrat, escorted by Daniel Sandursky; Rostyslav Bukachevsky. Katya Kopach, escorted by Peter Luba; Lilia An additional highlight of the evening Kuchta, escorted by Matthew Stefurak; Julia was a special performance by the Voloshky Kurylec, escorted by Zachary Firko; Ariadna Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Philadelphia. Louer, escorted by Rostyk Kujdych; An honored guest was Congressman Anastasia Maystrych, escorted by Brian Fitzpatrick, newly elected represen- Maximilian Chuma; Caroline Nowak, escort- tative of the 8th Congressional District of ed by Aleksei Hulayev; Talia Nysch, escorted Pennsylvania. by Alexander Kuchta; Julianna Petrenko, The outstanding success of this gala escorted by Daniel Powers; and Oksana event was made possible by the prepara- Zharovsky, escorted by Maxim Murphy. tion and hard work of the Ball Committee, The debutantes included one young lady chaired by Orysia Hewka. from California and two from Toronto, and Music was provided by the Hrim there were escorts from Illinois, Michigan, Orchestra from New York and Connecticut, Ohio, Maryland and New York. and by Ihor Sypen and the Fourth Wave The debutantes and escorts were excep- Orchestra of Philadelphia. tionally well prepared by Halia Wirstiuk For weeks after the ball, social media and Ania Bohachevsky Lonkevych to per- were buzzing that Philadelphia is the place form their presentation dances. Original to debut. Next year’s Philadelphia choreography for the dances was prepared Engineers’ Ball is scheduled for February 3, by them to the music of Richard Strauss. 2018, at the same venue – the Hyatt Hotel At the dress rehearsal. Masters of ceremonies for the banquet at the Bellevue.

The Ukrainian National Association Inc. will host a presentation by Dr. Petrusia G. Kotlar “Wellness and Nutrition as a Means to Healthy Longevity”

Admission: Dr. Kotlar, chiropractor, is a well-known alternative health care provider Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. practicing for 33 years. Her holistic wellness practice in NYC encompasses gratis at St Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, spinal health, nutrition, exercise and apitherapy. As part of her continuing education studies, Dr. Kotlar has completed coursework on Nutritional Pro- 569 George Street, New Haven, CT tocols for Daily Living, Principles of Digestion, and Fundamentals of Herbal Healthy snack Therapy in Endocrinology and Cardiac Health, among others. tasting Topics to be • Ethno-nutrition • Nutritional Trends • Alternatives to Organized by UNA Connecticut District discussed include: • Seasonal Eating in 2017 Chemical Medicine 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

Ukrainian American Youth Association welcomes debutantes

YPC Studio The 15 debutantes are presented to the crowd.

by Natalka Kudryk One by one, the emcees announced the debutantes, who Zawojski; Daria Smaluch (Bridgewater, N.J.), escorted by were all dressed in flowing white ball gowns and crisp, Andriy Zaltsman; Olivia Wislocki (Valhalla, N.Y.), escorted PARSIPPANY, N.J. – On February 25, the Ukrainian elbow-length gloves. Each girl walked through the spar- by Zachary Vukosa; and Kateryna Yurkevych (Burlington, American Youth Association (UAYA, also known by the kling lights of the ballroom to greet her parents at the cen- Conn.), escorted by Uriy Yosupiv. acronym CYM) held its 53rd annual debutante ball at the ter of the dance floor. She embraced her parents, received After the presentation of the debutantes, Miss Smaluch Sheraton hotel in Parsippany, N.J. The ball marked the soci- her bouquet and was met by her escort. read the oath that is recited every year by a selected debu- etal debut for 15 young women. From there, she and her escort circled the perimeter of tante. Yuriy Mykytyn, president of the UAYA’s National This year’s group of women came from all over the tri- the dance floor as the emcees lauded her academic Executive Board, then made his introductory remarks to state area to be presented to a ballroom full of family, achievements, activities and hobbies, and dedicated the crowd. Speaking to the debutantes directly, Mr. friends, UAYA members and other guests. involvement in the UAYA. To conclude her presentation, the Mykytyn congratulated them on this milestone and The UAYA Debutante Ball, held under the auspices of the debutante took her inaugural curtsy and was met with encouraged their continued participation in UAYA activities organization’s National Executive Board, is a longstanding applause, signifying her official debut. and the Ukrainian American sphere. tradition among UAYA members of the Northeast. The This year’s debutantes were: Melanie Agne (Westfield, To conclude the formal portion of the program, the deb- event has its roots in European court custom and was N.J..), escorted by Stephen Handzy; Nicole Bukacz (Mount utantes and their escorts performed a waltz choreo- adopted in the mid-20th century by Ukrainian American Laurel, N.J.), escorted by Stefan Klics; Christina Bundziak graphed by Hryhoriy Momot. This marked the 20th year diaspora organizations. This year’s debutantes joined the (Ardsley, N.Y.), escorted by Stefan Zawojski; Melanie Mr. Momot has lent his talents, grace and eye for drama to ranks of over 800 young women who were ceremonially Dubenko (Philadephia), escorted by Nicholas Gaschler; making the formal waltz one of the most anticipated por- presented in this rite of passage. Julia Fazzinga (Yonkers, N.Y.) escorted by Danylo tions of the evening. At the conclusion of the dance, the Following a lively cocktail hour, Natalka Horbachevsky, Szkafarowsky; Sophia Kocur (Bronxville, N.Y.), escorted by committee welcomed Mr. Momot onto the floor to thank chair of the organizing committee, officially welcomed guests Stepan Shkrobak; Tatiana Krawec (Yonkers, N.Y.), escorted him for his service with a bouquet. After lengthy applause, to the ballroom for the formal portion of the evening and by George Oliarnyk Jr.; Kyra Lozynskyj (Boonton Township, the debutantes’ fathers took their daughters to dance, introduced this year’s master and mistress of ceremonies, N.J.), escorted by Matthew Bach; Tania Melnyk (Long Island marking the end of their formal presentation. Peter Kolinsky and Ulana Blahy. Mr. Kolinsky and Ms. Blahy, City, N.Y.), escorted by Damian Kosciolek; Adrianna Oliver Dinner began with a blessing led by Bishop Paul active members in the Hartford, Conn., and Yonkers, N.Y., (Clifton, N.J.), escorted by Roman Andrach Jr.; Sofia Chomnycky. After the banquet, two talented bands, New branches of the UAYA, respectively, had the distinct honor of Polishchuk (Bayonne, N.J.), escorted by Christian Andrach; York’s Hrim and Montreal’s Zvook, kicked off the zabava. presenting this year’s debutantes and their chosen escorts. Victoria Sicilian (Rockaway, N.J.), escorted by Alexander Their spectacular performance kept guests dancing all through the night. The rousing “Kolomyika,” as in years past, was one of the highlights of the night. The debutante ball was a joyous evening for the debu- tantes and a wonderful celebration for the UAYA communi- ty and guests in attendance. The tradition of the formal presentation coupled with the excitement of the zabava made it an elegant, jubilant and memorable event for all. The UAYA Debutante Ball continues to be one of the highlights of the youth association’s calendar and an event many Ukrainians in the Northeast look forward to annually as a time to celebrate the new generation of UAYA mem- bers and catch up with old friends. The event would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors and supporters, including the SUMA Federal Credit Union in Yonkers, Ukrainian National Federal Credit Union, Yonkers Dim-SUMA and Self Reliance (New York) Federal Credit Union. The committee acknowledged the support of the vari- ous volunteers whose efforts contributed to a wonderful evening, in particular the UAYA Executive Board and all the debutantes, escorts and parents who helped orchestrate this event. The UAYA Debutante Ball Committee for 2017 was com- posed of Ms. Horbachevsky (chair), Katia Kucyna, Olia Figol, Daria Horbachevsky, Myron Pryjmak, Olia Zahnijnyj and Natalka Kudryk. The UAYA invites all to save the date for next year’s ball, The debutantes and escorts perform their waltz, as choreographed by Hryhoriy Momot. which will take place on February 10, 2018. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 15

Seventeen debut at American Ukrainian Youth Association ball in Chicago

Maksym Prokopiv Photography Debutantes of the American Ukrainian Youth Association Mykola Pavlushkov Branch in Chicago (seated, from left): Sonya Stasiuk, Larysa Brandys, Julia Ivaniv, Krystyna Marynevytch, Mariana Semanyshyn, Natalia Chukhrii, Natalia Klisch, Christina Martyniouk, Alexa Weres, Alexandra Niemet, Adriana Archie, Olena Andrushko, Liliana Ugryn-Andrusyshyn, Natalia Vasylyk, Viktoria Kontseva-Gordon, Anastasiya Hedesh and Sofia Vilchynska.

by Olena Vasilik coming New Year. Congratulating the debu- tantes, he wished them success as they CHICAGO – The American Ukrainian embark on their path into adulthood. 2017 Spring-Easter Catalog Youth Association (known by the Ukrainian Ms. Karawan continued with the presenta- acronym CYM), Mykola Pavlushkov Branch tion, calling upon the fathers to lead their is available now! in Chicago. hosted its annual New Year’s daughters in a waltz, which was beautifully ball, or Malanka, on January 14 at the Drury choreographed and ended with a sweet, lov- Lane Theater and Conference Center. ing kiss from the fathers. The mothers were Guests arrived at 6 p.m. for cocktails and then presented with a long-stemmed red rose hors d’oeuvres in the foyer of the Grand as a thank you for all their love and support. Ballroom. Friends and family gathered to The spotlight then turned to the debu- celebrate the New Year and greeted each tantes and their escorts. They entertained other throughout the hour. the guests with a wonderfully choreo- Andrij Luczak Glubisz, master of ceremo- graphed traditional waltz full of elaborate nies, opened the evening by welcoming and formations, turns, dips and bows. Their ele- greeting over 700 guests, as well as encour- gance, poise and beauty were appreciated aging the youth to be active and engaged with extended applause from their family, members in the AUYA and to continue the friends and guests. work of their parents and grandparents. Before dinner, the Very Rev. Oleh The highlight of the evening was the pre- Kryvokulsky, pastor of Ss. Volodymyr and sentation of 17 lovely debutantes from both Olha Church, led everyone in prayer. After the Chicago and Palatine branches of CYM. dinner, guests enjoyed the rest of the eve- The presentation was choreographed and led ning by dancing to the sounds of Klopit, a by Adriana Karawan and Kateryna Dyakiv. beloved Chicago-based band. Each debutante was introduced, receiving a As midnight approached, New Year’s traditional sash, and congratulated by Taras party favors were passed around as friends Drozd, president of the Mykola Pavlushkov and acquaintances embraced each other, Branch; Myron Wasiunec, president of the welcoming the New Year. Before the eve- Dmytro Vitovskyj Branch; and the youth pro- ning ended, the guests participated in the gram directors of each branch, Adriana traditional “Kolomyika.” Popowycz and Chrystya Pochtar-Eckheart. Sincerest thanks and recognition are due The debutantes’ individual presentations to all those who helped make this lovely ended with each of them greeting the evening possible, particularly the Malanka guests with a deep and graceful bow as committee: Kristin Chylak (chairperson), their parents looked on with pride. Ms. Karawan, Kateryna Dyakiv, Nadya Mr. Drozd greeted all of the guests and Dudycz DiBartolo, Christina Ofisher, Nastia their families with warmest wishes for the Lototska and Olena Vasilik.

to order a copy, see: www.yevshan.com or call: 1-800-265-9858 Debutantes and escorts perform an intricate waltz. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

had taken place a decade ago and was irrel- was very concerned about the treatment of Guard of Ukraine on the third anniversary NEWSBRIEFS evant to Mr. Manafort’s job with the Trump Russian businesses in Ukraine. “We’ve been of its establishment. “Exactly three years election campaign. (RFE/RL, with reporting following this and are extremely worried,” ago, the National Guard became one of the (Continued from page 2) by Reuters, AP, The Boston Globe, Politico Mr. Peskov told journalists. He said Russia first military formations to take responsi- ent available to lawmakers. The committee and The New York Times) believes that the Ukrainian authorities bility for the protection of the sovereignty, is investigating alleged ties between Trump should “protect the private property of for- independence and territorial integrity of Russia’s Sberbank to sell Ukrainian branches associates and Russia, as well as what U.S. eign investors from attacks by ultranational- our state at an extremely critical moment. intelligence officials have described as MOSCOW – The largest Russian bank, ists and extremists.” (RFE/RL, with report- Exactly three years ago, in the spring of Kremlin-directed interference in the U.S. Sberbank, is selling its Ukrainian branches ing by Reuters, Interfax, and AFP) 2014, I had the high honor to be present at election. Rep. Nunes thanked Mr. Manafort amid increasing pressure from the the ceremony of taking oath by the firsts Tax breaks for sanctions-hit Russians? “for volunteering,” saying congressional Ukrainian government and protesters in battalions of the newly established investigators “encourage others with Ukraine. State-controlled Sberbank said in a MOSCOW – Russia’s lower house of National Guard formed by men from the knowledge of these issues to voluntarily March 27 statement that a consortium led Parliament has approved legislation to Maidan Self-Defense who came here right interview with the committee.” Rep. Nunes by Norvik Bank of Latvia and a private exempt Russians who are under Western from the Maidan to study and be off direct- said his panel would coordinate with Mr. Belarusian firm would purchase the Russian sanctions from paying tax in Russia if they ly to the frontline,” Mr. Poroshenko said. He Manafort’s lawyers on whether his testimo- bank’s assets in Ukraine. The sale comes are registered as taxpayers in foreign coun- emphasized: “In the very first battles, you ny would be public. Mr. Manafort’s spokes- less than two weeks after Ukrainian tries. The bill, passed in its third and final passed a severe exam for patriotism and man, Jason Maloni, confirmed he would tes- President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree reading in the State Duma on March 22, also loyalty to that oath.” He continued: “A high tify in the congressional investigation. “Mr. imposing sanctions on Sberbank and four exempts such individuals from declaring level of trust and the gratitude of the Manafort instructed his representatives to other banks with Russian financing. The their incomes. It will become law if Ukrainian people are not the only assess- reach out to committee staff and offer to bank’s outlets in Ukraine have also been the approved in the upper house and signed by ments of your work. Our National Guard is provide information voluntarily regarding focus of protests led by Ukrainian national- President Vladimir Putin. The legislation, the most frequently mentioned brand on recent allegations about Russian interfer- ists angered after Sberbank said it would initiated by ruling United Russia party law- Russian TV. It seems to be the most popular ence in the election,” Mr. Maloni told The comply with Russian President Vladimir maker Andrei Makarov, also grants Russians brand. It is totally absurd and unfair to New York Times. “As Mr. Manafort has Putin’s February 18 decree ordering under sanctions the right to receive a refund scare children by you. But if you are so always maintained, he looks forward to Russian authorities to recognize identity on taxes paid to the Russian treasury since feared and hated by adult Russian men, this meeting with those conducting serious documents issued by Russia-backed sepa- 2014 if they prove their status as a foreign means that you serve the people of Ukraine investigations of these issues to discuss the ratists who hold parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk tax resident. In 2014, Western countries honestly, qualitatively and selflessly,” the facts,” Mr. Maloni said. News of Mr. and Luhansk regions. Sberbank later said imposed asset freezes and travel bans on president emphasized. Mr. Poroshenko Manafort’s proposed testimony came days that it would not recognize the documents dozens of Russians – some of them close to noted that both the people and the govern- after the Associated Press reported that Mr. in Ukraine. Sberbank said the sale of its Mr. Putin – after Moscow seized the ment highly appreciate the contributions of Manafort previously worked for Kremlin- Ukrainian assets is expected to be complet- Crimean peninsula and backed separatists the National Guard to ensuring national connected Russian billionaire Oleg ed by July after gaining approval from anti- in eastern Ukraine. A 2013 law bans security. A total of 1,175 National Guard Deripaska and, as early as 2005, proposed a trust regulators. Said Gutseriyev, head of the Russian officials and lawmakers from hav- servicepersons have received high state political strategy involving a public influ- Belarusian company involved in the sale ing bank accounts, valuable papers or com- awards and 193 have been killed defending ence campaign to benefit Russian President and the son of Russian billionaire Mikhail panies abroad, but allows them to have Ukraine. The deceased were honored with Vladimir Putin. Mr. Manafort resigned as Gutseriyev, will become the largest share- property in foreign countries that are taxed a moment of silence. “Defending the inter- Trump’s campaign chief in August 2016 fol- holder in Sberbank’s Ukrainian holdings by local authorities. (RFE/RL, based on ests of the state and its citizens, you are lowing reports of illicit payments related to after the transaction. Sberbank said that it reporting by meduza.io, TASS and Interfax) guided only by the laws of Ukraine and the his previous work for the political party of hopes the sale will allow for the “resump- military oath,” the president underscored. Poroshenko meets with envoys of G-7, EU Ukraine’s pro-Russian former president, tion of regular operations” and that its cus- He particularly thanked the National Guard Viktor Yanukovych. White House spokes- tomers will no longer be hindered at its KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko on members for their professionalism, steel man Sean Spicer on March 22 insisted the branches in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman March 27 held the first meeting with nerves and moderation during the protec- work Mr. Manafort did for Mr. Deripaska Dmitry Peskov said on March 28 that Russia ambassadors of the G-7 and the European tion of rallies over the past few months: Union. The Ukrainian president expressed “When organizers and participants were great appreciation for the solidarity and provoking and literally making you use unity of the G-7 countries with Ukraine in force, you kept cool and ensured order in ensuring support for the implementation of various Ukrainian cities by all legal means.” internal reforms and countering Russian (Presidential Administration of Ukraine) TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 aggression. Special attention was paid to the or e-mail [email protected] escalation of the situation in the Donbas, Le Pen wants to remove sanctions given recent destructive actions by Russia MOSCOW – French far-right presidential on the territory of certain districts of SERVICES PROFESSIONALS candidate Marine Le Pen met with Russian Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In this con- President Vladimir Putin on March 24 and text, the parties agreed to continue pressure said that, if elected, she will consider how to on the Russian authorities to implement the swiftly remove sanctions against Moscow. At Minsk agreements’ provisions through the the unannounced meeting in the Kremlin, preservation and, if necessary, enhance- Mr. Putin said that Russia was not seeking to ment of international sanctions. The meet- sway the upcoming vote in France and ing participants discussed the decision of defended his decision to meet with Le Pen. the National Security and Defense Council “We do not want to influence events in any of Ukraine regarding temporary suspension way, but we reserve the right to talk to rep- of the transportation of goods between resentatives of all the country’s political Ukraine and the uncontrolled territories of forces, just as our partners in Europe and Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The ambas- the United States do,” he said. Ms. Le Pen sadors said they understand the necessity said that Russia and France should exchange МАРІЯ ДРИЧ of such steps, given the illegal expropriation OPPORTUNITIES Ліцензований Продавець intelligence concerning the fight against ter- Страхування Життя of Ukrainian property and irresponsible rorism, adding that “only together can we actions of certain political forces to impose overcome this scourge.” Addressing report- МАRІA DRICH an unauthorized blockade of railways in the Earn extra income! Licensed Life Insurance Agent ers after the talks, Mr. Le Pen said that if Donbas. The parties underlined the need to The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. elected, she would consider what she had to prevent the deterioration of the humanitari- for advertising sales agents. 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 do to swiftly remove the sanctions Western For additional information contact an situation on both sides of the delimita- governments have imposed on Moscow Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3011 tion line and agreed to take joint measures over its interference in Ukraine. The French The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. e-mail: [email protected] to minimize the negative impact on civilians National Front (FN) party leader has voiced from restrictions on the movement of admiration for Mr. Putin in the past and did goods. Mr. Poroshenko also informed so again after the meeting, which an aide to Ukrainian Sport Museum and Hall of Fame Ukraine’s international partners about the Le Pen said lasted about 90 minutes. “He 60 N Je erson Rd., Whippany, NJ 07981 progress and prospects of reform, particu- represents a sovereign nation,” Ms. Le Pen is open every Saturday and Sunday from larly in the sphere of anti-corruption policy, told reporters. “I think he also represents a 12 noon to 6 pm. We can also do group showings judicial reform, decentralization, deregula- new vision.” She added, “A new world has by special appointments by calling 973-919-1322 tion, energy, healthcare and creation of an emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir attractive investment climate. The parties spoke of coordinating future steps to pro- Putin’s world, Donald Trump’s world in the vide comprehensive assistance for the United States, Mr. [Narendra] Modi’s world The UKRAINIAN MUSEUM in NEW YORK is seeking assistant director. in India,” referring to the U.S. president and For further information please visit: implementation of reforms to Ukraine by http://www.ukrainianmuseum.org/temp/job_asstdir.pdf the G-7 and the European Union. the Indian prime minister. Ms. Le Pen met (Presidential Administration of Ukraine) with Mr. Putin after a visit to the State Duma, during which she called for closer ties Third anniversary of National Guard between the two countries and the removal Run your advertisement here, of EU sanctions. “It is absolutely inconceiv- in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko con- gratulated the servicemen of the National (Continued on page 17) No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 17

meeting. NATO sources told RFE/RL that decision to bar Russia’s contestant in the blocked her from entering the country to NEWSBRIEFS the conflict in eastern Ukraine between upcoming Eurovision Song Contest from take part in the popular event. The Russian government forces and Russia-backed sep- entering the country. “We consider this deci- state broadcaster on March 23 said it found (Continued from page 16) aratist fighters would be high on the agen- sion to be very wrong and... we expect that the offer to allow Ms. Samoilova to perform able that because of the sanctions, Russian da the next time NATO foreign ministers this decision will be reviewed and that the remotely to be “odd” because it goes “abso- and French lawmakers are not able even to meet. (Rikard Jozwiak of RFE/RL, with Russian participant will be able to take part lutely against the very essence of the meet to discuss issues that are of the great reporting by AFP) in this contest,” Russian President Vladimir event,” adding, “One of the [event’s] rules... importance for protecting peace and lives of Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reads that the song should be performed our citizens,” Ms. Le Pen told the Duma’s Jaresko to manage Puerto Rico’s crisis reporters on March 23. The Ukrainian live on the stage.” Channel One said the Foreign Affairs Committee. She has repeat- WASHINGTON – A U.S. board overseeing Security Service on March 22 said it had European Broadcasting Union (EBU), edly called for closer ties with Mr. Putin and the finances of the bankrupt territory of prohibited Yulia Samoilova from entering which organizes the event, should not have said she does not consider Moscow’s annex- Puerto Rico announced that it is hiring Ukrainian territory for three years because to “invent new rules” for the Russian per- ation of Crimea illegal. Her one-day visit Ukraine’s former finance minister to steer she had violated Ukrainian law, an apparent former. The Geneva-based EBU criticized came a month before the April 23 first the Caribbean island out of crisis. Natalie reference to a visit by the singer to Crimea Ukraine’s decision to bar Ms. Samoilova round of the French election, one of a series Jaresko served at a critical time in Ukraine’s in 2015 – the year after Russia seized con- from entering the country, saying the satel- of votes in EU countries this year that are history from 2014 to 2016 as it faced a trol of the Black Sea peninsula from lite compromise was offered to ensure “all seen as a test of Russia’s influence in the deep recession and insolvency. “Ukraine’s Ukraine. Ukrainian law enables the govern- artists can participate.” (RFE/RL, based West at a time when many officials and ana- situation three years ago – like Puerto ment to ban people who have traveled to reporting by AFP, Interfax and TASS) lysts believe Putin is seeking to sow disunity Rico’s today – was near catastrophic, but Crimea without obtaining prior permission Body found in debris at munitions depot and undermine institutions in the EU and she worked with stakeholders to bring from Kyiv. Ukraine last year blacklisted 140 the United States. (RFE/RL, with reporting needed reforms that restored confidence, Russian performing artists on those KYIV – Ukrainian officials say a woman’s by AFP, AP, DPA, Reuters, TASS and Interfax) economic vitality, and reinvestment in the grounds. The Russian Foreign Ministry body was found under debris at the site of a country and its citizens. That’s exactly what sharply criticized the ban on March 22, call- massive fire at a munitions depot near the NATO ministers to meet with Tillerson Puerto Rico needs today,” said board chair- ing the Ukrainian government a “regime eastern city of Kharkiv. The chief of BRUSSELS – NATO diplomats say a man Jose Carrion. Ms. Jaresko was born in infected with Russophobic paranoia.” The Ukraine’s Emergency Service, Mykola meeting of alliance foreign ministers origi- Chicago to Ukrainian immigrants and pre- move also drew criticism from the Chechotkin, said on March 24 that the body nally scheduled for April 5-6 is now tenta- viously worked for the U.S. State European Broadcasting Union (EBU), co- of a woman born in 1951 had been found in tively planned for March 31, when U.S. Department and the Horizon Capital fund. producer of the event with the host country a damaged building late the previous eve- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in As Ukraine’s finance minister, she helped each year, which said it was “deeply disap- ning. Explosions and fires that broke out at Brussels. The U.S. State Department negotiate a deal to restructure the coun- pointed” over the decision. The EBU has the munitions depot in Balakliya early on announced on March 24 that Mr. Tillerson try’s $15 billion debt. Ms. Jaresko will be said it “will continue a dialogue with the March 23 prompted the evacuation of some would visit NATO headquarters in Brussels paid $625,000 a year, and will commute Ukrainian authorities with the aim of ensur- 20,000 people. The depot stores some on March 31, the day after he meets in from Ukraine once a month until June, with ing that all artists can perform” in Kyiv. Ms. 138,000 tons of ammunition and is used to Ankara with Turkish President Recep all flights and hotel stays to be paid for by Samoilova, 27, was chosen as Russia’s con- supply Ukrainian forces fighting Russia- Tayyip Erdogan. NATO diplomats on March Puerto Rico. Mr. Carrion said Ms. Jaresko testant on March 12. The singer, who suffers backed separatists in the Donetsk and 25 told RFE/RL that foreign ministers from will be responsible for ensuring that Puerto from a rare muscular disorder that leaves Luhansk regions. Ukrainian authorities other alliance countries were working to Rico achieves a balanced budget within her bound to a wheelchair, performed in the blamed “sabotage” and President Petro accommodate the secretary of state’s four years and is granted re-entry into the Crimean city of Kerch in mid-2015. (RFE/ Poroshenko pointed the finger at Russia. schedule after Washington announced he capital markets after credit rating agencies RL, with reporting by AP, Interfax and TASS) Authorities had said on March 23 that one would not attend the April meeting downgraded the island’s debt to junk sta- woman was injured. Prime Minister Russia rejects Eurovision compromise because of a scheduling conflict. One NATO tus. (RFE/RL, with reporting by AP) Volodymyr Groysman said earlier that the diplomat told RFE/RL that many foreign MOSCOW – Russia’s Channel One fire had affected half of the 368-hectare Russia criticizes decision barring singer ministers already had previous commit- refused an offer by Eurovision Song Contest depot and could continue for up to seven ments and would have to rearrange their MOSCOW – The Kremlin has called for a organizers to have singer Yulia Samoilova days. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by schedules in order to attend a March 31 review of what it said was Ukraine’s “unfair” participate by satellite after Ukraine UNIAN and Interfax)

The family would also like to recognize and thank the University of Подяка/Gratitude Manitoba, where Orysia worked at the Dafoe Library, for  ying  ags half-sta in her honor. Orysia Paszczak Tracz September 8, 1945 - November 10, 2016 We are grateful to Roma Hadzewycz, Editor-in-Chief of The Ukrainian Wife, Mother, Teta, Weekly, for the mutual admiration and respect they shared in aiming Best Sister in the World for and achieving excellence during their association in Orysia’s years of experience as columnist. daughter of So a Mazepa Paszczak (1917-1997) and Wasyl Paszczak We are also grateful to her faithful readers, who enjoyed reading as much (1915-1978) and sister of rstborn as she enjoyed writing her words. infant sister Lesia deceased during WWII We remain heartbroken

Orysia’s family would like to Husband: - Myroslaw express their gratitude for all the prayers, support, and generous Sons (as she called them, her “gorgeous guys”) and their girlfriends: expressions of sympathy during - Boyan and Heather this di cult time. - Dobryan and Khrystia - Ruslan and Olesia Speci cally, the family would like to thank: · The compassionate sta at the Health Sciences Centre, in Winnipeg, Sister: - Nusia (Anna) Paszczak Denysyk with husband Oleh MB, who made Orysia’s nal hours comfortable and who provided and their children: support and comfort to the family; - Nephew and Godson: Ruslan Denysyk, wife Kristin · The Korban Funeral Chapel; and their daughters Clara and Evelyn · The Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus for honoring her and ful lling her - Niece: Dara Denysyk and ancé Will Stepanovsky wishes by singing at the panakhyda; - Niece: Lana Denysyk and husband Mike Smith · Those in attendance at the panakhyda, and to those that wore their vyshyvanky, as per Orysia’s wishes; Cousins: - Serniwka Family · To the Metropolitan and Clergy who served during the panakhyda - especially Father Michael Kwiatkowski of Holy Eucharist Parish, Kumy: - Slavko Nowytski; Winnipeg, MB, for his support to the family. - Zirka Hyworon, who tirelessly organized the memorable · UNWLA#75 for their o ering of a Divine Liturgy in her memory; and tryzna/repast for approximately 500 mourners with the · The many individuals and groups who have donated in her name to loving helping hands of many volunteers; the Canadian Ukrainian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko; - Len Tratch; - Chrystyna Hnatiw; and The family is honored to have received heartfelt condolences from: - Slawko Petryshyn · Blazhennishyj Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Kyiv, Ukraine; · Bishop Boris Gudziak, Paris, France; and You remain in our hearts and thoughts daily · Mitred Protopresbyter Rt. Rev. Roman Mirchuk, Mykolayiv, Ukraine Remembering your joyous outlook and unconditional love You are so loved We would like to acknowledge and thank Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Vichnaya Pamyat’ Parliament for Winnipeg-North, for raising Orysia’s memory in the House Вічная Пам’ять of Commons. xoxox

18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of passing into God’s Eternal Kingdom on March 11, 2012, of our beloved WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND AUNT NEONILA BEDRIY KRAMARCHUK born on May 14, 1935, in Ternopil, Ukraine, we ask to remember her in your prayers.

Remaining in deep sorrow: husband – Zenon son – Zenon with wife Natalia son – Borys with wife Irene grandchildren – George, Oksana, Bernard, Stephanie, Laryssa and Mark sister-in-law – Tanya Bedriy, Mississauga, Ontario In-law – Oksana in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine Extended family in Ukraine, US and Canada Eternal memory!

In memory of Neonila Bedriy Kramarchuk Who was my mother Neonila Bedriy Kramarchuk? More How did my mother maintain calm in the midst of storms of daily importantly, what was her legacy to me and my family? life? She prepared for it. My mother did not wait for the storm but prayed in anticipation of it with the rosary. In 1917 Our Lady in My mother was born in Ternopil, Ukraine, in May 1935. Her Fatima revealed to the three shepherd children, that by meditating parents, older brother Anatole Bedriy, and she left their homeland on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, they will be enriched with upon the arrival of the Communist Bolsheviks. They fled to Warsaw, its fruits (gifts) and obtain peace for the world, the conversion of Poland, and, with the Second World War’s end, settled in Germany. sinners and of Russia, and the favor they asked for will be granted. In 1950 her family came to Ellis Island and chose Newark, NJ, as The Rosary is a treasure of grace, the grace only of God who gave their new home. There my mother completed high school and later us life, and loves us so much that He gave his only son in reparation bookkeeping. She met my father at a summer ballroom dance in of our sins, that we might have eternal life. the Catskill mountains of New York State at the Verkhovyna resort near the Delaware River. They married in 1959. I was born the As a further symbol of her devotion to Mary and faith in her son following year. My younger brother Borys was born in 1961. The Jesus, my mother also wore the Scapular, a pair of cloth rectangular Kramarchuks chose E. 5th St. in Manhattan, New York, to call home, shapes attached by string and worn on the chest, over the shoulder, where my mother would live out the rest of her years. and on the upper back. I remember this as a child because in the warm weather months my mother’s shirts would often stain green What memories do I have of my mother Neonila that are still or brown. Her own body heat and sweat would release the natural with me today, that influence my everyday life? Firstly, she had a pigments of the cloth. When I asked her about this, my mother generous heart. Whenever one of my four children came to her replied to me, “What value are clothes when the love of Mary and for lunch money, my mother never said “no” but most times let her Jesus is our priority and focus in life?” purse be empty. I am reminded of Mark 12:41-44 and Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into As to the proper role of husband and wife, my mother was ever the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much. There came a obedient and faithful. She was married for near 53 years. Her living certain poor widow; and she cast in 2 mites (dollars). And calling example is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to a child. together his disciples, he said, “Amen I say to you, this poor widow She did not complain when her will was not fulfilled but made her has cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury. For husband’s will her own. I am reminded of St. Paul’s Ephesians 5:21- all they did cast part of their abundance; but she cast in all she had, 25: “Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. Let women even her whole living.” be subject to their husbands, according to the Lord Jesus: ‘Because When someone who was annoying met my mother and me on the the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the street or in church, my mother’s instruction to me was to smile and church. He is the saviour of his body. Therefore as the church is change the subject if I was able. I am reminded from the Imitation subject to Christ: so also let the wives be to their husbands in all of Christ, the second most read book in the history of the world things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church after the Bible, book 3, ch.44 (“Do Not Take to Heart What Happens and delivered himself up for it.’ ” My mother’s model guides me Around You”): “It is more profitable to leave everyone to his way of on how to live as a husband and more importantly as a disciple of thinking than to give way to contentious discourses (arguments).” Jesus Christ, our Alpha and Omega, our life and death.

When someone with known past faults or sins met my mother In looking back, I discern the simple philosophy my mother lived and me, my mother’s instruction to me was to not be surprised but by. I say simple yet not easy, especially in our current culture and to look immediately for that person’s virtues or good motives. Is community. I am led to 23rd chapter of Imitation of Christ, book this not charity, the theological virtue of love (the other being faith 3, “Four Things Which Bring Great Peace”. The Voice of Christ: “My and hope)? I am reminded from John 13:34: “Thou shall love your child, I will teach you now the way of peace and true liberty. Seek, neighbor as yourself – that you love one another, as I have loved child, to do the will of others rather than your own. Always choose you.” In addition, I am reminded from Life in Plast – Handbook for to have less rather than more. Look always for the last place and Youth Scouting, from the chapter “Proper Conduct of a Plastun seek to be beneath all others. Always wish and pray that the will of (Scout) for Life”, p. 184. Virtue #6 – “A Scout is Polite”: His politeness God be fully carried out in you.” does not allow any impression of put-down, for it is inconsistent with the notion of chivalry (being a gentleman or proper lady)”. Zenon Kramarchuk, Jr. No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 19

able source said the trade did happen over a backgammon the ability to become hockey’s No. 1 force and change the How Gretzky became an Oiler board. perception of the sport from an American regional game to Wayne Gretzky was named one of “The NHL’s 100,” the top Larry Gordon, Oilers’ general manager in 1978, shared a national entity. Scouts agreed he had the potential to be a 100 players in the history of the National Hockey League’s the details in an August 2008 discussion with NHL.com. tremendous player. Very few pegged him as a dominating 100 years of existence. This is the first in a series featuring Skalbania and Pocklington were on a private jet playing a force in the game of hockey. In the long run, once Gretzky the six Ukrainian hockey stars selected to this elite group. backgammon game with high stakes. Pocklington won the ended up in Los Angeles, it was arguably one of the best On August 9, 1988, the Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne match, a wager was made, some money changed hands things ever for professional hockey. Gretzky, Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley to the Los and Gretzky, Eddie Mio and Peter Driscoll became Gretzky scored 46 goals and 110 points in his first pro Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, millions of Edmonton Oilers. year and was WHA rookie of the year. He had 43 goals and dollars and three first-round draft picks. Did you know this “Yes, they were part of the stakes of this backgammon 104 points as an Oiler. The Indianapolis Racers ceased was not the first time Gretzky was moved? game. There were some trades mentioned, actually we had operations on December 15, 1978, and in the spring of Gretzky started his professional career with the World our choice on the third player between Driscoll and Blaine 1979 the NHL expanded to Edmonton, Hartford, Quebec Hockey Association’s Indianapolis Racers, not Edmonton. Stoughton, and we took Peter Driscoll,” Gordon said in 2008. City and Winnipeg. The Oilers’ Stanley Cup dynasty between 1984 and 1990 Gordon witnessed the high-stakes backgammon game The Gretzky transaction was undeniably the fundamen- was born on a backgammon table in 1978 as part of a bet. on the plane, rooting for his owner to win. He saw the tal building block that started Edmonton on its way to win- It was part of a financial deal intended to bail out a strug- game in progress and knew the stakes were high. There ning four Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1988, and a fifth gling franchise with monies to ensure players would not was some art involved from Pocklington’s side, hockey without Gretzky in 1990. miss paychecks. players from Skalbania’s side. Pocklington kept his artwork The summer of 1978 saw a 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky, and ended up with hockey players to build the Oilers’ foun- Running with Gretzky a Canadian icon since he was 6, sign a personal services dation. Some cash was paid out in the transaction. Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania flew contract with Indianapolis owner Nelson Skalbania. His It was hoped the reported $850,000 cash would keep Gretzky, his parents and his agent, Gus Badali, to Vancouver Racers career would last all of eight games. On November the Racers afloat until the end of the year and maybe be when he decided to sign the 17-year-old to a contract with 2, 1978, Gretzky would be the centerpiece of one of sports’ bought out by the owner’s WHA partners as a thank you his World Hockey Association club. At the time Skalbania strangest trades. should the NHL and WHA merge. had not yet seen the youngster play, knew enough about Indianapolis was not a thriving hockey hotbed, while There was a prior history between Skalbania and him, but worried about his health and physical conditioning. Gretzky’s new home of Edmonton was a “destination” city. Pocklington. The former had once owned the Oilers and To see if Gretzky was up to snuff, Skalbania took Wayne The NHL was rumored to be interested in relocating one of brought his old real estate partner in as a 50-50 partner in for a run. Thinking he had the advantage, being a fairly its financially failing franchises there as early as the mid- 1976. Pocklington bought him out in short time, while good long-distance runner at the time, Skalbania was in for 1970s. Edmonton was most receptive to either a relocated Skalbania resurfaced in Indianapolis months later as the a surprise. The man who ran 80-100 miles per week was team or being part of a future NHL-WHA merger. owner of the Racers. beaten by the kid who wasn’t much of a runner in a six- Skalbania offered Edmonton owner Peter Pocklington an The 17-year-old Gretzky was rather small, slightly built mile challenge. The personal services contract between the opportunity to add a Canadian icon in Gretzky, which proba- with less than spectacular abilities. He was not a fast skater, two was inked later the same day. bly would strengthen the Oilers’ chances of getting into the nor did he have an overpowering shot. His game was based Gretzky technically worked for Skalbania, rather than NHL. There were two additional factors: Skalbania also on natural ability, hockey intelligence and a knack for the team, and was given some odd jobs such as a ribbon- offered Gretzky to the Winnipeg Jets and the “Gretzky sweep- always being in the right place on the ice. His passing was cutting at a brewery that Skalbania had opened in Prince stakes” would involve a game of backgammon. Winnipeg superb. The Indianapolis Racers soon folded after the George, British Columbia. owner Michael Gobuty declined. Pocklington agreed to the Gretzky deal. It was said Winnipeg passed on Gretzky Gretzky played in only eight games for the struggling challenge, putting up some of his valuable artwork. because of his size and the $1.7 million personal services Racers before being sold to the Edmonton Oilers. Over time, some have verified the backgammon bet as contract with Skalbania the Jets would have to assume. true, while others have opined the bet was a fable. One reli- At the time, Gretzky was not viewed as someone with Ihor Stelmach may be reached at [email protected]

CALLING ON ALL SENIORS AND FRIENDS! JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL WEEK AT SOYUZIVKA BRING FRIENDS INTERESTING

WE WELCOME NEW GUESTS! IT’S FUN

AFFORDABLE MAKE Sunday, June 11– Friday, June 16 RESERVATIONS EARLY! Registration beginning Sunday, June 11, at 4:00 pm at SOYUZIVKA

All inclusive 5 nights – meals: breakfast-lunch-dinner from Monday through Friday (brunch). Special Banquet Thursday. Entertainment and guest speakers. (Taxes/gratuities included) All inclusive per person rate based on double occupancy - $480 All inclusive per person rate based on single occupancy - $585 BANQUET ONLY, Thursday, June 15, 2017 - $50 pp. For more information call Oksana Trytjak, Tel: 973 292-9800 ext. 3071 Remember to bring your embroidered  nery (vyshyvanky) for the banquet. If possible bring items for the auction! SOYUZIVKA TEL: 845 626-5641 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14 Documentary “Genocide Revealed” launches new website MONTREAL – A new website (www. vors, commentaries by historians, declassi- genociderevealedmovie.com) has been fied Soviet archival documents and rare launched highlighting the availability of the historical footage. It reveals one of the English, Ukrainian and French versions of greatest human tragedies of the 20th cen- the multi-award-winning feature docu- tury, during which millions perished. mentary film “Genocide Revealed.” The film crew travelled over 3500 kilo- The first historical drama “Bitter meters to reach survivors in remote areas Harvest,” written by Richard Bachynsky- of the original famine-struck areas of east- Hoover and George Mendeluk, has brought ern Ukraine. Today, most of those areas are international awareness to the little known reduced to ruble with the ongoing war. 1932-1933 Famine-Genocide in Soviet “Genocide Revealed” won 12 interna- Ukraine. With this movie’s release, many tional awards, including Best Historical people are asking where they can find more Film and Best Documentary. The documen- detailed information about this genocide. tary received many comments from histori- The documentary (75 minutes) ans and specialists in Holodomor studies “Genocide Revealed” by Canadian filmmak- referring to the film as “the best documen- er Yurij Luhovy exposes Moscow’s policy of tary made on the Famine-Genocide genocide against the Ukrainian nation. The (Holodomor)” (Prof. Roman Serbyn). film focuses on the man-made famine in The feature documentary is available in Soviet Ukraine engineered by Stalin’s the original Ukrainian-language version regime and the accompanied decimation of titled “Okradena Zemlya,” narrated by the national elite and destruction of Bohdan Beniuk; in the French-language Volodymyr Bandura version titled “Génocide d’une Nation,” nar- Ukraine’s historical past. “Genocide “Genocide Revealed” is filmed in Kharkiv Oblast, directed by Yurij Luhovy (center) Revealed” is based on testimonies of survi- rated by internationally renowned Quebec with Adriana Luhova (cameraperson). actress Geneviève Bujold; and the English- language version narrated by Canadian Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene. An educational English-language ver- ПЛЕМ’Я ПЛАСТУНОК „ПЕРШІ СТЕЖІ“ sion, which has both 26-minute and влаштовує 52-minute shortened versions on one DVD, is available. Teachers are using it in Canadian provinces that have Holodomor „ДЕННИЙ ТАБІР ПТАШАТ ПРИ ПЛАСТІ“ study and 20th century genocides included для дітей від 4 до 6 років, які володіють in their Education Department’s curricu- lum. The U.S. Holodomor Educational (розуміють і розмовляють) українською мовою Committee called the documentary “an excellent educational resource film” and • Дитині має виповнитися 4 роки до 31 серпня 2017 р. Вийнятків немає. the UCC National Holodomor Awareness • Дитина мусить мати усі приписані щеплення. Committee describes it as “highly recom- • Дитина, яка склала Заяву Вступу до новацтва, не може брати участи в таборaх для Пташат. mended as a teaching resource.” A Ukrainian-language educational ver- sion for teachers will soon be released. The Табір відбудеться на Союзівці у двох групах: feature-length film “Okradena Zemlya,” • від неділі 25 червня до суботи 1 липня 2017 р. which is endorsed by the Ukrainian World • від неділі 2 липня до суботи 8 липня 2017 р. Congress, was recently premiered in Kyiv to a standing ovation at “Ukrayinskyi Dim,” У справі кімнат просимо порозуміватися прямо з Адміністрацією Союзівки: Speaking at the Kyiv premiere on November SOYUZIVKA, P. O. Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446 2016, Kyiv historian Prof. Volodymyr Serhiychuk emphasized the need to com- (845) 626-5641; www. Soyuzivka.com; Fax: 845-626-4638 plete the Ukrainian-language educational version for schools. • Tаборова оплата: $150.00 ($20.00 незворотні); оплата за два тижні 290.00 дол. The documentaries were made possible • Зголошення і таборову оплату (чек виписаний на Plast – Pershi Stezhi) надсилати до: with the support of community organiza- tions, foundations and individuals, includ- Mrs. Oresta Fedyniak, 2626 W. Walton Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 ing the Shevchenko Foundation. To access the new website and more Tel.: 773 486-0394 (від 8:00 до 10:00 ранку) information about the documentaries, go to www.genociderevealedmovie.com. • Реченець зголошень: 30 травня 2017 р. • Після реченця зголошень не приймаємо. • Лікарську посвідку НЕ пересилати з анкетою зголошення. Просимо передати при реєстрації. Are you a supporter КАРТА ЗГОЛОШЕННЯ НА ТАБІР ПТАШАТ-2017 of our Publication Ім’я і прізвище дитини ...... по-українськи і по-англійськи Endowment Fund? Дата народження ...... In May 2014, the Ukrainian National Association established the Адреса ...... Publication Endowment Fund, thus Телефон ...... E-mail ...... taking a step toward ensuring the continuing good work and service to Просимо залучити посвідку дати народження дитини, яку вписуєтe на табір перший раз the community at large of its two most important fraternal benefits: ☐ від 25 червня до 1 липня 2017 р. ☐ від 2 липня до 8 липня 2017 р. The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda. Величина таборової сорочинки дитини: ☐ 6-8, ☐10-12, ☐14-16. To contribute to the endowment ☐ Залучую чек на суму $...... ☐ Резервую кімнату на Союзівці and secure these newspapers’ future, donors should make checks payable to the Ukrainian National ...... Foundation, the UNA’s charitable ім’я і прізвище матері (подати дівоче прізвище) arm, with the notation in the memo line: FBO (that’s short for “for the Завваги ...... benefit of”) Publication Endowment Fund. Checks should be mailed to ...... the UNA Home Office at 2200 Route ...... 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054...... Підпис батька або матері Thank you for your anticipated support! No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 21

DakhaBrakha to perform in New York

Kevin Yatarola DakhaBrakha, the famed world music quartet from Ukraine. NEW YORK – On Saturday, April 15, at Contemporary Art (DAKH). The name astonishingly powerful and uncompromis- moshka; and Nina Garenetska on vocals, 7:30 p.m., Schimmel Center will welcome means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian lan- ing vocal range creates a trans-national cello and bass drum. back the Ukrainian world-music quartet guage. Theatre work has left its mark on sound rooted in Ukrainian culture. Schimmel Center is located in the heart DakhaBrakha after a sold out performance the band’s performances as their shows At the crossroads of Ukrainian folklore of Downtown Manhattan at Pace in May of 2016. have never been staged without scenic and theater, its musical spectrum is inti- University. Its address is 3 Spruce St. (near The evening will showcase music from effects. The group has termed its sound mate then riotous, plumbing the depths of the new Fulton Center and just blocks from the group’s latest album, which has been “ethno-chaos.” contemporary roots and rhythms, inspiring One World Trade Center). titled “The Road,” and is dedicated to the Having experimented with Ukrainian cultural and artistic liberation. The center’s mission to present interna- people who have died for Ukrainian free- folk music, the band has added rhythms of The four-person ensemble includes tionally acclaimed artists in the fields of dom. The album was released in December the surrounding world into their music, Marko Halanevych on vocals, darbuka, dance, cabaret, music, comedy, lecture, 2016. thus creating bright, unique and unforget- table and accordion; Iryna Kovalenko on world music and dance and family pro- DakhaBrakha was founded in 2004 by table music. Accompanied by Indian, vocals, djembe, bass drums, accordion, gramming. For more information, readers Vladyslav Troitskyi, an avant-garde theater Arabic, African, Russian and Australian tra- bugay, zgaleyka and piano; Olena Tsybulska may visit SchimmelCenter.org or call 212- director at the Kyiv Center of ditional instrumentation, the quartet’s on vocals, bass drums, percussion and gar- 346-1715. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14 No. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 23

April 3-5 Pysanka Ukrainian Easter Egg Art class, with instruction April 7 Exhibit featuring Chicago-based artists, “Natural Casper, WY by Lisa McDonald, Casper College Continuing Education, through May 28 Inclinations,” Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, www.caspercollege.edu or 307-250-4633 Chicago www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522

April 4 Discussion with Anne Applebaum and James Kirchick, April 7-30 Exhibit, “Chornobyl: Artists Respond,” Ukrainian Institute New York “The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues and the Coming New York of America, 212-288-8660 or www.ukrainianinstitute.org Dark Age,” Bohemian National Hall, 212-854-4623 April 8 Presentation by Viktoriya Sereda, “Identity Changes After New York Maidan,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130 April 5 Presentation, “Ukraine 2016-2017: Progress, Opportunities Washington and Challenges,” Atlantic Council, www.atlanticcouncil.com April 8 Volunteer Day Spring Clean-up, Soyuzivka Heritage Kerhonkson, NY Center, www.soyuzivka.com April 5 Presentation, “The Hundred-Year Legacy of the Russian Washington Revolution and the World Today,” Woodrow Wilson April 8 Performance presentation, “Kobzaring in the New World,” Center for Scholars, Ronald Reagan Building and Chicago with Jurij Fedynskyj, Ukrainian National Museum, International Trade Center, www.wilsoncenter.org 312-421-8020

April 5 Presentation by Viktoriya Sereda and filmmaker Andriy April 8 Easter bazaar, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cambridge, MA Pryymachenko, “Decommunization UA: A Series of Kerhonkson, NY 845-647-6911 Perspectives on Decommunization in Ukraine,” Harvard April 8 Easter bazaar, Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, University, www.huri.harvard.edu Ottawa St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine hall, [email protected] April 6 Panel discussion and luncheon, “Ukraine Dialogue: Education Jenkintown, PA as the Battlefront of Democracy,” Manor College, April 8 Pysanka workshop, Organization for the Defense of www.manor.edu/ukraine Yonkers, NY Lemkivshchyna, St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.lemko-ool.com/pysanka_workshop.html April 6 Poetry evening, “Piat’: Five poets whose parents were New York seagulls, first-generation Ukrainian American poets give April 8-9 Concert, “Kobzari: A Celebration of Shevchenko,” featuring voice to their times,” The Ukrainian Museum, Edmonton, AB the Shumka Dancers and the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org North Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, www.ticketmaster.ca

April 7 Discussion, “The End of Europe: A Conversation with April 8-30 Exhibit, “Petrykivka: A Ukrainian Folk Phenomenon and New York Anne Applebaum and James Kirchick,” Columbia New York Living Tradition,” featuring the collection of Natalie University, www.columbia.edu Pawlenko and Yuri Mischenko, Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 April 7 Fish fry dinner, Ukrainian American Citizens’ Philadelphia Association, www.ukieclub.com or 215-627-8790 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 April 7 First Friday dinner at Soyuzivka, 845-626-5641 or from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Kerhonkson, NY [email protected] and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 No. 14

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Saturday, April 8 Ukraine after 1991. The lecture will take place at the society’s building, 63 Fourth NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Ave. (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 6 Society invites all to a lecture, “Identity p.m. For additional information call 212- Changes after Maidan” by Dr. Viktoriya 254-5130. Sereda, associate professor of sociology at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv Saturday, April 22 and a post-doctoral research fellow at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Museum and (2016-2017). The lecture will take place at Yara Arts Group present “Serhiy Zhadan and the society’s building, 63 Fourth Ave. Friends.” Mr. Zhadan will be reading his (between Ninth and 10th streets) at 5 p.m. work in Ukrainian, while Yara artists will For additional information call 212-254- read translations in English. Come hear Bob 5130. Holman, Marina Celander and Sean Eden perform Zhadan poems with Julian Kytasty. Tuesday, April 11 Mr. Zhadan will also read with jazz musician NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific Fima Chupakhin on piano. Join us to hear Society invites all to an art exhibit by Valery some of the most exciting poetry from Hnatenko (1947-1987). The event is pre- Ukraine today. The presentation is directed sented to commemorate the 70th anniversa- by Virlana Tkacz (Yara Arts Group). The per- ry of the artist’s birth and the 30th anniver- formance is at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited; sary of his death, as well as the 45th anniver- order tickets in advance online. Admission is sary of political arrests in Soviet Ukraine in $25; $20 for members, seniors and students. 1972. The exhibit will include portraits, The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 E. drawings and documents from the dissident Sixth St.; telephone, 212-228-0110; website, movement, as well as books printed in www.ukrainianmuseum.org.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief paragraph that includes the date, place, type of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations involved, and a phone number and/or e-mail address to be published for readers who may require additional information. Items must be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publi- cation (i.e., they must be received by 9 am Monday morning). Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be pub- lished. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be contact- ed by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. Information should be sent to [email protected]. When e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments – simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. Preview items and payments may be mailed to: Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.