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ïêàëíéë ÇéëäêÖë! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE KRAINIAN EEKLY T PublishedU by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profitW association Vol. LXXVI No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 $1/$2 in Forty-eight vie for mayor; Ukraine launches nationwide Chernovetskyi front-runner standardized admission testing by Illya M. Labunka by Illya M. Labunka in the examination process during the first Kyiv Press Bureau Kyiv Press Bureau session will have the opportunity to take the standardized tests during the second KYIV – As the democratic coalition KYIV – Ukrainian high school seniors session of examination, scheduled to run on forces failed to unite behind a single candi- eager to be considered for admission to June 26-July 4. date for the post of mayor of Ukraine’s institutions of higher learning took part in Although the tests in language and liter- capital city, the number of hopefuls wish- the first phase of Ukraine’s largest-ever ature are mandatory for all examinees, dur- ing to be Kyiv’s next top politician contin- nationwide independent standardized test- ing each testing session every student also ues to increase. ing program on April 22. Of the 512,591 has the opportunity to choose one or two At last count, on April 18 the Kyiv students who managed to register by the (depending on a specific university’s Territorial Election Commission officially March 1 deadline for the newly initiated requirements) additional subjects out of a registered 48 candidates for the pre-term Ukrainian version of the U.S. College total of 10 required for examination. The mayoral elections scheduled for May 25. Board Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) additional subjects range from the tradition- In a campaign that is increasingly Examination program, approximately al sciences, which include biology, chem- viewed as a pre-cursor to the presidential 460,282 individuals throughout Ukraine istry, mathematics and physics, to the elections in 2009, the list of the top five tested their knowledge of the Ukrainian humanities, consisting of Ukrainian history, contenders includes a former mayor, a language and . world history, world literature, economics banker, a boxer and a current vice-prime Cutty Sark Co. Ukraine’s Ministry of Education engaged and law. minister. over 20,000 teachers at 1,888 nationwide Kyiv mayoral race front-runner Leonid The grading process will be supervised According to the latest polls, the incum- testing stations during the three-hour exami- Chernovetskyi. by the recently government-established bent, , a former nation procedure as part of the govern- Independent Testing Information Center banker, holds an 8 percent lead over his ment’s sweeping policy aimed at eradicat- sor, Oleksander Omelchenko, would gar- (ITIC), which operates nine regional affili- closest rival, the former heavyweight-box- ing corruption in the higher education ates throughout the country. In the fall of ing champion . ner 11 percent of the votes, followed by 8 admission process. Approximately 6,000 percent for Mykola Katerynchuk. 2008 the Ukrainian government is sched- According to Serhiy Taran, head of the volunteers representing 80 civic organiza- uled to relinquish its administration of the Socio-Vymir Center for Sociological and Both Mr. Katerynchuk and Mr. tions acted as independent proctors through- Omelchenko are currently national ITIC, at which time various civic organiza- Political Research which conducted a sur- out the country during the examination. tions will assume management and super- vey on April 9-April 13, if the pre-term deputies in the and mem- “Virtually the entire world has adopted bers of the Our Ukraine – People’s Self vision of the institution. mayoral elections were held in mid-April, the standardized testing model. Ukraine is For the time being, the grading system Mr. Chernovetskyi would receive 30 per- Defense bloc (OU-PSD). Yet, as a result the only former Soviet country which stub- of their decision to run for , for standardized testing is based on a two- cent of the electoral vote. Vitali Klitschko, bornly follows the old system of admission. both candidates have formed their own tiered spectrum, namely the traditional as Mr. Chernovetskyi’s greatest political Ukraine’s choice of European integration eponymous blocs for the mayoral cam- domestic academic 12-point scale, and the threat, would receive 22 percent of the bal- necessitates its society to undergo the cur- paign and are self-nominees. Western-type 100-point scale, ranging from lots. Current Vice-Prime Minister rent catharsis,” said Minister of Education Former Mayor Oleksander 100 points to 200 points. Each examinee Oleksander Turchynov of the Yulia and former Rector of Lviv University Ivan Omelchenko said he is running for must chalk up at least four to five points Tymoshenko Bloc would receive 12 per- Vakarchuk. mayor of Kyiv again because he wants to according to the 12-point bar, or a required cent of the electorate, while Kyiv’s former The current testing session will continue mayor and Mr. Chernovetskyi’s predeces- (Continued on page 4) until June 4. Anyone unable to participate (Continued on page 5) “” comes to Ukrainian American Cultural Center of N.J. by Roma Hadzewycz WHIPPANY, N.J. – Ukraine’s acclaimed Theater of Kyiv brought the musical drama “Natalka Poltavka” to the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACC- NJ) on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13. The performance – the North American premiere of this new produc- tion of the beloved play by (1769-1838) – was present- ed by the Arts, Culture and Education Committee of the UACCNJ. “Natalka Poltavka” was performed to a sold-out auditorium on Sunday afternoon and to near-capacity audiences on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The production featured Ukrainian rock star Oleh Skrypka as the matchmak- er and award-winning soloist Tetyana Roma Hadzewycz Mikhina as Natalka. Other principal roles On stage at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey at the conclusion of “Natalka Poltavka” (from left) were played by Pavlo Piskun (Petro), are: Oleksander Formanchuk (who played the role of Mykola), Pavlo Piskun (Petro), Tetyana Mikhina (Natalka), Oleh Skrypka (matchmaker), Larysa Rusnak (Natalka’s mother) and Petro Panchuk (mayor). (Continued on page 10) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS

Can the ruling coalition hold together? Ukraine complains to U.N. about er of sovereignty and the only source of power in Ukraine, may execute at a nation- by Pavel Korduban that 23 percent to 25 percent of KYIV – Ukraine has complained to the al referendum called at the people’s initia- Eurasia Daily Monitor are ready to vote for Ms. United Nations about statements made by tive its exclusive right to define and Tymoshenko in a presidential election, Russian officials regarding Ukraine’s sov- change the constitutional system in The ruling coalition of Prime Minister while support for Mr. Yushchenko is ereignty, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service Ukraine, through adopting a constitution ’s bloc and President under 10 percent. reported on April 22. The Ukrainian via a procedure defined by the Constitution ’s Our Ukraine – The president has urged the prime Foreign Affairs Ministry delivered the and the law,” -Ukraine reported. People’s Self-Defense is on the verge of minister to amend the 2008 state budget statement to the U.N. headquarters in New However, the ruling reportedly explains breaking apart. Mr. Yushchenko’s team as it was based on the expectation that York. Yuriy Sergeyev, Ukraine’s perma- that a new constitution may not be directly not only criticizes Ms. Tymoshenko’s inflation would be around 10 percent nent representative to the United Nations, approved by a national referendum until economic policy but also publicly accus- annually, but it reached 9.7 percent just said that “the stance stated by the Russian the Verkhovna Rada amends the current es her of fostering corruption. Ms. in the period from January to March. Ms. Federation might have unforeseen effects Constitution of Ukraine regarding the Tymoshenko, for her part, has been tor- Tymoshenko said that she saw no point on peace and security.” Earlier this month, mechanisms and procedures for staging pedoing Mr. Yushchenko’s efforts to in amending the budget for the time Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov such a referendum. (RFE/RL Newsline) strengthen the presidential rule. being. On March 19 the Tymoshenko said that Russia “will do everything to pre- The situation is similar to the crisis of Cabinet ruled to privatize four regional vent Ukraine and from being Move toward parliamentary republic September 2005, when President accepted into NATO,” while the Russian power-generating companies. The KYIV – Prime Minister Yulia Yushchenko fired Ms. Tymoshenko from Presidential Secretariat warned that the daily Kommersant reported on April 8 that the post of prime minister, but there is Russian President Vladimir Putin “actually Tymoshenko told ICTV on April 20 that decision could lead to the bankruptcy of after the Easter holiday the Verkhovna one fundamental difference. In line with the state-run Energy Company of threatened that Russia will begin tearing the constitutional amendments that came away Crimea and eastern Ukraine” from Rada will adopt in its first reading consti- Ukraine, which manages the four compa- tutional changes with regard to transform- into force in 2006, the president cannot nies. Ms. Tymoshenko ignored the warn- Kyiv’s authority if the country is offered dismiss the prime minister. This is within NATO. (RFE/RL Newsline) ing Ukraine into a parliamentary republic. ing, and Mr. Yushchenko issued a decree She said there are two forms of govern- the jurisdiction of Parliament, where Mr. on April 11 canceling the privatization Yushchenko is very far from command- Tymoshenko for parliamentary republic ment in the world, presidential and parlia- decision, saying that it “threatened the mentary, and they cannot be mixed. “I ing a majority. state’s economic security.” KYIV – Prime Minister Yulia The Tymoshenko government has come out against the chaos and against two President Yushchenko accused Prime Tymoshenko told journalists in Strasbourg, centers of power,” she said. “I think that increased social spending, and it plans to Minister Tymoshenko on March 28 of , on April 16 that she wants Ukraine use privatization proceedings to keep Ms. the parliamentary form of government will failing to settle the debt for Russian gas. to undergo a constitutional reform in order introduce at last an order similar to that in Tymoshenko’s election promise to repay He estimated the debt to Gazprom at $2 to become a parliamentary republic, savings in the defunct Soviet State Germany. There will be a chancellor and billion, and warned Ms. Tymoshenko of Ukrainian media reported. “We must there will be an order,” Ms. Tymoshenko Savings Bank through the Ukrainian state an imminent “gas war.” Ms. Tymoshenko untangle the functions of the executive savings bank, Oshchadbank. said. The prime minister said that the pres- calmly replied that the debt was lower, at powers and make Ukraine a traditional idency will be preserved, as well as nation- Mr. Yushchenko’s team maintains that some $900 million, and she pledged to parliamentary republic, which is typical of this policy is populist and will unbalance wide presidential elections. (RFE/RL continue talks with Russia. European countries,” Interfax-Ukraine Newsline) the economy, but this policy increases Mr. Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko quoted her as saying. Ms. Tymoshenko Ms. Tymoshenko’s popularity ahead of also disagreed over the early mayoral also said that reforming the judiciary and PRU re-elects Yanukovych next year’s presidential election race in election in Kyiv. Mr. Yushchenko was instituting public control over the authori- which she is expected to challenge against the election, but in March ties must become the two other key aspects KYIV – The Party of the Regions President Yushchenko. Opinion polls of the constitutional reform, which she (PRU), Ukraine’s largest opposition party, conducted in March and April showed (Continued on page 21) said could be successfully completed by on April 19 unanimously re-elected Viktor the end of 2008. Speaking to a session of Yanukovych as its chairman, RFE/RL’s the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Ukrainian Service reported. According to of Europe in Strasbourg the same day, the the party charter approved at the congress, prime minister stressed that Ukraine is Mr. Yanukovych will also head the politi- Putin’s “near abroad” is “NATO’s East” determined to conduct all the necessary cal council and its presidium. The congress reforms in order to gain membership in the approved a program that preserves the by Vladimir Socor states, particularly Latvia, that he had European Union. She also reiterated that party’s goals: transition to a parliamentary- Eurasia Daily Monitor started in the closed-door meeting. Ukraine can join NATO only after a presidential form of government, a decen- April 10 Repeating ’s familiar, unsubstan- national referendum. (RFE/RL Newsline) tralization process ceding as much power tiated charges against Latvian and as possible to the regions, granting the At his press conference following his Estonian citizenship policies, he criticized Ruling on constitutional referendum official status and mili- address to the session of the NATO-Russia NATO for accepting such “undemocratic” tary neutrality. In the area of foreign poli- Council (NRC), Russian President countries in the alliance. KYIV – The Constitutional Court on (Continued on page 14) Vladimir Putin engaged in a lengthy Mr. Putin seemed stung by Latvian April 18 ruled that “the people, as the bear- indictment of NATO policies across the President Valdis Zatlers’ response to him board (www.kremlin.ru, Interfax, April 4, in the closed-door NRC meeting. Mr. 5). Predictably criticizing the alliance’s Zatlers, departing from the common prac- FOUNDED 1933 open door to former Soviet-controlled tice of not taking issue with Mr. Putin, THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY countries, he gave a new focus to an old rebutted the latter’s inaccurate accusations argument: “We view the arrival at our bor- during the meeting. In his debut at a An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., ders of a military bloc, whose membership NATO summit, the recently elected a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. commitments include Article 5, as a direct Latvian president also turned out to be one threat to our country’s security.” To object of the most eloquent supporters of Periodicals postage paid at Parsippany, NJ 07054 and additional mailing offices. specifically to the alliance’s bedrock Membership Action Plans (MAPs) for (ISSN — 0273-9348) defensive clause as a “threat” implies that Georgia and Ukraine (Diena, Neatkariga The Weekly: UNA: Russia prefers to see its neighbors unde- Rita Avize, April 7, 8). Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 fended. Mr. Putin mentioned approvingly the The Russian president said that the U.S. Russian Black Sea Fleet’s participation in Postmaster, send address changes to: “bases” in Romania and Bulgaria and the NATO’s Active Endeavor naval patrolling The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz planned elements of an anti-missile operation in the Mediterranean. Initiated 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas defense system in Poland and the Czech by NATO several years ago for political P.O. Box 280 Republic were an “infrastructure on symbolism, Russian participation remains Parsippany, NJ 07054 Russia’s borders.” While geographically minimal, redundant and hardly a symbol false, the assertion is politically signifi- of improved relations. The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] cant, implying a Russian claim to a say in Russia, meanwhile, has successfully The Ukrainian Weekly, April 27, 2008 No. 17, Vol. LXXVI these countries or compensation through resisted an extension of Active Endeavor Copyright © 2008 The Ukrainian Weekly trade-offs elsewhere. from the Mediterranean into the Black Mr. Putin criticized the NATO air polic- Sea, which NATO and the United States ing mission in the Baltic states, which had sought by way of reciprocity. Russia consists of only four to five interceptor would not have been able to veto the oper- ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA planes rotating at a Lithuanian base, but ation’s extension into the Black Sea; but he called it merely an “irritation,” thus NATO member Turkey ultimately did so Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 hinting that Russia could live with the within the alliance, as part of Ankara’s e-mail: [email protected] present size of the mission but would overall rapprochement with Moscow. Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 object to an increase beyond this minimal- No one contradicted Mr. Putin’s mis- e-mail: [email protected] ist size. representation of the situation with the Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 At the news conference, Mr. Putin con- e-mail: [email protected] tinued the polemics against the Baltic (Continued on page 22) No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 3 U.S. human rights report shows continuing problems for Ukraine This is the first in a series of install- where no records were kept on detainees. legal watchdog organizations noted that local officials. Continued dependence by ments of the 2007 Human Rights Report Police corruption remained a problem. the court continued to show independence some media on government resources on Ukraine by the U.S. State Department’s Authorities made greater efforts to expose during the year. may have inhibited investigative and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and police abuses, increasing disciplinary The Constitution includes procedural critical reporting. Labor. Compiled by Matthew Dubas. actions against law enforcement officials provisions intended to ensure a fair trial, According to the national media watch- compared to previous years. including the right of suspects or witnesses dog NGO Institute for Mass Information Part 1 Lengthy pretrial detention remained a to refuse to testify against themselves or (IMI), at least 22 journalists were subject- During the year politicians and politi- problem. While the law provides that pre- their relatives; however, these rights were ed to physical attacks or intimidation by cally active businessmen were the victims trial detention may not last more than two limited by the absence of implementing year’s end. The majority of these cases, of sometimes fatal attacks that may have months, in cases involving exceptionally legislation, which left a largely Soviet-era however, did not appear to be centrally been politically motivated, however, busi- grave offenses a judge of the Supreme criminal justice system in place. The organized and were often attributed to ness, government and criminal activities Court may extend detention to 18 months. defendant is formally presumed innocent, local politicians or organized criminal were intertwined to such an extent that it Human rights organizations reported but the system maintains high conviction groups. was often difficult to determine the that police continued using the maximum rates, similar to that of the Soviet era. Both the independently- and govern- motives. term of 72 hours for pretrial detention to The law provides for broad use of ment-owned media continued to demon- Violent hazing of military conscripts extract evidence that could be used against juries, but a system of juries had not been strate a tendency toward self-censorship on and government monitoring of private the detained person. Often courts extended implemented and juries were not used dur- matters that the government deemed sensi- communications without judicial oversight detention to 10 days to allow police more ing the year. Most cases were decided by tive. Although private newspapers were continued to be problem areas as well. time to get confessions. judges who sit singly, although the law free to function on a purely commercial The law prohibits the abuse of psychia- Reports continued of police arbitrarily requires that two judges and three public basis, they often depended on political try for political and other non-medical rea- detaining persons, particularly persons of assessors (lay judges or professional jurors patrons who could facilitate financial sup- sons and provides safeguards against such port from the State Press Support Fund and abuse, but on a few occasions, according received close scrutiny from government to the Ukrainian American Human Rights The judiciary lacked independence. officials, particularly at the local level. Bureau (UAHRB), persons involved in Libel is considered a civil offense and property, inheritance or divorce disputes There were indications that suspects the use or threat of civil libel suits contin- were wrongfully diagnosed with schizo- ued to inhibit freedom of the press during phrenia and confined to psychiatric institu- often bribed court officials to drop the year. Courts may freeze the accounts tions. of a publication pending appeal of a libel NGOs found widespread violations charges before cases went to trial conviction, a step that could ruin many including failure to inform persons who publications. Government entities and were voluntarily hospitalized of the overall or to lessen or commute sentences. public figures, in particular, continued to duration of their stay; failure to inform use the threat of civil suits based on patients of their diagnosis or what medica- alleged damage to a “person’s honor and with some legal training) must hear cases tions they were given; lack of knowledge non-Slavic appearance, for extensive doc- integrity” to influence or intimidate the that involve the possibility of a life prison concerning patients’ rights in psychiatric ument checks and vehicle inspections. press. Media watchdog groups continued In cases of amnesty, as of December sentence, the maximum penalty in the hospitals; humiliation by hospital staff; to express concern over extremely high 2006 President Yushchenko had pardoned country’s criminal justice system. and violation of patients’ rights to free monetary damages that were demanded, 962 persons, including women, elderly By law a trial must begin no later than medical assistance. and sometimes awarded, by courts for men, persons with disabilities and persons three weeks after criminal charges have According to the Ukrainian Psychiatric alleged libel. with several children. On June 6, 2007, the been filed with the court; however, this Association, attitudes toward monitoring The government did not restrict access president signed the Law on Amnesty that requirement rarely was met by the over- abuses in psychiatric facilities differed to the Internet, but there was monitoring established criteria for amnesty, including burdened court system. within the government. For example, by law enforcement bodies. the severity of crime committed, illness, While the law specifies that a defendant while the Ministry of Labor and Social The government did not restrict aca- old age and the length of time already may speak with a lawyer in private, Policy set up a division to monitor mental demic freedom, but academic freedom was served. human rights groups reported that officials an underdeveloped and poorly understood health facilities during the year, the Serious corruption and inefficiency in occasionally denied this client-attorney Ministry of Health did not always cooper- concept. Most major universities were all branches of government and the mili- privilege. Often free legal counsel was not state-owned; while university rectors had a ate with human rights groups attempting tary services also continued. The judiciary available, although this is required by law. to monitor abuse of psychiatry and mal- degree of autonomy, curriculum and lacked independence. There were indica- To protect defendants, investigative files degree standards were tightly controlled by treatment of patients. tions that suspects often bribed court offi- must contain signed documents attesting Despite laws to protect the rights of the Ministry of Education. Administrators cials to drop charges before cases went to that defendants have been informed of the of universities and academic and research service members and regulations that gov- trial or to lessen or commute sentences. charges against them, of their right to an ern relationships among military person- institute directors could silence colleagues Except for the Supreme Court, attorney at public expense, and of their by denying the ability to publish, withhold- nel, reports continued during the year of Constitutional Court and highly special- right not to give evidence against them- hazing violence against conscripts in the ing pay and housing benefits, and directly ized courts, the courts were funded selves or their relatives. However, officials terminating them. armed forces. Senior conscripts frequently through the State Judicial Administration sometimes verbally and physically abused beat recruits, forced them to give up Since there is no national law govern- (SJA), which was also responsible for defendants to obtain their signatures. As ing freedom of assembly, the Code of money and gifts received from home, and staffing courts. The ministries of justice defendants increasingly became aware of made junior conscripts work in their place, Administrative Justice and case law gov- and education were responsible for train- their rights, they insisted on observance of erned assemblies. Moreover, local authori- a practice known as “didivshchyna.” ing judges. The judiciary’s lack of ade- these procedures; however, many ties often referred to a Soviet-era resolu- According to the Association of Soldiers’ quate staff and funds contributed to ineffi- remained unaware of these safeguards. tion on freedom of assembly that was Mothers, official punishment for commit- ciency and corruption and increased its The law provides that the names and more restrictive than the current ting or condoning hazing was insufficient dependence on the executive branch. addresses of victims and witnesses may be Constitution. to deter the practice. According to the SJA, only 60 percent of kept confidential if they request protec- The Constitution requires that demon- According to NGOs, although prison actual court expenses were covered by the tion. However, criminal groups routinely strators inform authorities of a planned conditions remained poor, they continued national budget in 2006, forcing the courts used intimidation to induce victims and demonstration in advance. The Soviet-era to improve slowly as a result of reforms in to either curtail activities or seek funds witnesses to withdraw or change their tes- resolution, which local governments the penal system and the establishment of from other authorities, thereby undermin- timony. The law requires that a special sometimes used to define “advance Ministry of Internal Affairs mobile moni- ing their independence. police unit protect judges, witnesses, notice,” stipulates that organizations must toring groups. Failure to enforce court decisions in defendants and their relatives, but human apply for permission at least 10 days Knowledgeable independent experts civil cases also undermined the authority rights organizations claimed that this sys- before a planned event or demonstration. noted that overcrowding at detention facil- and independence of the judicial system. tem still did not function effectively. In practice unlicensed demonstrations ities remained a problem, particularly in The State Executive Service is responsible Non-enforcement of court judgments were common and generally occurred police temporary holding facilities. for enforcing most civil decisions, and the remained a problem. During the year the without police interference, fines or deten- Overcrowding and poor conditions in pre- number of cases referred to it continued to European Courts Human Rights (ECHR) tion, although there were several excep- trial detention have exacerbated the prob- grow. Existing provisions permitting crim- supported three such applications against tions. lem of tuberculosis (TB) among prisoners. inal punishment for noncompliance with the government. The government generally respected the Prison officials stated that mandatory court decisions were rarely used. The The judiciary suffered from corruption. right of freedom of association, but in screening of all new inmates for the dis- chairs of the Supreme Court, the regional Judges have immunity from prosecution practice, some restrictions remained. ease had reduced infection rates and courts and the Kyiv municipal court (or and cannot be detained or arrested without Registration requirements for organiza- human rights organizations noted place- their deputies) have the authority to sus- the consent of Parliament. tions were extensive, but there were no ment of X-ray machines in several prison pend court decisions, which provided In practice, authorities did not respect reports that the government used them facilities as a positive development. HIV- additional opportunities for outside inter- the right of citizen’s privacy, including during the year to disband existing legiti- infected prisoners were frequently not ference, manipulation and corruption. arbitrary intrusive surveillance and search- mate organizations or prevent new ones allowed to receive specialized medication. During the year there were reports of es without a court-issued warrant, as the from being formed. Arbitrary arrest or detention remained pressure on Constitutional Court judges, in necessary implementing legislation had The law places restrictions on organiza- problems in 2007. Human rights organiza- particular after the April presidential not been enacted. tions that advocate violence or racial and tions reported that, as in 2006, there were decree to dissolve the Parliament, as well There were no reports that the central religious hatred, or that threaten public long delays for detainees awaiting trial. as of a number of corruption allegations authorities attempted to direct media order or health. On March 28, 2007, the They cited examples of arrests without involving its judges. content; however, there were reports of court warrants and, in some cases, of cases Human rights groups, the media and intimidation of journalists, including by (Continued on page 4) 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

Pavlo Terekhov Oleksander Prokopenko/UNIAN Oleksander Prokopenko/UNIAN Yevgeny Orlovsky/UNIAN Vitali Klitschko Oleksander Turchynov Oleksander Omelchenko Mykola Katerynchuk

rent top five candidates continue their cam- Mr. Katerynchuk will be an obstacle to Mr. when the prime minister took office. And Forty-eight vie... paign to the end, then Chernovetskyi would Klitschko’s mayoral aspirations. although the YTB’s No. 1 goal in the elec- (Continued from page 1) win in the first round of elections,” said According to Mr. Katerynchuk himself, four tion – which takes precedence even over out of five people who will vote for him the mayoral position – is to gain a majority devise a fair utility rates system and solve Ms. Bekeshkina. If a second round of elections were to be could have cast their votes in favor of Mr. of seats (61) on the , as the traffic problem. Utility costs skyrock- held, Mr. Vyshniak is convinced that Mr. Klitschko. well as the secretarial chair in the council, it eted over the last two years under Klitschko would trounce every candidate, At one point, Mr. Katerynchuk held is doubtful that the prime minister’s party Chernovetsky's reign. Omelchenko including Mr. Chernovetskyi. At present, negotiations with Mr. Klitschko in order to will gain the necessary 50 percent plus one claims Kyiv's woes are partially due to Mr. Chernovetskyi’s most stalwart and loyal form a single campaign bloc. He offered to vote to solidify a majority. Chernovetsky's nepotism, which, accord- supporters include pensioners who have and withdraw his candidacy if Mr. Klitschko According to Volodymyr Fesenko, head ing to the former mayor, is directly linked continue to receive various perks from the agreed to accept seven of Mr. of the Penta Center for Political Research, to the Presidential Secretariat. current mayor. Mr. Klitschko, on the other Katerynchuk’s fellow bloc members on his although timing may not have been a favor- Mr. Turchynov will be representing the hand, enjoys the greatest support among electoral list. Mr. Klitschko turned down able factor for the bloc at the moment, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc as its only official middle-aged, employed voters who are the offer, refusing to bend to any compro- YTB still has a chance to pick up momen- mayoral candidate. Mr. Klitschko also has actually less active in the electoral process. mise. As a result, each candidate has since tum in the nearest future as the campaign created his own political campaign bloc According to political analyst Vadym accused the other of being the cause for the gets closer and closer to election day. and has been joined by National Rukh of Karasiov, one of the main differences possible re-election of Mr. Chernovetskyi. When asked how she plans to promote Ukraine leader and former Minister of between Mr. Chernovetskyi and Mr. Meanwhile, Mr. Turchynov’s chances, Mr. Turchynov’s campaign, the prime min- Foreign Affairs Borys Tarasyuk. Klitschko is the notion that Mr. with a rating of 12 percent, seem rather ister responded by stating that in her opin- Each mayoral candidate has established Chernovetskyi has bigger plans and ambi- slim, as poor timing may be his downfall. ion there is no need to give the residents of a political campaign bloc in the hope that tions beyond the mayoral seat, so much so For one thing, according to fellow YTB Kyiv any additional information. “They his bloc will gain as many seats as possible that, were he to win re-election he might colleague Pavlo Movchan, “there just isn’t know me and Mr. Turchynov very well, in the City Council, as Kyiv’s registered consider using his position as a springboard enough time to develop a solid campaign and our entire team. Our aim is very sim- voters will also be voting for a new munici- for the 2009 presidential elections. around Turchynov.” ple: we will propose the best that our team pal administration in May. On the other hand, Mr. Klitschko is fully In addition, Ms. Tymoshenko was has to offer,” added Ms. Tymoshenko. According to Iryna Bekeshkina of the committed to making Kyiv a world-class offered the possibility to consider the candi- According to Kost Bondarenko, director Democratic Initiatives Foundation and city on the level of such cities as New York dacy of Mr. Klitschko on a single campaign of the Horshenin Institute of Government Oleksander Vyshniak of the Ukrainian and Berlin, added Mr. Karasiov. list, but Ms. Tymoshenko refused the offer Management, based on a telephone survey Sociology Service, over the last four At the same time, Mr. Klitschko’s biggest and both democratic forces decided to go it conducted on April 11-15, approximately months only Mayor Chernovetskyi’s rat- threat appears to be a candidate who claims alone. As a result, Prime Minister 76.3 percent of Kyiv’s residents plan to vote ings have changed, in fact, improving, sig- to also have at one time engaged in the sport Tymoshenko’s personal choice for the may- in the upcoming pre-term mayoral elections. nificantly. In November of 2007 only 14.5 of boxing, namely Mr. Katerynchuk. For oral race has come under criticism. The amount of taxpayer money needed percent of the voters were ready to cast Mr. Katerynchuk, the mayoral elections are Furthermore, as inflation continues to to organize the upcoming elections will be their ballots for the current mayor. an opportunity to finally fulfill the goal of creep up, the YTB’s ratings, although still approximately $3.3 million according to “If the coalition forces do not manage to political self-determination. As a result of enjoying respectable figures, are no longer Andrii Mahera, deputy head of the Central put forward a single candidate and the cur- such ambitions, political experts agree that as high as they were in December 2007 Election Commission of Ukraine.

ular newsletters, although such articles The UNHCR noted that asylum seekers According to several NGOs, the process U.S. human rights... rarely appeared in the national press. often lacked registration documents during for registering asylum seekers was overly (Continued from page 3) The government cooperated with the the review of their cases and the appeal complicated and often left them without Bakhchisarai District Court upheld an Office of the UN High Commissioner for process because of an overly complicated registration documents. Under the law administrative appeal by the district prose- Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitari- and burdensome system of registration. authorities may quickly reject asylum cutor to suspend activities of the Eurasia an organizations in providing protections This left them without documents and vul- applications from individuals without for- Youth Union for three months for violating to asylum seekers, stateless persons and nerable to frequent stops by police, deten- mal registration as asylum seekers; the law other persons of concern. the law on holding public rallies. The tion and fines. Refugees and asylum seek- requires the government to conduct The government provided temporary ers, who frequently came from Africa and organization was known for organizing refugee status interviews within 15 days of protection for up to one year to persons Asia, were the victims of a growing num- anti-Ukrainian rallies and advocating the the application. return of the . who may not qualify as refugees under the ber of xenophobic attacks. 1951 convention and the 1967 protocol. In Human rights organizations noted that, Asylum seekers in detention centers There were restrictive conditions for the were sometimes unable to apply for formation of political parties, including the practice, however, the lack of a clearly although the Law on Refugees has some refugee status and had limited access to requirement to collect 10,000 signatures in defined asylum authority after the reorgan- provisions for asylum seekers, there was no less than two-thirds of the country’s ization of the State Committee for no state migration policy and at year’s end legal and other assistance. Refugees provinces (oblasts), the Autonomous Nationalities and Migration into the State five government agencies were responsible received minimal material assistance. Republic of Crimea, and the cities of Kyiv Committee of Nationalities and Religion for migration, including the SCNR, the There were no classes and Sevastopol. The requirement made it (SCNR) in November 2006 impeded the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor for refugees and asylum seekers and no nearly impossible for groups concentrated granting of asylum and refugee status. and Social Policy, the Ministry of Foreign procedures to facilitate their employment. in one region such as the Crimean Tatars to Unlike in the previous year, the govern- Affairs, and the State Border Guard According to the European Council on form a political party. ment provided some protection against Service (SBGS). This situation resulted in Refugees and Exiles and local partner Some minority and nontraditional reli- refoulement, the return of persons to a refusals to grant refugee status at various NGOs, there are currently 3,000 stateless gions experienced difficulties in registra- country when there is reason to believe they stages of the process, and corruption. The persons who came as refugees in the early tion and in buying and leasing property. feared persecution. However, human rights International Organization for Migration 1990s fleeing the conflict in Georgia. groups noted the current Law on Refugees There is no formal state religion; however, (IOM) expressed concern about the lack of A presidential decree of June 2006 does not provide for protection for war transparency in the process of returning local authorities at times favored the reli- established mechanisms allowing any for- gious majority in a particular region. refugees, victims of indiscriminate violence, migrants to their country of origin. eign national residing legally in the coun- Restitution of communal property con- and failed asylum seekers who could face The government generally cooperated fiscated during the Soviet era remained a the threat of torture, or loss of life or free- with the UNHCR and other humanitarian try to register their child born in Ukraine problem and was complicated by intra- dom, if deported. Informed observers organizations in assisting refugees and asy- as a Ukrainian citizen within three months communal competition. reported that the government may have lum seekers. Some NGOs expressed con- of submission of an application; this gives There were a number of acts of anti- repatriated Chechen refugees to Russia. cern that Chechens held at the Chop tem- children of asylum seekers and refugees Semitism, several of them involved physi- Some government officials expressed the porary accommodation facility were often from Georgia the opportunity to gain citi- cal attacks. Anti-Semitic articles appeared view that Chechens did not fall under the deported directly to Russia with insuffi- zenship without being included in immi- frequently in small publications and irreg- 1951 UN Refugee Convention. cient time to apply for asylum. gration quotas. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 5 Melanne Verveer receives Ukraine’s Princess Olha Award by Yaro Bihun focuses on expanding women’s participa- tion in politics and civil society, increasing WASHINGTON — Melanne Verveer, women’s entrepreneurship and fighting co-founder and chairman of the board of human rights abuses, particularly the traf- Vital Voices Global Partnership, received ficking of women and children. It provides Ukraine’s Princess Olha Award on April 16 international leadership training in collabo- during a special ceremony and reception in ration with Georgetown University, which her honor at the Embassy of Ukraine. enables women leaders to more effectively Ambassador Oleh Shamshur, who pre- contribute to the development of their soci- sented the award on behalf of President eties. Viktor Yushchenko, cited Ms. Verveer’s Earlier, Ms. Verveer served as assistant work at Vital Voices, which, he said, “plays to the president and chief of staff to the first an especially important role in the world in promoting the equality of women, helping lady in the Clinton administration. the empowerment of women, combatting Accepting the award, Ms. Verveer paid such things as trafficking of women and respect to her grandparents, who came to promoting many other very noble causes.” the United States more than 100 years ago. Addressing a small gathering of offi- “They and my parents raised me to value cials, diplomats, friends and colleagues of my heritage, to cherish my heritage and to Ms. Verveer, Ambassador Shamshur also always care about Ukraine and the praised the third-generation Ukrainian Ukrainian people,” she said. “And there American for never having forgotten were some very, very hard times for Ukraine and for doing much in her present Ukraine.” Yaro Bihun “That’s a huge part of who I am, and and former positions to promote its well- Melanne Verveer (center) with the Princess Olha medal she received from being. “(She) made sure that people in why this is especially meaningful to me,” Ambassador Oleh Shamshur (left) now affixed to her lapel, holds a Slava power in Washington understand Ukraine she said. “I think I was very privileged to Gerulak statuette she received from Nadia Matkiwsky (right) of the Children of and help Ukraine to solidify its independ- be in the U.S. government when Ukraine Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund. ence, promote reforms and democratic was newly independent and the U.S. was in a position to help.” change in Ukraine — which was very most memorable among them accompany- parents came from Ukraine, and they had important.” “And we did,” she added, in the areas of economics, democratic reform, health care ing President Bill Clinton to Ukraine in to immigrate to the United States in search Among those present were two visiting 1995 – the first-ever official visit of an of a better life – and their granddaughter Ukrainian government officials: Minister of and other social needs, as well as in elimi- American president to a democratic and returned with the president of the United Justice Mykola Onishchuk and Deputy nating the consequences of the Chornobyl free Ukraine. States.” Minister of Energy Volodymyr Makukha. nuclear disaster. “I will never forget standing with the “It was an especially meaningful Ambassador Shamshur also noted her And talking with women leaders from work in helping the victims of the Ukraine 10 years ago in the first Vital American delegation in front of moment that I know they would have been Chornobyl disaster through the Children of Voices conferences, she learned about Mariyinsky Palace and the band playing proud of. And I think they would be proud Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund human trafficking from Ukrainian women, the American national anthem and then the of this afternoon, too,” she added. (CCRDF), in which she serves on the board she said. “It was, really, the intercession of Ukrainian national anthem, ‘Shche ne The last speaker at the ceremony was of directors. the Ukrainian women that ultimately vmerla Ukrayina’,” the anthem she sang so Nadia Matkiwsky, the co-founder and Vital Voices Global Partnership is an inspired our country to do what we’ve done many times as a child. executive director of CCRDF, who praised international nonprofit organization that around the world on this global scurge.” “And I thought of my parents and I Ms. Verveer for her role in helping the chil- supports emerging women leaders in build- Ms. Verveer said there are many memo- wished they were alive, because they dren victims of Chornobyl. She presented ing democracies with strong economies. It ries she cherishes from those years, the would have been so proud of that Ms. Verveer with a small statue by Slava moment,” Ms. Verveer said. Gerulak of a woman with her arms open, “There I was, the granddaughter of four which, she said, reflects the approach to people – my paternal and maternal grand- others of “this phenomenal woman.” Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine launches... Ukraine, during a recent international con- (Continued from page 1) ference in Kyiv devoted to the implementa- minimum of 124 points based on the tion of Western educational standards in Western-type bar, otherwise the hopeful post-Soviet countries. Holodomor historian receives Ukraine award student becomes ineligible for university Not all colleges and universities in Ukraine are overly enthusiastic about the WASHINGTON – Cheryl A. admission. Madden, a professor of history Every institution of higher learning in standardized testing format. Traditional and more prestigious institutions of higher at the Community College of Ukraine must follow the same newly Rhode Island, has received the accepted standards for admission. Only learning such as National University of Kyiv are more Order of Princess Olha for her those institutions specializing exclusively research and for raising public in the study of foreign languages, creative interested in maintaining the status quo as awareness of the Holodomor, arts and sports are afforded the exception to newly introduced reforms tend to under- the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide the rule. mine their long-standing and imbedded, if of 1932-1933. Standardized testing has been undergo- not outdated, methods of admission. The national award was ing its introductory process in Ukraine In an apparent move to send a clear sig- announced by Ukraine’s since 2002 when the Renaissance nal of his desire for the educational reform Foundation initiated experimental exami- process to continue, on April 10 President President Viktor Yushchenko on nations on the high school level. Following Viktor Yushchenko fired Viktor Skopenko, November 29, 2007, and pre- President Viktor Yushchenko’s election in the longtime rector of National Taras sented to Prof. Madden on December 2004, standardized testing Shevchenko University of Kyiv, replacing February 20 at the Embassy of picked up momentum in 2005, gradually the ousted rector with Volodymyr Lytvyn, Ukraine in Washington by Dr. being introduced throughout the country on head of the eponymous bloc in Parliament. Oleh Shamshur, Ukraine’s a phase-by-phase basis as Ukraine’s Mr. Lytvyn, a published historian, will ambassador to the U.S. Ministry of Education continues to follow serve as the university’s top official on an Prof. Madden, who has no the path of Euro-Atlantic integration based interim basis until appropriate elections to Ukrainian roots, first became on the European Union’s (EU) Bologna choose a new rector will take place. Mr. interested in the study of the Educational Reform Program. Skopenko, notorious throughout his long Holodomor while a student at In 2007 the cities of Kyiv, and academic career for his resistance to the University of Rhode Island. Lviv were chosen as pre-cursors to the cur- change, served as rector of Ukraine’s lead- In 2003 she attended a confer- At the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, rent nationwide examination program, as ing university for 23 years. ence on “Food as a Political Cheryl Madden speaks after receiving the students only in these cities were required On the other hand, of the approximately Weapon” in Denver, where she Order of Princess Olha from Ukraine’s to undergo standardized testing. Ukraine 900 institutions of higher learning, those met Holodomor survivors and Ambassador Oleh Shamshur. hopes to reach the level of the Bologna established after Ukraine’s declaration of also lectured on the subject to reform requirements by 2010 in order to independence stand the most to gain from high-school teachers. That same year sponsored her research trip to Ukraine. become an integral member of a so-called standardized testing. Because of their nov- she was awarded a Yuriy Kuziv Grant Prof. Madden’s expertise in the single higher education zone on the elty, many of the recently established uni- from the Shevchenko Scientific Society Holodomor field has gained her interna- European continent. versities on the territory of Ukraine are less in America (NTSh) for the objective of tional recognition. In 2003 she was invit- As part of the overall globalization known and therefore not as prestigious; compiling and annotating an English- ed to serve as guest editor of the history process, Ukrainian education must adopt standardized testing can only work to the language bibliography on the Holodomor journal Canadian-American Slavic European standards, otherwise Ukraine advantage of such institutions as “more up to 2003 (www.shevchenko.org/ Studies Holodomor Commemorative will find itself on the periphery of world- stringent” admissions requirements will famine). She is presently updating the Edition. In 2007, on the invitation of wide integration. Such were the sentiments now raise the reputation and overall ratings bibliography at the request of NTSh. Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, she spoke expressed by Vasyl Kremen, former educa- of such schools, according to educational Prof. Madden was also a recipient of the at a Holodomor commemorative event in tion minister and current president of the reform experts. Michael P. Metcalf Fellowship, which Montreal. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY newspaper look bigoted. Chornobyl at 22 Kuropas represents It’s simple: if you are not bigoted and don’t want people to think that you are It is difficult to comprehend that only 22 years ago, at 1:23 a.m. on Saturday, April community poorly bigoted, or if you don’t want your own 26, 1986, the worst nuclear catastrophe in the history of mankind took place in the ethnic community to be accused of har- town of Chornobyl, a two-hour drive from Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Dear Editor: boring bigotry, then write in a way that The vast health concerns, including the sharp increases in thyroid cancer cases and Myron B. Kuropas has done it again. I doesn’t look bigoted. Myron B. Kuropas other associated illnesses, demonstrate the far-reaching power of radiation exposure, lost count long ago of the number of his is a Ph.D. specialist in ethnic history and which has affected not only Ukrainians, but Belarusians and Russians as well. articles that reveal ethnic prejudices and knows full well the origins and implica- Just as the was reluctant to offer assistance or even acknowledge a continue to wonder, along with others tions of the word “gypsy.” In his calcu- problem, its successor, the Russian Federation, has followed suit on addressing many who have written in their complaints lated usage of that particular word, he of these environmental and health concerns. over the years, how long The Ukrainian has added more smoke to the smoke that Belarus’ authoritarian regime has further isolated it from democracies in Europe Weekly will keep printing his social keeps swirling about him, making this and overseas, and, by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka propagating this policy of antipathies. reader and others, I am sure, think once isolation, has prevented aid and assistance from reaching those in need. This time his dislikes seem to be again that this is smoke from flames of Despite these efforts by Russia and Belarus, the European Parliament made an turned against Roma people, one or more intolerance and can cover us all. appeal in a statement – following a special meeting this year held on April 17, at the of whom apparently pinched his wallet suggestion of prominent Belarusian researchers and scholars who reside outside of while he was journeying to Fatima for Belarus – that noted the need to launch independent funding channels to sponsor the Roman Cybriwsky spring break. His words: “Gypsies were rehabilitation of the radioactively contaminated areas in Belarus. The statement further Philadelphia on the tram. You can guess the rest. A urged the Belarusian government to offer social safeguards, necessary medical assis- gypsy now has my Ukrainian wallet …” tance to people who have been affected by the Chornobyl accident, and provide clear Later, Myron B. Kuropas advises us to information about the disaster and its effects. run fast if we should ever encounter a Why support NATO Sadly, the growing number of victims of Chornobyl in Russia and Belarus are vir- “gypsy” with a Ukrainian billfold. Not tually cut off from this readily available assistance. Most upsetting is the denial by funny. these governments of the extent of the latent health consequences that result from entry for Ukraine? Even if the word “gypsy,” written in radiation exposure or the arbitrary fluctuations in what these same governments deem lower case, technically means Dear Editor: as “safe” levels of contamination or exposure. “vagabond” and not “Gypsy,” as a reach- Ukraine has better diplomatic relations with the West, and thereby has a better The elusive prospect of NATO mem- ing defense of The Weekly’s bad boy chance of NGOs coming to the country and providing assistance on the ground in the bership for Ukraine has recently received form of medical equipment, training of medical staff in the latest techniques and other columnist might argue, it still hails from a great deal of notice and commentary in forms of aid. “Gypsy” (today known as Roma) and The Ukrainian Weekly. The denial of a In light of the planet’s ongoing environmental turmoil, Ukraine is taking initiative evokes a particular ethnic group. Membership Action Plan for Ukraine at regarding the radioactive fuel that remains at Chornobyl. On April 23 President Viktor You know, I’m sort of glad that Dr. the NATO alliance’s summit in Yushchenko opened the first of Ukraine’s three units of the Vektor complex, construct- Kuropas got robbed, although I’m sorry Bucharest was both predictable and pre- ed by the German firm RWE NUKEM GmbH and with assistance by the European it was apparently by a Roma. (I was once dicted months beforehand (as in my let- Commission. The facility is scheduled to be completed within the next five to 10 years cheated by a person I know for sure was ter in the February 24 issue). The main- and will handle decontamination, recycling and disposal of up to 75,000 cubic meters a Ukrainian.) Personal setbacks often stream media explained it, post factum, of radioactive waste from areas tainted by the disaster as well as waste from other provide good opportunities for reflection, mostly as a sop to Moscow. parts of Ukraine. and in this case our roving spring-break- In my view, at least equally important Other developments include the launch of preparations for the construction of a er might have opportunity to consider was a widespread – and recognized in new steel dome over the old sarcophagus by a consortium including France’s whether or not Jesus would run on sight Europe – negative perception of NATO Bouygues and Vinci construction companies. The old sarcophagus, constructed by the from “gypsies.” Not my Jesus, and not in Ukraine. It is not difficult to under- “liquidators” who were the first line of containment on the scene of the accident, has my Gandhi either. He might also think stand why. Bluntly, NATO is now less of been in serious disrepair since its construction, leaking radiation into the environment. about whether or not his “gypsy” has had a shield against Russia than an intended As we commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Chornobyl accident, it is evident equal opportunity in life to become, say, tool of the Bush administration’s neo- that Ukraine is on the right path toward addressing Chornobyl-related issues, but his- a newspaper columnist or a university colonialism in the Third World tory is already repeating itself by Russia denying aid to those in need. Unfortunately, adjunct faculty member, or to have any (Afghanistan is one example) with its Belarus appears to be following big brother’s lead and making the same error. other respectable occupation. disastrous fallout – the most painful for I could write off Dr. Kuropas as a the West being $100 for a barrel of oil. I dinosaur-eccentric, as I and others often say “intended” because most of Europe’s do after reading his lowlights, but he original NATO members have no desire enjoys prime space in our community’s to be dragged into American adventures April newspaper and disproportionate visibility cooked under the Bush presidency – Turning the pages back... as a Ukrainian American spokesperson at which former White House National various social and political functions. He Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski may, of course, express his thoughts described as “catastrophic.” 30 freely, but, by the same token, I am free Why then is the Ukrainian diaspora in Thirty years ago, on April 23, 1978, over 5,000 people to think that he often represents our com- America so vehement in cheering 1978 attended the blessing of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, munity poorly. Ukraine’s leaders’ bid for NATO mem- the first Ukrainian house of worship in Manhattan that was Yes, he occasionally writes something bership? In my view, the diaspora built and paid for by Ukrainians. (Earlier churches were either that is very interesting and correct, activist contact with Ukraine is much borrowed or bought from other congregations.) directly on the mark, especially when less active than meets the eye – it is neg- The blessing ceremony was officiated by Archbishop-Metropolitan Joseph writing about Ukrainian American histo- ligible. Schmondiuk, along with Bishops Basil Losten of the Stamford Eparchy, Jaroslav Gabro ry, his expertise. But just as often, as he The present diaspora generation’s of the Chicago Eparchy and Neil Savaryn of the Edmonton Eparchy. has done on March 30 with ignorant, Zeitgeist has been shaped by World War Some 1,000 faithful were able to attend the inaugural liturgy inside the church, while stereotypical and gratuitous jibes against II refugee parents whose own political the remaining throngs listened to the service through loudspeakers on Seventh Street. the presumed ethnic group of his wallet genesis was influenced by orientation on In his greeting to his flock, Patriarch Josyf Slipyj wrote: “The land on which the old thief, he makes our community and our one or another foreign power. Although church stands is sacred because it has been blessed by the tears and prayers of the pio- such a psychology of dependency was neers.” He also reminded the faithful to remain loyal to the “language and heritage of blasted away when Stepan Bandera their Church.” We welcome your opinion openly defied Nazi Germany, independ- In his Ukrainian-language sermon, Metropolitan Schmondiuk said, “St. George ence is a living experience, not just Church is a Mecca for the Ukrainian community and religious life.” The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters cheerleading from across the ocean. The new church was designed by Ukrainian architect Apollonaire Osadca, at a cost of to the editor and commentaries on a variety President George W. Bush’s recent $3 million. According to a building committee spokesman, the church was almost of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian com- visit to Kyiv showed once again his sur- entirely paid for and donations were received for interior decorations including stained- munities. Opinions expressed by colum- real perception of the world outside glass windows and the iconostasis. nists, commentators and letter-writers are Texas. His foreign policy continues to The property where the old church structure was located is adjacent to the new one their own and do not necessarily reflect the flounder, as it has from day one. No one and dates to the mid-19th century. opinions of either The Weekly editorial seems to be quite sure, including Mr. The first divine liturgy celebrated by Ukrainian Catholics in New York took place on staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian Bush, against whom the projected mis- April 19, 1890, using the basement of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church on Seventh National Association. sile shield in central-eastern Europe is Street and Avenue A. Fifteen years later Ukrainian Catholics bought the Colgate chapel Letters should be typed and signed intended. But experienced old hands at 332 E. 20th St., with the first liturgy being celebrated on August 20, 1905. (anonymous letters are not published). apparently understand that the project is Ukrainian Catholics finally moved into the old structure on East Seventh Street on Letters are accepted also via e-mail at an extension of the Bush administration’s October 22, 1911. [email protected]. The daytime phone number and address of the letter-writer must obsession with anti-ballistic missile Patrolman Patrick Victor, who was on duty at the time, commented on the Ukrainian be given for verification purposes. Please defense, which is fundamentally techni- community: “These people are tight and religious. It is a pleasure to serve them today.” note that a daytime phone number is essen- cally flawed, and has already become an “It’s nice to see them stick together,” he added. tial in order for editors to contact letter-writ- embarrassing boondogle in the U.S.A. ers regarding clarifications or questions. Source: “5,000 witness blessing of St. George Church – Ceremonies mindful of con- Please note: THE LENGTH OF LETTERS Boris Danik tributions of pioneers,” by Ihor Dlaboha, The Ukrainian Weekly, April 30, 1978. CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS. North Caldwell, N.J. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 7

TheThe thingsthings wewe do...do... Faces and Places by Myron B. Kuropas by Orysia Paszczak Tracz A pysanka mystery almost solved What Vlad told George For those of us who are benignly I met a fly the other day – a talking fly. what has happened to this “glorious revo- obsessed with pysanky and everything As luck would have it, it was the fly on lution”? It is falling apart. Ukraine’s lead- about them, much importance is in the the wall in the room in Sochi where ers are corrupt, fighting over crumbs, details. Seeking out and collecting the Russian President Vladimir Putin and supported only by greedy oligarchs, not many publications, from both sides of U.S. President George W. Bush recently the people. the ocean, about pysanky is just another met for a heart-to-heart exchange of President Bush: Russia also has greedy wicked pleasure for us pysanka nuts. ideas. The fly produced a transcript of the oligarchs and other criminals. I have always wondered about that talks and passed it on to me. I share it President Putin: Yes, of course. But we first book on pysanky from Soviet with my readers. are taking care of them. Many have been Ukraine that reached North America, President Putin: Mr. President, please arrested and are being punished for their Erast Biniashevsky’s “Ukrayinski understand. We Russians do not favor crimes against the people. Unlike Pysanky” released by Mystetsvo publish- Ukraine’s entrance into NATO. We Ukrainians, who seem to thrive on anar- ers in Kyiv in 1968. The edition was so believe that such a move would de-stabi- chy, the Russian people support law and limited that few books remained in lize the present situation in Europe and order. We have stability in Russia. Ukraine, with most being shipped out to lead to further misunderstandings President Bush: Ukrainian Americans the “cooperative” bookstores in North between our two great nations. We can have informed me that Russia is return- America. Anyone who knew his or her tolerate missile sites in Poland and the ing to Soviet-like rule, where freedom of pysanky saw right away that the pysanky Czech Republic as long as we can moni- the press is curtailed, democracy is a in the little red book (with the “tsyhanski tor them. But Ukraine in NATO? Never. vanishing ideal and an imperial Russia is dorohy – gypsy roads” jacket) were from President Bush: How would NATO the goal. the Elyjiw/Plast pysanka stamp sheet membership for Ukraine, and Georgia for President Putin: Don’t listen to published in Canada so much earlier, in that matter, de-stabilize Europe? Ukraine Ukrainian Americans. They are national- 1959. is a democracy. The Ukrainian people ists who collaborated with the Nazis. I wanted to find out the story of the have worked very hard to maintain their They are out of touch with Ukraine today. Plast stamps and the book, and called sovereignty. They deserve to join other Ukrainian nationalism is anti-Semitic, an Zenon Elyjiw in Rochester, N.Y. European democracies. During my tenure ideology of hate invented by the Germans The idea for the pysanka stamps was Biniashevsky pysanky. as the president of the United States I and fomented by a powerless minority in from Stepan Gela in Toronto who also have supported democracies the world America. Ukrainians here believe funded the project. Zenon’s Elyjiw’s what a sensation his “Ukrayinski over, especially new democracies like Ukrainians in the United States are a brother Yaroslav drew the black and Pysanky” book was. These were water- Ukraine. I will continue to push for joke, a caricature, providing comic relief white illustrations of the regional color interpretations by Mr. Ukraine’s NATO membership. and nothing more. Listen to your father. pysanky. Artist Myron Lev-Levytsky Biniashevsky, according to the authors. President Putin: That would be a mis- He is a wise man. I still remember his then redrew them. Zenon Elyjiw refined Surely over the years it should have take. Ukraine is too weak to survive words to the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine the details, added the colors, designed become known to the authors – his much longer. Let me explain. Ukraine is in 1991: “Americans will not support the whole sheet and prepared it for print- friends – what the source of the pysanka not really a nation, Mr. President. The those who seek independence in order to ing. There were 45 stamps on the sheet. illustrations was. I find this both baffling Ukrainian people speak a Russian dialect. replace a far-off tyranny with a local des- Of these 45, 30 pysanky are in the and appalling. But, is it possible that cir- Most Ukrainians attend Russian potism. They will not aid those who pro- Biniashevsky book, in the same order as cumstances were such that no one in Orthodox churches. Your own historians mote a suicidal nationalism based upon on the stamp sheet. Nowhere in the book Ukraine, in Mr. Biniashevsky’s circle, have written that Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital ethnic hatred.” Ukraine and the United is there any acknowledgement of the knew about the stamp sheet? city, is the mother of all the . States did not heed your father’s words source, although in 1968 in those Soviet Zenon Elyjiw continues his interest in Ukrainian culture is really Russian. Their and look what happened. Local despots times, maybe it was safer not to mention pysanky. He mentioned that in his own most famous writers, Nikolai Gogol, for have triumphed and the Ukrainian people such a source. It was Yaroslav Elyjiw book, “Sixty Score of Pysanky” example, wrote in Russian. They have have suffered. Today, Ukrainians view who had sent Biniashevsky the stamp (Rochester, N.Y., 1994), one-third or 400 been called “Little Russians” for cen- NATO as another despotic regime. President Bush: I did see some anti- sheet. of the pysanky in the book were written turies. Russian armies, moreover, have NATO protesters in Kyiv carrying Soviet- Zenon Elyjiw later met Mr. by him. He has a manuscript ready for protected Ukraine from its enemies. In era flags. They are hardly representative. Biniashevsky after the first pysanka con- another book on pysanky, but his health 1654 the great Ukrainian Hetman Bohdan President Putin: Let’s be honest, Mr. ference in Kyiv. He had Mr. has hindered this project for the time Khmelnytsky concluded the Treaty of President. As you know, I have said that Biniashevsky’s book, which the latter being. Pereyaslav in order to protect Ukraine the collapse of the Soviet Union was one autographed. But at no point did Mr. The two books mentioned, as well as from the Poles and Tatars. The treaty of the great tragedies of world history. Biniashevsky acknowledge to Mr. Elyjiw the stamp sheet, are rarities now. If you placed Ukraine under Russian rule in per- People within the USSR lived in fraternal anything about the origin of the designs. have them, don’t let go. Most of the story petuity. In 1709 Charles XII of Sweden friendship. They shared human and mate- Mr. Biniashevsky, a medical doctor and a of the stamp sheet and the Biniashevsky invaded Ukraine hoping to wrest it from rial resources. Soviet Ukrainians had jobs, folk art collector, passed away in 1996. book has been cleared up. Maybe one Russia. Thanks to the Czar Peter’s smash- lifetime pensions, educational opportuni- “Svit Ukrayinskoyi Pysanky” (Kyiv: day we will learn why the Elyjiw/Plast ing Russian victory, Ukraine was saved. ties and free medical care. Do they have sheet connection got lost and never Ukrainians and Russians will celebrate Kondor, 2005), a book about Mr. that now? Are Ukrainians better off today materialized in the Biniashevsky biogra- the 300th anniversary of this great event Biniashevsky’s life and work, also does than they were under Soviet rule? not mention the Plast stamps. It does say phy. next year. President Bush: But wasn’t Ukraine President Bush: All new democracies recognized as a separate republic within struggle in the beginning. Ukrainians the Soviet Union? Didn’t Stalin insist on have made enormous strides towards put- a separate United Nations seat for the ting their democratic house in order. Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic? Their economy is thriving. More President Putin: That was a gift to Ukrainian youth speak Ukrainian today Ukraine from a benevolent Russian peo- than ever before. The press is free. ple in recognition of Ukrainian suffering Freedom of religion exists. And during the Great War. Another Russian Ukrainians have accomplished all this in gift was the Crimea. It was transferred to a few short years – 17 to be exact. What Ukrainian control in 1954 by order of more can we ask for? NATO will review Nikita Khrushchev to honor the 300th Ukraine’s membership again in anniversary of the Treaty of Pereyaslav. December. The United States will support President Bush: I still believe that the it. Ukrainian people cherish their independ- President Putin: Think about your ence. Ukrainian Americans in my admin- legacy, Mr. President. Do you want to be istration have told me that, despite remembered for supporting lost causes? Russian interference, the 2004 Orange President Bush: No. I want to be Revolution expressed the true sentiments remembered for supporting freedom and of the Ukrainian people. democracy. President Putin (laughing): Please, Mr. At that, the two leaders shook hands President, I am not naïve. You know full and left the room. The fly also left. well that the was organized by the CIA to thwart the will of Myron Kuropas’s e-mail address is The Elyjiw/Plast pysanka stamp sheet. the people and to embarrass Russia. And [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17 No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 9

NEWS AND VIEWS An election “race” full of bait Kyiv Mohyla Academy epicenter by Marko Suprun His Ukrainian counterpart was even more candid and explained that much of the What would happen to an advertise- of Holodomor documentation opium that was used to support the then by Serhiy Kvit evidence on the Holodomor. ment that portrayed a jovial candidate Taliban regime was trafficked through standing in front of a map of while The archive of James Mace is a legacy of Ukraine on its way to Europe. He said that The Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933, significant historical and documentary klezmer music played merrily in the many of the inter-parliamentary programs known as the Holodomor, has become the background and then turned ominous and importance. It includes hundreds of publica- that the U.S. had with Ukraine allowed him subject of intense study and research intend- tions, numerous dissertations, surveys, U.S. ridiculed that candidate for their support and his colleagues to exchange information ed to uncover the facts, expose the truth and of Israel? It would be labeled anti- Congressional hearings about the about matters that impact the security of fill the gaps, denials, intentional cover-ups Holodomor and Ukraine, and much more. Semitic and pulled off the air. both countries without violating their pro- and inaccuracies promulgated by the Soviet What would you think if the ad This unique collection is being preserved, fessional oaths of office. state. The Holodomor is finally exposed for catalogued and safeguarded for posterity to showed the same candidate except this I remember returning to New York what it was – a genocide, a human tragedy time in front of a map of Ukraine? Would serve researchers and students and as histor- lamenting the fact that our state did not of global proportions. ical evidence. In 2007 a roundtable titled you be less offended? have a Bob Schaffer. Here was a man who Ukrainians in their native country had to You might think exploiting ethnic stereo- “Current Ukraine as a Post-Genocide actually kept to his word and would not run wait until the 1980s to raise the subject of Nation: Symptoms and Solutions,” was types is a harmless way to make fun of your for office beyond a self-imposed five-term the Famine-Genocide. After Ukraine gained Indian neighbor’s chutney or the fukakta dedicated to the memory of James Mace limit. He came across as someone who its independence, the government’s national and an exhibit of books and publications way Second Avenue Deli is now on “toidy looked at a person’s character and did not and foreign policy included this defining tird and tird.” The point is that if you’re eas- from the James Mace Collection titled dismiss them over their ethnic background. event – the darkest time of the nation’s his- “Holodomor – Crime Against Humanity,” ily offended by ethnic jokes, you shouldn’t Too often, I encountered people in and out tory. Much needs to be done to properly take yourself so seriously. Right? was held in 2007 at the Kyiv Mohyla of government who would dismiss Ukraine document and study the Holodomor both in Research Library. Well, when you dismiss someone solely as geopolitically unimportant and stereo- Ukraine and abroad. It is important to pres- based on his or her ethnicity, you have just type Ukrainians as merry boozers with cute ent the evidence accurately, objectively and Publications become a racist. Nazi Germany perfected girls and danceable ethnic music. To them, with well-researched academic documenta- the use of ethnic stereotypes as a political The current leading researcher on the Ukraine was nothing more than a party stop tion. This is a responsibility and obligation weapon to score points during an election. Holodomor in Ukraine is Kyiv Mohyla on the train to Moscow. which the National University of Kyiv Soviet Russia proved to be just as adept at Prof. Yurij Mytsyk. Prof. Mytsyk edited A few years later, I heard a speech at St. Mohyla Academy assumed with a sense of exploiting stereotypes to pit one group four books of eyewitness accounts titled Patrick’s Cathedral delivered by the senior moral duty toward the Ukrainian nation. against another. “Ukrainian Holocaust 1932-33, Testimony senator from New York, Charles Schumer. Kyiv Mohyla Academy has sponsored This is why the latest attack ad spon- of Those Who Survived,” published by The memorial service at St. Patrick’s is held continuous programs of Holodomor studies sored by the Democratic Senatorial Kyiv Mohyla Academy. These testimonies every year on the third Sunday of and events including research papers, Campaign Committee (DSCC) against Bob were collected over the last decade by the November to honor the memory of millions archival materials, forums and conferences, Schaffer is disturbing. The ad attacks Mr. university’s faculty and students, who trav- of Ukrainians who were starved to death by book publications, articles, public hearings, Schaffer for supporting Ukraine. A female eled to villages to gather personal eyewit- a deliberate policy of the Soviet Union to documentation of eyewitness testimony, voice-over butchers a simple Ukrainian ness interviews. These publications would "teach Ukrainians a lesson" and break their exhibits, photographs and art objects. phrase while happily playing what sounds not have been possible without the generos- independent spirit. Ukrainians call this the Faculty and students of Kyiv Mohyla like a mariachi tune in the background. It ity of the Fund of Ukrainian Studies (USA), Holodomor, which means torture and death Academy are taking part in all these various places a Schaffer quote out of context and the Kovalsky East European Research by starvation. My father survived, but his forms of study (for details see forebodes that as senator he’d represent the Program, the Marusia Onyshchuk and two younger brothers died. http://www.ukma.kiev.ua). interests of a foreign government and not Ivanka Charuk Memorial Fund of the When a government embarks upon a those of Coloradans. The James Mace Collection Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at It seems like campaign advisors have an strategy that results in the deaths of millions the University of Alberta, the Pavlo Kyiv Mohyla Academy is privileged to unwritten rule that says if you want to score of people, it is called genocide. Yet, for Hlushnyts Fund of the Ukrainian Canadian be the recipient of the valuable documen- political points in this election cycle, associ- years Ukrainians were told that the horror Research Documentation Center (Toronto), tary legacy of the late Prof. James Mace, ate your target with Mexican Americans. Or they survived was not genocidal. The suf- Rise Company, the journal “Siverianskyj who dedicated his life to research the maybe there’s an ethnic stereotype pecking fering of millions was dismissed for Litopys,” the parishioners of Holodomor and made Ukraine his adopted order that says if you demean Ukrainians decades. At St. Patrick’s that day, Sen. Blahovishchenskyi Khram of the Ukrainian country. Prof. Mace lived in Kyiv and you have to associate them with Mexicans, Schumer called the Holodomor genocide. Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate became one of Kyiv Mohyla Academy’s otherwise why the mariachi tune? Either Here was another politician who would not at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy, and the Kyiv most beloved and respected faculty mem- way, it’s hard to not walk away thinking dismiss Ukrainians as insignificant. At least Mohyla International Charitable Foundation bers during the last years of his life. His that the ad is a 21st century version of Nazi that’s what I used to think. Renaissance. archives, documents and research work are posters that portrayed Jews with exaggerat- I called the DSCC to let them know the The 1,128-page book “Holodomor 1932- the single most comprehensive collection of ed noses and dangerous to the future of the ad is insulting. As a New Yorker, I thought I 1933 in Ukraine: Documents and Third Reich. might have an impact if I called the DSCC Materials,” edited by Prof. Ruslan Pyrih and I first met Bob Schaffer at a conference directly because Sen. Schumer is at its helm Serhiy Kvit is president of the published by the Kyiv Mohyla Publishing in Washington in November 2001. The con- and is my senator. I was wrong. National University of Kyiv Mohyla House is one of the most significant contri- ference was the second in a series of An excessively dismissive Beltway Academy. The article above was trans- (Continued on page 16) Washington roundtables dedicated to insider couldn’t (or wouldn’t) tell me who lated and edited from the Ukrainian text. exploring and strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian developed the attack ad. She said she would bilateral relations. The conference was sup- pass along my concerns, but given her tone, posed to have been hosted in September of I suspect she’ll just pass them into the trash. 2001, but 19 hijackers saw that life for The bottom line here is that the people America would be very different after of Colorado have a lot to be proud of in Tuesday, September 11. the person of Bob Schaffer. He represented At the conference, I had the opportunity the interests of Colorado honorably during to ask the then congressman from Colorado his time in Congress. He also found time if there were any mechanisms that Congress to help a country that was finding its own could use to gain the support of Ukraine in way in the world, having survived the col- this new war and also ask his Ukrainian lapse of the world’s worst totalitarian sys- counterpart if they would be willing to ren- tem. The willingness to help others in need der such assistance. As a New Yorker, I had is a defining character of an American to know that we were doing all that could regardless of ethnicity. be done in this real world dystopia. After his congressional term expired, Congressman Schaffer said most pro- Mr. Schaffer went to Ukraine as an elec- grams facilitate and nurture dialogue tion monitor during the presidential elec- between members of Parliament in Ukraine tion of 2004, an event that would later be and members of Congress in the U.S. Some called the Orange Revolution. If it were programs were more direct, like the assis- not for Sen. Lugar and Bob Schaffer, those tance the FBI was offering to the who wanted to steal the election just might Ukrainians while they set up a similar have gotten away with it. bureau there. Congressman Schaffer was Unlike the junior senator from New York sure then that America’s work with Ukraine who may or may not have ducked “sniper would be an important part of our strategy fire,” Bob Schaffer actually has experience in this new world of transnational terrorism. of being in a revolution and defending a people’s right to express their voice. If Bob Marko Suprun is a writer and docu- Schaffer was willing and able to do what mentarian living in New York. He holds a was the right thing then, it’s clear to me that master’s degree in comparative politics he will do the right thing as the senator from Columbia University. from Colorado. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17 “Natalka Poltavka”... (Continued from page 1) Skrypka draws all ages for benefit show at UACCNJ Oleksander Formanchuk (Mykola), Petro by Matthew Dubas Panchuk (mayor) and Larysa Rusnak (Natalka’s mother). The cast was somewhat WHIPPANY, N.J. – Over 300 peo- altered for the Sunday matinee, with the ple came to the Ukrainian American lead roles played by Oksana Batko- Cultural Center of New Jersey Nyshichuk (Natalka), Dmytro Chernov (UACCNJ) here on April 11 to see (Petro), Volodymyr Nikolaienko (match- and hear a performance by Oleh maker) and Nataliya Yaroshenko (Natalka’s Skrypka, Ukraine’s legendary rock mother). star and front man of the Ukrainian The music for this updated production of rock group Vopli Vidopliassova (VV). “Natalka Poltavka” is by renowned The event, which was presented by Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko the Ukrainian Athletic Educational (1842-1912) and Mr. Skrypka. According Association Chornomorska Sitch, was to the program booklet, this version of the a fund-raiser to offset costs associated Kotliarevsky classic stays close to the with sending their athletes to compete author’s original text, but with an updated in the Ukrainian Diaspora Olympiad script. The production has been performed and Youth Rally on July fourth week- to great critical acclaim throughout Ukraine end at the Ukrainian American Sport and abroad. Center-Tryzub in Horsham, Pa. Yarko Twardowsky Thirty-four members of the Ivan Franko With a tight schedule of just four Theater, including the theater’s own orches- Oleh Skrypka plays to his fans during an intimate performance at the weeks of planning, the organizing tra directed by Volodymyr Gdanskyi, trav- Ukrainan American Cultural Center of New Jersey. committee, chaired by Dan Lewycky, eled to the U.S. for the “Natalka Poltavka” executed a successful event that presentation. Artistic Director Bohdan sound system, a sophisticated lighting selflessly signing autographs and posing attracted fourth-wavers and American- Stupka, Ukraine’s most famous actor and a system, lasers and a fog machine. for pictures with his adoring fans. born Ukrainians, ranging from the former minister of culture, was unable to Mr. Skrpyka’s high-energy persona Mr. Skrypka also toured the home make the trip due to his film schedule. very young to octogenarians. inspired guests to move to the dance office of Chornomorska Sitch – the old- Dignitaries present at the gala premiere The opening performance by the floor as he took the role of DJ, spinning est Ukrainian sports organization in on Saturday evening, April 12, included Cheres Carpathian Folk Ensemble, led his music, singing his original songs America – where he viewed their exten- Archbishop Stefan Soroka, metropolitan of by Andriy Milavsky, entertained the and those he performs with VV. During sive trophy collection, and was gifted the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the audience with folk and classical the last half of his performance, Mr. books by Omelan Twardowsky, presi- United States; and several of Ukraine’s melodies from across the Carpathian Skrypka engaged the audience in an dent of Chornomorska Sitch’s executive diplomats in this country, including Mountains including a Bukovynian intimate sing-a-long as he played folk board, that chronicled the history of the Ambassador to the United Nations Yuriy wedding tune and Czardasz by Monti. melodies and selections from his reper- organization. Sergeyev, New York Consul General When Oleh Skrypka took the stage, toire on the bayan. Mr. Skrypka then retreated to the Mykola Kyrychenko and Minister- he transformed the mood from a After performing continuously for Cultural Center’s Social Club, where he Counselor Olexandr Aleksandrovych of the cabaret atmosphere to a discotheque, nearly 90 minutes, Mr. Skrypka recov- casually mingled with fans and enjoyed Embassy of Ukraine, who attended with complete with a several-thousand-watt ered backstage and emerged refreshed, a well-deserved beer. their spouses. Also present were U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) and Mayor Ronald Francioli of Hanover Township, cians, technical staff), plus 1,500 tons of And, “we started at a budget of zero,” Dr. knew it would attract younger generations, which encompasses Whippany, where the cargo – (stage sets – custom built for the Lopatynsky recalled. that this was like bringing Ukraine’s UACCNJ is located. UACCNJ’s stage, costumes and musical The first advertisements for the U.S. per- Broadway to the U.S.,” she explained. The Ukrainian National Association, instruments) had to be transported from formances of “Natalka Poltavka” appeared Scores of community members were which sponsored bus transportation for the Ukraine. in January, although work had begun activated by the undertaking, which drama troupe once it arrived in the U.S., The cost of airfare for so many people months earlier. According to Mmes. involved seeing to all sorts of details, from was represented by two executive officers, and shipment of cargo was a substantial Matkiwsky and Lopatynsky, there were advertising, ticket sales and seating, to set- President Stefan Kaczaraj and Treasurer financial burden, with organizers at the many “non-believers” who thought bring- ting up dressing rooms, housing the guests Roma Lisovich. The UNA’s Ukrainian her- UACCNJ hoping these costs would be cov- ing this production to the U.S. was a mam- from Ukraine and planning the opening- itage center, Soyuzivka, catered the elegant ered by tickets sales and sponsorships. moth endeavor that could not succeed. night gala. champagne reception held on opening Speaking with The Weekly in the days These non-believers, the two community As the event approached, Dr. night. immediately after the show, Dr. Marta activists underscored, were ultimately Lopatynsky related, “We were gratified to Major sponsors of the Whippany per- Lopatynsky, chairperson of the Arts, proved wrong. see so many volunteers come through – formances included Selfreliance Ukrainian Culture and Education (ACE) Committee Describing their relationship through the from the youngest ushers to older commu- American Federal Credit Union, which is of the UACCNJ, and Nadia Matkiwsky, months of planning and work, Dr. nity members. It was a labor of love for all based in Chicago and has branches in event chairperson, noted that many people Lopatynsky noted, “I believed, but Nadia of them. There were so many volunteers Illinois, New Jersey and Indiana, and The had been asking why the theater troupe was knew how.” Mrs. Matkiwsky, in turn, said who just pitched in when needed. And the Heritage Foundation, based in Chicago. coming only to Whippany. The reason: no Dr. Lopatynsky was the visionary who fore- host families were wonderful.” Also notable was the assistance offered by one else wanted to take the financial risk saw how such an undertaking could put the Asked if they would do all this again, Dr. Delta Airlines, which provided transporta- involved. Indeed, key members of the com- UACCNJ on the map. Lopatynsky responded: “Absolutely, in a tion to and from Ukraine at a substantial mittee that organized this unprecedented Mrs. Matkiwsky recalled that she had heartbeat.” discount. artistic endeavor assumed personal financial seen “Natalka Poltavka” twice in Kyiv and “We have built bridges to Ukraine, and The audience for the three shows includ- responsibility. wanted to bring the show to the U.S. “I we have exposed our community and our ed Ukrainians who had traveled from as far center to people who have never set foot in away as Toronto and Chicago, and two bus- the center,” she continued. “This is a new loads of people arrived from New York renaissance for us.” City and Albany, N.Y., for the Sunday mati- Dr. Lopatynsky also pointed out that the nee performance. visitors from Ukraine at first thought the The total number of guests who traveled people working on the production were to Whippany for the weekend’s perform- paid employees of the UACCNJ. “Then ances, including a special Friday night they realized that we were all volunteers music program presented by Mr. Skrypka, and they understood what this project founder of the group Vopli Vidopliassova meant,” the ACE Committee chair proudly (known as VV), was about 1,500. asserted. In addition, close to 150 students saw a Mrs. Matkiwsky commented: “The hro- rehearsal of “Natalka Poltavka” on mada (community) understood the impor- Saturday morning, April 12, in lieu of tance of this monumental project. And we attending Ukrainian studies classes. (The proved that everything is possible – we cost of $10 per student was covered by the moved mountains with a great committee.” Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Close to 75 people worked as volunteers Studies of Morris County and the School of on this special undertaking. And, “whoever Ukrainian Studies of Passaic for their volunteered realized the caliber of this respective students.) event and stepped up to the plate,” Mrs. Logistical challenges Matkiwsky noted. “The kids [who served as ushers at the shows] were proud to be More than a year in the planning, bring- part of the event and they felt they were ing Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Theater to the really contributing.” United States was a huge logistical chal- Mrs. Matkiwsky also reserved special Lev Khmelkovsky lenge, as well as a risky financial undertak- praise for chefs Ihor Telepko and Steve ing. Minister-Counselor Olexandr Aleksandrovych of the Embassy of Ukraine addresses The troupe of 34 people (actors, musi- the audience and cast at the conclusion of the presentation on opening night. (Continued on page 11) No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 11 REVIEW: Natalka Poltavka’s new bouquet satisfies by Adrian Brittan nading the young lovers with an impressive jazzy trumpet solo in the final scene. Each Pouring old wine into new bottles can obviously had a grand time provoking the produce unexpected results. The full flavor other throughout the many comic moments may disappear... Unscrupulous Parisian in Kotliarevsky’s 1819 satirical play. Their waiters have at times even been known to infectious verve and energy were supported decant a notable Bordeaux in a back room by the rest of the cast with fast-paced timing only to bring back a sparkling new crystal and consistency of style. Dramatic turns harboring a different and humdrum vintage. throughout the spoken sections were deftly Attempts to update classics risk similar controlled. The interruption of the comic uncertainties. Recently I attended two such mood was simply and sincerely expressed disappointing productions: “Ukradene when Natalka (Tetyana Mikhina) and Petro Shchastia” (Plundered Happiness) at the (Pavlo Piskun) were finally reunited, where- Kurbas Theater in Kharkiv and a kitschy as the cutting humor of the famous scene “Natalka Poltavka” at the Zankovetsky regarding a Kharkiv theater-piece and inept Theater in Lviv. Happily, last week’s “Moskali” also found the right resonance. Whippany, N.J., performance of the same Two nine-foot high roosters had been Kotliarevsky-Lysenko operetta by the tour- painted in folk style on a white curtain ing Ivan Franko Theater from Kyiv was which opened to reveal an idyllic peasant more successful. It turned out to be for the hut in a sunny countryside. An added touch most part an affectionate, merry romp per- was the drinking well where Mykola Lev Khmelkovsky formed with style and assurance. (Oleksander Formanchuk) dunked his head The mayor joins the hands of Natalka and her beloved Petro. The Ivan Franko Theater ensemble and sprinkled water on the girls by shaking (Bohdan Stupka, artistic director) opted for his hair. a middle of the road approach. Sets, cos- Maintaining traditional visuals and most spirit of the original. entertain a newer generation not familiar Mr. Skrypka was credited with the musi- tumes and most of the text remained firmly of the authentic text avoided the confu- with this operetta by clothing it in the cur- cal arrangements of Lysenko’s 1889 classi- grounded in tradition while the musical sions of the tortured “concepts” prevalent rent musical fashion? Or is the aim to create cal score. The small band consisted of flute, a unique fusion with a convincing new numbers were treated to a major overhaul in many current “Eurotrash” stag- trumpet, trombone (used often for comic point of view? These are the choices. by headliner Oleh Skrypka. Born in ings in Germany and other countries where effect), tuba, violin, cello, bass, accordion In the ensemble “U susida khata bila” , this multitalented entertainer in notoriety and scandal are welcome. (The and percussion. His revisions resulted in a (My neighbor has a white house) a girls trio 2007 won second place on the popular mannered Zankovetsky production of pastiche of waltzes, tangos and other Latin accompanied with “oo-wahs,” like in the Ukrainian television version of “Dancing “Natalka” only resulted in a muddle with American dance beats, blues and heavy ’50s rock ballads. Any moment they with the Stars.” He is a gifted comedic actor their incoherent symbolic sets, rock guitars rock. Along the way Mr. Skrypka interpo- seemed on the verge of morphing into a and many of his facial and body gestures in the band, and vaudevillian interpola- lated references to “Shchedryk” and the “Little Shop of Horrors” style. This might recalled the best of Steve Martin’s over-the- tions. Kharkiv’s “Ukradene Shchastia” waltz “Byla mene maty” (My mother beat not have been a bad idea, if only the top zaniness. reached a new level of incongruity by sub- me) but unfortunately left out Lysenko’s arranger had followed it through with full The success of this entertaining produc- stituting “O khto, khto Mykolaya liubyt” sprightly “Oy pid vyshneuy.” One notable conviction. Furthermore, the uneasy bal- tion rested principally on the inspired luna- in place of Ivan Franko’s chilling, melo- ensemble highlighted the entire troupe play- ance between conservative visual elements cy of Mr. Skrypka in the role of the match- dramatic original choruses!) By contrast, ing drums on stage like “troisty” musicians and hip musical revision raises other ques- maker and Petro Panchuk as the mayor. Mr. this Kyiv presentation kept its heart in the with Mr. Skrypka on accordion and Mr. tions. When pouring Lysenko and Panchuk displayed his versatility by sere- right place and remained more true to the Panchuk doing his acrobatic thing on trum- Kotliarevsky into a new mold, why keep pet. By contrast, the mayor’s aria scored for one element traditional? Why not update flute, tambourine and drum in the style of a sets and costumes at the same time while Renaissance dance would not have been out pushing the new music to its implications? of place in Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Fine wines leave a sediment as they age In songs like “Did rudyy, baba ruda” in the original bottle. But that sediment (Gramps is redhaired, grandma’s redhaired), won’t kill you; in fact it’s quite harmless. the new hard-rock rhythmic clothes had a (It’s not the equivalent of encountering a clever fit, and their outrageousness added a dead mouse at the bottom of your Coke.) bizarre layer of hilarity. In other numbers Deciding how much sediment and flavor to like the opening soprano solo “Viyut vitry,” retain is at the very heart of making any the flowing charm of the original was adaptation and modernization. The crucial reduced to the pedestrian phrases of a sim- elements are always respect for the spirit of plified, chopped up vocal line. As a result, the original and good taste. In fact, a this hypnotic tune was converted into a non- stronger case might even be made for going descript rock ballad. The languid beauty of all the way, trusting the energy and power Lysenko’s inspired melody vanished under of the new creation to be convincing. an accelerating but unmemorable pop waltz. These thoughts were meant to touch on Judging by the increase of inattentive some wider issues. All things considered, talking among some members of this audi- this was a professional, cohesive and bub- ence specifically during even such “updat- bly performance. It was good to see a noble ed” singing numbers, the implications for vintage like “Natalka Poltavka” still has Lev Khmelkovsky more people revisiting the original music body and bouquet enough to satisfy and Natalka and her mother accept the proposal of the matchmaker. are not encouraging. Is the intent merely to entertain contemporary audiences.

Similarly, after the last performance on “Natalka Poltavka”... Sunday evening, plenty of thank-yous and (Continued from page 10) congratulations were exchanged. The chair- Woch of the UACCNJ who prepared sever- man of the board of directors of the UACC- al meals a day and fed the entire theater NJ, Victor Hatala, took to the stage to thank crew. both the organizers of the event and the per- formers for their presentation of “Natalka Kudos and farewells Poltavka.” At the conclusion of the opening night Choirmaster Anatolyj Navrotsky spoke performance, the Ivan Franko Theater and on behalf of the troupe, underlining that this the audience were addressed by Mr. experience “surpassed all expectations” and Aleksandrovych of the Embassy of noting that “today, Ukraine is both you and Ukraine, who congratulated all on the us.” evening’s very obvious success. An emotional farewell dinner was held In turn, Mrs. Matkiwsky and Dr. that evening at the UACCNJ for the cast, Lopatynsky thanked the troupe for a unique support staff, host families and event organ- experience and welcomed them to the izers. UACCNJ. On Monday morning, April 14, departing Mykhailo Zakharevych, general director members of the Ivan Franko Theater were of the theater, relayed greetings from Kyiv blessed by the Rt. Rev. Mitrat Roman to the diaspora, emphasizing the role played Mirchuk, pastor of St. John the Baptist Lev Khmelkovsky by the diaspora in the decades-long struggle Ukrainian Catholic Church of Whippany. Ukraine’s Consul General in New York, Mykola Kyrychenko (second from left) for the independence of Ukraine and in pre- Also present were the host families and the and his wife, Olena (left), with Ukrainian National Association Treasurer Roma serving Ukrainian culture abroad. chief organizers of the event. Lisovich and UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj on opening night at the UACCNJ. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17 No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 13 Washington’s first “pysanka weekend” attracts specialists, collectors by Olenka and Jurij Dobczansky regional variations in decorative patterns. These exhibits are on display through WASHINGTON – Sixty pysanka spe- May 19. cialists, lobbyists and collectors from At the conclusion of the symposium across North America gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine on the main participants and members of the March 8 for the first Pysanka Symposium organizing committee enjoyed a dinner in the United States. Five presenters next door at St. Josaphat Ukrainian shared their stories of creating, docu- Catholic Seminary, hosted by the semi- menting, collecting and preserving the nary’s rector, The Rev. Robert Hitchens. pysanka and its legacy. A very receptive Mr. Dobczansky again thanked the audience joined in a lively exchange of speakers and members of the organizing ideas on the ancient art and living tradi- committee, including: Zenowia Choma tion of pysanka writing. and Norm Thompson, who produced the The Pysanka Symposium began with handsome program booklet; Christine welcoming remarks by Jurij Dobczansky, Paclawsky, who assisted with announce- who conceived and spearheaded the ments and media publicity; Oksana event. “Our goal in organizing this sym- Sorokowski, who managed the book sale posium was to provide a forum for table; and all the community organiza- pysanka specialists, writers and connois- tions that financially supported the sym- seurs. We wanted to share our collective Mike Lent posium. Conversations continued late knowledge and experience and document into the evening. Among the many ideas it in an accessible way. Pysanka writers A view of some of the pysanky in the collection of Luba Chornodolsky (by Olena Kuzminsky and Maria Hawrych). voiced that evening was the need for today creatively reconstruct traditional another such event to explore those patterns into individual works of art lead- Pysanka – it is written! A bibliography.” pysanka workshops conducted by Mr. aspects not fully discussed at the sympo- ing some to declare it is no longer a ‘folk Her colorfully illustrated guide includes Dobczansky at the Ukrainian Catholic sium. art.’ The explosion of information about over 200 books, audio-visuals and arti- National Shrine in the form of photo- the pysanka challenges us to ensure that Sunday events cles in Ukrainian, English, German, the essence of traditional pysanka writing graphs, flyers, press clippings and related doesn’t become obscured,” he said. French, Portuguese, Italian, Polish and publications. The symposium was followed on Dr. Andrew Sorokowski, known to Japanese. Ms. Brander also displayed “Paths to the Pysanka” presented Sunday by two hands-on pysanka-deco- readers of The Ukrainian Weekly through books, clippings and photographs of her pysanky from eight pysanka-writers and rating workshops, held in conjunction his column “CrossCurrents,” introduced work in teaching and popularizing the collectors: Luba Chornodolsky, Jurij with the annual Easter Bazaar at the Holy the speakers and served as moderator of pysanka on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Dobczansky, Olha Kurylas, Lesia Family Parish. the symposium. In introducing Helen Dr. Andrij Hornjatkevyc said his illus- Mandzia, Ihor Masnyk, Nadia O’Shea, Thirteen pysanka-writers attended the Badulak of Reading, Pa., Dr. Sorokowski trated talk centered on the collection and Ihor Slabicky and Sofika Zielyk. Pysanka Master Class with Ms. Badulak, noted that she represented the creation preservation aspects of pysanky. A lin- The exhibit and the accompanying and the 25th annual Pysanka Workshop phase of pysanky. guist by profession, Dr. Hornjatkevyc’s booklet underscored the fact that every- for pysanka-writers of all ages and levels Ms. Badulak spoke about the life of a interest in pysanky comes from his father, one who has written, collected or inherit- with Mr. Dobczansky attracted a total of Damian’s, collection, which he preserved pysanka artist and displayed a selection ed pysanky has a unique story to tell. 63 participants. and whose recording in electronic format of her exquisite work. The winner of Some are hooked the minute they see a Overall, participants of the symposium, numerous awards and distinctions includ- by the Ukrainian Folklore Chairs at the pysanka emerging from beneath the University of Alberta he facilitated. He the workshop and the master class were ing Master of Pysanka by the blackened beeswax. Some are intrigued very positive about their experience. The described how his father collected by the challenge of creating the “perfect International Egg Art Guild, Ms. Badulak Ukrainian Service of the Voice of pysanky and embroidery in western pysanka.” Some cherish pysanky as gifts conducted a Pysanka Master Class on America recorded several interviews with Ukraine and safeguarded them during the that bring memories of friends or loved Sunday with her daughter Nina Badulak- participants and presenters, which were second world war. He managed to bring ones. For others, pysanky evoke a cher- McDaniel. included in a special broadcast to Ukraine The second speaker, Orysia Paszczak the collections with him when he immi- ished family tradition spanning several on March 19. (The full Ukrainian-lan- Tracz, is a writer whose column, “The grated to the United States, despite cus- generations. guage text and a video clip may be things we do ...,” also is familiar to read- toms officials damaging some in an effort The third exhibit, “Tools for the viewed at https://author.voanews.com/ ers of The Ukrainian Weekly. A to determine whether they were real eggs. Pysanka,” focused on the absolute sim- researcher, lecturer and translator based Dr. Hornjatkevyc demonstrated how plicity of tools and techniques required ukrainian/2008-03-19-voa8.cfm.) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she spoke about his father’s pysanka collection can now for pysanka-writing. It highlighted the Mr. Dobczansky observed at the out- the traditions rooted in pagan and be viewed online from any angle rotating development of the electric kistka by set: “Often it is asked why we invest so Christian rituals, as well as several mod- them 360 degrees (http://www.arts.ual- Wasyl Ohar of Detroit. This “New much time and effort into decorating a ern-day interpretations of pysanky in berta.ca/uvp/pages/media/edpysanky/ima World” innovation has significantly fragile eggshell. Were you to ask the over North America. ges/dh1/dh1.htm). In addition, Dr. changed the way pysanky are written 800 individuals who have participated in Ms. Tracz noted that, like so many Hornjatkevyc announced that he had today. The electric kistka is now widely our workshops you would probably hear other Ukrainian traditions in both North brought both collections from Edmonton, used even in the “Old World.” 800 reasons. But above all, you would America and Ukraine, the pysanka has in order to give them a permanent home A map, “Pysanky of Ukraine,” based readily sense an excitement and joy in evolved into a symbol of Ukrainian iden- at The Ukrainian Museum in New York on information and illustrations from Vira learning this craft and its traditions. Yes, tity. She illustrated her talk “From the immediately after the symposium. Manko’s book “The Ukrainian Folk it appears the eggshell is indeed fragile, sublime to the ridiculous” with numerous The last speaker was Lubow Wolynetz, Pysanka” was displayed at the entrance. but the legacy of the pysanka is quite examples – the ridiculous represented by the representative of the Ukrainian It gives an impressionistic portrait of the strong.” a set of golf balls with pysanka motifs. Museum who facilitated Dr. These two speakers set the stage for Hornjatkevyc’s donation. A librarian by the main issues discussed at the confer- profession, she is presently a professor ence: the role of the pysanka as a tradi- and museum curator of the Ukrainian tional ritual object versus the pysanka as Museum and Library of Stamford, Conn., a personal expression of an artist’s cre- as well as the folk art curator of The ativity. Should an egg, exquisitely deco- Ukrainian Museum in New York. rated in the reverse batik method but Ms. Wolynetz focused on the preserva- devoid of traditional symbolism, still be tion of pysanky for posterity based on called a pysanka? Or does it merely more than 20 years’ experience organiz- become a decorated egg? Does there have ing The Ukrainian Museum’s annual to be a connection to Ukraine or to the pysanka exhibit. In her illustrated presen- traditional Ukrainian Easter basket for an tation she traced the evolution of the very egg to be called a pysanka? Can another popular exhibit and the ways in which the object, such as a golf ball or a Christmas museum strives to make each year’s tree ornament with traditional pysanka exhibit unique by featuring the pysanka’s motifs, be called a pysanka? What about link to other elements of Ukrainian cul- whimsically designed eggs that employ ture – Easter “pasky” (breads) or embroi- traditional and non-traditional patterns dered “rushnyky” (ritual cloths), for and motifs? example. After a brief refreshment break, during Additional features which intense conversations continued, Dr. Sorokowski introduced Joan Brander Besides the program of speakers, the from Richmond, British Columbia. Ms. Pysanka Symposium featured a three-part Brander is a pysanka artist, instructor and exhibit designed and created by Larysa Larysa Kurylas the founder of Baba’s Beeswax, a popular Kurylas and Olenka Dobczanska. At the Pysanka Symposium (from left) are: Andrew Sorokowski, Lubow website devoted to the pysanka. The display case titled “Passing on the Wolynetz, Andrij Hornjatkevyc, Joan Brander, Orysia Paszczak Tracz, Jurij She presented her book “About the Pysanka Legacy” chronicled 25 years of Dobczansky and Helen Badulak. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

ruining the investment climate in NEWSBRIEFS Ukraine,” Ms. Tymoshenko said. (RFE/RL CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) Newsline) cy, the PRU wants to preserve Ukraine’s TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI, (973) 292-9800 x 3040 OU-PSD hurls accusations at the YTB course toward full-fledged membership in or e-mail: [email protected] the European Union and to develop strate- KYIV – Viacheslav Kyrylenko, the gic partnerships with Russia, the United leader of the Our Ukraine – People’s Self- States, neighboring countries and member- Defense bloc (OU-PSD), has said that the SERVICES PROFESSIONALS states of the Commonwealth of recent actions of the grouping’s coalition Independent States (CIS). (RFE/RL partner, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc Newsline) (YTB), “pose a real threat to the territorial integrity and the state independence of LAW OFFICES OF Coalition partners trade accusations Ukraine, which can be defended only by ZENON B. MASNYJ, ESQ. KYIV – The Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc effective presidential power at the current (YTB) has demanded that Ukrainian stage of the country’s development,” President Viktor Yushchenko cancel all the UNIAN reported on April 21. Mr. In the East Village since 1983 legal acts “blocking” the work of the coali- Kyrylenko was apparently commenting on tion government, Interfax-Ukraine report- the YTB’s plans to introduce constitutional Serious personal injury, real estate ed on April 16, quoting YTB parliamen- change that would transform Ukraine into for personal and business use, rep- tary caucus leader Ivan Kyrylenko. In par- a parliamentary republic. “Today the YTB, resentation of small and mid-size ticular, Mr. Kyrylenko said that the presi- the Party of the Regions and the WEST ARKA businesses, securities arbitration, dent and “his entourage” have blocked “all Communists want to seize authority from 2282 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M6S 1N9 divorce, wills and probate. the anti-corruption programs” of the the president and transfer it to the factions Fine Gifts Cabinet of Ministers. “The tone that the of Parliament and a kind of ‘chancellor’ Authentic Ukrainian Handicrafts (By Appointment Only) YTB deems it acceptable to use in its who would be appointed by the factions. Art, Books, CDs, Ceramics Andrew R. CHORNY assessments of the work of the Ukrainian In practice, that would mean creating a Embroidered Goods and Supplies Manager 157 SECOND AVENUE president is impermissible for civilized system of collective impunity and absolute Gold Jewelery, Icons, Magazines politicians in general,” the pro-presidential power for the parliamentary-oligarchic Newspapers, Pysankas and Supplies NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10003 (212) 477-3002 Our Ukraine People’s Union party said in a clans,” Mr. Kyrylenko said. (RFE/RL All Services to Ukraine, Mail-orders statement later the same day. “Accusing Newsline) the president of suspending individual Tel.: (416) 762-8751 Fax: (416) 767-6839 Odesa boasts many diplomatic missions e-mail: [email protected] www.westarka.com orders by the government is something that cannot stand up to any criticism. The ODESA – The number of consulates in acts that are being referred to, first of all, the Black Sea port city of Odesa will FIRST QUALITY are illegal and, second, no approval has increase by another four foreign diplomat- UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL-STYLE been sought for them from the coalition ic missions, said the representative of partners,” the statement added. The YTB Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to MONUMENTS leads the current government in coalition Odesa, Konstiantyn Rzhepyshevskyi. He SERVING NY/NJ/CT REGION CEMETERIES with the Our Ukraine – People’s Self- said the Consulate General of Armenia OBLAST Defense bloc, of which Our Ukraine is a will shortly start operations there and that MEMORIALS component. (RFE/RL Newsline) the Armenian diaspora has already pre- P.O. BOX 746 RENTALS Yulia: president blocks initiatives pared a building for it at the Gagarin Chester, NY 10918 plateau, where the Armenian Cultural 845-469-4247 KYIV – Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Center is located. Similar talks are under BILINGUAL HOME APPOINTMENTS Tymoshenko on April 21 told the German way with diplomats from Italy, Germany daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that and Austria. Odesa – a leader in the num- LvivRentals.com President Viktor Yushchenko has effective- ber of diplomatic representations in ly blocked “by decree” around 20 govern- Ukraine – has consulates general of WEB DESIGN from $59 per night ment initiatives aimed at boosting trans- BY UKRAINIANS Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Romania, parency and fighting corruption. “I think Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Poland and 7 years in business the reason is that the president is thinking China. Honorary consulates general of Tel.: (202) 657-7105 hard about the... [2009] presidential elec- Portfolio: Artdriver.com Kazakhstan, the Republic of South Africa, FOR SALE tion and sees me as a competitor,” Ms. Latvia and Pakistan also operate in Odesa. Tymoshenko said. “But this competition Israel and Italy have envoys of their coun- MERCHANDISE should not stop transparency and reforms tries’ embassies in Ukraine in the city. The FOR SALE 1 Bedroom unit in the in my country.” Mr. Yushchenko earlier European Union Border Assistance Ukrainian Village complex near South this month issued a decree to cancel the Mission to Moldova and Ukraine Ukrainian Book Store Bound Brook, NJ, for seniors 55 years sale of four regional electricity producers, (EUBAM) also is headquartered in Odesa. Largest selection of Ukrainian books, dance and older. Excellent condition. Ground claiming that the sale of key state-owned supplies, Easter egg supplies, music, icons, level. No stairs to climb. Tel: (203) 386- (Ukrinform) 4456 (day) or (203) 926-0422 (eve) enterprises is unconstitutional. “Personally, greeting cards, giftwear and much more. I think the ban on strategic privatizations is (Continued on page 19) 10215-97st Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9 OPPORTUNITIES Toll free: 1-866-422-4255 www.ukrainianbookstore.com With deep sorrow we share with family and friends, EARN EXTRA INCOME that on April 10, 2008 working from home! NO selling, NO stress and NO initial investment. Taras Shepelavy Send resume to [email protected] born in Buchach, Ukraine passed away at the age of 75.

EARN EXTRA INCOME! Funeral services were held on April 14 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Watervliet, NY. The Ukrainian Weekly is looking for advertising sales agents. Taras is survived by: For additional information contact Maria Oscislawski, Advertising wife Julianne Manager, The Ukrainian Weekly, son Danylo with wife Roxanne (973) 292-9800, ext 3040. and their daughters Daria and Natalia sisters Anna Makuch with her sons Ivan, Ihor and Roman and their families Olha Bertsch with husband Elmer WANT IMPACT? and their children Yuri and Tatiana sister-in-law Christina Shepelavey with her son Adrian Run your advertisement here, and daughter Anya and their families in The Ukrainian Weekly’s Run your advertisement here, mother-in-law Mary Decyk Nowadly CLASSIFIEDS section. in The Ukrainian Weekly’s nephew Bohdan Horbaczuk and his family CLASSIFIEDS section. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 15

омяни  осподи у царстві воїм.

ілимося сумною вісткою, що у середу, 23 квітня, 2008 р. відійшла у вічність після важкої недуги, ануся огожа-Асанді

У глибокому смутку: чоловік- %икола брат- Андрій з дружиною (огданою та сином )азарoм ближча і дальша родина в Америці та Україні.

анахида відбудеться y вівторок, 29 квітня o год. 7:30 веч. у похоронному заведенні . Яреми у )ю-/орку. охоронні відправи в церкві св. Юра, 30 квітня о год. 9:30 ранку а відтак на цвинтар св. Андрія, 4. (авнд (рук, ).ж. росимо ласкаво згадати покійну анусю у своїх молитвах. 5амість квітів на могилу просимо складати датки на церкву св. Івана ;рестителя в антері. St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, P.O. Box 284, Hunter, NY, 12442.

Patricia Lupichuk

age 75, passed away on March 24, 2008, at Independence Court. She was born on July 21, 1932, in Jasionka, Ukraine, a daughter of the late John and Julia Bybel.

She was an active member of the Ukrainian American community. she was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church where she participated in the Baking Group and cleaning the church. She enjoyed baking, gardening and sewing.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Michael Lupichuk, on November 23, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her brother Andrew Bybel. She is survived by three sons: Andrei Lupichuk with wife Christina of Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca.; William Lupichuk with wife Natalka of Arlington, Va.; and Michael Lupichuk with wife Kimberly of Erie, Pa.; twin grandsons David and Matthew Lupichuk of Erie, Pa.; brother, Stephen Bybel of Yonkers, NY; sister, Maria Iwanicki of Arlington, Va.; and sister, Anna Lenko of Ukraine.

Funeral liturgy was held in Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 3415 Wallace Street, Erie, Pa., 16504.

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. (The Weekly goes to press early Friday mornings.) Rate: $7.50 per column-inch. Information should be addressed to the attention of the Advertising Department and sent to: The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, N.J. 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510; telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040; e-mail, [email protected].

Please include the daytime phone number of a contact person. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

symphonic work composed in 2004. The was hosted by Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Ukrainian Society Kyiv Mohyla... choral ensemble went on tour throughout The latest university event related to (Continued from page 9) Ukraine and also performed in Moscow. the Holodomor included public hearings butions to the documentation of the The organization Prosvita, the Kyiv titled “Holodomor – Genocide 1932-33, of Boston College Holodomor. This book was selected as Mohyla International Charitable Politics and Memory,” which took place one of the best 10 books published in Foundation Renaissance and the on March 5, co-sponsored by the elects officers Ukraine in 2007. It is the most complete Association of Researchers of Academy with the Fulbright Program collection of documents of the Soviet Holodomor generously financed the pro- and the Kennan Institute. This controver- by Deanna Rakowsky central and local government and party duction of 5,000 compact discs of the sial and highly charged program includ- performance, which were distributed ed lectures by renown researchers about NEWTON, Mass. – The recently founded offices and archives, including trial, mili- tia and police documents, as well as cor- throughout Ukraine and other countries. the geopolitical aspect of the Holodomor, Ukrainian Society of Boston College is concluding In 2008 the Student Capella Pochayna its first school year as an official club. Elections of respondence of Stalin, Kaganovych, the methods for gathering evidence and Molotov and others. Some 200 copies of plans a concert tour to perform an insightful discussion about genocide officers for the next school year were held on “Requiem Thirty-Three” throughout Wednesday, April 2. the book were distributed to Ukraine’s and the effects of such an event on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for dissemi- Ukraine, in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in national cultural memory and the collec- The club’s founder and this past year’s president, Canada. Deanna Rakowsky, ran unopposed and was re-elect- nation to Ukrainian embassies and con- tive social consciousness of Ukraine. sulates scattered throughout the world. A ed. Also re-elected were Laryssa Kramarchuk, vice- Conferences and seminars Responsibility to future generations president, and Christopher Rusyniak, treasurer. formal presentation of the book took In January 2008 the Kyiv Mohyla Because the current secretary of the club, Erin place in Moscow at the Embassy of It is not a coincidence that Kyiv School of Law presented a roundtable on Lytwyn, will be studying abroad for a full year in Ukraine in the Russian Federation. Mohyla Academy has become the epi- Spain and Ecuador, rising sophomore Andrea In commemoration of the 75th the legal foundations for the recognition center of so many key events related to of the Holodomor as genocide against Dzwinyk assumed the role. Natalia Ivanytsky, class anniversary of the Holodomor, further this crime. The university’s administra- the Ukrainian nation. This project includ- of 2010, obtained the position of publicity manager. plans for 2008 include the publication of tion and faculty fully understand the ed not only documentation and analysis, After the elections were completed, club mem- the following books at Kyiv Mohyla importance and responsibility of expos- but also oral testimony which has not yet bers discussed upcoming club events over pizza and Publishing House: six volumes of the ing the true facts about the Holodomor to been documented. refreshments. Among these events was an April 19 series “Ukrainian Holocaust: Testimony the world, to Ukraine’s government and of Those Who Survived,” the translation Numerous international organizations, conference titled “Unlocking the Economic to the Ukrainian nation. into English of the book “Holodomor universities and individual researchers Potential of Eastern Europe: Sustainable The significance of studying and 1932-1933 in Ukraine: Documents and have routinely selected Kyiv Mohyla Development in Ukraine.” The event is sponsored archiving evidence is of great conse- Materials,” four volumes of the transla- Academy as the venue and host of pre- by the Ukrainian Society of Boston College with quence. Without this work and the insis- support given by the Harvard Ukrainian Research tions of U.S. Congressional Hearings sentations on the Holodomor. In March “Great Famine of Ukraine 1932-33” and 2004 BBC-Ukraine presented its CD tence on it the Holodomor may become Institute. The moderator for the event will be Andrij a forgotten tragedy and be used as a Tsintisruk, a Boston College graduate student study- “Holodomor 32-33: Chronical of events production of “Tomb Without a Cross,” political argument. The Holodomor must ing political science. – Diary of the Holodomor.” which includes radio programs about the reasons, circumstances and conse- never be forgotten. It must become part Other upcoming events for the Ukrainian Society Student participation of Boston College include a Ukrainian food work- quences of the Holodomor, with rare of our collective memory. shop and an end-of-the-school year liturgy. Student participation in Holodomor photographs and testimony of witnesses. Those who deny this tragic event or With all of its successes the 2007-2008 school studies is a university priority. All pro- In February 2008, the Italian Institute prefer to forget doom future generations year, members of the Ukrainian Society expect that grams, activities and publications at the of Culture in Ukraine sponsored the to the repetition of such incomprehensi- next year will be no different. Its members are university include the active participation presentation of its newly published ble acts. The memory of the Holodomor already working to add an elementary Ukrainian and of students. In 2007, under the direction “Letters from Kharkiv: Famine in is part of the common historical experi- Ukrainian history and culture class to the Boston of Oleksandr Zhyhun, the award-win- Ukraine and Kavkaz” – a chronicle of ence of all Ukrainians, and it also shapes College curriculum. The Ukrainian Society also ning Kyiv Mohyla Student Choir reports of Italian diplomats who served our common future. We have a duty to hopes to recruit more members during the 2008- Pochayna with the National Symphony in the USSR in 1932-1933. This impor- ourselves, to the victims and to the next 2009 school year and to build upon its foundation of Orchestra of Ukraine performed the pre- tant collection was gathered and present- generations to document the truth, celebrating Ukrainian culture and tradition. miere of “Requiem Thirty-Three,” a ed by Prof. Andre Graziozi. The event denounce the horror and never to forget. No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

Ukrainian pro hockey update by Ihor Stelmach

Canadian juniors. So he had documented a of their lives, so it’s very flattering when Flashback: Federko’s first fame in St. Louis penchant for scoring. One might say the they look back on time spent with their What’s your version of an impressive in his homeland. He played in exactly expectations were was rather high for the father, or with their family, and they associ- home-ice debut for a 20-year-old NHL 1,000 NHL games, but the very first one in young man. ate you with it as well.” rookie? Maybe 10 to 12 minutes of ice the old St. Louis Arena is one of those he’ll The goal-scoring exhibition in the first Ever humble, notably opposite from time, a hit or two, not letting your man never forget. home game seemed to justify those expec- today’s ego-driven, self-centered profes- score a goal? If you’re lucky, maybe assist- Let’s say it was the night when a rookie tations. It was the night a native of Foam sional athlete, Federko comes across as just ing on a linemate’s goal, earning your first center, living in a hotel room because he Lake, Saskatchewan, was adopted by a another rich historical asset of St. Louis’ ever professional point? If you’re really hadn’t had time to find a place to live, hockey-mad city in middle America. past. lucky, seeing almost 20 minutes of ice, a made himself a home in St. Louis. Only “The electricity and the response from “When someone goes out of their way to shift on special teams and, gulp, scoring a two nights prior, in a road match-up vs. the fans is something that I don’t think I’ll want to say hello or have you sign some- goal in your first ever home game? Boston, Federko tallied his first NHL goal. ever forget,” Federko told NHL.com. thing, it’s pretty neat,” Federko said. “It’s For 20-year-old Ukrainian Bernie In his next game the thrill of his first ever Fast foward 31 years to find Federko’s hard to explain how good it makes you Federko it was so much more. He scored a tally was quickly eclipsed by his hat trick at No. 24 jersey retired and hanging from the feel.” To this very day he has not gotten used hat trick in his first ever game on St. Louis home. The analogy was made by Federko rafters of the new Scottrade Center. Fans to or tired of looking up at his No. 24 hang- ice. To prove how young and innocent he himself, it was kind of like putting the icing young and old still recognize him on a daily ing from the rafters at Scottrade Center. was, as soon as the game ended, Federko on top of a cake, when there was no cake basis, what with his television job covering “It’s still very humbling for me, for my made a beeline for the closest pay phone so yet. the team. They still request a few minutes wife and for my kids,” he said in his inter- he could call his family to share his scoring His recollections of the evening in ques- of his time, and continue asking for auto- view with NHL.com. “Every time you heroics. After showering and changing, tion continue to be splendid. He claims he graphs or photo. walk in the building, you see your number Federko returned to his hotel room and sat can still recall the exceptional odor of the “It’s really amazing,” Federko, now 51, up in the rafters, and you know no one will around astonished, not certain if he had just old Arena, and how Blues fans rewarded marvelled. “I’ve been in St. Louis 30 years ever wear it again.” scored three goals or was living a dream. If him with exuberant cheering. “Our building now, and it’s an everyday occurrence that In 2002 came the announcement that it was a dream, when would he wake up? was so loud,” Federko said in an interview someone asks me for an autograph or wants Federko was to be inducted into the Well, it certainly was no dream, but in with Doug Ward, correspondent for to take a picture. You’d think after all these Hockey Hall of Fame, 12 years after retir- looking at his impressive NHL career, it NHL.com. “The noise just seemed to come years it wouldn’t happen any more, but it ing following the 1989-1990 season, which can be said Federko may have been living a right down on top of the ice.” still goes on. That’s very humbling.” he played in Detroit. dream for some 14 years. During this time The young No. 24 certainly gave the The continued respect and adulation he “I’ve had a lot of exciting moments in hometown fans lots of reasons to applaud. receives from strangers is usually of a per- he would score a total of 369 goals and my life,” Federko said, “especially with the sonal nature, when a fan or a family of fans assist on 761 others for 1,130 points. This “I ended up scoring the hat trick by getting boys being born. But as far as what you do felt they shared a particular moment with kind of production earned him the honor of the winner with a couple of minutes left in for a living, it really almost stops your heart Federko the player. Many of the reminisc- having his jersey retired in St. Louis and the game,” Federko said. when you get the call (from the Hall of ing Blues supporters describe special mem- being inducted into the Hockey Hall of These were not unchartered waters for Fame). It’s the greatest honor that you can ories they experienced at the old Arena Fame. Proving hockey is still in his blood, the 30-year-old novice. He had notched 30 get.” Federko is still employed by the Blues goals in only 39 games for the Central which was destroyed in early 1999. Federko enjoyed an illustrious career. hockey club as their television analyst. Hockey League’s (the top minor league “So many people have come to me and The only thing missing on the back of his His phenomenal 14-year NHL career level at the time) Kansas City team prior to said, ‘I went to a game and saw you play hockey card was a Stanley Cup champi- gained this Ukrainian Canadian legendary his recall to St. Louis. Before going pro, when I was 3 years old or when I was 5 status in St. Louis and mythical adoration Federko managed a 72-goal season in the years.’ Going to games was such a big part (Continued on page 21) No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 19

“On Higher Education.” Mr. Lytvyn holds NEWSBRIEFS the modern history of Ukraine chair in the “Folk!” to be screened at UACCNJ (Continued from page 14) history department and is chairman of the WHIPPANY, N.J. – Roxy pany as they prepare for a sold-out per- Yushchenko honors Brzezinski university’s Supervisory Council. (Ukrinform) Toporowych’s film “Folk!” opens the formance in New York City. KYIV – Ukrainian President Viktor door to the underground world of As tragedy strikes, the company strug- Yushchenko on March 28 awarded Ukraine to send personnel to Iraq Ukrainian folk dancing in present-day gles to pull the show together. With ten- New York City. Her film will be sions high and bodies out of shape, the Zbigniew Brzezinski, chief advisor and KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko board member of the Center for Strategic screened on Friday, May 2, here at the film follows the dancers through an on April 11 issued a decree to send 15 Ukrainian American Cultural Center of uphill battle of body and mind, as every- and International Studies, with the Order Ukrainian soldiers and armed forces of Yaroslav the Wise, third degree. The New Jersey. one pursues the passion to “Folk!” employees to participate in the United award was presented for “outstanding pub- The filmmaker guides the audience The Ukrainian American Cultural Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq lic activity and development of relations through a fun-filled whirlwind of Center of New Jersey is located at 60-C (UNAMI). The document notes that the between Ukraine and the United States.” Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian American life North Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ decision was made taking into account (Ukrinform) and her one true obsession: folk dancing. 07981. Tickets are $20 and will be avail- Ukraine’s obligations as a U.N. member After a journey through folk dance able at the door. For more information or Plawiuk honored by president and is based on a proposal of the National history, Ms. Toporowych meets leg- to purchase tickets in advance, call 973- Security and Defense Council of Ukraine endary choreographer Roma Pryma 590-8026 or log on to uaccnj.org. Seating KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko and in accordance with the Law “On Bohachevsky, and joins her dance com- is limited. on April 11 decorated Mykola Plawiuk, Ukraine’s Participation in Peacekeeping president of the Ukrainian National Operations.” The president’s decree said Republic in exile in 1988-1992, with the that development of Ukraine’s long-term Order of Yaroslav the Wise, first degree. cooperation with Iraq will contribute to Ukrainian astronaut pens book on April 7 signed a decree “On Mr. Plawiuk was recognized for selfless strengthening international peace and secu- Amendments to Some Legal Acts of service to the Ukrainian people and out- KYIV – The first astronaut of independ- Ukraine about Advertising,” which defines rity and will meet Ukraine’s international standing personal services in renewal of ent Ukraine, Leonid Kadenyuk, has written some types of advertising and regulates interests. (Ukrinform) Ukraine’s independence. (Ukrinform) a book describing his flight into space. advertisements for certain goods. In partic- During a press conference on Ukraine loses 4 M people in six years ular, the decree notes that advertisements Lytvyn to head Kyiv University “Astronautics through the Years and for alcoholic beverages and tobacco should Generations” at Ukrinform on April 7, Mr. KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko KYIV – Government financing of med- not contain images of popular people, as Kadenyuk said, “I am from the generation decreed the appointment of Volodymyr icine grew fourfold in six years, and the well as “direct or indirect approval of whose childhood coincided with the space Lytvyn, corresponding member of the consumption of medications tripled, but smoking, consumption of alcohol, beer National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine the mortality rate in Ukraine increased, era.” He said his dream to travel into space and beer-based drinks.” (Ukrinform) reported experts from the United Nations. was born on April 12, 1961, the day when and leader of the Lytvyn Bloc’s parliamen- A statue to Natalka Poltavka tary faction, as acting rector of the According to the experts, the reason is Yuri Gagarin performed his first flight. It National Taras Shevchenko University of ineffective distribution of budget funds, as took over 30 years for the dream to come – A monument to Natalka Kyiv. At the same time, the president well as the absence of a health protection true, and “this dream helped me receive Poltavka, the heroine of the play of the declared the decree by his predecessor system. Medicine has not changed in the necessary knowledge,” Mr. Kadenyuk same name by classicist Ivan Kotliarevsky dated January 12, 2000, “On Appointment past 17 years; the old model, which was noted. He described his book as filled with (1769-1838), will be erected in Poltava by of Viktor Skopenko as rector of the Kyiv created back in the Soviet times, is work- memories about the feelings of a man trav- the year 2010. Poltava’s mayor backed the Taras Shevchenko State University,” void. ing. One out of eight Ukrainians feels sick, eling in space. Mr. Kadenyuk was in space initiative of the city’s artistic intelligentsia Mr. Lytvyn will be the acting rector of the according to public opinion polls, reported November 19 through December 5, 1997, to erect the monument. This will be a sim- country’s leading university until a new the newspaper Delo. In the past 10 years as a member of the U.S. space shuttle ple sculpture, but a whole composition head of the higher educational establish- the Ukrainian nation lost 4 million people, Columbia (mission STS-87). (Ukrinform) depicting the main characters of the play. ment is elected. The Education and predominantly males. A third of Decree restricts alcohol, tobacco ads “Natalka Poltavka” was released in 1838 Science Ministry was instructed to organ- Ukrainians who fell ill last year suffered and is popular in theaters through today. ize the election in compliance with the law blood system violations. (Ukrinform) KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko (Ukrinform) 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17 No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 21

2004-2006 constitutional reform. Mr. creative strategy back in his Saskatoon jun- Can the ruling... Yushchenko wants to restore strong pres- Flashback... ior days of the mid-1970s. (Continued from page 2) idential powers. Ms. Tymoshenko, how- (Continued from page 18) “When I started playing in the NHL, I Parliament backed Ms. Tymoshenko, ever, has signaled that her party is in onship, yet that did not detract from his used it there, too, and it worked because scheduling the election for the end of favor of a parliamentary form of govern- accomplishments. you could use the net as protection,” May. Mr. Yushchenko suggested fielding ment. The PRU and the YTB have agreed “We all play for the Stanley Cup, but Federko said. The lack of communication a single candidate from the coalition, but to set up a commission in Parliament in unfortunately, we can’t all get to that level between the two defensemen in front of the Ms. Tymoshenko refused, unilaterally order to draft constitutional amendments. because it takes so many factors,” Federko net sometimes meant that you’d get both of nominating her right-hand man, First On April 14 United Center (UC), a said. “It’s really the hardest trophy in the them coming after you and so there would Vice Prime Minister Oleksander small party linked to Mr. Baloha, issued a world to win. The game is so physical, and be two guys open in front of the net. Turchynov. statement accusing the YTB of conspir- there are so many variables. Unfortunately, “You were almost like a quarterback The Yushchenko team moved to strong ing with the PRU to provoke an early I was not able to be part of a team that won picking out a receiver. Or, you could pick statements in April, essentially burning parliamentary election. Mr. Yushchenko’s a Stanley Cup.” out an area in the slot, and, if you knew its bridges. On April 10 the chief of the legal advisor, Ihor Pukshyn, accused the Federko does feel good about the play- your winger well enough, you knew he was Presidential Secretariat, Viktor Baloha, YTB on the same day of political corrup- off runs his Blues teams generated in their going there and that it would be a good accused Ms. Tymoshenko of “creating a tion. He quoted unnamed YTB deputies quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup. The down- scoring chance,” Federko explained. large-scale land trade scam” by setting up as alleging that positions on the YTB list and-dirty grinding and mucking with his Parking himself behind the net and a single body to conduct land auctions for the 2007 early Parliament election teammates, supported by loyal legions of dishing out primary assists for Blues across Ukraine. Mr. Baloha alleged that were sold “for millions of dollars.” Blues fans make for some powerful memo- goals was only one of many valuable Ms. Tymoshenko wanted to install a On April 12-14 the teams of Mr. ries. He recalled one 1986 playoff game at qualities Federko showed while accumu- friend of Bohdan Hubskyi, “YTB’s noto- Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko the Arena in particular and claims it as his lating four seasons of 100+ points. rious landowner,” at the helm of the exchanged strong statements, accusing favorite. Consistency? How about 10 consecutive body. He suggested that Ms. each other of conspiring to break up the “It’s what is referred to in St. Louis as 50-point campaigns spanning the period Tymoshenko “simply wants to head this coalition. On April 14 the leading mem- the Monday Night Miracle,” Federko said. from 1978-1979 to 1987-1988. Though to mafia.” Ms. Tymoshenko rejected the bers of the two parties gathered for an “It was May 12, 1986. We were down three many he made it look effortless, he’ll tell accusations, saying that the body was urgent meeting to find ways to save the goals with 10 minutes left in Game 6 you otherwise. needed in order to ensure transparency in coalition. against Calgary. We ended up coming back “There really is nothing easy in the land auctions. OU-PSD representatives insisted that and tying the game in the last minute, and NHL,” he said. “It’s the best league in the Mr. Yushchenko accused Ms. the YTB should stop its joint work with then winning in overtime. People stood for world and you have to work at things and Tymoshenko on April 3 of betraying the the PRU on a constitutional commission. an hour and a half after the game. No one practice. It’s hard to get there, and it’s even coalition by hiring people who had The YTB insisted that Mr. Yushchenko left the building because they were so harder to stay. I think it’s all the practice served the old regime. He named Viktor fire Mr. Baloha. The YTB backed down excited. The fact the building is no longer and the confidence that you get from prac- Medvedchuk, who managed the office of on April 15, saying that it was suspending there only adds to it.” ticing. But it’s still hard work because there Mr. Yushchenko’s predecessor, Leonid the plan to set up the constitutional com- One of Federko’s patented on-ice moves is always someone very good who is trying Kuchma, and Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, mission. Mr. Baloha on April 15 urged was setting himself up with the puck to stop you from doing what you do best.” who was President Kuchma’s representa- dismissal of the ministers of finance and behind the opponent’s net, waiting for one The rest of the league did not do very tive in Parliament. Mr. Zadorozhnyi economy. He blamed them for high infla- of his wingers to get an open shot in the fine work in stopping Federko from pro- advises Ms. Tymoshenko on constitution- tion. Both represent the YTB in the slot of the goal area. Hockey pundits credit ducing at a high level. He still remembers al matters, while Mr. Medvedchuk, the Cabinet. Federko for actually popularizing what his first hat trick from 31 years ago, in his Presidential Secretariat claimed, is draft- eventually would be titled “Wayne very first home game. ing a new constitution for her. Sources: Segodnya, March 25; Gretzky’s office.” (Note the significance of “You are playing in front of your home President Yushchenko suspects that Interfax-Ukraine, March 20, 28, April 3, two Ukrainian superstar centers mentioned fans for the first time and something like Prime Minister Tymoshenko joined 9; UT1 TV, March 20, 28; Channel 5, here in one breath.) The thing is, Federko that happens,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll forces with the team of Mr. Medvedchuk April 10, 14; www.president.gov.ua, April was practicing the behind-the-net set-up ever forget it.” and the opposition Party of the Regions 8-11; Gazeta po-Kievski, April 11; before Gretzky ever saw the NHL. As a Nor will St. Louis Blues fans forget No. in order to block his plan to reverse the Ukrainska Pravda, April 14. matter of fact, Federko came up with the 24, Bernie Federko.

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Make checks payable to KLK 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

At the April 4 NATO-Russia Council Putin’s... meeting and his April 6 meeting with (Continued from page 2) President George W. Bush in Sochi, Mr. Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe Putin hinted that Russia might encourage (CFE), which Russia threatens to cast a dismemberment of Ukraine if it aside. He denied any link between the advances toward NATO membership. treaty adapted in 1999 and the commit- In a radio interview Russian Minister of ments in Istanbul in the same year on Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said, “Both Russian troop withdrawal from Georgia in Bucharest and in Sochi, Putin recalled and Moldova, although all these docu- how present-day Ukraine, within its cur- ments are actually part of the final act of rent borders, was formed; [he recalled] the that 1999 conference. Mr. Putin claimed contradictions between western Ukraine incorrectly that Russian forces had “fully and its eastern and southeastern regions. completed” the withdrawal from Georgia, He said that what was being done to draw although Russia retains the Gudauta base Ukraine into NATO would not facilitate (in Abkhaz-administered territory), which the important task of helping Ukraine it was under obligation to vacate as far maintain its unity” (Ekho Moskvy, April back as 2001. 8). Equally incorrectly, he claimed that The Russian president told President Russia’s obligations in Moldova were lim- Bush at their bilateral meeting on April 6 ited to scrapping or evacuating heavy in Sochi: “In order to improve relations weaponry from Transdnistria, that it had with Russia it is necessary to not pull for- fully complied in this and that this compli- mer Soviet republics into political-military ance had been internationally verified. blocs but rather to develop relations with Russia was obligated to withdraw all its Russia itself, thereby guaranteeing stabili- forces from Moldova by 2002 (prolonged ty in the region” (Russia Television to 2003), but it retains its “peacekeeping” Channel One, April 6). Such a condition troops there and has transferred a part of implies that Russia seeks informal recog- its heavy weaponry to Transdnistrian nition of its primacy in that area in return forces. And, it blocks international verifi- for strategic cooperation with NATO and cation or inspections there. the United States. International ratification of the CFE The Bush administration and NATO treaty, which Moscow has long sought, have rejected any such conditions, despite hinges on these issues. At present, howev- the debilitating effects of their failures in er, Russia seeks to renegotiate the whole Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and energy security treaty in order to remove the ceilings on policy. Continuing failures on these issues Russian forces in certain flank regions. in the post-Bush era could, however, set For this reason, at his Bucharest news the stage for trade-offs to Russia’s advan- conference Mr. Putin tried to de-legitimize tage at the expense of NATO and U.S. the treaty as a “colonial-type document.” goals in Eastern Europe.

Need a back issue? If you’d like to obtain a back issue of The Ukrainian Weekly, send $2 per copy (first-class postage included) to: Administration, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

UNA SENIORS’ CONFERENCE Sunday, June 8-13, 2008 SOYUZIVKA Save this date for the Seniors’ Week Make your reservations for the UNA Seniors’ Conference which will be held at SOYUZIVKA cultural centre, beginning Sunday, June 8th, starting with wine and cheese through Friday, June 13th, 2008 including brunch. Registration: Sunday & Monday morning. All inclusive 5 nights, all meals, banquet, taxes and gratuities included, entertainment and special speakers. We encourage participants to wear Ukrainian embroidery during the banquet and to bring artifacts to be auctioned off during our evening auction for the benefit of the Seniors’ Club.

UNA members Single occupancy $425 – double $355 pp Per night – Single $100 – Double $82 pp

Non UNA members Single occupancy $475- double $373 pp Per night – Single $110 – Double $90 pp

BANQUET & ENTERTAINMENT only $35 pp

Call SOYUZIVKA Tel: 845-626-5641 – Register early. Limited space available. Contact local senior clubs and organize a bus from your area. For further information please call Oksana Trytjak Tel: 973 292-9800 X 3071 Senior Citizens’ Week is: FUN, AFFORDABLE AND INTERESTING - WE WELCOME GUESTS! COME ONE, COME ALL! No. 17 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 23 OUT AND ABOUT

Through May 30 Art exhibit, “The Six Days of Creation” by New Brunswick, NJ Christina Saj, New Brunswick Theological Seminary Chapel, 732-247-5241

May 2 Monthly social, The Washington Group, Leopold’s Washington Café, 240-381-0993

May 2 Film screening, “Folk!” by Roxy Toporowych, Whippany, NJ Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, 973-590-8026

May 2 Concert, featuring Vasyl Popadiuk, Wave4 Brooklyn, NY Entertainment, Exit Club and Lounge, 508-934-9341 or 212-447-0729

May 3 Ping-pong tournament, Chornomorska Sitch, Whippany, NJ Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, [email protected] or 973-599-1836

May 3 Lecture by Dr. Boris Lushniak, “Pandemic New York Influenza: Preparing for the Unknown,” Shevchenko Scientific Society, 212-254-5130

May 3 Presentation by Mariana Sadowsky and Friends, New York “Ukrainian Women’s Voices,” Columbia University, 212-571-1555 ext. 35

May 3-4 St. Thomas Sunday “Providna Nedilia” Pilgrimage, Bound Brook, NJ Metropolia Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., 732-356-0090

May 9 Pub night, featuring Svitanok, Ukrainian Sports Baltimore, MD Club Dnipro, 410-598-4935 or 410-830-9351

May 10 Spring zabava, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Perth Amboy, NJ Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 732-826-0767

May 13 Lecture by Roman Koropeckyj, “Self-Portraiture Stanford, CA and Narrative in Taras Shevchenko,” Stanford University, 650-725-5936

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 from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors and as space allows; photos will be considered. Please note: items will be printed a maximum of two times each. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

APARTMENT FOR SALE

Beautiful, spacious, 2-bedroom/ 1 bath apartment in the “Ukrainian Village,” South Bound Brook, New Jersey (residents must be 55+). Sunny apartment is located on the second floor for privacy, with wall-to-wall carpeting, A/C, a private balcony and eat-in kitchen. Unit has been recently renovated and has a new electric range. Offered at $175,000. If interested please call (732) 796-1035 to set up an appointment to view the nicest unit in the “Ukrainian Village.”

Host Families Wanted

Frontier Horizon, a US based humanitarian aid organization runs a cultur- al/educational travel program that brings Ukrainian orphan children to the US twice a year. The children will be the special guests of American host families as they are introduced to the simple pleasures of American life. The trip is planned with a variety of summer activities such as July 4th fireworks, pool parties, museum trips, picnics, and amusement parks.

The children are required to come with Ukrainian/Russian speaking guardians. Often the guardians are more comfortable in Ukrainian speak- ing homes so Frontier Horizon is constantly looking for Ukrainian families willing to host them.

If your family would like to host a guardian this summer or would like more information on the program please contact KT Bronson at 757-749-3922 or [email protected]. If necessary, Frontier Horizon will pay a fee for Room and Board. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2008 No. 17

Soyuzivka’s Datebook PREVIEW OF EVENTS Saturday, May 3 Society invites all of its members to partici- May 10 – Private evening affair July 10 - 13 – Soyuzivka Cultural NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific pate in the society’s annual meeting with Festival Weekend Society invites all to a lecture by Dr. Boris reports, which is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. May 11 – Mother’s Day brunch D. Lushniak titled “Pandemic Influenza: Preceding the meeting will be sessions of July 13 -18 – Heritage Camp Preparing for the Unknown.” Dr. Lushniak the society’s scholarly sections, starting at 1 May 24 – Memorial Day weekend session 1 holds M.D. and M.P.H. degrees and is rear p.m., following lunch at noon. The meet- Official Soyuzivka Reopening admiral/assistant surgeon general of the U.S. ings and lunch will take place at the socie- Kino-Q film Festival July 13 - 19 – Discovery / Cultural Public Health Service, and assistant commis- ty?s building, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Friday – Matthew Dubas Camp sioner for counterterrorism policy, Office of Ninth and 10th streets). For additional Saturday – Zabava with Hrim Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats, information call 212-254-5130. Sunday – music by Walter July 20 - 25 – Heritage Camp U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The lecture will take place at the society’s build- Sunday, May 18 Mosiurak and friend session 2 ing, 63 Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th ALEXANDRIA, Va.: The Washington streets) at 5 p.m. For additional information June 2 - 5 – Stamford Diocese July 20 - 26 – Sitch Sports Camp call 212-254-5130. Group Cultural Fund Sunday Music Series clergy retreat days session 1 presents pianist Natalia Shkoda, who will NEW YORK: The Center for Traditional perform works by the Ukrainian composer June 7 – Wedding July 20 - August 2 – Roma Pryma Music and Dance and the music education Viktor Kosenko, Eleven Etudes in the Form Bohachevsky Dance Camp session department of Columbia Teachers College of Dances, Op.19, from her new CD June 8 - 13 – Seniors’ Week 1; recital Saturday, August 2 present “Ukrainian Women’s Voices with released on the Toccata Classics label in the Mariana Sadowsky and Friends,” an inter- fall of 2006. Op. 19 offers listeners a syn- June 14 – Wedding July 27 – August 2 – Sitch Sports active evening of women’s polyphonic thesis of the late-Romantic piano tradition, singing in village style, with co-host Julian Camp session 2 neo-classical impulses expressed through Kytasty and members of the New York the use of Baroque forms and dances, and June 15 – Father’s Day luncheon Bandura Ensemble. The concert will be elements of Ukrainian folk music. The con- and cultural program July 27 - 31 – Adoptive Ukrainian held in Columbia’s Milbank Chapel, West cert will be held at The Lyceum, 201 S. Children and Parents Heritage 120th Street at Broadway, at 7-9 p.m. June 21 – Wedding Camp session co-sponsored by Admission is free. For further information Washington St., at 3 p.m., with a reception Ukrainian Embassy call 212-571-1555, ext. 35. immediately following the performance. There is a suggested donation of $20; free June 22 - 29 – Tabir Ptashat session 1 Saturday, May 17 August 3 – 16 – Roma Pryma admission for students; unreserved seating. June 23 - 27 – Exploration Day Bohachevsky Dance Camp session 2 NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific For event information call 301-229-2615. Camp session 1 August 9 – Miss Soyuzivka June 22 - July 3 – Tennis Camp Weekend PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES June 29 - July 12 – Roma Pryma August 16 – Roma Pryma Preview of Events is a listing of Ukrainian community events open to the public. It Bohachevsky Dance Workshop Bohachevsky Dance Camp session is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the 2 recital Ukrainian community. June 29 - July 6 – Tabir Ptashat Listings of no more than 100 words (written in Preview format) plus payment should session 2 August 17 - 23 – Joseph’s School of be sent a week prior to desired date of publication to: Preview of Events, The (Ballroom Dance Camp) Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510; e-mail June 30 - July 4 – Exploration Day [email protected]. Camp session 2 August 25 – September 1 – Labor Day Week

To book a room or event call: (845) 626-5641, ext. 140 216 Foordmore Road P.O. Box 529 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.Soyuzivka.com

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