Part 3 of THE YEAR IN REVIEW pages 7-13 The Ukrainian Weekly Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association

Vol. LXXXIX No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 $2.00 celebrates Unity Day Ukraine’s SBU suspects former agency colonel of plotting to murder one of its generals by Mark Raczkiewycz – On January 27, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said it had secured an arrest warrant for Dmytro Neskoromnyi, a former first deputy head of the agency, on suspicion of conspiring to murder a serving SBU general. Mr. Neskoromnyi, a former SBU colonel, allegedly plotted the assassination with currently serving Col. Yuriy Rasiuk of the SBU’s Alpha anti-terrorist unit. The alleged target was 38-year-old Brig. Gen. Andriy Naumov. Mr. Naumov heads the agency’s internal security department, which is responsible for preventing corruption among the SBU’s ranks. RFE/RL In a news release, the SBU provided video RFE/RL A human chain on January 22 links people along the Paton in Kyiv over the and audio recordings, as well as pictures, as Security Service of Ukraine Brig. Gen. River that bisects the Ukrainian capital, symbolizing both sides uniting when evidence of the alleged plot. The former col- Andriy Naumov the Ukrainian National Republic was formed in 1919. onel was allegedly in the process of paying “If there is a crime, we must act on it. $50,000 for carrying out the murder plot. by Roman Tymotsko (UPR), Mykhailo Hrushevskyy. And, in this case, the SBU worked to pre- Mr. Zelenskyy laid a bouquet of flowers The motive, according to investigators, vent it. And this is the outcome,” Anatoliy KYIV – On January 22 around at the monument for Mr. Hrushevskyy, was because the general had been “an Bulich, the head of the SBU’s investigative the country and the world celebrated Unity under whose leadership the Ukrainian obstacle” in Mr. Neskoromnyi’s reinstate- department, said on January 23 at a joint Day, the day on which in 1919 the nation Central Rada on January 22, 1919, declared ment in a high leadership position and news briefing with Andriy Lysokobylka of first declared itself a free and independent the UPR “an independent, free sovereign “also opposed the appointment of certain the Prosecutor General’s Office. state of one united Ukrainian people. state of the Ukrainian people.” members of [Mr.] Neskoromnyi’s former The suspected former colonel was Ukraine’s president and prime minister Other small official ceremonies also took team to the SBU.” pushed out of the SBU in March and had marked the occasion by taking part in a place to mark the anniversary, though most Yet, earlier in the week, the SBU empha- headed the so-called Directorate K, the ceremony honoring the memory of presi- sized that the murder investigation is not dent of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (Continued on page 3) connected to “infighting” within the agency. (Continued on page 4)

Watchdog: Ukraine makes slight improvement on corruption front

by Mark Raczkiewycz to the executive and judicial branches approaching loggerheads as other key leg- KYIV – Ukraine last year gained three islation awaits ruling. They involve cases points and ranked 117th out of 180 coun- mostly brought on by pro-Russian and oli- tries in the Berlin-based watchdog garch-backed lawmakers. Transparency International’s (TI) yearly Namely, a law on banking that - Corruption Perceptions Index released on ly relates to the country’s largest private January 28. lender and which was nationalized after The modest improvement was attribut- an international audit found a $5.6 billion ed to the “launch of the High Anti- hole on its balance sheet. Another law is Corruption Court and the reboot of the on the land market. A longtime moratori- National Agency on Corruption um on the sale of agricultural land has Prevention,” said Andriy Borovyk, who is been lifted and plaintiffs are seeking to the executive director of the Ukrainian render the law legalizing it unconstitution- chapter of Transparency International. al. Ukraine is one of the last countries in However, he said, the nine studies and the world not to have a viable agricultural surveys used to calculate Ukraine’s score land market, another source where for do “not take into account the risks that years corruption has thrived. manifested themselves in the last months Transparency International Ukraine Transparency International recom- of 2020 and may significantly set back our Ukraine last year scored 33 out of a possible 100 points in a yearly corruption per- mends that Ukraine this year “introduce anti-corruption efforts.” ception index conducted by the Berlin-based watchdog Transparency transparent and accountable management Toward the end of the previous year, International. of public assets and guarantee further the Constitutional Court ruled to disman- through legislation that reversed most of Chief Justice Oleksandr Tupytskyi has development of the [public] procurement tle key features of the country’s anti-graft the legislation that was overturned and he failed to appear for questioning regarding sector.” architecture. The rulings prompted suspended the court’s chief justice for two a criminal case into alleged bribery and (Continued on page 19) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to push months. witness tampering. His suspension has led 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

NEWS ANALYSIS

Ex-national security chief says Biden victory Mourning after deadly nursing home fire protests, there were multiple violations of the articles of the European Convention on “excellent news,” corruption needs to be tackled Authorities in the eastern Ukrainian city Human Rights. The violations deal with the of have declared January 22 a day prohibition of torture and inhuman and effective in communicating, cooperating of mourning for 15 people killed in a fire at degrading treatment, the right to liberty by Todd Prince a nursing home. Nine people were rescued RFE/RL with Ukraine, but under certain conditions. and security, freedom of assembly and Certain people involved – for example in and were receiving treatment in the hospi- association, the right to life, and the right to Ukraine’s former national security chief, the impeachment scandals – will have to tal after the blaze tore through the facility respect private and family life. “The Court Oleksandr Danylyuk, has called the election go,” Mr. Danylyuk told the conference. located on the western outskirts of observed that it had found multiple viola- of Joe Biden “excellent news” for Kyiv but He said those officials were operating in Ukraine’s second-largest city, the State tions of several Articles as a result of how said the new U.S. administration will lay their own interest rather than in the inter- Emergency Service said on January 21, the authorities had conducted themselves down strict preconditions for cooperation, ests of Ukraine. while Prosecutor-General Iryna Venedyk­ during the Maidan protests and the including pushing out corrupt officials. Mr. Danylyuk said Mr. Zelenskyy’s gov- tova said 11 people were injured. Ms. absence to date of an independent and Mr. Danylyuk told a U.S.-Ukraine ernment was “very weak” and that this Venedyktova said a criminal investigation effective mechanism within Ukraine for the Business Council virtual conference on could pose a challenge to the had been launched and the preliminary investigation of crimes committed by law- January 27 that Mr. Biden’s team knows as it pushes Kyiv to carry out tough reforms. cause of the tragedy was the “careless han- enforcement officers and non-State agents,” “Ukraine well” and it will be very difficult “It’s very difficult to be a strong partner dling of electric heating devices.” Ukraine’s the court said in its ruling, adding that for the nation’s officials to deceive them. [to the United States], when the execution Internal Affairs Minister Arsen Avakov said “Ukraine was to pay some of the applicants Mr. Danylyuk said Mr. Biden’s victory is weak. It’s difficult to plan something investigators were questioning the manag- the awards in respect of pecuniary and will be bad news for some current and for- when you know there’s no one to imple- er of the facility, called Zolotoye Vremya nonpecuniary damage and costs and mer Ukraine officials, including those ment it properly,” he said. (Golden Time), and three service person- expenses set out in the relevant judg- involved in helping the Trump administra- He called anti-corruption and judiciary nel. The emergency service said the fire ments.” The Maidan protests, known as the tion look for dirt on Mr. Biden’s son, Hunter, reform the most important issues that broke out at around 3 p.m. on the second movement, began in who sat on the board of a Kyiv-based gas Ukraine needs to tackle and described the floor of the two-story building while there November 2013 when protesters gathered company. annulment of anti-corruption reforms in were 33 people inside. The fire was extin- on the Maidan, the central square in the Mr. Trump’s request to Ukrainian October as the “worst news” for the coun- guished less than two hours after it broke capital, Kyiv, after Mr. Yanukovych President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a try in 2020 aside from the pandemic. out, and around 50 firefighters took part in announced he was postponing plans to sign July 2019 call to help him find compromis- “Unless the key topics of anti-corruption the operation, it said. The service published an Association Agreement with the ing information on his Democratic compet- and judiciary are tackled, nothing is going a photo of the building with bars on the European Union and would seek closer itor led the House of Representatives to to change in the country,” he said. “You can windows of the first floor, while smoke was economic ties with . Security forces charge him with two crimes. have wonderful economic policy, you can billowing out of broken windows of the opened fire at unarmed protesters. Mr. Trump was eventually acquitted by address the energy issues, but these two second floor. The facility was home to peo- Ukrainian prosecutors say 104 people were the Senate in early 2020, but the case dam- things impede the development of the ple aged 25-90, according to Ukraine’s killed and 2,500 injured in the protests. aged his administration’s relationship with country.” Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova. Shunning a deal backed by the West and Kyiv. Deadly fires are not uncommon in Ukraine, Russia to end the standoff, Mr. Yanukovych “The new [Biden] administration will be (Continued on page 19) one of the poorest countries in , abandoned power and fled Kyiv on where safety regulations are poorly February 21, 2014. The former president, enforced and ageing infrastructure is badly who was flown to Russia in secret and maintained. In December 2019, a fire killed remains there, denies ordering police to 16 people at a technical college in the Black use their weapons on protesters and claims Growing presence of Cossacks in 2021 Sea port city of Odesa. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian the violence was a “planned operation” to Service, with reporting by Reuters and overthrow his government. Moscow AFP) 2030 is through education. At the PCCA responded to his downfall by seizing con- by Richard Arnold trol of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in Eurasia Daily Monitor meeting, Russian Education and Science Europe rights court finds numerous abuses Minister Valery Falkov discussed the “prep- March 2014 and fomenting separatism in The role of Cossack organizations in aration of a unified concept of instruction The European Court of Human Rights Ukraine – one of the causes of a war that (ECHR) has concluded that Ukrainian Russian life will likely grow in 2021, as last in history,” including a series of all-Russian has killed more than 13,200 people in east- authorities committed a series of human month’s Presidential Council for Cossack conferences on Cossack history. These con- ern Ukraine since April 2014. (RFE/RL) rights violations during the pro-European Affairs (PCCA) meeting demonstrated. The ferences would also include the participa- Maidan protests in late 2013 and early Protests over “Russian cities” in Crimea council’s deputy chairman and presidential tion of Cossacks (Kremlin.ru, August 27, 2014 that ousted Russia-friendly President adviser, Anatoliy Seryshev, outlined con- 2020). Ukraine has protested against the BBC’s . In a ruling on January crete steps in the 2021-2030 strategy to A later statement on the ministry of sci- inclusion of Moscow-annexed Crimean cit- 21 on five lawsuits filed by 33 Ukrainian develop Cossack formations after the meet- ence’s website detailed that it has planned nationals, the ECHR said that during the (Continued on page 16) ing. Among the important tasks for 2021 “13 scientific studies and seven all-Russian are drafting a bill regarding Cossacks’ ser- scientific and practical conferences. The vice, the consolidation of Cossack societies subject of these conferences would cover a and public organizations, attracting young wide range of issues, including the con- FOUNDED 1933 people to Cossack formations and forming cepts of the Cossacks’ origin, the first refer- The Ukrainian Weekly a personnel reserve of the All-Russian ence to the Cossacks, the life and customs Cossack Society (Kremlin.ru, December 8, of the first Cossacks and the development An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 2020). The Cossacks remain an important of Siberia. The statement also outlines that Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. force in Russian society, with around the Center for Military History of Russia at 180,000 people registered as such and the Russian Academy of Sciences will have Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. (ISSN — 0273-9348) about 2,000 civic organizations. Officially, a special sector dedicated to Russian there are 12 “hosts” (regional formations) Cossack history. Such questions are impor- The Weekly: UNA: and 9,500 Cossacks are engaged in protect- tant for the future preparation of youth Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 ing public order – around 900 are helping cadres at “Cossack schools and other edu- secure Russia’s borders and nearly 2,000 cational organizations [as well as] the need Postmaster, send address changes to: are prepared to serve in the event of eco- to update the experience of regional uni- The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas logical catastrophe. The ministry of defense versities and develop an action plan for P.O. Box 280 has discussed the idea of paying Cossacks 2021-2023” (Minobrnauki.gov.ru, Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] who serve in the military and has ordered December 4, 2020). From being a onetime compensation for those injured in the line fringe movement mostly confined to The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com of duty (Rossiiskaya Gazeta.ru, December 8, Russia’s south in the 1990s, the state-orga- 2020). nized Cossacks seem to be expanding their The Ukrainian Weekly, January 31, 2021, No. 5, Vol. LXXXIX Although there are people with Cossack role. As Russia’s state-organized Cossack Copyright © 2021 The Ukrainian Weekly heritage in Russia, most members of troops are ultra-loyal, this could suggest Cossack organizations are not necessarily nervousness on the regime’s part, fearing their descendants: one evidently becomes a potential insurrection in the future. ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Cossack by donning the uniform. Thus, the The Cossacks provide one example of interpretation of what it means to be a such a role in recently-annexed Crimea, Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Cossack is very diverse. Given that such where some analysts see them as part of e-mail: [email protected] diversity presents a challenge to the control the “militarization of children and young Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 of the Cossack movement, part of the plan e-mail: [email protected] for developing the Cossacks from 2021- (Continued on page 3) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 3

FOR THE RECORD In memory of the victims of the Holocaust International Holocaust The following statement was released by the Ukrainian 2,659 Ukrainians have been recognized to date. This is fur- World Congress on January 27. ther testimony that the stories of our people are incom- Remembrance Day plete without each other. The following statement was released by the Ukrainian On International Holocaust Remembr­ance Day, January The lists of the Righteous continues to grow with new Canadian Congress on January 27. 27, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and the global names as testimonies and scholarly research brings to light Ukrainian diaspora honor the memory of the 6 million those worthy of recognition. We support the call of academ- On January 27, the world marks International Holocaust Jewish victims executed and tortured by the Nazi regime, ics and civil society leaders, as well as the call to Yad Remembrance Day. On this day, we honor the memory of among whom were 1.5 million children. Vashem by Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman, to the millions of victims of the Holocaust. The Holocaust reflects a totalitarian and murderous Nazi award Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky this honorable title. Over 6 million Jews, and millions of other victims – ideology based on xenophobia and the cultivation of intoler- “This year the world will commemorate the 80th anni- Ukrainians, , Roma and many others – were mur- ance and hatred. As stated in a United Nations resolution: versary of Babyn Yar, a tragedy for all the people of dered by the Nazi German regime. May the Memory of the “The Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one third Ukraine. Today, we stand together to protect democratic of the Jewish people, along with countless members of values and condemn all manifestations of anti-Semitism, The cruelty and barbarity of the Nazi German regime is other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of racism, and hatred at an ethnic, religious, or other level,” aVictims reminder Be Eternal. to us all Вічная of human пам’ять. beings’ capacity for evil. It is the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.” said UWC President Paul Grod. a reminder of the need for us all to speak out and stand up forcefully in condemnation of anti-Semitism, racism and On this day of remembrance, we pray for the innocent The UWC joins the global community to reflect upon the totalitarianism, wherever they may appear. It is in silence victims, including 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews. We also pay lessons of the Holocaust. We also commemorate the that hatred grows. tribute to those who risked their lives – and often the lives humanity and achievements of all those guided by moral Today we pay tribute to the survivors of the Holocaust, of their families – to save those doomed to death. imperatives who became pillars of hope and salvation dur- and their courage in sharing their stories. We must contin- Among the over 27,000 Righteous Among the Nations, ing one of the darkest periods of history. ue to ensure that future generations learn the lessons of the Shoah, to ensure that these terrible crimes are never repeated again. We recognize the bravery of those who stood up against the evil of Nazism and risked their lives to Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day their neighbors. We condemn the horrible crimes of Nazi and The following statement was released by “Ukraine-2050” science and religion. remain united in our obligation to ensure that such crimes on January 27. On this day, we remember the victims of the Holocaust are never repeated. On January 27 the non-governmental organization who were denied these inalienable rights in a genocide We Remember. “Ukraine-2050” stands united with the world in honoring committed by a barbarous Nazi regime. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress encourages all the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the We call upon everyone to combat antisemitism, xeno- Canadians to participate in the #WeRemember campaign, victims of the Holocaust. phobia and racism, as well as to promote respect for funda- the global campaign for International Holocaust Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, mental freedoms and basic human rights worldwide. Remembrance Day. Information about how you can partic- everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of per- Eugene Czolij ipate is available at the following website: https://www. son; everyone has the right to freedom of thought, con- “Ukraine-2050” President cija.ca/we-remember-2021/.

Yanukovych was expected to sign the EU-Ukraine respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity Ukraine celebrates... Association Agreement, another chain of unity took place, within its internationally recognized borders, including from Kyiv to . The event was initiated after Mr. Crimea and the Donbas and extending to its territorial (Continued from page 1) Yanukovych’s pro-Russian government announced that waters,” the embassy said in a statement. he would not sign the EU Association Agreement. The The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) events took place online because of the ongoing COVID- route took place from Kyiv via Zhytomyr, Rivne, , to also joined in the commemoration by holding online 19 pandemic. Traditional celebrations were canceled in the Polish border checkpoint. About 300,000 people par- events that were led by local officials in and response to quarantine restrictions that were in place to ticipated in that commemoration. Philadelphia. Ukrainian World Congress President Pavlo combat the pandemic. Those restrictions were lifted on Due to the pandemic, this year Ukrainians were invited Grod joined the event online. Part of the program took January 24. to join the virtual chain of unity that united Kyiv with place in front of a monument to fighters who gave their The official proclamation made in 1919 stated that . The creation of the chain began on January lives fighting for the freedom of Ukraine at the Ukrainian “the territory of Ukraine, divided over the centuries, 21 and was made using participants’ Facebook profile Catholic Cemetery of St. Mary at Elkins Park in today becomes a great united Ukraine.” pictures that were placed on a map and stretched from Jenkintown, Pa. The program included a solemn memori- Mr. Zelenskyy noted on his Facebook page that “this Kyiv to Simferopol. The chain symbolically crossed the al service and a funeral ceremony at the grave of Lonhyn quote from the act about the unification of the Ukrainian Dnipro River five times: on the in Kyiv, Tsehelskyy, former internal affairs secretary of the People’s Republic and the Western Ukrainian People’s where the chain of unity has traditionally begun, in Western Ukrainian People’s Republic. Republic proclaimed 102 years ago evokes a wide range Cherkasy, Kremenchuk, Dnipro and Zaporizhia. Some The sermon was delivered by Borys Gudziak, archbish- of emotions.” 40,500 people joined the online campaign. op of Philadelphia and metropolitan of the Ukrainian “This is the joy of a great unification of not just lands The United States embassy in Kyiv also commemorat- Greek Catholic Church in the United States. The program or territories, but the unification of Ukrainians. This is the ed the day and specifically called on Russia to recognize included video greetings of honorary guests and high- pride for our ancestors who carried out the Act of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. ranking officials, including the ambassador of Ukraine to Reunification, and with it the eternal dream of all fighters “On Ukrainian Unity Day, we again call on Russia to the United States, Volodymyr Yelchenko. for a united Ukraine,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on Facebook on January 22. The president noted that the unification of Ukraine did not last. “It’s a pity,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on Facebook. recently developed imitations of Cossack groups who “Because statesmen did not have enough wisdom and Growing presence... assist in providing public security and public order. understanding then to preserve an independent Ukraine. (Continued from page 2) Sergei Akimov, leader of the public organization This is pain. A hundred years later, Crimea and part of Crimean Cossacks, believes that the militarization of the Donbas were separated from a united Ukraine. And there people” (see EDM, January 6, 2021). In 2021, a “special Cossacks by the Russian authorities is unnatural and that is confidence that in the future we will be able to over- intensive school for Cossack cadets” will be opening in the the movement in Crimea is in decline. “Let them create come everything and together we will become the cre- Black Sea region of Crimea. Anton Sirotkin, ataman of the these Cossack classes, but these are children who just wear ators of a new act of union,” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote. Black Sea Cossack host, declared that the school’s purpose uniforms and do not understand anything,” he said. “There The president also sounded a confident note that the would be to teach Cossacks’ history based on Christian were cadets corps in Ukraine in Simferopol and Alushta, country will overcome its current division. “Enough divi- Orthodoxy, horse riding, and the handling of light weapons. but both disappeared with Russia’s arrival. Now hundreds sions,” he said. “One of the oldest dreams of our people The Crimean authorities also announced the establishment of millions are allocated for this purpose.” The article con- about unity is a fundamental dream. But it cannot be of a military-patriotic center in the Saky district, where chil- tinues to suggest that such monies serve to hire the unem- achieved once and for all. This is a permanent job and a dren will receive instruction from Cossacks. A state institu- ployed and create a force loyal to the state (ru.krymr.com, daily movement. This is not something in the past, not an tion called “Cossacks of Crimea” was established in October December 22, 2020). The institutionalization of Cossack ideological framework from above, and not an achieve- 2020. The deputy chairperson of the Russian government of troops in Crimea arguably foreshadows the rebirth of gen- ment that can be simple,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. Crimea, Elena Romanovs­kaya, emphasized that it would uine Cossack identity throughout the Russian Federation Three decades ago, on the 71st Unity Day anniversary, conduct cultural events and military training. According to and hints at the authorities’ trepidation about potential Ukrainians created a human chain from Kyiv to Lviv. the Crimean authorities, there are around 5,000 Cossacks protests in the year ahead. According to various estimates, between 500,000 and 3 on the peninsula. However, it is not clear how many identify million Ukrainians took part in commemoration. themselves as “ethnic” Cossacks compared to those who The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Monitor In 2013, on November 29, the day of the summit in impersonate Cossack customs. While Crimea was historical- with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown Vilnius, where former Ukrainian president Viktor ly a place of Cossack settlement, the Russian state has Foundation, www.jamestown.org. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

ing the murder plot, remuneration for the Investigation is currently investigating Mr. tance of security sector reform,” among Ukraine’s SBU... perpetrators who were expected to carry Naumov as part of an abuse of office case other topics. (Continued from page 1) out the crime and surveillance of Mr. related to the company’s work in the By comparison, Britain’s domestic intel- Naumov. Chornobyl area. ligence agency, MI5, focuses on four core department that investigates corruption, The conspiracy started in October before He was also the subject of an October tasks: counter-terrorism, counter-espio- organized and financial crime. the SBU intervened this month. investigation by Skhemy, a journalism proj- nage, cyber security, and counter-prolifera- Mr. Rasiuk, the colonel who currently In the alleged audio recordings that have ect of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty tion of weapons of mass destruction. It has serves in the SBU’s Alpha anti-terrorist been posted on YouTube, Mr. Rasiuk can be that reported on his assets, including a lux- around 4,000 employees. unit, was detained for his alleged role in the heard speaking with an unidentified inter- ury apartment that his family members had A reform proposal in 2016 was submit- plot on January 22. Following a bail hearing locutor also discussing the assassination bought for a price that was four times ted by some members of NATO and the on January 23, Mr. Rasiuk was jailed with- and surveillance of the SBU general. cheaper than its market value. European Union Advisory Mission in out the possibility of posting bail. If found “I need someone to send this guy to the Mr. Naumov didn’t respond to numerous Ukraine (EUAM) to eliminate the SBU’s guilty, Messrs. Rasiuk and Neskoromnyi hospital for six months. I’ll show you where requests for comment to Skhemy. non-core functions. he lives and what kind of car he has,” Mr. These functions of combating organized face between 9 and 15 years, or life, in pris- Unreformed KGB-successor agency on based on the three counts with which Rasiuk tells his interlocutor. and white-collar crime, experts assert, are they have been charged. In another conversation when discuss- Ukrainian experts and Western advisers the source of the SBU’s inflated powers and On January 24, Mr. Neskoromnyi ing surveillance of the alleged target, the have long urged Ukraine to reform the SBU, corruption. Numerous investigations by released 142 pages of the alleged case interlocutor tells Mr. Rasiuk that the people which has a reputation for lacking account- journalists have reported on the lavish materials on Telegram, an online messag- who will carry out the murder are “not ability, having too much power and per- estates and premium-class vehicles that the ing application, a day after the account was ours, they are not from here [Ukraine]…I forming roles that either duplicate or over- SBU’s high-ranking officers allegedly own. created. brought the guys in from Belgorod lap those of other law enforcement agen- Moreover, the SBU is only accountable to The Ukrainian Weekly could not inde- [Russia].”. cies. the president, who appoints the agency’s pendently verify the authenticity of the Then the interlocutor tells Mr. Rasiuk The KGB-successor agency has an esti- head with Parliament’s confirmation, and Telegram channel in his name or the veraci- that his “ferryman” will bring a group of mated staff of 30,000 employees and this there is weak public oversight over the ty of the case materials. people “also from Belgorod on Friday and year was allocated 15 billion hryvnias organization. In addition, SBU officers are “My honorable name is not once men- finish the job on Saturday and get the hell ($515 million) from the state budget. exempt from filing yearly asset declarations. tioned in the case materials,” Mr. Nesko­ out of here.” In recent years, NATO envoys, the EU On October 15, 2019, Mr. Bakanov hand- rom ­nyi claimed, voicing his innocence. Separately, Mr. Rasiuk then tells his inter- and U.S. have pushed for Kyiv’s political ed the president a legislative bill for The former SBU officer furthermore locutor that “honestly, it doesn’t make a dif- leadership to overhaul the agency. Notably, reforming the spy agency, but it has only announced that he will deliver a news con- ference even if the guy [target] croaks. I real- those organizations called for the SBU to collected dust. After reconvening over the ference at the Press Club Brussels Europe ly don’t mind [if he does], but I need him to reduce the functions of or abolish depart- past week following a winter break, on February 2. The press club’s website be hospitalized for at least six months.” ment K, whose responsibilities they say Parliament on January 28 adopted the bill titled the media event “Shocking factors of Mr. Naumov joined the SBU together should be transferred to other crime-fight- in the first of its two readings. Voting favor- : a former high-rank- with current SBU head Ihor Bakanov after ing agencies. Instead, they say, the SBU ably with a solid 285 votes, the Verkhovna ing officer of the Security Service of Ukraine the election of President Volodymyr should focus on core tasks, such as locating Rada sent it back to the corresponding leg- Dmytro Neskoromnyi will talk about the Zelenskyy in 2019. Mr. Bakanov is a child- and detaining Russian agents and spies, islative committee for further revision. abuses of the country’s high-level officials.” hood friend of Mr. Zelenskyy’s. countering cyberattacks and safeguarding The complicated bill not only contains Mr. Neskoromnyi’s current whereabouts In October, the president conferred on national security amid a war with Kremlin amendments to the SBU law, but also fore- are unknown and the messaging app in his Mr. Naumov the rank of brigadier general, a proxies that is in its seventh year in eastern sees changing about 40 other laws that cor- name hints that he is in an EU country. new title in line with Ukraine’s efforts to Ukraine. respond to the agency, such as on counter- Meanwhile, the SBU says a search is adopt NATO standards. He previously As recently as January 28, ambassadors intelligence activities and civil service. underway to issue Mr. Neskoromnyi a worked for 12 years at the Prosecutor serving in Ukraine from the group of seven Its main provisions include taking pow- notice of suspicion and to arrest him. General’s Office, and prior to that worked in industrialized nations – known as the G-7 – ers away from the SBU to investigate finan- The information made public by the SBU the Chornobyl exclusion zone for a state- tweeted that they discussed reform plans cial crimes and corruption, Holos party shows the two suspects allegedly discuss- run company. The State Bureau of with Kyiv and “emphasized [the] impor- lawmaker Roman Kostenko has said.

The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund: November 2020 Amount Name City State $55.00 Dashawetz Yaroslav & Oksana Cragsmoor NY Stefaniuk Myrosia Warren MI $250.00 Hrycelak George Elmwood Park IL $50.00 Bandriwsky Pavlo Park Ridge IL Syzonenko Valentina Somerset NJ Komarynsky Irene Stamford CT Vena Tanya West Orange NJ Szwajkun Daria Warren MI $200.00 Goy Roman Catonsville MD $45.00 Murskyj L Troy MI Ursone Eugenia South Windsor CT $15.00 Cap Demetrius Newburyport MA $120.00 Dekajlo Oleh & Innesa East Meadow NY $40.00 Chmilak Eleanor Parma OH Kolody Zenovia Bayside NY Steck Ulana ON Oliarnyk George Mahwah NJ $10.00 Florchuk Bohdan & Lesia Dearborn MI $110.00 Olijnyk Thomas Ozone Park NY Ratycz Roman Little Rock AR Haftkowycz Nadia Wethersfield CT $105.00 Danczuk Basil River Edge NJ Zaplitny Paul Richmond Hill NY Hahn Werner Herndon VA $100.00 Bardyn Tania Bothell WA $25.00 Kuczwarskyj Bohdan Minneapolis MN Iwankiw Yaroslav Pasadena CA Ivanonko Zenon Vestal NY Kugler Helen Arlington Hts IL Terkun Walter Chantilly VA Olds Natalie Fenton MI $20.00 Brozyna Mykola Bridgewater NJ Zabijaka V Silver Spring MD Sawyckyj-Mycak Anisa Forest Hills NY Kent Robert Riverhead NY $5.00 Podolak Eugenia Lehighton PA $60.00 Levy Drs Neil & Luba Dallas TX Kulchytsky Daria Parma OH Zastawsky Roman Newington CT Nebesny Michael & Stefana Clinton IN TOTAL: 2,340.00

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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew interview counters Moscow Patriarchate’s narrative Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gave there, with his gentle character and frater- of Russia on the occasion of the Ukrainian summer night’s dreams. Oh no! Let us an interview to the Greek newspaper “To nal initiatives. issue, which was manifested by the cessa- stand aright! We read a number of allegations of vio- tion of communion with the Mother Church Vima tis Kyriakis.” The translation of the full VIMA: How do you respond to those lence by extremist groups against Orthodox of Constantinople, and then with other text was posted on the website of the Greek who accuse you of behaving like the in Ukraine. If, of course, such actions are Churches that recognized the autocephaly Orthodox Archdiocese of America (www. Pope of the East and Orthodoxy? goarch.org) on January 13. Below is an true, no matter where they come from and of the new Church. In our estimation, this abridged version of the interview, focusing to the detriment of whoever they are, we was a wrong action of the sister Church of Patriarch Bartholomew: One more on Ukraine, the Tomos of Autocephaly that have condemned them from the outset, as Russia. Therefore, I repeat, there is no unfounded accusation. Is it papism to shoul- was presented to the Orthodox Church of we have condemned all kinds of provoca- schism in Orthodoxy. There was a problem. der the responsibilities of my ministry? Did Ukraine in 2019 and relations with the tions aimed at creating a climate of tension For three decades, Moscow has been will- they just hear about these responsibilities? Moscow Patriarchate. among the people of Ukraine, but also at fully blind to the tragic situation in Ukraine. Didn’t they read about them in ecclesiastical defaming the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Essentially, it prevented a solution from history? It is said that ecclesiastically the VIMA: Your All-Holiness, it has been In the Ukrainian case we did the same as being found so that Kyiv, detached from the role of Constantinople ended with the Fall of two years since you officially handed in the other cases of concession of auto- Church of Constantinople, could not escape Constantinople. There is no greater inaccu- over the Tomos of Autocephaly to the cephaly. We followed the centuries-old tra- its control, taking advantage of circum- racy! All of today’s autocephalies were Church of Ukraine. How do you assess dition of Orthodoxy established by ecclesi- stances and situations. granted in the post-Fall period. When the the course of the newly founded astical practice. Let me remind you that The granting of autocephaly to the Ecumenical Patriarchate was giving auto- Church? It is argued in some quarters Constantinople had already granted – Church of Ukraine by the Ecumenical cephaly to one or the other Church, why did that the decision of the Ecumenical before Ukraine – autonomy to nine other Patriarchate was, therefore, not only eccle- they not accuse it of ‘papal pretensions?’ Throne to grant the request of the local Churches. Today, some, for selfish pur- siologically and canonically correct, but At some point, the lies and the propa- Ukrainian Orthodox put the unity of poses of course, deny this self-evident fact. also the only realistic solution to the prob- ganda must stop before the truth of the Orthodoxy to the test. Are you worried What recklessness indeed! Those who lem. Consequently, only the recognition of Church! In Orthodoxy there is no Pope, no about the pan-Orthodox unity? question the rights and responsibilities of the Ukrainian Autocephaly by all the papacy. Those who make this accusation the Ecumenical Patriarchate are, in essence, Orthodox Churches, and not any other Patriarch Bartholomew: The unity of want to project the false view that the questioning their very existence and identi- stance, be it waiting or calls for pan-Ortho- Ecumenical Patriarchate allegedly violates Orthodoxy is not being tested because of ty, the very structure of Orthodoxy. dox meetings or endless and countless the canonical tradition of Orthodoxy, which the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s response to interviews in the media, replete with offen- VIMA: What are your feelings about of course they themselves not only do not the request of the Ukrainian Orthodox. sive characterizations, contribute to pan- the stance of the Moscow Patriarchate? respect or recognize, but ignore. They Ukrainian Autocephaly was an act of Orthodox unity. And what are your intentions and initia- interpret the holy canons as they please, responsibility on the part of the Mother As far as I am concerned, as Ecumenical tives belonging to the First of Church towards millions of our Orthodox Patriarch, I cannot allow Orthodox especially the ones that secure the respon- Orthodoxy, as is commonly accepted, for brothers and sisters who were outside the Ecclesiology to be distorted on the altar of sibilities of the Ecumenical Throne, while the healing of the condition? Church through no fault of their own. And, base motives. I don’t have the right to take they introduce new ecclesiology and use of course, it was not, as Russian propagan- Patriarch Bartholomew: Mrs. [Maria] even one step back. Courtesy is of no use the Holy Eucharist like a tool. da accuses her, the serving of political expe- Antoniadou, initially and because there has when Theology, the order, and the sacred So, let’s be clear. In fact, the problem is diencies and/or even geopolitical interests. been rife speculation about it, which is tradition of our Church are at stake. The not the Ukrainian autocephaly nor are the Two years later, we are glad to see the new mainly spread by individuals and circles of word of Truth is ‘sharper than any knife.’ supposedly non-existent or invalid ordina- Church grow and His Beatitude the Russian Church, we must make it clear There is the witness of history, the sources, tions of the Ukrainian hierarchy, which Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv contribute to that there is no schism in Orthodoxy. There the records, the facts. It is distorted by the normalization of the ecclesiastical life is a different view on the part of the Church money, intimidation, propaganda and mid- (Continued on page 19)

UOC-U.S.A. provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine Archbishop Daniel and seminarians distribute care packages to homeless in Detroit

Deacon Andriy Sydor Archbishop Daniel hands a grateful woman food items on Independence Square in uocofusa.org Kyiv. Archbishop Daniel of the UOC-U.S.A. and seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary distribute care packages to the homeless in Detroit. PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Archbishop Daniel of Working under the coordination of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Roman Kholodov, along with the students of PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Archbishop Daniel, bars, chocolate bars, cups of cereal, tissues, U.S.A., representing Metropolitan Antony of the Kyiv Theological Academy of the OCU, while on his way back to during sanitary wipes, and flashlights. the UOC-U.S.A., visited Kyiv on a humanitar- meals are offered biweekly – each Tuesday his archpastoral visitations as ruling hier- Archbishop Daniel handed out the pack- ian mission. Amid the backdrop of the fes- and Thursday. On December 22, Archbishop arch of the Western Eparchy of the ages to everyone, pausing to share a kind tive Nativity season, there was misery and Daniel joined the humanitarian workers to Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., word of encouragement with each. Some of great need. assist and alleviate the worries of these peo- made a brief stop in Detroit to distribute the men immediately opened the packages The UOC-U.S.A., often working through ple, if only for a moment, by helping to deliv- backpack care packages to the homeless. and began to inspect them. One man spied the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Society, er more than 250 meals that included cups Having just celebrated the Nativity accord- the flashlight, looked up with tears in his recently provided aid to the elderly in of milk, warm soup, tea, waffles and cheese- ing to the Julian calendar on January 7, it eyes and stated, “My prayers have been . With the blessing of Metropolitan cake. High caloric items are not a luxury, was fitting to bring peace, solace and com- answered. I have been waiting for months Antony of the UOC-U.S.A., and Metropolitan but a need in order to ward off the cold and fort to those in need. for someone to give me a flashlight.” Epifaniy, Prime Hierarch of the Orthodox keep the bodies from freezing. Seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian The hierarch did not miss the teaching Church of Ukraine (OCU), this common Many of the recipients did not make eye Orthodox Theological Seminary in opportunity for the seminarians, and social service project of both Churches contact, as they seemed embarrassed. Somerset, N.J., assisted the archbishop in instructed them to always keep in mind works tirelessly to assist the hungry, to give Seeing that the crowd was feeling utterly preparing and distributing the backpacks that Christ came to serve others, and there- them hope once more, and to not only that were filled with caps, gloves and hand- fore as His followers how can we do any- nourish their souls, but also their bodies. (Continued on page 6) warmers, lip balm, hand sanitizers, protein thing less? 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

OPINION LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Andrew Fedynsky draws a comparison Ukraine faces between Donald Trump’s alleged attempt A new year proposal to overturn the U.S. election results on a fourth betrayal January 6 and Lenin’s dissolution of the for the Russian Constituent Assembly in January Dear Editor: 1918. In the voting of November-December by Askold S. Lozynskyj Of all the persecuted societies of Ukrainians abroad, certainly the one I applaud Ihor Mirchuk’s insightful letter 1917 the had received less than Ukraine’s relationship with its diaspora requiring the most attention is the commu- in the January 17 issue of The Ukrainian 25 percent of the votes. In the voting of over the last almost 30 years has been nity within the Russian Federation. It is not Weekly. Mr. Mirchuk pointed to three November 2020, the Republicans received manifestly positive, yet tangibly troubling. the poorest of all the Eastern diaspora com- moments in recent history where Western nearly 47 percent of the votes. Meetings have been held on the highest lev- munities, but it is the most vulnerable. Mr. powers betrayed Ukraine: (1) when Presi­ Mr. Fedynsky’s comparison is insight- els, honors and trinkets bestowed, even Putin’s concept of “Ruskyj Mir” (Russian dent Barack Obama’s emissaries, John Kerry ful, though the two politicians’ rationales joint efforts made in observances, celebra- World) is not simply wishful thinking. Mr. and Joe Biden, dismissed the guarantees in for their actions were different. tions and remembrances. Diaspora repre- Putin has a strategy of implementation. the Budapest Memorandum, (2) when Mr. Nevertheless, the fact that over 74 million sentatives have served in the government Structures of the organized Ukrainian com- Obama refused to deliver lethal weapons to Americans voted for Mr. Trump and his of Ukraine with some latitude as to legal munity in Russia have been falling like Ukraine and (3) when he [Mr. Obama] party’s vapid one-page platform cannot be requirements and limitations for such ser- dominoes over the last decade, not coinci- blocked Ukraine’s military from reacting to attributed solely to the supposed stupidity vice. Honorary and even dual citizenship to dentally, beginning with the year that the Russian occupation of Crimea. The last of the American voter or to the power of Ukrainians abroad has been suggested and Viktor Yanukovych was ostensibly demo- mentioned was a fateful decision because disinformation disseminated through the discussed with little real result. The only cratically elected president in Ukraine. resistance to a Russian takeover would independent media. This was in great part thing lacking has been protection and assis- Since 2010, central coordinating struc- have signaled to the world that Ukraine is a protest vote. Instead of congratulating tance from the Ukrainian side. But that is tures have been dissolved. For example, ready to fight for its territory. themselves on their stunning 51 percent what matters. the Federal National Cultural Autonomy of Currently, Ukraine is facing a possible triumph, Democrats would be well The diaspora itself can be divided Ukrainians in Russia was dissolved by the fourth betrayal. Last year, the Trump advised to examine their political con- according to financial wherewithal and Russian courts in 2010, the Organization administration and Congress managed to sciences and consider what they have political influence as well as geographically of Ukrainians in Russia was dissolved in halt the completion of Nord Stream 2. Now done, or failed to do, to contribute to our into East and West. The three characteris- 2012, then the Library of Ukrainian that Mr. Trump is gone, Gazprom has country’s deplorable condition and alien- tics are related. The barometer of how Literature in Moscow was closed in 2018, resumed work on the pipeline, and even ate so many of its people. widespread is the Ukrainian diaspora is the the UWC was declared unwelcome in worse, on January 21, German chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her support for Andrew Sorokowski Ukrainian World Congress, which today Russia in 2019 and the regional structure Rockville, Md. maintains contacts with Ukrainian commu- “Siryj Klyn” of Ukrainians in the Omsk the controversial gas pipeline. nities in at least 60 countries. The Western Region was dissolved in 2020 in a quasi- The Biden administration has seeming- part, which includes also geographically judicial proceeding. In each instance the ly taken a firm stand. Antony Blinken, Mr. eastern countries such as Australia and government of Ukraine did nothing. The Biden’s secretary of state, said he is GUIDELINES FOR LETTERS New Zealand, has availed itself of some most that happened was that the Foreign “determined to do whatever we can to TO THE EDITOR prevent the pipeline’s completion.” In the degree of financial largess and political Affairs Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes clout to be able not only to help itself but to sent a representative to the judicial pro- final analysis, there is only one way to judge the seriousness of such words: letters to the editor that react to arti- provide financial assistance to Ukraine par- ceeding in Omsk in August 2020 from cles published on its pages. Opinions either work on the pipeline will resume, ticularly in the area of humanitarian relief Ukraine’s Embassy in Moscow while expressed by letter writers are their and politically influencing its own govern- decrying the Russian action vocally and or it will not; there is no in-between. The own and do not necessarily reflect the ment to sanction Ukraine’s most severe even strenuously. However, no tangible Biden administration, therefore, must opinions of either The Weekly editorial predator. proceeding was initiated by Ukraine at any demand that Germany cancel the project staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian The Eastern diaspora, which includes international fora. altogether. Completion of the pipeline will National Association. have two abysmal outcomes: it will irrepa- Eastern Europe, Asia and primarily Arab This is a call for forceful diplomacy Letters must be signed (anonymous parts of Africa, is hampered seriously by which may seem like an oxymoron to rably harm Ukraine’s economy and it will letters are not published) and the economic woes, often trading in local Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Russia is expose Europeans to perpetual intimida- city from which they are sent will be almost meaningless currency and lacking emboldened by inactivity on Ukraine’s part. tion and blackmail. published under the author’s name. political clout because it itself is weak and A resolution must be introduced at the very Jaroslaw Martyniuk However, the daytime phone number, further often finds itself in an authoritarian least at the Council of Europe, its Washington e-mail address and complete mailing or extremely right-wing regime. Poland and Parliamentary Assembly and the General address of the letter-writer must be Hungary are two striking examples, as in Assembly of the United Nations, where given for verification purposes. both instances the right-wing regimes of Russia is a member, condemning Russian THE LENGTH OF LETTERS those countries strive avidly and blatantly attempts to destroy the Ukrainian commu- A time for Democrats to examine CANNOT EXCEED 250 WORDS. to forge a homogeneous society of its own nity in Russia (a cultural genocide in their political consciences Letters may be edited or abridged. The nationality. essence) which contravenes the charters, Weekly reserves the right to edit for The UWC has done much to establish a declarations, covenants and treaties of both Dear Editor: clarity, civility and accuracy. significant global network of communities. institutions. These resolutions not only Letters should be sent to staff@ Yet tangible support for these communities, may garner the support of other member In his latest column, “The 2020 Election ukrweekly.com or to The Ukrainian particularly those in need of political influ- countries within the international commu- and Its Aftermath,” published in the Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, ence and, in fact, requiring outside political nity, but they may also persuade them to January 22 issue of The Ukrainian Weekly, Parsippany, NJ 07054. support and protection is very much lack- invoke further sanctions against Russia. ing. Furthermore, the UWC fails to exert I am not naive enough to believe that much influence over the government of this will somehow influence Russian there to speak with individuals who had Ukraine as the UWC works too closely with behavior voluntarily, as Russia does not UOC-U.S.A. provides... wandered off to sip their hot tea. In the and presents itself almost as a ministry heed or fear international opprobrium. (Continued from page 5) freezing wind, many people seek shelter in within the government of Ukraine. This However, with its economy in shatters and the underground subways and railroad sta- level of cooperation even worked with the Russia herself experiencing internal disheartened, Archbishop Daniel walked up tions, trying to find respite from the blister- Yanukovych regime, even though that unrest, Russia, while never willing to do to them and began speaking with each per- ing cold outside. At midnight, additional regime was clearly anti-Ukrainian. what is right on her own, may be com- son, giving them value and assuring them food distributions begin in these very loca- Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pelled to check her bad behavior. It will that they were not invisible, but were seen, tions. The Church does not wait for the a program of assistance to poorer Ukrainian also send a resounding message through- were important and were loved. While not people to come to her for help, but it goes communities abroad, but that assistance is out the world that the government of able to touch or hug the people, being to the people. As Christ went among the so feeble that the budget of some expansive Ukraine recognizes a duty to protect respective of social distancing due to the most derelict and needy of society, so the Ukrainian aid organizations in the West Ukrainian communities in other countries. pandemic, the archbishop nonetheless was Church goes as well to aid those in need. exceeds it. The United Ukrainian American Other countries have done as much for able to touch the hearts and warm the This is all made possible through the Relief Committee in the United States, their national minority abroad. souls of those who eagerly came closer to donations of the UOC-U.S.A. and the St. which relies mostly on public support, pro- him to hear him speak. His voice brought Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Society. vides more assistance for its various Askold S. Lozynskyj is an attorney at law the people out of their gloom as they lifted Readers can send donations to the UA humanitarian endeavors in Ukraine than based in City who served as presi- their eyes in wonder. Assistance Fund of the UOC of the U.S.A. by the entire budget of Ukraine for the needs of dent of the Ukrainian World Congress in While distributing food, Archbishop mailing donations to St. Andrew’s Society, Ukrainian communities abroad. 1998-2008. Daniel gave an encouraging word to each Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., recipient and quietly uttered a prayer for P.O. Box 495, South Bound Brook, NJ, their wellbeing. The line of shivering indi- 08880. For additional information, readers Visit our archive online: viduals ebbed and flowed until finally can visit the St. Andrew Ukrainian everyone was fed. Orthodox Society website, https://uocofu- Archbishop Daniel then walked through sa.org/st_andrew_uos. www.ukrweekly.com Independence Square, stopping here and Source: UOCofUSA.org No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 7

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW Culture and the arts: Thriving, and adapting to the pandemic aced with lockdowns, travel restrictions and rules for distancing, Ukrainian artists and organizations Fmodified their activities and presentations to address the new challenges of COVID-19. In-person events went on-line, often even including active partici- pation of everyone via Zoom sessions. Despite draw- backs, many of these computerized interactions proved quite successful. A case in point is the October 25 Virtual Gala marking the 72nd anniversary of the of America (UIA) in New York. Taking full advantage of Internet resources, the UIA prepared online videos archived from past events, and pre-recorded greetings from notables for viewing. The streaming of the actual Virtual Gala was coordinated with live running commen- tary by UIA board members, led by President Kathy Nalywajko. Along the way, participants enjoyed musical performances and greetings from all four corners of the globe. An informative interview with Dr. Boris Lushniak, former acting surgeon general, addressed concerns about the pandemic. Dr. Solomiya Ivakhiv reassured everyone that future UIA musical concerts would continue by Yara Arts Group Archive means of hybrid computer format. Crippled by COVID-19? Hardly – when one considers the UIA raised over $66,000 Virlana Tkacz, artistic director of Yara Arts Group, which marked its 30th anniversary in 2020. by the gala’s end. Wanda Phipps and Olena Jennings, with music by Julian explaining the symbolism of the abstract void in the sculp- Theater Kytasty. The second event included Yara actors, musicians ture, which represents the nature of the Famine and the The year 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of Yara Anthony Coleman and Fima Chupakhin, and poets Bob tragic loss of life. Arts Group. Artistic director Virlana Tkacz shared her Holman and Mr. Zhadan. The two transmissions regis- On February 21 at the Ukrainian Institute of America in reflections on this milestone in an interview published in tered over 1,000 and 2,000 views, respectively. These New York, father and son artists Irenaeus and Dorian The Ukrainian Weekly in February. She related how Yara recorded events can be accessed on Yara’s website: yara- Yurchuk opened an exhibition of their mixed-media art- has presented 35 original theater productions to this artsgroup.net. works titled “Peripheral Visions.” At times, evocative pho- point. In addition, there were actually thousands of events In June, two more virtual events were presented by tographic fragments were combined with chromatic paint all over the world ranging from intimate poetry readings, Yara Arts Group and the Ukrainian Educational and media and other materials to form abstract pastiches and lectures and films to concerts and gigantic art exhibits, Cultural Center in Jenkintown, Pa. The first event focused images. In other images, objects and remnants from the both here in the West and in Ukraine. Most of these events on Pawlo Humeniuk, a popular folk fiddler who emigrated building trade were utilized to create a topography have been bilingual or multilingual, and often include to New York in 1908. The second event featured the poet- between order and chaos, creation and destruction. Asian and African American actors. ry of Oleh Lysheha from Ukraine, who was a Fulbright Holderness School in New Hampshire hosted an exhibit Ms. Tkacz regularly combines traditional elements with scholar and writer-in-residence at State of photos by Joseph Sywenkyj titled “Verses from a Nation modern, and has incorporated Ukrainian artists like sing- University in 1997-1998. in Transition,” beginning January 24. A noted American er Nina Matviyenko and poet Serhiy Zhadan in Ukrainian Expanding its virtual events, on July 20, Yara archived a photographer of Ukrainian descent, Mr. Sywenkyj special- and English translations. She related how from the start, four-part series promoting the virtuoso Ukrainian ban- izes in documentary, portrait and travel photography. everything she does eventually revolves back to Les durist-vocalist Zenoviy Shtokalko, who brought his instru- Twenty years ago, he began to work in Ukraine, the nation Kurbas, the experimental Ukrainian stage director. Yara’s mental music and narrative Ukrainian epic songs (dumy) of his ancestors. For this exhibit, he focused his lens on recent show “Opera GAZ” is a clear example, based on the to New York in the 1950s. health issues related to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and war trauma, as well as striking images from the Euro-Maidan 1923 Kurbas production with his Berezil company. For Art/sculpture “Opera GAZ,” Ms. Tkacz commissioned a new contempo- Revolution. rary score with singers and instrumentalists. Her grandfa- The University of Maryland School of Architecture Luhansk native Yulia Gasio was present at the opening ther actually knew and appeared together with Kurbas in launched a five-month exhibition focusing on the designer, of an exhibit of her paintings and drawings titled “Art and Vienna. Another project was “Koliada on Mars,” exploring architect and sculptor of the National Holodomor War: Donbas, 2014 to the Present” on February 6 at the other-worldly possibilities of Christmas songs. Memorial in our nation’s capital – Larysa Kurylas. At the California State University in Fresno. Ms. Gasio is a faculty On April 24 and 25, Yara produced its first virtual event February 12 presentation opening, the artist spoke about member at Cal State Long Beach. Actor George Wyhinny presentations featuring the renowned Mr. Zhadan – live the making of the Holodomor Memorial. Ms. Kurylas relat- sang and also recounted the significant issues surround- from Kharkiv. The first performance was devoted to read- ed the challenges and inspiration behind her choice of the ing the Donbas war. Prof. Hiroaki Kuromiya spoke on ings of Mr. Zhadan’s poems, along with poets responding symbolic depiction of a “dynamic” bronze image of wheat “How to Understand the Enigma of the Donbas.” The artist to his work: Dzvinia Orlowsky, Isaac Stackhouse Wheeler, on the face of the sculpture. She concluded her talk by herself recalled the trauma of an ongoing war, while relat- ing the experiences of her immediate family living in a war zone. Ms. Gasio expressed her political thoughts and her feelings through the 10 drawings and paintings featured at this exhibition. On February 26, the Ukrainian Canadian community in Winnipeg, Manitoba, gathered to greet an exhibit of 13 contemporary Ukrainian artists, who reflected the turbu- lent last six years in Ukraine, titled “At the Front Line. Ukrainian Art, 2013-2019.” This project began in and is the first large-scale presentation of the Ukrainian contemporary art scene in . An online pysanka-making workshop led by New York artist Laryssa Czebiniak was organized by the Ukrainian Institute of America on April 5. Over 25 people took part in this virtual event, which also included exploring non- traditional motifs in pysanka design. On September 13, the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation Gallery launched an art presentation, “Pause in Plight,” created by artist Kerry Parnell, with the support of Ukrainian organizations and individuals, plus a grant from the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund. This collection docu- ments ’s -era prejudice which led to the internment of more than 8,000 “enemy aliens” of pri- Yaro Bihun marily Ukrainian and East European descent. It consisted Larysa Kurylas at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where she spoke of war posters, light installations, artifacts and other dis- on February 12 about the making of the Holodomor Memorial in Washington. plays. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

UJE On September 16, Vasyl Makhno became the first laureate of Encounter: The Courtesy of Aleksandr Denysenko Ukrainian-Jewish Literary Prize, sponsored by the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter In a scene from Aleksandr Denysenko’s film “Taras: The Return,” (Canada), with the support of the NGO Publishers Forum (Lviv). He was recognized (played by Borys Orlov) grasps his pardon letter while in solitary confinement. The for his novel “Eternal Calendar.” film was screened on February 16 at the Ukrainian Institute of America.

Also in Toronto, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada col- Literature bers drive or fly in for three-day rehearsals. Utilizing virtu- laborated with the Native Canadian Center of Toronto to al streaming rehearsals, UBC Artistic Director Oleh Mahlay celebrate beadwork of both the Ukrainian and Indigenous The first winner of the Encounter: The Ukrainian- conducted an online work weekend in mid-March, during cultures. Titled “The Spirit of Beads: Sharing Our Stories,” Jewish Literary Prize was the novel “Eternal Calendar” which all the participants could see and hear each other this exhibit’s virtual Zoom opening on October 25 was (“Vichnyi Kalendar”) by Vasyl Makhno. It was presented remotely. While successful, this method, of course, will expanded to include in-person visits one week later. during the Lviv International Book Forum on September never replace in-person rehearsals. The UBC is undaunted Delving into motifs, symbolism and spiritual meanings, 16. Mr. Makhno is a Ukrainian poet, essayist and translator in its mission to remain guardians of the and the presentation featured demonstrations by six contem- who has lived in New York for two decades. He is the Ukrainian music, and committed to its plans for future live porary Ukrainian and Indigenous beadwork artists. recipient of numerous awards, including the BBC 2015 concerts and tours. To mark the 100th anniversary of master graphic Book of the Year (Ukraine). Rich in detail and characters, For those who once danced to the Canadian band designer Heorhii Narbut’s death, the Ukrainian Cultural “Eternal Calendar” is a panoramic narrative of the intri- Rushnychok, and remember their signature tailor-made Foundation in Kyiv awarded a grant in 2020 to Rodovid cately intertwined lives of Ukrainians, Poles, Jews and white-with-blue-trim outfits, it is hard to comprehend Press to publish two books and produce a film about the Armenians from the 17th century to the present. The that more than half a century has passed since their initial popular designer and father of Ukrainian branding. author’s prize of 4,000 Euros and his publisher’s appearance. In an exclusive article for The Ukrainian Narbut is the most important Ukrainian graphic designer (Ukraine’s Old Lion Publishing) prize of 2,000 Euros were Weekly at the end of July, band member and drummer of the 20th century; in addition to numerous book illus- made possible by the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter, a Stefan Andrusiak reflected on 50 years with Rushnychok. trations, posters and prints, he also designed the Canadian charitable non-profit organization, and The remaining three members of this popular quartet Ukrainian government’s logos and seals, a letterhead for Ukraine’s NGO Publishers Forum (Lviv). were fellow Montrealers Andrij Harasymowycz, Evhen its charters and official stationery. He created designs for Music Osidacz and Yurko Sztyk. Like , members of postage stamps and paper currency to replace the Rushnychok played their own compositions and arrange- Russian ruble with Ukrainian karbovantsi. To mark this On February 1 as part of the Music at the Institute ments. When they performed traditional songs, they deliv- important centenary, Rodovid Press published a beauti- series at the Ukrainian Institute in New York, Julian ered them in three-part harmony, but injecting more mod- fully produced 408-page color monograph titled Kytasty and Roman Turovsky performed a concert of ern rhythms with a rock flavor. They featured many tradi- “Narbut” and an English-language book titled “The Ukrainian religious and secular music from the Baroque tional Ukrainian folk ballads, as well as renditions of stir- Imaginative World of Heorhii Narbut and the Making of a through the kobzar, lirnyk and romantic periods of the ring songs about the valiant fighters for Ukraine’s free- Ukrainian Brand.” 18th and 19th centuries. The selections ranged from solo dom. This quartet from Montreal gathered many awards On November 7, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art instrumentals and dance tunes on the torban and the ban- over its career and remains one of the most recognizable hosted an event to pay tribute to Narbut. The program dura, to duets and songs accompanied by the two tradi- of Ukrainian ensembles. included personal appearances and talks by the English- tional folk instruments – including a composition by At its annual convention in November in Berkeley, language book’s curator, art historian Dr. Myroslava M. Ukrainian philosopher Hryhory Skovoroda. The evening Calif., the American Musicological Society presented its Mudrak, and publisher Lidia Lykhach of Rodovid Press, as concluded with a Q and A session with the artists, center- Lewis Lockwood Award for “a musicological book of well as a screening of the film “Brand Makers” by Nadia ing on the actual instruments used: the lute-like torban exceptional merit… by a scholar in the early stages of his Parfan. Due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 and the more familiar bandura. or her career” to Dr. Maria Sonevytsky for her 2019 book pandemic, the program did not include the exhibit origi- The resourceful Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC) of “Wild Music: Sound and Sovereignty in Ukraine.” Dr. nally planned, space was be limited, masks were required North America explored an innovative way to continue Sonevytsky is an ethnomusicologist on the faculty at the and social distancing was observed. The program was rehearsing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50 UBC University of California, Berkeley. In “Wild Music,” the filmed and was made available online (https://uima-chi- musicians are scattered over 10 states and three Canadian author tracks the idea of “wildness” in pop music during cago.org/the-imaginative-world-of-heorhii-narbut). provinces; normally they alternate cities to which mem- the volatile decade of Ukrainian political history, from the Orange Revolution to the Revolution of Dignity. Dr. Sonevytsky examines a wide and diverse number of art- ists and performers, including , Drevo and Dakha Brakha, originating in Hutsul lands, Crimea and Kyiv. Her book probes global issues of how the rise of populism and its music affect thinking about nationalism, citizenship and sovereignty. Dr. Sonevytsky’s research topics include the legacy of Soviet cultural policies: folklore after Chornobyl, Soviet use of culture to discipline citizens and late Soviet punk culture. Film Director Alexander Denysenko screened his film “Taras: The Return” on February 16 at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York. Mr. Denysenko shared how he devoted intensive research into Shevchenko’s own diaries, letters, poems and paintings, contempo- rary memoirs and state documents. The director aimed at creating a non-biopic adventure story of what might have happened to poet and artist Taras Shevchenko during the final months of his seven-year exile to the bleak deserts and seacoasts of Kazakhstan, calling it “a Armando Carreno/The Collegian first Ukrainian film about the first political prisoner of “Donbas, 2014 – Present” triptych by Yulia Gasio (spring 2019, paper, craft paper, charcoal, ink on the panel, 6 x the Russian Gulag.” 12 feet) was part of the exhibit “Art and War: Donbas, 2014 to the Present,” which opened on February 6 at Indeed, the result was an adventure story featuring California State University, Fresno. many colorful and brutal details of exile to a military out- No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 9

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW The world of academia: An abbreviated agenda cademia’s activity for 2020 was abbreviated when compared to its usual schedule of conferences, pre- Asentations, lectures, film screenings, etc. Many events moved online, while others had to be postponed or cancelled. Columbia University’s Ukrainian Studies Program at the Harriman Institute had eight course offerings in the spring semester, focusing on Ukrainian history, political science, literature, language and visual arts. The university offered these courses: Oksana Vynnyk’s “Topics in Modern Ukrainian History” and “Urban Modernity on the Ukrainian Lands: Cities in the 19th and 20th Centuries;” Mark Andryczyk’s “The Aura of Soviet Ukrainian Modernism”; Ambassador Valeriy Kuchynskyi’s “Today’s Ukraine: Power Politics and Diplomacy”; and Yuri Shevchuk’s instruction (in three levels of proficiency). Olena Martynyuk, the Peter Jacyk Postdoctoral Fellow in Ukrainian Studies at the Harriman Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films Institute for 2019-2021, taught “Periphery and Its James Norton as Welsh journalist Gareth Jones in “Mr. Jones,” a film directed by Agnieszka Holland with screen- Empires: Ukrainian and Russian Art from Peter the Great play by Andrea Chalupa that was released in the United States in April. to the Present.” In addition, a series of lectures in Ukrainian studies was post, with plenty of intrigue, unexpected humor, chases on Holodomor National Awareness Tour’s Mobile Classroom, scheduled to be held at Columbia. These events included: horseback and hair’s-breadth escapes. a state-of-the-art interactive learning center that travels Anna Procyk (February 6) on her book “Giuseppe “Taras: The Return” was a Ukrainian co-production throughout Canada to inform high schools, universities Mazzini’s Young Europe and the Birth of Modern with Kazakhstan. In her first film role, attractive Kazakh and the general public about the 1932-1933 Famine. Nationalism in the Slavic World”; Nicholas Denysenko actress Akniet Oryntai was engaging and spirited as Katya, Andrij Parekh, a filmmaker of Ukrainian and Indian (March 5) and the book presentation “The Orthodox Shevchenko’s love interest in the film. The title character descent, was awarded an Emmy Award for directing an Church in Ukraine: A Century of Separation”; Leah was portrayed in a non-traditional, low key manner by episode of the HBO series “Succession.” Mr. Parekh has Batstone’s lecture (March 10) “Between Serialism and Borys Orlov. Superbly photographed on location by enjoyed over two decades’ experience as cinematogra- Suprematism: Nikolai Roslavets’ Modernist Music”; Oleksandr Kryshtalovych, the art design produced stun- pher, which he considered a great opportunity for artistic Oksana Remeniaka’s talk (March 26) “Nigra sed Formosa: ning tableaus, which echoed Shevchenko’s own sketches growth. In his acceptance speech on September 20, he Immersed in Sadness However Beautiful: The Problem of and paintings from exile. expressed thanks to his parents and his brother Marko for Returning Lost Artifacts”; and Markian Dobczansky’s lec- As of May 4, Amazon Prime Video commenced stream- their support, and dedicated his Emmy “to all the kids ture (April 2) “Soviet Ukrainian Urbanism: Factories, ing the film “Julia Blue,” directed by Roxy Toporowych. whose names, like mine are difficult to pronounce… and Higher Education and Nationalities Policy in Kharkiv.” Gathering ideas from numerous interviews with soldiers who are defined as outsiders as hyphenated Americans… Columbia’s fall semester offerings included six and citizens in Ukraine, Ms. Toporowych visited the Main This is proof that you belong and this Emmy is ours.” Ukrainian studies courses: “Ukraine in New York” with Military Hospital in Kyiv to gain insight into the soldiers Prof. Alexander Motyl; “Ukrainian Foreign Policy: Russia, Architecture returning home. “Julia Blue” developed into a compelling Europe and the U.S.” with Ambassador Kuchynskyi; and script in the form of a love story during a time of war. The The reconstruction of Kyiv’s 1,000-year-old St. Sophia “Soviet, Post-Soviet, Colonial and Post-Colonial Cinema” as recurring theme is the plight of Ukraine’s youth striving to Cathedral under Hetman Ivan Mazepa in the late 17th well as three levels of Ukrainian language instruction with find their identities while their country is at war. century was a symbol of Ukraine’s restoration following Dr. Shevchuk. The character of Julia, a photojournalism student from the catastrophic “Ruin” period. Today, the renowned Online events during the fall term included: “Soviet western Ukraine, is contrasted with English, a Russian- cathedral is the focus of new preservation efforts. On Ukrainian Urbanism: Factories, Higher Education and speaking Ukrainian from the east who has been wounded September 16, Kateryna Zagoriy, co-founder of the Nationalities Policy in Kharkiv” with Dr. Dobczansky in the war. As their life paths become more complicated, Zagoriy Foundation, which co-sponsored the preservation (September 24); “Between Serialism and Suprematism: the film captures how young people are forced to live and project, announced that the National Sanctuary Complex Nikolai Roslavets’ Modernist Music” with Dr. Batstone endure war as they mature, while struggling with war, Sophia of Kyiv would implement a strategy to drain the (October 22); and “Dealing with a Contested Past: revolution, love and the pursuit of their ambitions. “Julia foundation and the walls of the cathedral and adjacent ‘Monument Wars’ in Ukraine and the U.S.A.” by Valentyna Blue” was filmed on location in Ukraine; it has been recog- monasteries, thus saving them for future generations. This Kharkhun and Dr. Andryczyk. The Ukrainian Film Club nized as Best Film or Best Foreign Film at many festivals, will be accomplished with innovative Swiss equipment screened “The Lost Petition” by Borys Ivchenko on including Best Director at the 2019 Woodstock Film called the BioDry system, used to naturally restore proper September 23. Festival and the Sonoma International Film Festival. humidity levels. One of Ukraine’s most significant histori- The American Association for Ukrainian Studies To mark the occasion of the release of “Mr. Jones,” a film cal monuments, St. Sophia is a spiritual center for (AAUS) in April wrote an open letter to President by noted Polish director Agnieszka Holland with a screen- Ukraine’s unique religious heritage, and is included on the Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister , play by Andrea Chalupa, The Ukrainian Weekly on August UNESCO World Heritage List. Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko, Minister of Foreign 9 published an essay by historian Serhii Plokhii titled “The Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and interim Minister of Culture Museums price of truth”: The story behind Agnieszka Holland’s “Mr. Jones.” Dr. Plokhii’s essay detailed the historical back- The 1932-1933 Chicago World’s Fair was designated “A ground to reporters Gareth Jones and Walter Duranty, and Century of Progress” and featured a Ukrainian pavilion the causes and catastrophic consequences of Joseph built by newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants – one of the Stalin’s man-made Famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933 – the largest constructions of the fair and the only national edi- Holodomor. fice not sponsored by a foreign government. This pavilion The central theme is the contrast between Jones, a featured the sculptures of Alexander Archipenko plus young Welsh reporter uncovering the horrible truth about Ukrainian choirs, dancers and a 95-piece orchestra, as the Ukrainian Famine, and Duranty, well as intricate embroideries, folk art and traditional cui- Moscow correspondent who consistently downplayed the sine. In March, a story in The Weekly reported that the reports by Jones. Finally, in response to detailed articles of Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago (UNM) organized starvation by Jones, Duranty published his infamous line: an exhibit of 2,500 artifacts from that exhibition of almost “you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.” 90 years ago. UNM archivist Halyna Parasiuk-Sarancha Apparently, Duranty was more interested in attaining a catalogued stacks of news clippings, photographs, posters, Pulitzer Prize than reporting the truth he really knew. menus and banners, as well as embroideries, ceramics (Despite several appeals, The New York Times still refuses and folk costumes presented at that World’s Fair. to relinquish the Pulitzer awarded to Duranty.) As noted in The Weekly’s editorial of October 11, A French-language educational version of the film despite COVID-related restrictions on social gatherings, “Genocide Revealed,” produced and directed by Yurij Ukrainian museums and art galleries continued their pro- Luhovy, was released on DVD in June. The original grams, albeit virtually. The Ukrainian Museum, which was 75-minute multi-award-winning feature documentary closed to the public, hosted online events and exhibits, was reduced to a 26-minute school version titled “Le among them the virtual exhibition “Holodomor: A Gènocide d’une nation.” The complicated and lengthy pro- Remembrance” in commemoration of the 87th anniversa- cess for keeping all 180 tracks in sync during editing was ry of the Famine-Genocide. This visual arts presentation John D. & Catherine MacArthur Foundation sponsored by the Canada Ukraine Foundation and initiat- held during the month of November featured the works of Polina Lishko, Ph.D., received the 2020 MacArthur ed by Roma Dzerowicz, executive director of the Ukrainian American artist Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak. “genius” award on October 6. 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Svitlana Fomenko to protest budget cuts to scholarly and cultural institutions in Ukraine. The AAUS warned that the budget cuts would lead to “the collapse of [cultural and scholarly institutions and their] activities in Ukraine and abroad, with devastating consequences for Ukraine’s abili- ty to defend itself against the many global threats it faces today.” The letter stressed the importance of culture, edu- cation, the arts and sciences and underscored that they remain key to the global recognition of a country’s sover- eignty, defend a country against foreign aggression and mobilize international support. Ukraine’s government, after 30 years of independence, had begun to promote Ukrainian culture, history, language and scholarship in Ukraine and abroad, the AAUS noted. This work must continue to promote an image of Ukraine as a country that deserves respect and fascination for its cultural riches and scholarly traditions. Appealing to the government, the letter urged a reversal of the decision to cut the budgets of those cultural institutions and to work with their leaders to determine reasonable reductions with the goal of preserving as many vital projects as is possible. The Ukrainian Free University Foundation (UFUF) cele- brated the 45th anniversary of its founding on October 20, Dr. Susan Kenny (on the left) and Natalia Onyschuk were announced in November as winners of the Holodomor 1975. An article by the foundation’s president, Askold Research and Education Consortium’s Educator Award for Holodomor Lesson Plan Development. Lozynskyj, informed readers that the Ukrainian Free University in Munich, Germany, had been forced to pur- Yaroslava Lochman, a graduate student in UCU’s master’s active lessons for grades K-12 that develop students’ criti- chase its own facility as a condition of accreditation by the program in data sciences, received a research grant from cal thinking skills while addressing the topic of the geno- West German government. Much of the funding initially UCU’s machine learning laboratory with a six-month cide in Ukraine in the early 1930s. Dr. Kenney’s winning came from Archbishop Major and Cardinal Josyf Slipyj, but internship at FRL in Pittsburgh. The research was coordi- lesson plan for Grades 11 and 12, “Imperial Famines: the Ukrainian community needed to mobilize funds to nated with James Pritts of FRL and two teachers of the fac- America’s Response to the Holodomor,” strove to reinforce preserve a higher education facility beyond the borders of ulty, Rostyslav Hryniv and Oles Dobosevych, with an oral global responsibility as it relates to the Holodomor. Ms. Ukraine. The UFU was founded in Vienna in January 1921, presentation scheduled for the Workshop on Applications Onyschuk’s lesson, “Teaching the Holodomor through and financial aid and scholarships were available to stu- of Computer Vision 2021. Another UCU graduate student, Music – The Song ‘Dry Tears,’ ” was aimed at children and dents. The university later served as the initiator of Kostya Liepieshov, was working to develop methods for incorporated music to teach about the Holodomor. numerous projects involving Ukrainian students and edu- simultaneous correction of geometric symbols on images The U.S. Holodomor Committee, in partnership with cation in Ukrainian studies. and the autocalibration of cameras. the National Council of Social Studies, hosted the webinar Mr. Lozynskyj also highlighted the relationships Polina Lishko, Ph.D., a Ukrainian-born physiologist and “Stalin’s Cover-Up of the Ukrainian Famine Genocide, between UFU and universities in Ukraine, including Ivan associate professor of molecular and cell biology at the 1932-1933: The Original Fake News” on September 17. Franko University in Lviv and Taras Shevchenko National University of California at Berkeley, was awarded the 2020 Speakers included Dorys Duzyj of Michigan, Dr. University of Kyiv, and underlined that the UFUF was MacArthur “genius” award for her development of prom- Christopher Mauriello of and Michael instrumental in making these collaborations possible. The ising new non-hormonal contraceptives for women and Sawkiw Jr. of Washington. The webinar was posted to the foundation was also a key player in increasing awareness research that could lead to male or unisex contraceptives. NCSS website and was to be released on the U.S. of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the Lemko forced reloca- The award, announced on October 6, came with a Holodomor Committee website (www.ukraingenocide. tion known as Akcja Wisla and other events throughout $625,000 grant over five years. Dr. Lishko has launched com) with lesson plans for educator access. An additional Ukrainian history. YourChoice Therapeutics, but has since left the start-up to webinar was hosted on October 2 on the “Power of The Western Canada Branch of the Shevchenko focus on her research. In receiving the award, the scholar Community,” and future plans announced included a virtu- Scientific Society of Canada (NTSh) launched the latest said it showed recognition of the importance of the field of al ceremony for the fifth anniversary of the Holodomor volume of the Zakhidniokanadskyi Zbirnyk (Western reproductive physiology, after years of constant rejection Monument in Washington (scheduled for November 7), Canadian Collection) on July 18. The collection celebrated in seeking federal funding. Dr. Lishko is also an adjunct food pantry donations in November, promotion of 125 years of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, and the professor at the Buck Institute’s Center for Reproductive Holodomor curricula in high schools across the U.S., launch featured an online lecture by Dr. Iuliia Kysla about Longevity and Equality in Novato, Calif., studying ovarian efforts to revoke Walter Duranty’s Pulitzer Prize, the cre- the collection. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, the Western aging and its impact on women’s health. ation of a descendants’ network of Holodomor survivors Canada Branch of NTSh noted that the latest volume Dr. Susan Kenny of Washington Township, N.J., and and their offspring, and heightened awareness of the sale (Volume 8) was dedicated to the memory of Petro Natalia Onyschuk of Edmonton, Alberta, were named in of Soviet memorabilia and products on the Internet. Savaryn, a longtime member and head of the NTSh branch November as winners of the 2020 Holodomor Research Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa., hosted a Virtual in Edmonton, and a prominent figure of the Ukrainian and Education Consortium’s Educator Award for Ukrainian Dialogue on October 15 to discuss “Zelenskyy’s community in Canada and beyond. Holodomor Lesson Plan Development. A project of the First Year Leading up to America’s Presidential Election.” The Ukrainian Catholic University announced in Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Panelists included: Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. October a partnership for joint research projects with Alberta, the award recognizes outstanding educators in Volodymyr Yelchenko, National Deputy Solomiia Facebook Reality Labs (FRL) to involve teachers, students the field of Holodomor teaching. The award fosters excel- Bobrivska of Ukraine’s and Brian Bonner, and graduates of the university’s Applied Science Faculty. lence in the development of innovative, creative and inter- chief editor of the Kyiv Post. A Ukraine-themed discussion is hosted by Manor College twice a year. Topics have included women in politics in Ukraine; Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait; hacking and the New Russia; and mov- ing beyond the Minsk process and ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prof. Andryczyk, who manages the Ukrainian Studies Program at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University, was featured in December in an in-depth interview by Mariia Shuvalova about Ukrainian literature as a field of study and classroom challenges, especially as regards teaching the subject to Western English-speaking audienc- es. Prof. Andryczyk also spoke about his translations of Ukrainian literary works. His latest work is “The White Chalk of Days: The Contemporary Ukrainian Literature Series Anthology,” that features poetry, fiction and essays by 15 of the most prominent writers in Ukraine in the past 50 years. Also in December, The Weekly carried news that the Ukrainian Catholic University was top rated among insti- tutions of higher education in Ukraine in the field of infor- mation technology (IT). The rating released by DOU (developers.org.ua), a community of Ukrainian program- mers, gave special praise to UCU’s Applied Sciences Manor College Faculty. UCU headed the list of 82 institutions of higher Panelists on October 15 discuss President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s first year in office in the lead-up to the U.S. education in Ukraine. In 2019, UCU had shared first place presidential election during a dialogue hosted by Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa. with the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 11

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW For Ukrainian sports a year like no other hen the coronavirus struck in March, the sports world was thrown upside down. For many, Wmany months it was the year that wasn’t. The 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed for one year. Some international sports competitions were canceled, others pushed back. Professional sports leagues saw their seasons put on hold for months. Eventually, after months of careful strategizing around and against a deadly pan- demic, sports returned, albeit in most unique circum- stances. Abbreviated seasons played out, tournaments played on, competitions resumed, some scheduled events in the latter half of the year were held, champions were crowned, and medals were distributed to victorious indi- viduals and teams, mostly without spectators and fans. The year 2020 was one never before seen in the world of sports, which perhaps makes it even more important for it to be celebrated and remembered. The virus itself, along with plentiful precautionary protocols, presented athletes additional challenges beyond the normal ones Jimmie48/WTA associated with regular competition. Ukrainian Nadia Podoroska of Argentina made history at the French Open on October 6 by becoming the first- We start this review with The Ukrainian Weekly sports ever qualifier to reach the women’s singles semifinals at Roland Garros. correspondent’s annual awards: Hawks to re-establish himself as an NBA player Snizhana Kholodkova (57 kg), The junior women won after five mediocre seasons in Phoenix. Atlanta went on to three additional golds (13 over all). In 2020, this newspa- • Outstanding Male Athlete – Cale Makar, hockey trade Len to Sacramento at the NBA trade deadline per carried a feature about journeyman heavyweight • Outstanding Female Athlete – Nadia Podoroska, tennis (February 6), with the Kings hoping he becomes a valu- boxer Chuck Wepner (whose mother, Dolores Hrynko, is Ukrainian), who was actually the inspiration behind paralympian • Rookie of the Year – Cale Makar, hockey able bench contributor as they chase a playoff spot. In • Most Inspirational Athlete – Daniel Romanchuk, other news, small for- ’s movie script for the film “,” ward Kyle Kuzma is still looked upon as a potential game- based on his March 24, 1975, match with champion Below are 2020’s most outstanding performers alpha- • Team of the Year – Ukraine Men’s Gymnastics Team changer and key offensive force after the team’s 1-2 punch , when the 40-to-1 underdog Wepner came betically by sport, a recap of newsworthy Ukrainian sports of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Proof of this was the within 19 seconds of surviving a full 15 rounds. Light stories and diaspora sports headlines. three-year, $40 million contract extension he received on heavyweight Oleksandr Gvozdyk retired from professional In ATHLETICS, Yaroslava Mahuchikh won gold in high December 20. The buzz around the NBA that the Lakers boxing at the age of 33 due to health reasons. Teofimo jump at the U-20 Demianiuk Memorial on January 18 in were testing the trade market for Kuzma was true, but in Lopez successfully overcame a late rally by Vasyl Lviv, setting a World U-20 record jump of 2.01 meters. the end, the club chose to retain its homegrown talent. Lomachenko to defeat the world’s best pound-for-pound Oleh Doroshchuk won gold in the men’s high jump. Miami Heat veteran Kelly Olynyk earned an extra fighter by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109 in a Mahuchikh also won gold on February 15 in Glasgow at $400,000 thanks to his club’s making the playoffs in 2019- tense, 12-round battle in Las Vegas on October 17. the World Athletics Indoor Tour. Long jumper Maryna 2020. He missed out on an additional $1 million bonus as Lomachenko faced a superior opponent, his defensive Bekh-Romanchuk won gold in Glasgow and Lievin, he did not reach 1,700 minutes of playing time. strategy in the first half of the bout cost him, and his long (February 19), jumping 6.90 meters. Bekh-Romanchuk Valj Semerenko, Yuliia Dzhima, Artem Pryma and layoff from competition took its toll. Undefeated heavy- had previously won gold at the IAAF Indoor Meet in Dmytro Pidruchniy won gold in the BIATHLON mixed weight Oleksandr Usyk (18-0, 13KO) was a unanimous Karlsruhe, Germany, on January 31 along with Mahuchikh. relay (1:11:32.1) at the European Championships in winner after 12 rounds against Derek Chisora on October Serhiy Yefremov and Viktoriya Antoniuk won gold in on February 26-27. Kateryna Bekh won gold in 31 in . The fight was scored 117-112, 115-113, the Latin-American program at the European Champion­ the women’s 7.5-km sprint at the Junior Open European 115-113 in favor of the Ukrainian, who picked up the ship of Sports Dancing in Lviv on February 14-17. The Championships on March 11-12 in Austria. WBO Intercontinental title belt, making him the mandato- Ukrainians should be advancing to higher levels of world Welterweight Taras Shelestyuk would like to join ry challenger for the WBO heavyweight title belonging to competitions in BALLROOM DANCING in the future. BOXING brethren Vasyl Lomachenko, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua. WBO international lightweight champion Detroit Piston Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was named to the Denys Berinchyk and Oleksandr Gvozdyk as a past Denys Berinchyk (14-0, 8KO) defended his title by defeat- World Team for the NBA’s All-Star weekend Rising Stars Ukrainian Olympic medalist and current contender to be a ing Romanian Viorel Simion at the Equides Club near Kyiv Challenge. Alex Len was granted an opportunity by the world champion. His unanimous decision over Luis on October 8. The bout ended after seven rounds when Alberto Veron on January 31 was another step toward his Viorel refused to continue the fight. This was Berinchyk’s goal, as his record improved to 18-0 with 10 KOs. fourth successful title defense. Ukraine’s youth boxing Welterweight Karen Chukhadzhian won the WBA interna- team won three gold medals (15 over all, earning second tional title by split decision against Sergey Vorobiev on place) at the EUBC Youth European Boxing Champion­ February 1 in Kaliningrad, Russia. Lightweight Denys ships in Montenegro on November 22. Winning gold were Berinchyk won by unanimous decision versus Hector Yurii Zakharieiev (69kg), Illia Tohobytskyi (75kg) and Edgardo Sarmiento on February 22 in Brovary, Ukraine, to Mykyta Gorbatenko (91kg). On December 15 Wladimir capture the WBO International title. Ukraine’s women Klitschko was informed of his election to the International boxers won three gold medals (27 total) at the Third Riga Boxing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. He was heavyweight Ladies Boxing Cup on March 4-9 in Riga, Latvia: Yulia champion longer than anyone in boxing history and fin- Demianenko (48 kg), Inna Stakevych (54 kg) and ished with a pro record of 64-5, 53 KOs. Ukraine won 10 gold medals at the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Szeged, Hungary, on September 18-20, finishing second over all. Gold medalists: Volodymyr Savchyn- Artem Chetvertak (U18, 1,000-m CANOE doubles and U18, 500-m canoe doubles), Tetiana Smylovenko- Khrystyna Osipchuk (U15-U16, 200-m canoe doubles), Ivanna Dyachenko (U17, 200-m kayak), Vadym Tkachuk (U18, 200-m kayak), Daniil Platash (U17, 200-m kayak), Danil Kutsenko (U16, 200-m kayak), Kseniia Romanchuk (U16, 200-m kayak), Dyachenko/Oleksii Mamchenko/ Viktoriia Muntian/Platash (U15-U17, mixed 500-m kayak quadruples) and Taras Kuzyk/Yurii Shutiak/Osipchuk/ Iryna Fedoriv (U15-U17, mixed 500-m canoe quadruples). Olena Starikova won gold in the Keirin race at the UEC Track Elite European Championships of CYCLING in Bulgaria on November 11-15. FENCING phenom Olha Kharlan won gold in the wom- en’s individual final at the Saber Grand Prix in Montreal on January 10-13. Courtesy of “Uke.” Veteran GOLFer Jim Furyk joined some elite company A promotional poster (left) for the hockey documentary “Uke,” which premiered in 42 Ukrainian cities on September 20 when he won the PGA Tour Champions December 3. In the photo on the right, “Uke” director and producer Volodymyr Mula (left) holds a Ukrainian flag Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, Fla. This together with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. was his second PGA Tour Champions win in as many 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW starts; he joined Arnold Palmer and Bruce Fleisher as the only senior golfers to win twice in as many starts. The Grand Prix and 25th International Tournament Deriugina Cup in Kyiv on September 10-13 saw the following win gold medals: Vlada Nikolchenko (clubs event), Team 1: Anastasiya Voznyak/Valeriya Yuzviak/Mariola Bodnarchuk/Alina Bykhno/Diana Baieva (three hoops), (hoop final, combined grand prix final), Nikol Krasiuk (senior ribbon final, senior clubs final, senior ball final). Team 1 also won the combined events of five-balls, three-clubs, two-clubs final. Ukraine won six medals (three of them gold) at the 36th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Kyiv on November 26. Ukraine won gold in the senior five balls event (Diana Baieva, Mariola Bondarchuk, Anastasiia Vozniak, Maria Vysochanska and Valeria Yuzviak); the combined senior team all-around (Polina Karika, Polina Sydorak, Melania Tur, Baieva, Bodnarchuk, Vozniak, Vysochanska and Yuzviak) with events in rope, ball, clubs, ribbon, five balls and three hoops/two clubs; Karika, individual gold in the junior ball final. Ukraine’s men’s team won first place overall at the 2020 European Men’s NHL.com Championships on December 9-13 in Mersin, Turkey. Ukraine won seven gold medals (two in the senior divi- Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche won the ’s Calder Trophy in 2020. The presenta- sion, five in junior). Golds were won by: Vladyslav Hryko, tion took place on September 21. Petro Pakhniuk, Igor Radivilov, Roman Vashchenko, er for Colorado, Oleksiak was a physical presence and sur- Shakhtar in 2004-2016, winning a UEFA Cup and eight Yevgen Yudenkov (team competition in floor, Pommel prising offense producer for the Cup finalist Stars, and Ukrainian championship titles. In 2019 he was dismissed horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar); Adam Pelech’s return from injury spurred the Islanders to as head coach of Turkey’s national team. He replaced Radivilov (vault); Volodymyr Kostiuk, Illia Kovtun, Mykyta the Eastern Conference finals. The Tkachuk brothers, Oleksiy Mykhailychenko who was fired after serving as Melnykov, Ivan Sevruk and Radomyr Stelmakh (junior Matthew and Brady, were top Ukrainian forwards while coach for nearly one year. Kyiv bested Ukrainian team competition); Kovtun (four individual medals in defensemen Colton Parayko (Blues) and Jakob Chychrun Premier League champion Shakhtar 3-1 to win junior all-around, Pommel horse, rings, parallel bars). (Coyotes) climbed their team’s respective depth charts the on August 25 in Kyiv – its ninth Super Edmonton Oiler Kyle Brodziak retired from the with their improved games. In all, some 21 Ukrainians Cup and first for new manager Lucescu. Ukraine defeated National HOCKEY League after 917 games, 129 goals, 167 skated on NHL rinks in the most recent abbreviated hock- Switzerland 2-1 as part of League A, Group 4 play in the assists, 296 points and 462 penalty minutes due to a ey year. Kyiv’s Volodymyr Mula completed a groundbreak- UEFA Nations League on goals by and severe back injury. Colorado Avalanche rookie Cale Makar ing documentary film titled “Uke” about contributions Oleksandr Zinchenko on September 4 in Lviv. Ukraine broke the franchise record for goals scored by a rookie made by professional hockey players of Ukrainian descent stunned Spain 1-0 in a home match at Olympic Stadium in defenseman on January 18, his 11th of the season. in the National Hockey League, specifically those who Kyiv on October 13 – the first-ever victory over the 2010 Matthew Tkachuk represented Calgary at the 2020 NHL were Stanley Cup champions. Mula’s research revealed World Cup champions. Viktor Tsygankov fired home a All-Star Game in St. Louis on January 25. The three-year that more than 50 players of Ukrainian extraction won the shot past David de Gea off a pass from Yarmolenko. The pro has quickly earned a reputation as tough to play sport’s coveted trophy, including Gretzky, Terry Sawchuk clean sheet was earned by fourth-string goalkeeper against while becoming a leader in the Flames locker and Ken Daneyko. The movie premiered on December 3 in Georgiy Bushcan. The UEFA Appeals Body declared the room. In less than 300 NHL games he has ignited and 42 Ukrainian cities. Mula is hoping for a Canadian pre- Nations League match between Ukraine and Switzerland impacted the Calgary franchise and has rapidly evolved miere in the fall of 2021. as a forfeit by the Ukrainian Association of Football. The into an untouchable with a very high hockey IQ. Rookie Daria Bilodid (48kg) won gold at the Paris JUDO Grand match was to be played on November 17 and did not take Kieffer Bellows scored two goals and an assist in his first Slam on February 8-9. Her ultimate quest for Olympic gold place due to the decision by Swiss doctors to put the two NHL games (February 4 and 6) to give the New York was temporarily put on hold with the cancellation of the entire Ukrainian squad into quarantine after several play- Islanders an offensive lift. Defenseman Taylor Fedun went 2020 Summer . She was set to enter her ers tested positive for COVID-19. The ruling relegated from not dressing in Rochester, N.Y. (Buffalo’s AHL affili- first Olympics as the clear favorite, ranked No. 1 in her Ukraine from the Nations League’s top tier (League A). ate) to a regular spot on the Dallas Stars blueline after a 48kg. weight class since 2018. She won seven gold medals Ukraine and Atalanta (Italy) midfielder Ruslan Malinov­ November 10, 2018, trade, perhaps finally finding a per- in 2018, four in 2019 and the Paris Grand Slam in 2020 – skyi was rated as the most valuable Ukrainian football manent NHL home at age 30. He occasionally partners on an amazing body of superior achievement. The Olympic player according to rulings by Transfermarket. The defense with fellow-Ukrainian Jamie Oleksiak, reacquired gold awaits her in 2021. German-based website valued the 27-year-old at 21 mil- by Dallas in a trade with Pittsburgh to add an intimidating Anzhelina Terliuha (55kg) won gold at the Premier lion euros. Rated second was Manchester City left-back force on the backline. Taylor Raddysh is a Tampa Bay League in Dubai on February 15, qualifying her for the Zinchenko at 20 million euros, followed by Dynamo Kyiv’s Lightning prospect with lots of scoring potential while Tokyo Olympics in KARATE. Tsygankov at 19 million euros. Ukraine has drawn Group older brother Darren may turn out to be a potential late Daniil Boldyrev won gold at the European ROCK D with France, , Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kazakh­ bloomer as a depth defenseman for the New York CLIMBING Championships in Moscow on November 21, stan in the FIFA World Cup draw held on December 7 in Rangers. Makar was voted the NHL’s most outstanding winning the speed competition with a time of 5.69 seconds. Zurich. Each group winner of 10 European national team first-year player, winning the league’s Calder Trophy. The Ukraine won seven gold medals (17 over all) at the groups qualifies for the World Cup, which is scheduled for 21-year-old led NHL rookie defensemen in goals (12) and European SHOOTING Championship 10-meter (rifle, pis- November 21-December 18, 2021. The Ukrainian power-play markers (four) in 57 regular season games tol and running target) on February 23-March 2 in Poland. Association of Football appealed the cancellation of the with four game-winners. He earned 1,538 points (116 Gold medalists were Galina Avramenko (women’s 10-m Nations League match versus Switzerland to the first-place votes) in the voting, besting Canucks defense- running target mixed), Hlib Kihitov (junior men’s 10-m air Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration in Switzerland. On man Quinn Hughes (1,337 points, 53 first-place votes). pistol), Kristina Hilevych (junior women’s 10-m running December 11 it was announced that a panel of three arbi- Fellow-Ukrainian Wayne Gretzky made the trophy presen- target), Marharyta Tarkanii (junior women’s 10-m run- trators will decide whether the match would be re-sched- tation on September 21. Curtis Lazar was rewarded with a ning target mixed), Viktoriya Rybovalova, Avramenko and uled, an outcome would be determined by drawing lots or two-year, $1.6 million contract by the Buffalo Sabres after Valentyna Honcharova (women’s 10-m running target), the forfeit would stand. Experts predict the match will be establishing himself as a dependable checking-line for- Denys Babliuk, Danylo Danilenko and Andrii Drachuk re-scheduled and played prior to March 2021. ward and an excellent face-off man. Brinson Pasichnuk (junior men’s 10-m running target, in two different events Oleksii Novikov won the 2020 World’s Strongest Man was a college guy who in two-plus years found faith and held on February 26 and 28). competition on November 15 in Bradenton, Fla., becoming transformed himself from a hard-partying jock with Nadia Mokhnatska won gold in freestyle SKIING at the the youngest athlete to win the STRONGMAN honor. The severe depression issues to an honors student, team cap- FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup in Kazakhstan on February 24-year-old, who is 6-foot-1, 300 pounds, broke the par- tain, married adult and future San Jose Sharks defense- 27-28. tial deadlift world record with 537.5 kg in only his second man. The Vancouver Canucks signed center Jayce Four Ukrainians – Illya Balashov, Maryna Mchedleshvili, outing in the annual competition. He lifted a 1,185-pound Hawryluk to a one-year, two-way contract worth Oleksandr Pieliekhov and Yaroslav Shtyker – set a new bar 18 inches off the ground. $700,000 on October 19. On November 25, Johnny group parachute acrobatics record on February 13-14, beat- Ukraine’s synchronized SWIMMING team won five Boychuk abruptly announced his retirement from the ing out SKYDIVING competitors from 27 other countries. gold medals at the FINA Artistic Swimming World Series NHL due to lingering effects from two eye injuries. In 725 In SOCCER news, (Dynamo Kyiv) in Paris on March 6-8. Anastasiya Savchuk and Marta NHL regular season games he scored 54 goals and 152 and Viktor Kovalenko (Shakhtar Donetsk) are diamonds Fiedina (women’s duet technical and duet free routine), assists for 206 points. In 104 playoff games he added in the rough for their clubs and Fiedina (solo free and solo technical), Kateryna Reznik, 13G-17A-30PTS. The acquired Ukraine’s national team. Midfielder Bogdan Mykhaili­ Anastasiia Soldatenkova, Savchuk, Fiedina, Vladyslava restricted free agent Dmytro Timashov from the Detroit chenko, 23, signed a four-year contract with Belgian club Aleksiiva, Alina Shynkarenko, Yana Nariezhna, Maryna Red Wings on December 11 in exchange for future consid- RSC Anderlecht on August 3, reportedly paying a 500,000 Aleksiiva and Olesia Derevianchenko (women’s team erations. Three defensemen were deemed the most out- euro transfer fee. Shakhtar Donetsk’s former coach, highlight event), women’s team free combination and standing Ukrainian stars during the pandemic-interrupt- , was named the new coach for Dynamo women’s team free event. Mykhailo Romanchuk set a new ed 2019-2020 NHL season. Makar was a top point produc- Kyiv on July 23. The 74-year-old Romanian coached European record in the men’s 800-m freestyle (7:25.73 No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 13

2020: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

BoxingScene.com/Mikey Williams Twitter/UEFA Euro 2020 Vasyl Lomachenko (right) lost in a unanimous decision to Teofimo Lopez during Ukraine pulled off a shocking upset by defeating Spain 1-0 in a home match at their October 17 boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As a result, Lopez Olympic Stadium in Kyiv on October 13. Viktor Tsygankov celebrates with team- became the undisputed champion in the lightweight division. mates after the lone goal. seconds) at the International Swimming League in Dmytro Chumack (109kg) won gold at the World Cup Christina Silver won trophies for fastest male and female Budapest, Hungary, on November 20-22, besting the pre- of WEIGHTLIFTING in Rome on January 31-February 7. skiers. Competitors ranged in age from 4 to 76. vious record by four seconds. Iryna Dekha won gold in the women’s 76kg division. After 46 years in Manhattan, the Ukrainian Sports Club Top-seeded Elina Svitolina captured a title, winning the Semen Novikov (87kg) won gold in the Greco-Roman of New York announced its move to Brooklyn on Abierto GNP Seguros final in Mexico on March 8. final at the European WRESTLING Championships on September 13. The club expects to expand its youth pro- Seventeen-year-old Marta Kostyuk won the ITF World February 10-16 in Rome. Yuliya Tkach (62kg) won gold in gram beyond soccer and volleyball to include chess and TENNIS Tour singles title in a February 23 match in Cairo, women’s freestyle. table tennis once COVID-19 safeguards are lifted. Egypt. She also won the doubles title with Russian partner Ukraine’s junior hockey team won gold at the third Ukrainian Matthew Onyshko is in a legal battle with the Kamilla Dakhimova. Fifteen-year-old Daria Lopatetska, a WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES on January 9-22 in NCAA, claiming some 20 concussions he endured while winner of two ITF titles one month earlier, for a sum of Switzerland. The gold was won by the 3X3 boys “green” playing college football for Division II California University five total titles already to her name, may just be the next team, and Volodymyr Troshkin was named player of the of Pennsylvania (1999-2003) caused his degenerative Ukrainian tennis prodigy. Elina Svitolina defeated two- tournament. brain disease, ALS. His case is currently being appealed fol- time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-1, 10-5 to lowing a preliminary verdict clearing the NCAA of negli- win the first leg of a non-WTA exhibition match in Berlin Losses to the sports world gence. Lawyers believe they lost their case because of tech- on July 17. Svitolina later decided to opt out of the U.S. One of the first players to become an unconditional free nicalities. The hope is for a sympathetic jury to produce an Open due to COVID-19 concerns. Dayana Yastremska agent in the NHL was Dale Hawerchuk in the summer of avalanche leading to more plaintiffs and lawsuits with defended her decision to share photo shoot images on 1995, when he signed a three-year deal for $7.5 million potential financial loss and negative fallout for the NCAA. social media which showed her partially in blackface, with the St. Louis Blues. “Ducky” went on to tally 518 goals The fall 2020 issue of Sports Illustrated featured while also apologizing to anyone she may have offended. and 1,409 points in 1,188 games over 16 seasons, retiring Ukrainian Daniel Romanchuk in its Scorecard’s Faces in Native Argentine (Ukrainian on her mother Irene’s side) at age 34. Playing in Gretzky’s shadow, Hawerchuk never the Crowd section. The 22-year-old Paralympian, who has Nadia Podoroska made history at the French Open on truly received the acclaim and recognition he deserved. A spina bifida, was acknowledged for setting an unofficial October 16 by becoming the first-ever qualifier to reach protracted battle with stomach cancer claimed Hawerchuk record for a wheelchair racer with his time of 1:13:57 sec- the women’s singles semifinals. She stunned fellow at age 57. Most recently, the Hall of Famer was the head onds, covering 26.2 miles at the virtual Ukrainian Svitolina in straight sets and became the first coach with the Hockey League’s . Marathon in October 2020. Romanchuk was using the vir- female qualifier in 21 years to reach the final four of any Four-time Stanley Cup winner Eddie Shack passed tual race as a training run, but unexpectedly went off on a Grand Slam. She defeated three other qualifiers and four away on July 25 in a Toronto hospital after battling cancer. record pace. The official world record was 1:20:14 sec- rounds of opponents prior to engaging with Svitolina in In 1,047 career NHL games over 17 seasons he scored 465 onds, set by Swiss Heinz Frei in 1999. the quarterfinals. After playing and winning eight matches points and accumulated 1,431 penalty minutes. The Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame announced its in 15 days, Podoroska was dismantled by Polish teenager inductees for the class of 2020 on November 24. The class Iga Swiatek in the semis. Her WTA ranking improved from Diaspora sports included seven professional athletes, a new category rec- No. 131 to No. 47 by year’s end. In diaspora sports news, The Ukrainian Athletic- ognizing all Ukrainians whose name is on a Stanley Cup Anhelina Khmil and Tetiana Lazarenko defeated Daria Educational Association Chornomorska Sitch men’s vol- (54 names), nine Olympic/world athletes, eight amateurs, Romaniuk and Anna Checkelnytska (21-18, 21-19) in an leyball squad won the Garden Empire Volleyball 11 builders of Ukrainian sports, one in the “Team” catego- all Ukrainian final to win gold at the 2020 CEV U-18 Beach Association’s B/BB Volleyball Tournament on January 26, ry and four “Legacy” organizations. The class of 2020 will VOLLEYBALL European Championships on September defeating AMF in the finals, three sets to two. be inducted along with next year’s class in mid-2021. 17-20 in Turkey. Yevgenii Boiko and Vladislav Omelchuk Fifty-three skiers and snowboarders competed at the Notable inductees include player Paul Konerko, captured gold in the men’s division, beating a pair of 66th annual races of the Carpathian Ski Club at Hunter Olympian Yana Klochkova (swimming) and Svoboda/The Russian players (21-17, 10-21, 15-11) in the final. Mountain on February 29. Rostyslav Stepanenko and Ukrainian Weekly (Legacy).

Andrew Moroch Carpathian Ski Club (KLK) race participants, families and supporters at the awards dinner following the ski races held on February 29 at Hunter Mountain. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE San Diego parish celebrates Chornomorska Sitch’s Our Sport Christmas outdoors with St. Nicholas magazine goes digital by Bo Kucyna WHIPPANY, N.J. – For 54 years the annu- al Our Sport (“Nash Sport”) magazine, pub- lished by the Ukrainian Athletic- Educational Association Chornomorska Sitch, has highlighted the sporting events for not only local team action but also those occurring in Ukraine and across the globe. Over the years, main sports such as soc- cer, volleyball and tennis were covered in great detail in each issue. In addition, bowling, swimming, table tennis and even chess have been featured in the magazine. The magazine’s founder and editor, the late Omelan Twardowsky, had a great love and passion for sports, without a doubt. However, he also saw the need to report, document and preserve the sporting accomplishments of our Ukrainian commu- nities for future generations to appreciate. Our Sport Our objective is to help continue this A cover of the January 2014 edition of mission and to inform you about what our Our Sport magazine, which can now be viewed online. Yuri Gnip Ukrainian athletes of today are doing, so St. Nicholas, Fr. Yurii Sas and parish children that their accomplishments can be pre- we’d like to help spread the word. served in history alongside those of the Together, we can accomplish our mis- by Vera Skop Kniahynyckyj divine liturgy regularly and had been very first 54 years. Hence, here we are, proudly sion, which is to positively promote our good in 2020. presenting the launch of Our Sport maga- passion for sports and preserve the next 54 SAN DIEGO – St. Nicholas visited the Due to the pandemic, Fr. Sas has been zine online. The website for the magazine years of our local Ukrainian sports history. parish of St. John the Baptizer Ukrainian streaming divine liturgy and holding ser- can be found at www.nashsport.org. It is For information and/or comments, Catholic Church here on December 8. It vices outside. The parish’s 60th anniversa- hoped that readers enjoy the sporting news readers are directed to the website, www. was a lovely warm southern California day ry celebration had to be cancelled. The that will be shared and the magazine’s staff nashsport.org. Readers can also subscribe and, while the parish was celebrating out- parish, which is currently undergoing a encourages readers to take an active role to the “Nash Sport” Facebook page (www. side due to COVID-19, St. Nicholas had no major fundraising campaign to build a new by submitting stories and publicizing facebook.com/nashsport.oursport/). problem locating the children who were church, held a fund-raising event with car- upcoming events. We know that there are A promotional YouTube video (https:// waiting impatiently for him. He was greet- ols on Christmas Day on the recently pur- so many great Ukrainian athletes out there youtu.be/ns4V0Mvo_4M) was created to ed by the pastor, Fr. Yurii Sas, and the par- chased church lot. The parish plans to and we want our Ukrainian communities to highlight the history of Our Sport magazine, ish children who recited poems, skits and break ground on the project this year. know and be proud of them all. If you have and inspire its continued success. songs in anticipation of the visit. St. Contributions to the building fund can be a local Ukrainian team, let us know about Nicholas was assured that all of the chil- sent to the following address: St. John the them. If you know of local Ukrainian ath- Editor’s note: Bo Kucyna, a longtime Sitch dren had listened to their parents, done Baptizer Ukrainian Catholic Church, P. O. letes who are doing great things in youth member, athlete and sports supporter, led their chores and homework, had attended Box 3116, La Mesa, CA, 91941. sports, high school or college and after, the work to digitize the magazine’s archives. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 15

1922, in Olyphant, Pa., the northeastern part he was described as decisive, authoritative, of the state, near Scranton. He had two sis- unflappable and, most importantly for his Chylak a Hall of Fame hero ters (Mae and Julie) and two brothers (Gene position, consistent. He would allow man- and Joseph) who passed away at age two. agers and players to have their say. When The inscription on his Baseball Hall of Chylak’s studies at Rutgers University the arguing stopped, the matter was Fame plaque says it all: “Considered by lasted barely a year (1939-1940), inter- dropped. many to be the nonpareil umpire of the rupted by military service in World War II. Post-War Era. A model of consistency with A master of the rules He rose to the rank of sergeant in an Army invariable accuracy both behind the plate Ranger battalion, seeing duty in the Chylak knew the rulebook inside and and on the bases.” Nestor Chylak was an European theater. Nestor was wounded out which insured he was always prepared umpire in the American League from 1954 during the Battle of the Bulge on January 3, for any situation, his knowledge of the through 1978. He was immensely respect- 1945, when tree fragments hit by shrapnel rules keeping him from losing arguments. ed by league management, managers and hit his face. Temporarily blinded for some In his 25 years of MLB umpiring, he ejected players for his abilities at keeping the game 10 days, he eventually recovered his eye- only 24 managers, coaches or players, com- moving and never being the center of sight. Chylak received a Purple Heart for piling one of the lowest ejection rates in attention. His posthumous election to the his wound and a Silver Star for gallantry in major league history. Hall of Fame was the ultimate testament to action. His quick wit and sense of humor aided his superior umpiring achievements. At the He rarely spoke about his horrific battle- him in his capacity as an arbiter. He began time he was the eighth umpire inducted field experiences. When explaining each year with the notion that an umpire National Baseball Hall of Fame Library into the Hall of Chylak’s kindness and generosity to people, must be perfect on the first day of the sea- Nestor Chylak Fame. (Currently there are 10.) there were two distinct opinions: some son and then get better every game. The Chylak was the oldest of five children while his umpire colleagues claimed he suf- made the case it was a by-product of his umpire exhibit at the Hall of Fame has a born to Ukrainians Nestor George Chylak, fered a mild stroke. loneliness on the road, while others Chylak plaque with the following quote: Sr., and Nellie (Shipskie) Chylak on May 11, After retiring from the field, Chylak claimed the loss of friends in battle made “This must be the only job in America that became an assistant supervisor of umpires the umpire a more humane individual. everybody knows how to do better than for the American League and a member of Following the war, Nestor returned to the guy who’s doing it.” the Sports Illustrated Speakers’ Bureau. He the academic world at the University of Chylak’s entire major league career was praised as a profound politician on Scranton, failing to earn his degree. He umpiring was in the American League, long behalf of baseball, sharing the tangible les- loved baseball, but a shoulder injury limit- before the umpiring staffs merged. Among sons he had learned from his many years of ed him physically in playing the sport. He his more memorable memories behind the umpiring the sport. He was most generous elected to pursue umpiring, starting out in plate was the first-ever game in Toronto in giving away memorabilia to family, amateur baseball games of the North­ (Exhibition Stadium in 1977), Sandy friends and total strangers. He regularly eastern Pennsylvania League. His umpiring Koufax’s last pitched contest in Game Two made visits to the Veterans Hospital in career began in the minor leagues in 1947. of the 1966 World Series, the Pirates’ Bill Plains, Pa., and spoke to Boy Scout troops, On April 13, 1954, Chylak made his major Mazeroski hitting his World Series-winning Little Leaguers and others free of charge. league debut at an American League game home run against the Yankees in 1960 and Chylak’s personal motto when autograph- at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. It the infamous 1972 playoff matchup when ing balls and cards was “Play Hard and Fair.” was a 10-inning affair with the local Bert Campaneris threw his bat at pitcher Chylak passed away at his home in Senators defeating the , Lerrin LaGrow (both players ejected). Dunmore, Pa., on February 17, 1982, of an 5-3, Chylak working third base. Chylak was the third base umpire and crew apparent heart attack and was survived by His major league umpiring career would chief for the 1974 “Ten Cent Beer Night” his wife, Sophie Shemet, and two sons. span some 25 years and 3,857 regular sea- game between Cleveland and Texas on June He was inducted into the National son games. Chylak called balls and strikes 4, 1974, when unruly fans disrupted the Baseball Hall of Fame in July 1999 after behind home plate 974 times. He gained contest resulting in a forfeit to visiting election by the Veterans Committee. In promotion to crew chief, where he men- Texas. 2019 he was inducted into the Ukrainian tored rookie and younger umpires for four- His career came to an abrupt end in July Sports Hall of Fame. A plaque honoring Nestor Chylak as an teen seasons. 1978, when Chylak became ill working a umpire at the National Baseball Hall of The biggest factor in his lengthy umpir- night game in Toronto. Family members Ihor Stelmach may be reached at iman@ Fame. ing success was his demeanor on the field – asserted he was suffering from exhaustion, sfgsports.com.

Sitch men’s soccer starts strong, but falls to seventh place in 2020-2021 standings

by Bo Kucyna In N.J. State Cup action, Sitch’s first game was a matchup with FC Dynamo, who play WHIPPANY, N.J. – The Chornomorska in the GSSL’s Central A Division. Sitch led 1-0 Sitch men’s premier soccer team is in sev- in the first half with a beautiful combination enth place for the first half of the 2020- play that setup a fantastic strike by Mickey 2021 season of the highly competitive Tabatchouk from the top of the penalty area. Super Division of the Garden State Soccer While Sitch had more quality chances to League (GSSL), which is based in New score and better play in the first half, the Jersey. After 10 matches played, Sitch has score remained 1-0 until early in the second four wins, one tie and five losses, with 13 half when FC Dynamo scored on a counter points. attack to tie the game at 1-1. The team got off to a very good start, However, shortly thereafter, Sitch winning the first three out of five matches, regained their momentum and put a string scoring 11 goals (highlighted by Dan of corner kicks together to threaten the Sydor’s hat-trick against White Eagles SC) Dynamo goal. It was on one of these corner and conceding five goals. The three other kicks that defender Andrew Andrach wins were shutouts against Polonia- moved forward and blasted a ball towards Sportfriends (2-0 on September 18, 2020), goal to beat the keeper and put Sitch ahead Evolution SC (2-0 on October 4, 2020) and 2-1. Sitch continued to push forward and White Eagles SC (5-0 on October 11, 2020). were awarded a penalty kick as one of the Among the losses were to Jackson Lions Bo Kucyna forwards was fouled in the penalty area. (1-3 on September 27, 2020), one of the Chornomorska Sitch men’s team 2020, prior to the N.J. State Cup game against Midfielder Brett Stassfurth stepped up and top teams in the league, and arch rival SC Hoboken SC. calmly placed his shot into the upper cor- Portuguese (1-2 on October 16, 2020). ner to make it 3-1 for Sitch. While Dynamo Sitch was in fifth place in the standings The disappointing tie was a home game 2020), second-place Clifton Elite (0-1 on made it interesting with a late goal to bring after the first five games. against Ironbound SC on October 25, 2020. November 17, 2020) and (middle of the the score to within one, Sitch held on for The team struggled a bit over the next The one win was a satisfying 4-1 victory table) Bulldogs SC (1-3 on November 29, the win and advanced to the second round five games, winning one, losing three, and against NJ Alliance on November 1, 2020, 2020). As a result of this unfortunate string of the N.J. State Cup. earning one draw (a game in which they while the three losses came against first- of losses, the team dropped to their current led by two goals late in the second half). place FC Motown (0-5 on November 10, seventh place in the standings. (Continued on page 19) 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

port behind pro-Russian separatists in with the computer network servers of sev- rier Aeroflot and Transaero, have been for- NEWSBRIEFS Ukraine’s east, where some 13,200 people eral European and U.S. banks, causing loss- bidden to enter Ukrainian airspace since (Continued from page 2) have been killed in an ongoing conflict. es of $2.5 billion. The Prosecutor General’s 2015. Ukraine has also accused Russia of Others also criticized the BBC for adding the Office said in a statement on January 27 sending arms and troops to help pro-Mos- ies on a list of Russian cities where demon- two Crimean cities to the list of “Russian cit- that since 2014 “hackers from Ukraine” cow separatists fighting its soldiers in the strators rallied to support jailed Kremlin ies.” Refat Chubarov, the leader of the have used malicious software designed to east of the country, in a conflict which has critic Aleksei Navalny. The British broad- Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body, the personal data such as passwords and killed nearly 14,000 people since April caster’s Russian service published the map Mejlis, challenged the BBC on Facebook, logins from servers from private and state 2014. Russia denies involvement. (Reuters, on January 23 as tens of thousands of peo- asking whether its Russian service “wants banking institutions in Austria, Britain, with reporting by Natalia Zinets) to help Russia to annex Crimea.” A BBC rep- Germany, Lithuania the Netherlands, ple rallied across Russia, saying the demon- Top diplomats aim to defuse dispute strations were held in 122 “Russian cities” resentative did not comment on the map Switzerland, and the United States. The including two major Crimean cities, controversy. Tens of thousands of protesters prosecutors said computer and server The foreign affairs ministers of Hungary Simferopol and Sevastopol. The BBC across Russia on January 23 demanded the equipment were seized in police raids in and Ukraine were expected to meet in Kyiv marked the map with an explanation say- release of Mr. Navalny, who was arrested six the Kharkiv region. The investigation was on January 27 for talks on repairing badly ing that “Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.” days earlier and sent to pretrial detention carried out in coordination with the EU’s strained relations, but Budapest said its Despite the explanation, Foreign Affairs after returning to Russia following his judicial cooperation unit Eurojust, the diplomatic missions in the ex-Soviet repub- Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko called recovery in Germany from poisoning by a European policing agency Europol, as well lic had received threats of “bloodletting” on the BBC’s Russian service not to “pro- military-grade nerve agent. Police dispersed as U.S. and German law enforcement agen- violence. The two countries are at logger- mote Russian narratives.” Mr. Nikolenko the protests, sometimes violently, detaining cies, the statement said. It did not give fur- heads over the right of some 150,000 ethnic said on Twitter on January 24 that more than 3,700 people. (RFE/RL) ther details. (RFE/RL) Hungarians living in Transcarpathia in “Sevastopol and Simferopol have never Hackers exposed after causing billions in losses Biden warns Putin on Ukraine, Navalny western Ukraine to use their native tongue, been Russian cities...International law mat- especially in education. The region borders ters.” Moscow illegally annexed Crimea in Ukrainian authorities say they have U.S. President Joe Biden has spoken with Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s early 2014 and weeks later threw its sup- exposed a group of hackers who interfered his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for nationalist government in Budapest has the first time since his inauguration responded by blocking Kyiv’s efforts to January 20, raising concerns about some of build closer ties with NATO and the the Kremlin’s activities, including the treat- European Union, of which Hungary is a ment of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei member. Hungarian Foreign Affairs Navalny and the seizure of the Crimean Minister Péter Szijjártó said in a video post- TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL WALTER HONCHARYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 Peninsula. The two men did, however, find ed on Facebook that he would meet his or e-mail [email protected] common ground on the subject of arms Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to control, agreeing in a January 26 phone call “discuss ways to stop these negative to extend the New START treaty ahead of trends... or at least sketch a way out.” He SERVICES PROFESSIONALS its expiration early next month. Messrs. added that, “unfortunately, the Hungary- Biden, who took office on January 20, and Ukraine relationship has gone in a very bad ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО Putin “discussed both countries’ willing- direction after a temporary thaw.” Ліцензований продавець ness to extend New START for five years,” Overnight, Mr. Szijjártó added, Hungarian Страхування Життя the White House said in a readout of the diplomatic missions in Ukraine received OKSANA STANKO January 26 call. “They also agreed to threats “from people claiming to be Licensed Life Insurance Agent explore strategic stability discussions on a Ukrainian patriots promising all sorts of Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. range of arms control and emerging securi- bloodletting in the event of our talks taking Tel.: 908-872-2192 ty issues,” the statement said. Despite mak- place.” He gave no further details. Mr. ing progress on New START, Mr. Biden Kuleba said the Ukrainian police were email: [email protected] “raised other matters of concern” that are investigating the threats, which he said likely to define the U.S. relationship with appeared to originate from outside Ukraine. Russia in the coming months and years. Mr. Kuleba also struck a firm tone toward МАРІЯ ДРИЧ The White House said Biden reaffirmed U.S. Hungary. “Nobody should think it is possi- OPPORTUNITIES Ліцензований Продавець Страхування Життя support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the ble to come to Kyiv and dictate any condi- face of Moscow’s support for separatists in tions,” he said on Facebook, adding that he EARN EXTRA INCOME! МАRІA DRICH Licensed Life Insurance Agent the east of the country and its continued expected Hungary to make concrete pro- The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. occupation of Crimea. They also discussed posals to end their row. Ukraine angered for advertising sales agents. the poisoning of Kremlin critic Aleksei Hungary in 2017 with a law restricting the For additional information contact 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Tel.: 973-292-9800 ext. 3035 Navalny amid mounting international con- use of minority languages in schools. Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, cern over his recent arrest and the Russian Ukraine has large Russian, Belarusian, The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. e-mail: [email protected] government’s violent crackdown on pro- Bulgarian, Romanian and Polish minorities testers seeking his release at nationwide as well as Hungarian. The enmity has wider Run your advertisement here, demonstrations on January 23. “President dimensions. Mr. Orbán has forged good ties Biden made clear that the United States with President Vladimir Putin’s Russia and in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. will act firmly in defense of its national has called for the lifting of EU sanctions interests in response to actions by Russia imposed on Moscow over its 2014 annexa- that harm us or our allies,” the White House tion of Crimea from Ukraine and its support said. “The two presidents agreed to main- for pro-Russian separatists battling Kyiv’s KULINSKI MEMORIALS tain transparent and consistent communi- forces in eastern Ukraine. (Reuters, with 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 cation going forward,” it added. (RFE/RL) reporting by Pavel Polityuk and Márton Dunai) Tel. 800-458-5467 • 908-722-3130 • Fax 908-253-0027 Ukraine to ban flights that serve Crimea [email protected] • KulinskiMemorials.com Ukraine expects 100,000-200,000 vaccines Ukraine will ban flights over its territory • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years by 13 Russian regional air carriers and Ukraine expects to receive 100,000 to • Over 40 granite colors to choose from Syrian Cham Wings Airlines for three years, 200,000 doses of vaccines from Pfizer • Custom etchings the government said on January 27, citing under the COVAX scheme in February and • House appointments available flights by them into and out of Crimea, vaccinate the first 367,000 people against • Serving the tri-state area which was annexed by Russia in 2014. A the coronavirus in the first phase, • 5 minutes from St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery draft resolution approved by the Cabinet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in South Bound Brook, NJ prohibits “the transit of resources, flights said on January 26. Mr. Shmyhal told parlia- and transportation” by the 14 airlines. It ment the country also expected to receive must be approved by National Security and 700,000 doses of Sinovac’s COVID vaccine Defense Council of Ukraine, led by Presi­ in three-four weeks. He said the govern- dent Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to become ment had worked out a detailed vaccina- effective. “Air carriers of the Russian tion plan within which 2.54 million people 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 Federation systematically violate the proce- would get the vaccine at the second stage of 862-219-5344 dure for using the airspace of Ukraine,” the the vaccination and 7.2 million people at government said in a statement. “Violations the third stage. Mr. Shmyhal said that consist of flights within the prohibited zone Ukraine is expected to receive up to 16 mil- over the temporarily occupied territory of lion doses of vaccine from COVAX this year. the Autonomous .” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Hundreds of Russian entities, businessmen said on January 25 that Ukraine would start and politicians have been sanctioned by coronavirus vaccinations in February. Kyiv since Ukraine’s giant neighbor Ukraine registered around 1.2 million coro- annexed the Crimean Peninsula. Bigger navirus cases so far, with 22,057 deaths. Russian airlines, including national flag car- (Reuters, with reporting by Natalia Zinets) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5

Oksana Saldyt Syracuse UNH announces reopening, née Warywoda praising efforts in 2020 and hopeful for 2021 July 1921- December 2020 With deep sadness we announce the passing of Oksana Saldyt at age 99. Oksana was born July 1921 in Velyka Tyrya outside of Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine. Her father, a forester, had to relocate the family to western Poland, north of Poznan, for his job. In 1939, when Oksana was 18, her family survived the blitzkriegs during Germany’s invasion of western Poland at the start of WWII. They fled east in a wagon and found themselves caught between the German invasion from the west and the Soviet invasion from the east. The family eventually returned to Samita, Poland, and in the early years of the war Oksana joined her older brother and sister in Vienna to study hotel management. She was part of the large Ukrainian student hromada in Vienna, where she met her future husband Michael, who was a forestry engineer. In 1945 Oksana and Michael escaped Vienna during Allied bombings and, in time, found their way to the Displaced Persons camp in Mittenwald, Germany. In 1949, after almost 4 years at the camp, Oksana, Michael and 18-month old son Yourko arrived in New York City after 10 days at sea. The family settled in Buffalo, NY, where Oksana lived for the next 66 years. There she owned a grocery store across the street from St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic church and later became a certified histology/ pathology lab technician working in research at the University of Buffalo UNH stairs until retirement. She raised 3 children while volunteering tirelessly in various community organizations including Plast, the Ukrainian Catholic Syracuse Ukrainian National Home patrons must be out of the building by 10 Church, and the Ukrainian National Women’s League. For many years p.m. Oksana enjoyed winter skiing with her family and always found time to SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Ukrainian Normal hours of operation will be limit- bake her delicious “torty”, beautiful Easter pasky and make rose jam filled National Home (UNH) announced on ed to 6-10 p.m. (Wednesdays), 3-10 p.m. pampushky for special occasions. At age 95 she was slowing down, but January 14 its plan to re-open amid the gov- (Thursdays, Fridays) and 4-10 p.m. still driving, volunteering every Thursday at St John the Baptist Ukrainian ernor-ordered shutdown of in-person din- (Saturdays). Catholic church for their varenyky fundraisers and managing the UNWLA ing in New York State due to a spike in the In a January 19 newsletter, the UNH scholarship fund for Br 49. COVID-19 pandemic. The new policies that board informed its members of its activi- In 2017 96-year-old Oksana left the family home in Buffalo to move were outlined by the UNH board include the ties for 2020, including a re-purposing of in with her daughter Inya in Denver, CO, because she “couldn’t stand following: operating at 50 percent capacity the UNH’s kitchen to include take-out those long Buffalo winters” anymore. The last 2-1/2 years she lived with for any given time; a maximum of four per- meals and in-person dining options. Keely her son Myron in New Mexico, where she loved spending time with her sons per table; mandatory face coverings Lathrop, vice-president of the Syracuse 2 grandchildren and sitting outside the adobe home enjoying perfect except while seated, and masked staff; Ukrainian National Home, was instrumen- weather and mountain views. Oksana passed away peacefully at home adherence to physical distancing measures; tal in developing the menu, cooking and with family at her side singing Christmas koliady on December 14. She hand sanitizer stations are available other logistics, while members of the UNH had lived a very full, healthy life. throughout the building; no hall or large Oksana leaves behind many friends and relatives in Canada, Ukraine, gatherings until further notice; and all (Continued on page 19) Poland, Australia and throughout the United States. Due to the covid pandemic, live stream funeral services were held at San Ysidro Parish in Corrales, NM on January 12, 2021. Donations in memory of Oksana Saldyt can be made to the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) to support the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Donations can be made online at www.ucef.org or by mail to UCEF, 2247 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60622. With sorrow we share the sad news that our father, grandfather, brother, and uncle Bohdan Roman The Board of Trustees and the Administration of The Ukrainian Museum KRYZANIWSKY passed into eternal rest on Saturday, January 16, 2021 with deep sorrow inform our members at his home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the Ukrainian community of the death on December 13, 2020 of Bohdan was born on January 2, 1940 in Buchach, Ukraine. He was а well-recognized and respected Engineer for IBM, N.Y. Bohdan’s entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to be involved in various business enterprises worldwide. IVAN LUCHECHKO He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Maria (Tarnawskyj) Kryzaniwsky as well as his beloved wife Ulana (Kowalsky) Kryzaniwsky. President (1996-1998), Secretary (1986-1988), and longtime Private viewing and Panakhyda were held on Tuesday, January 26 at member of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and most generous 9:30 a.m. at Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, N.Y. benefactor of our institution. Funeral liturgy was held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, followed by burial services at Holly Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Campbell Hall, N.Y. We o er our sincere condolences and sympathy He leaves in sorrow: to his daughter Adriana Luchechko. daughters: Motria with husband Glenn Iverson Roma with husband Jeremy Ortiz May he rest in peace! grandchildren: Nicholas Iverson, Aleksander and Anastasia Walters Board of Trustees and the Administration brother Dr. George Kryzaniwsky with wife Christina of The Ukrainian Museum nieces: Laryssa, Lidia, and Alexandria with families extended family and friends in the U.S. and Ukraine. Donations in memory of Bohdan Kryzaniwsky may be made to St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church located at 141 Sarah Wells Trail, DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS should be sent to the Campbell Hall, N.Y. 10916 Advertising Department by e-mail to [email protected] or by fax May his memory be eternal. to 973-644-9510. Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of Вічная Пам’ять. issue. For further information call 973-292-9800, ext. 3040. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 19

major project was realized with the renova- Syracuse UNH... tion of the rooms used by the Ukrainian (Continued from page 18) American Youth Association (SUM). The walls were painted, new accent paneling were recognized for their ongoing support. was installed and the floor was repaired The kitchen was also busy with vare- and updated. nyky-making and selling, as well as hosting A new website and social media page February 1-5 Online conference, “Why Is Ukraine a Democracy?” the annual pig roast in September, the inau- were launched in 2020; new land was Online Harvard University, [email protected] or gural clambake in October, and the steak acquired on an adjoining property, which 617-495-4053 was the site of a dilapidated house that has bake in November was a huge success. February 6 Italian Dinner take-out fundraiser, Ukrainian American This year’s steak bake had the largest since been demolished; the UNH’s Capital Investment Appeal, through its associated Syracuse, NY Youth Association, Syracuse Ukrainian National Home, attendance since the event was first hosted [email protected] or 315-478-9272 at the UNH three years ago. raffles and other events, raised money for a Renovations and maintenance have been new roof that was installed and the board is February 10 Webinar with Oksana Remeniaka, “Nigra sed Formosa: ongoing amid the pandemic, and during the scheduled to pay it off by the end of 2021; Online Immersed in Sadness However Beautiful: The Problem shutdown of the UNH in 2020. The bar membership dues have been increased of Returning Lost Artifacts,” Columbia University, from $40 to $45 for full members and from replaced its aging beer coolers, and painting, https://harriman.columbia.edu cleaning and updating projects were com- $20 to $25 for social members; the UNH’s pleted throughout the year for the bar and annual meeting in 2021 will be held online February 19 Lenten fish fry dinners, Syracuse Ukrainian National the dining room. These and other projects and elections for board officers will be held through April 2 Home, [email protected] or 315-478-9272 were realized through the financial support with a date to be announced; and the UNH Syracuse, NY from members and volunteers who rolled is working with the Ukrainian Congress up their sleeves to help complete the work. Committee of America (UCCA) and the February 27 Lenten retreat, “Being Orthodox During COVID and In November and December of 2020, Organization for the Defense of Lemkiv­ Online Social Unrest” with Fr. Anthony Perkins, Ukrainian new concrete stairs were installed in the shchyna (OOL) to raise funds to replace a Orthodox League, [email protected] or https://forms. lower parking lot and the staircase was illu- missing flagpole in front of the Taras gle/cN5Mtne35ddavqx99 (registration required) minated by solar-powered lights, which Shevchenko Monument, located in front of increased safety for patrons. The obsolete St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events ventilation exhaust fans were removed and Church on Fayette Street (more details can advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions the hole where the fans were located was be found at https://syrucc.org/unh). from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors repaired with bricks and mortar donated Planned events in 2021 include an and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. by Paragon Supply, a neighbor of the UNH, Italian Dinner take-out fundraiser for the which also donated landscape stone for the Ukrainian American Youth Association on lower lot stairs. February 6, and a Lenten fish fry dinner on Other repair projects included repairing Fridays during Lent, beginning on February PLAYER Goals Assists Points 19. The UNH board recommends pre- Sitch men’s... water damage to the back hallway, a new Dan Sydor 6 3 9 ordering, as meals will be on a first-come, (Continued from page 15) drop ceiling was installed and the walls Joao Navarro 3 5 8 first-served basis. For additional informa- were patched and painted, with new LED Dan Holowaty 4 3 7 recessed lights installed and the stairs were tion, readers may contact the UNH at Against Hoboken SC in the second round, Philip Dinardo 2 3 5 repainted. In December 2020 another [email protected] or 315-478-9272. Dan Holowaty scored the opener for Sitch, and Stefan Zawojski got the assist. Things Damian Bziukiewicz 1 2 3 were looking positive as the team went into Mickey Tabatchouk 2 0 2 halftime with the 1-0 lead. However, early in Edwin Hernandez 1 1 2 the second half on a Hoboken corner kick, a Dillon 1 1 2 Hoboken player collided with Sitch goalie Mamukelashvili 1 0 1 Alex McDonald, knocking him out of the Brett Stassfurth 1 0 1 game. With no reserve goalie on the bench, Andrew Andrach 1 0 1 Sitch were forced to put one of their field Stefan Zawojski 0 1 1 players into goal. Unfortunately, the best choice to play goalie also happened to play a Statistics – 2020 fall season key defensive role in the line-up. While the backup played to the best of his ability, Team roster: Andrew Andrach, Christian Hoboken took advantage of his inexperi- Andrach, Damian Bziukiewicz, Alex Dillon, ence in goal and scored three times to win Philip Dinardo, Edwin Hernandez, Dan the game 3-1, knocking Sitch out of the Holowaty, Marco Hordynsky, Michael 2020-2021 N.J. State Cup. Jablonskyj, Nicholas Kovalenko, Mykola While the second half of the fall season Kucyna, Ryan Maccrea, David Mamukela­ had more lows than highs, the players and shvili, Alex Martynetz, Alex McDonald, coaches were pleased with the progress the George Mikula, Joao Navarro, Alex Osuch, team has made overall. Plus, the club is sat- Olesh Postolan, Kevin Quiroz, Erick Solis, isfied how several of the new and younger Brett Stassfurth, Dan Sydor, Mickey Taba­ players have successfully integrated with tchouk, Stefan Zawojski, Bo Shash­kewych the older and more experienced players. (coach), Bo Kucyna (assistant coach) UNH bar They are optimistic that with hard work For the latest results, readers are asked and training they will be ready to move up to visit the Clubs & Teams section of Sitch’s in the standings during the spring season, website at www.sitchsports.com – click on the Sitch soccer logo, then click on sched- administration. which is the second and concluding half of ule. For more information on the many Ex-national... He said he is forming a think tank with the 2020-2021 Sitch soccer season. At the half-way point of the season, sports programs offered by Sitch, and to (Continued from page 2) two other former officials to create a plat- form for people “who would like to change Sydor leads the team in scoring with six donate to the GoFundMe page for the men’s goals. team, visit https://www.sitchsports.com/. Mr. Biden, who oversaw Ukraine policy the country.” while serving as U.S. vice president from 2009 to 2017, including traveling to Kyiv Copyright 2020, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted six times during that period, has yet to with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ International Monetary Fund and drawing speak with Mr. Zelenskyy since taking Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Watchdog... foreign direct investment. office on January 20. Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see (Continued from page 1) Should Ukraine succeed, this “will abso- Mr. Danylyuk resigned in September https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-nation- lutely increase the effectiveness of anti-cor- 2019, after four months on the job, amid al-security-chief-danylyuk-biden-victory- Mr. Borovyk also advised Kyiv to ensure ruption efforts in Ukraine,” Mr. Borovyk concern over corruption in the Zelenskyy excellent-news-corruption/31072893.html) an independent anti-corruption infrastruc- said. ture and “form a professional and indepen- The countries that were perceived as dent judiciary.” being the least corrupt remained the same bequeathed to me, through the praxis of Mr. Zelenskyy has named 2021 as the in 2020. They are Denmark and New Ecumenical... the Church, and on the other hand, allow, as year of reforming the country’s unruly judi- Zealand, both scoring 88 out of a possible cial system as part of a bigger goal of 100 points. At the bottom of the list are (Continued from page 5) this is also my responsibility, the spiritual slippage of those who flirt with the federal- installing the rule of law, a key impediment Somalia (12), South Sudan (12) and Syria some people deliberately invoke. The goal ization of the Orthodox Church, according to unlocking additional funding from the (14). Ukraine received a score of 33. is to remove these unique responsibilities to Protestant standards. from the Throne of Constantinople and Who, then, behaves like the ‘Pope of transfer them to other hands. From my Orthodoxy?’ The one who remains faithful standpoint, then, you understand that I to her tradition or the one who claims for The Ukrainian Weekly cannot, on the one hand, abdicate the himself a status that he never had and is LIKE responsibilities that my predecessors not going to acquire? on Facebook! 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2021 No. 5