Part 3 of THE YEAR IN REVIEW pages 7-15

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXIV No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 $2.00 “Freedom in the World” 2016 report: Putin regime has two years Anxious dictators, wavering democracies at best, fi nance leaders say Ukraine rated as partly free, Russia appraised as not free

Freedom House 10 years, 105 countries have seen a net decline, and only 61 have experienced a net WASHINGTON – Economic downturns improvement. and fear of social unrest have led Russia, On Freedom House’s ratings of political China and other authoritarian regimes to and civil liberties, Ukraine continued to be crack down harder on dissent, while mass rated as partly free – a status unchanged migration and new forms of terrorism in from the previous year. Russia was rated 2015 fueled xenophobic sentiment in not free in both categories, just as it was in major democracies, according to “Freedom the report released in 2015. Of the 195 in the World 2016,” Freedom House’s countries assessed, 86 (44 percent) were annual report on political rights and civil rated free, 59 (30 percent) partly free, and liberties. 50 (26 percent) not free. The report, which was released on The report cites Europe’s inability to January 27, marked 2015 as the 10th con- manage the surge of asylum seekers from georgesoros.com twitter.com/Billbrowder secutive year of decline in global freedom. Syria and other conflict zones – on top of Billionaire philanthropist George Soros, a Bill Browder, co-founder of the Hermitage “In many countries with authoritarian lingering economic woes – as the pretext top financier of Western non-governmen- Capital Management, one of the biggest governments, the drop in revenues from for populists to rail against the European tal organizations in former Soviet states, foreign investors in Russia before it was falling commodity prices led dictators to Union and the liberal, universal values that said Russia has enough international blacklisted and prosecuted by the Kremlin, redouble political repression at home and it represents. reserves to last only a couple of years. said he gives “the Putin show” 18 months. lash out at perceived foreign enemies,” said Meanwhile, wary of declining living Arch Puddington, senior vice-president for standards and the social unrest they could by Zenon Zawada dwindling gross international reserves, research at Freedom House, an indepen- cause, repressive petro-states from Angola which amounted to about $360 billion as of dent watchdog organization that supports to Azerbaijan cracked down on rights activ- KYIV – When the West imposed econom- the year end, Mr. Soros pointed out. democratic change, monitors the status of ists and other critics. ic sanctions on Russia for its military aggres- “That actually violates the social compact freedom around the world, and advocates Other troubled countries turned to elec- sion against Ukraine, its leaders assured the that has made him [President Putin] so for democracy and human rights. tions as a corrective mechanism. In Nigeria, public that they would accomplish their popular, which is basically financial stability “Democratic countries came under Venezuela, Myanmar and elsewhere, voters goals of restoring order and peace better and a slow but steadily rising standard of strain from terrorist attacks and unprece- sought new leadership from opposition than a military response would have. living. He has to do something about it,” said dented numbers of refugees – problems parties, offering a peaceful way out of failed Hence President Barack Obama’s Mr. Soros, referring to “the impending col- emanating from regional conflicts such as policies and mismanagement. While all restraint in supplying arms to Ukraine. lapse of the Russian economy.” the Syrian civil war,” Mr. Puddington said. forms of government are under pressure, Nearly two years later however, the The Russian government has been try- The number of countries showing a these fresh starts suggest that democratic Ukrainian public – forced to endure eco- ing to negotiate the removal of Western decline in freedom for the year – 72 – was systems may ultimately prove more resil- nomic misery and possibly another mili- sanctions in recent weeks in what Mr. the largest since the 10-year slide began. tary draft – is still anxiously waiting for the Soros described as “a race against time.” Just 43 countries made gains. Over the past (Continued on page 20) sanctions to force an end to the aggression. Among those involved in the talks were The latest forecasts that surfaced in recent Mr. Putin’s most trusted advisers, including weeks cite 2017 as the year when Vladimir Boris Gryzlov and Vladislav Surkov. Putin’s regime could begin to crumble. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry con- “I think it’s very clear that Russia is in a firmed at Davos that the sanctions could be very, very weak position. It has enough removed “with effort and with bona fide, reserves that it can last a couple of years. legitimate intent to solve the problem on There’s a big year for it in 2017, when a lot both sides.” of debt comes due,” billionaire George Yet no breakthrough has since been Soros told Bloomberg News in an interview announced as Russian-backed terrorists on January 21 during the Davos World continue to fire on Ukrainian positions and Economic Forum. receive armaments from Russia, according Mr. Soros has been among the biggest to Ukrainian government reports. enemies of Russian President Putin, being a Western leaders have even proposed top financier of non-governmental organi- compromises, such as transferring control zations in the former Soviet Union that pro- of the occupied border to the Organization mote Western integration. for Security and Cooperation in Europe He pointed out that the Russian govern- instead of the Ukrainian government, to no ment has to make many debt payments, avail. Meanwhile, Russia continues to deny while at the same time coping with plum- the presence of its soldiers in the Donbas. meting oil prices that reduce revenue, More optimistic about Mr. Putin’s Western economic sanctions that restrict demise is Bill Browder, a co-founder of the access to loans and the need to reduce its Hermitage Capital Management, which was own budget deficit, which entails cuts in one of the biggest foreign investors in social spending. Russia before it was blacklisted and crimi- Freedom House Russia’s 3 percent of GDP deficit in the A section of the map of world freedom showing freedom ratings for countries in Europe. 2016 budget will have to be financed by its (Continued on page 20) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

ANALYSIS

Donbas fields have frozen over, Council of Europe to go to Crimea Kerry on lifting of Russia sanctions STRASBOURG, France – Council of DAVOS, Switzerland – U.S. Secretary of but for now the ceasefire holds Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn State John Kerry says he believes Jagland has announced he is sending a del- tiator, but he can surely directly connect Washington may be able to consider lifting by Pavel Felgenhauer egation to Crimea to assess the human with Mr. Putin. His appointment has been sanctions it imposed on Russia over its Eurasia Daily Monitor rights situation on the peninsula. “More interpreted as a signal that Moscow is seri- involvement in violence in Ukraine later this than 2.5 million people live in Crimea, they One year ago, bloody battles raged ously seeking a peaceful compromise reso- year if Moscow complies with the Minsk are all covered by the European Convention throughout the eastern Ukrainian region of lution to the Ukrainian crisis (Kommersant, peace deal. In a speech to the World on Human Rights and should be able to Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, Donbas. The traditional autumn “rasputitsa” January 14). benefit from it,” Mr. Jagland said in a state- Mr. Kerry said that he and U.S. Vice- (mud season) usually ends by January: The On January 12, Mr. Gryzlov flew unan- ment on January 25. “However, for more President Joe Biden had met this week in dirt freezes, allowing trucks, troops and nounced to Kyiv for secret talks with than a year, no delegation from an interna- the Swiss resort with Ukrainian President heavy military equipment to maneuver President Petro Poroshenko. On January 14, tional organization has been able to go Petro Poroshenko to help ensure full imple- through fields and use unpaved roads. By in Minsk, attending his first post-appoint- there.” He stressed, “The mission will be mentation of the agreements. Secretary mid-January 2015, the Donbas separatist ment meeting of the Minsk II Contact Group, conducted with full independence and will Kerry said, “with effort and with bona-fide forces – armed, trained, led and often rein- Mr. Gryzlov called for a renewed full cease- not deal with any issue related to the terri- legitimate intent to solve the problem on fire or “regime of silence” approved by all forced in battle by the Russian military – torial status of Crimea.” Russia annexed both sides, it is possible in these next sides; but shootings and skirmishes in the began a major offensive to capture the main Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after a months to find those Minsk agreements Donbas continued unabated the next day, terminal building of the Donetsk interna- referendum dismissed in the West as implemented and to get to a place where with both sides blaming each other. Mr. tional airport, which was the scene of many bogus. Since Russia’s land grab, fundamen- sanctions can be appropriately – because of Gryzlov later accused Ukrainian volunteer months of pitched fighting. The joint tal freedoms have “deteriorated radically” the full implementation – removed.” battalions of possibly not obeying orders. Russian-separatist forces also attacked the for many in Crimea, especially for pro- Washington links a lifting of the sanctions to He also continued to insist the Minsk II crossroads town of Debaltseve, northeast of Ukrainian activists, journalists and the full implementation of the Minsk accords, negotiations are not deadlocked: “There are Donetsk, which had been held by Ukrainian Crimean Tatar community. That was the which were agreed to last February by many ways toward a breakthrough, and my troops deep inside separatist-controlled ter- finding of a report issued in September Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany after task is to guide the negotiators” ritory. By February 18, 2015, both military 2015 by the two bodies of the Organization the collapse of a ceasefire between (Kommersant, January 17). objectives were secured: the Ukrainian forc- for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed sepa- On January 15, the U.S. Assistant es were defeated and fell back after suffer- Office for Democratic Institutions and ratists. The terms of the deal provide for a Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and ing heavy losses. Human Rights and the High Commissioner ceasefire, a pullback of heavy weapons, pris- Putin aide Vladislav Surkov met in But the overall morale of the Ukrainian on National Minorities. (RFE/RL) oner exchanges, local elections in rebel-held Kaliningrad Oblast and reportedly “con- military did not collapse, and the regime in areas in eastern Ukraine and greater auton- Kyiv did not disintegrate. Ukraine contin- structively” discussed Ukraine. Rumors Ukraine expects $10 B in foreign aid omy for these regions. Russian President spread in Moscow and Kyiv that a major ued to push away from Russia, seeking KYIV – Ukraine’s finance minister says Vladimir Putin said in an interview this U.S.-Russian compromise was imminent, integration with the West and Europe. A the cash-strapped country expects to month the sanctions were “severely harm- that pressure would be applied to force tactical battlefield success did not bring any receive up to $10 billion from foreign sourc- ing Russia.” The sanctions have reportedly Ukraine into making political concessions, significant strategic dividend for Moscow. es this year, including the International shaved about 1.5 percent off of Russian eco- that Russian sanctions would be lifted, and In mid-February 2015, after threatening Monetary Fund (IMF). Natalie Jaresko was nomic output in 2015. (RFE/RL) that, with its finances and economy in tur- President Vladimir Putin with more severe quoted by Ukrainian media as making the moil, the Kremlin was seeking a face-saving economic sanctions, France and Germany statement during a Cabinet meeting on Kyiv levies $3.5 B fine on Gazprom way out of the Donbas mess (Moskovsky brokered a compromise, 13-point peace January 26. “If we are focused on our pro- Komsomolets, January 17). KYIV – Ukraine’s state anti-monopoly roadmap known as Minsk II. This docu- gram of reforms, then, including the IMF agency has imposed a $3.5 billion fine on ment envisaged a ceasefire, a mutual pris- The rumors of a possible breakthrough and other bilateral and multilateral sources, turned out to be premature: on January 20, Russia’s Gazprom for allegedly abusing its oner of war (POW) exchange, constitution- it will be up to $10 billion,” Ukrainian state monopoly control of Ukraine’s natural-gas al reform in Ukraine to give more autono- in Minsk, the Ukrainian delegation accused news agency Ukrinform quoted Minister the separatists “of making unacceptable transit system. Yuriy Terentyev, head of my to the Donbas and other regions, an Jaresko as saying. The IMF plans to extend Kyiv’s Antimonopoly Committee, made the amnesty, the withdrawal of foreign forces, demands preventing further POW exchang- at least $1.7 billion in credit to Ukraine next es.” According to the Ukrainian chief negoti- announcement in a post on Facebook on free legitimate elections, humanitarian month for the country to replenish its gold January 22, but he did not detail Gazprom’s relief, and economic reconstruction and ator, former President Leonid Kuchma, reserves, Ukrinform reported. Ukraine is “Without a ceasefire ‘regime of silence,’ violations. Earlier that week, Gazprom restoration of full Ukrainian control of the using international loans and financial aid informed Ukraine it owes $2.55 billion for without a verified withdrawal of heavy border between the Donbas and Russia to to stave off bankruptcy as the country strug- gas supplied in the third quarter of 2015 weapons, without restoring Ukrainian con- stop the contraband of weapons and fight- gles to bring its economy out of Russia’s and that Kyiv has 10 days to pay. Ukraine trol of the [Donbas] border, it is impossible ers. direct influence and quell a pro-Russia sepa- disputes the charges, saying a contract to have elections in the Donbas or change The implementation of Minsk II has ratist rebellion in the east of the country. the [Ukrainian] Constitution or achieve any since been deadlocked and has been pro- (RFE/RL, based on reporting by DPA) (Continued on page 16) other significant progress.” The Verkhovna longed into 2016. Still, no major pitched Rada (Parliament) has reportedly post- battles occurred in the Donbas since the fall poned, possibly until next September, a of Debaltseve, and the line of separation vote on constitutional changes to grant the more or less holds. Some heavy weapons Donbas additional autonomy (RIA Novosti he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 have been withdrawn from the front, but T U W Ukr, January 20). constant ceasefire violations still happen, Economically, Ukraine and Russia are at An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., with both sides accusing each other. The war. To protest the implementation of the a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. POW exchange is not complete, though free trade agreement between the Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. talks to implement Minsk II continue on a European Union and Ukraine, Russia has Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. regular basis in Minsk. Moscow and the imposed a wide-ranging trade embargo, (ISSN — 0273-9348) West, as well as Kyiv and the separatists, also restricting Ukrainian goods transiting accuse each other of failing to implement The Weekly: UNA: through Russian territory. Ukraine has, in Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 the agreement. The Donbas region did not turn, imposed its own countersanctions. de-escalate into a so-called “frozen conflict” Ukraine has stopped buying Russian natu- Postmaster, send address changes to: like in Transnistria, Abkhazia or Cyprus. ral gas and demanded that Gazprom pay The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz The protagonists seem to be ready to more for gas transit through Ukraine to 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas resume large-scale hostilities at a Europe. Gazprom, in turn, demands that P.O. Box 280 moment’s notice (Kommersant, December Ukraine pay billions of dollars in fines for Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] 25, 2015). gas it failed to purchase (Newsru.ua, This past December, Mr. Putin upgraded January 20; see EDM, January 20). The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com the Russian delegation to the Minsk II The proposed association and free trade implementation talks (“Contact Group”) by agreement between Ukraine and the The Ukrainian Weekly, January 31, 2016, No. 5, Vol. LXXXIV appointing Boris Gryzlov as chief negotia- European Union infuriated Mr. Putin in the Copyright © 2016 The Ukrainian Weekly tor. Mr. Gryzlov (65) is a former minister of fall of 2013; Russian pressure not to sign internal affairs and Duma speaker, and a triggered the Maidan revolution in February prominent member of Mr. Putin’s St. 2014 that overthrew Ukrainian President ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Petersburg clan. After leaving the Duma in Viktor Yanukovych, which, in turn, provided December 2011, Mr. Gryzlov retained the Mr. Putin with a purported pretext to annex Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 position of permanent member of the Crimea in March 2014 and support a sepa- e-mail: [email protected] Russian Security Council – Mr. Putin’s de ratist rebellion in the Donbas. Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 facto inner Cabinet. Mr. Gryzlov is not e-mail: [email protected] known as an experienced diplomatic nego- (Continued on page 20) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Moscow shifting from direct aggression to building a fifth column in Ukraine

by Paul Goble to Moscow because it will seek to promote leader of the Donetsk separatists, made a Mr. Zakharchenko adds that he and his Eurasia Daily Monitor the idea that Ukraine’s problems are entire- statement that deserves the closest atten- regime “will welcome the appearance in ly of Ukraine’s own making, and that the tion. One Ukrainian commentator, Yury Ukraine of such movements” but will not Given Moscow’s desire to get out from West should view Kyiv as a poor partner, Uvarov, has done so, and his analysis points take the lead in promoting them. In addi- under the sanctions regime and the almost because whatever Vladimir Putin promises, to why both Ukrainians and Western gov- tion, he states, “We very much hope that equal desire of some Western governments he will take back whenever it suits him, ernments should be concerned (Qha.com. the Ukrainian people will wake up from to declare victory and lift it, the Kremlin counting on the West’s short memory and ua, January 20). their apathy and will be able to begin appears likely to do just enough to claim on its desire to have good relations with Typically, Mr. Uvarov says, Mr. through protests the process of changing that it has fulfilled the Minsk accords and Russia. Further, the strategy is likely to Zakharchenko’s remarks are so over the Ukraine and returning it into the family of the West to accept that as sufficient to end work especially well in the short-term top that they can safely be ignored; but this civilized peoples from the Banderite dead the Ukrainian crisis. In that event, it is a because of the enormous problems Kyiv time around, his words appear to have end it finds itself in now. If that doesn’t hap- near certainty the West will again focus on will face in re-integrating the Donbas; prob- been crafted for him in Moscow and point pen, everything will be very bad. I can con- Moscow and look away from Ukraine even lems that Moscow propagandists and their to a major change. This is evident as Mr. fidently say that Ukraine must be changed though Crimea will remain under Russian friends in the West can count on trumpet- Zakharchenko says that whatever happens or otherwise it will disappear!” occupation. And as a result, Ukraine will be ing to the world and exploiting to heighten in the Donbas, “protest movements could The “key words” here, Mr. Uvarov points left largely on its own against what has other regional tensions in Ukraine be salvation for Ukraine.” He goes on to out, are “will greet, will not show initia- always been part of the Kremlin’s strategy (Segodnya.ua, January 25). state: “The present authorities of Ukraine tive… into the family of civilized peoples or against it, and what seems certain to be the What is perhaps most remarkable is not obviously are leading the country into the disappear.” Translated into the language of center of that strategy in the future: the use that Moscow is making this shift – it is fully abyss. A loss of sovereignty, de facto foreign practical politics, this means that “Russia of a Russian-organized fifth column to sub- consistent with Russian doctrine and the rule, economic degradation, and a growth will do everything to support the rise of a vert Ukraine and prevent it from making Russian practice of “hybrid war” – but rath- in poverty and unemployment are all lead- fifth column in Ukraine,” because in its the kind of reforms that will allow it to inte- er that its agents are so brazen as to declare ing Ukraine toward economic collapse and view, the only way for Ukraine to return to grate into Europe. that this is exactly what they intend to do. political catastrophe. And in the final analy- Such a strategy will be especially useful Last week, Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the sis, to disintegration.” (Continued on page 17) Girkin-Strelkov says he executed people Zakharchenko admits in Sloviansk based on Stalin-era laws to razing Ukrainian village by Anna Shamanska Federal Security Service – a statement that by Anna Shamanska In his eight-minute speech, Mr. RFE/RL was edited out of the interview published RFE/RL Zakharchenko spoke not only about physi- by state-run Rossiya Segodnya. cal rebuilding but also about the return of For most of his 42-minute appearance In October 2015, the Brussels-based A separatist leader in eastern Ukraine what he called “cultural values.” on a radio talk show, former Russia-backed International Partnership for Human has admitted to burning down a village at “In the Soviet Union, which the majority separatist commander Igor Girkin sounded Rights provided the International Criminal the height of fighting more than a year ago, of you don’t remember... the ideology of like nothing more than a fanatic discussing Court with more than 300 testimonies while praising a proposal for restoring the that state was good. Of course, there were a dream now widely dismissed as fantasy. about alleged military crimes and crimes place. some exaggerations, a lot of shortcomings, He spoke of hopes for the creation of a against humanity that it said had been Aleksandr Zakharchenko’s remarks came but the things that were done were done “Novorossiya” – a New Russia stretching committed by Russian-backed separatists as his pro-Russian separatist group, which for the people,” he said. across much of Ukraine, from Kharkiv to and Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. calls itself the Donetsk People’s Republic, Mr. Zakharchenko went on to suggest Odesa, and one day joining a Russian empire It said that “while crimes committed by held a Youth Socio-Political Forum that was that children were raised on “true” values including all of Belarus and Ukraine. both sides of the conflict have been docu- billed as a platform for local students to back then – those of “family, loyalty, broth- It wasn’t until the last minute that the mented, the collected evidence primarily present a range of project proposals. erhood and love for the motherland.” interview with Mr. Girkin went from surre- concerns crimes committed by separatists Students from the so-called Donbas Millions of Ukrainians died in 1932- al to chilling. because of security issues related to access- National Academy of Construction and 1933 during the famine orchestrated by Referring to his time commanding sepa- ing separatist-controlled territories of Architecture presented their concept for Joseph Stalin, known as the Holodomor, ratists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Ukraine.” the tiny village of Kozhevnya, once home to when the Soviet leadership aimed to collec- Sloviansk in 2014, a host asks him how he In the radio appearance, Mr. Girkin said around 69 residents, according to census tivize land and labor and at the same time stopped the rampant looting. he was not concerned about the possibility data. eliminate its perceived opponents. “With executions,” Mr. Girkin said mat- of international prosecution. “I am not at all The area was the site of some of the But according to in Mr. Zakharchenko’s ter-of-factly. bothered by international law, because it’s fiercest battles between Ukrainian national reading of history, the West imposed its According to Mr. Girkin, separatist a tool in the hands of winners,” he said. “If forces and separatists in the summer of own values on the Ukrainian people after “authorities” installed a military court and we are defeated, well then, the norms of 2014. Ukraine gained independence from the introduced 1941 military laws implement- these laws will be applied to me.” The Russia-backed separatists held the Soviet Union in 1991. ed by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Fighting has lessened since a February village until July 23, 2014, when troops “Now we understand that we are raised on Coca-Cola, Mickey Mouse, blue jeans, “Under this legislation we tried people 2015 deal on a ceasefire and steps toward loyal to Kyiv forced them to retreat. At the time, a separatist representative told the and so on, on Playboy, on a democracy that and executed the convicted,” Mr. Girkin peace, but the Russia-backed separatists Interfax news agency that the populated implies that the family could have two dads said. still hold large parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk areas had been abandoned and that no sep- or two moms,” he said. “This is absolutely “While I was in Sloviansk four people and Luhansk oblasts. aratists had been killed in action. unacceptable.” were executed. Two among the military for Mr. Girkin, a former military re-enactor, It was not until his January 25 admission The latest Human Rights Watch (HRW) looting, one local for looting and one for appeared to have the support of both the that Mr. Zakharchenko explained how they report on the situation in eastern Ukraine killing a serviceman,” he said on the Radio hosts and those calling in. “God forbid,” one pulled it off: by burning everything to the accuses the separatists who control parts Komsomolskaya Pravda, which is affiliated host said, referring to the possibility of Mr. ground. of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of kill- with a leading pro-Kremlin Russian tabloid. Girkin being sent to an international court “This village was a milestone for me. ... It ings, torture, ill-treatment, illegal detention One of the people killed was an “ideolog- for prosecution on war crimes charges. was our first offensive. Unfortunately, in the and forced labor. ical” supporter of the Ukrainian nationalist As for his feelings about Stalin, Mr. Girkin course of fighting we practically destroyed Mr. Zakharchenko, a university dropout group Pravyi Sektor, he said. said he dislikes the dictator as he was in his this village,” he said. “By burning down with a technical-school education, tried to younger days, but believes that he was a Key separatist commander houses, we saved our lives and the lives of end his speech on an inspiring note. He said great statesman at the end of his life. our people.” that creating the so-called “republic” – Mr. Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, “You can discuss for a long time how Fighting in eastern Ukraine broke out in which is not recognized as an independent was a key commander in the Russia-backed much blood and where Stalin spilled it, but April 2014, and more than 9,100 people state by any country – should be a source of separatist forces in the early stages of the at least you can confidently say that he did have been killed in the conflict. More than pride. “You are proud of us for doing it and war against Ukrainian government troops it not for himself but for the sake of an 1.4 million Ukrainians have been internally we will be proud of you for having done it,” that has killed more than 9,000 civilians idea,” he said. displaced, while more than 600,000 others he said. and combatants since April 2014. have fled to neighboring countries. Ukraine’s government has called Mr. Copyright 2016, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Russia-backed separatists continue to Copyright 2016, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Girkin a Russian agent and accused him of with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ control swaths of the Donetsk and Luhansk with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ war crimes. He resigned as a rebel com- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, regions, and a shaky, internationally bro- Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, mander in August 2014 amid reports that Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see kered ceasefire is largely holding, but a Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see he had been wounded in battle. http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-gir- long-term solution remains elusive nearly http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-rus- Later that year, he told an interviewer kin-strelkov-executions-stalin-era/ two years after the onset of the separatism- sia-zakharchenko-razing-village-good-sovi- that he was a colonel in the Russian FSB, or 27497491.html). fueled violence. et-ideology/27515228.html). 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

The things we do ... by Orysia Paszczak Tracz

A vision of home What a diff erence a date makes As he lay dying in their Miami Beach an acre, probably due to periodic appor- “We should live according to the the secretary of the National Security and condominium, my uncle kept asking his tionment among family members: the European, world calendar, not the Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine. In his wife when they would go home. Home, of death of my grandfather’s sister in 1936 Muscovite one.” (Ukraine) Facebook greeting to Ukrainians, he pro- course, meant Ukraine. Perhaps he meant prompted a judicial division of two plots of “It is not good to leave tradition. But, in posed to move the celebration of Christmas specifically the apartment they had bought land among eight survivors each. It bears order to separate ourselves from the from January 7 to December 25. The in Lviv, where he would never live. Or per- an uncanny resemblance to the house and Muscovites, we can try.” (Ukraine) Baptist pastor pointed out that December haps he meant something more general – garden in northern California where my “I treasure January 6 and 7. For me it is a 25 is celebrated by “most civilized coun- “home” not just as a place, but as a milieu, grandfather spent his last years in the early true Christmas with none of the commer- tries” in the world. “Today no one country an atmosphere, a sensation of familial well- 1960s. cialism.” (U.S.A.) lives according to the Julian calendar. The being. He had known little of that. Today, family members are building The issue had been dormant since the Julian calendar remained fixed to deter- When my uncle was an infant, his father plain brick houses with picture windows early 1960s, when many Ukrainian mine the calendar of holy day dates for only had died in a Polish prisoner of war camp. and central heating on the parcel. They tell Catholic parishes in North America voted some Orthodox Churches, particularly in The child was shunted from relative to rela- me they will tear down the old house with to adopt the Gregorian calendar instead of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.” tive. After completing university studies, he the crooked windows to make room for a the Julian, which had been in practice for Patriarch Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian was arrested by the Soviets and spent eight new one. They are not sentimental. centuries in Ukraine and here. Then, all of a Catholic Church said that the church is years in the labor camps. Released in the The World War II refugees of my par- sudden, truly out of the blue this looking into the question of celebrating amnesty, he married and emigrated first to ents’ generation lost their homes forever, Christmas, discussion in Ukraine turned to Christmas according to the Gregorian cal- Poland, then to America. and their wanderings from Ukraine to cen- having Ukrainian Churches celebrate endar but, as of now, there is no answer for What is a home? It is more than a house. tral or western Europe, and usually thence Christmas according to the Gregorian cal- the near future. “We should aim towards If the house is like a body, the home is like a to the Americas or Australia, made “home” endar, on December 25. The Internet the celebration of Christmas and other body with a soul. Historians and sociolo- impossible until they settled in places like buzzed with statements (like the ones immovable feasts on the more accurate gists may tell us that our notions of home London, New York, Toronto, Buenos Aires above) from politicians, religious leaders, Gregorian calendar, as do not only change over time, and that our current or Melbourne. The children born during or prominent cultural activists and average Catholics, but also the majority of the domestic ideal of privacy and comfort after this exodus had a chance to grow up citizens about the need for a change. Orthodox in the world right now. This issue stems in great part from 19th-century in an atmosphere of stability. Yet before This was to be change not because of is not so much dogmatic, as it is disciplin- bourgeoisie. An exhibition titled “Home: A long, American life, too, had become rest- any religious, liturgical or ecclesiastical ary.” He noted that it is known from history Century of Change,” organized in 2011 by less. Many of these children grew up to that any changes, especially changes in a the Center for Urban History of East Central reason, but a political and patriotic one. A enter occupations requiring frequent calendar, have provoked divisions and Europe in Lviv and presented in a beautiful- few times I had to double-check the moves. Which of their series of habitations splits. ly designed book published the following authors of messages supporting the was home? The patriarch also stated that this is an year, outlines various aspects of this devel- change because these were the most patri- To many, home means the house of child- issue for both clergy and laity, that the opment. But the core concept of “home” as otic and religious Ukrainians there are – hood. Thoughts of home are often associat- whole church body should discuss this. “In the locus and focus of family life and love and they were supporting the switch. ed with fond memories of family holidays. addition, this idea must have an ecumeni- has not changed over the centuries. The world has run according to the During World War II, Bing Crosby’s rendi- cal character… [to have this come about] Nor has the related notion of “homeland” Gregorian calendar since 1582, that is, tion of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” evoked with our Orthodox brethren. This will then – from Homer’s account of how Odysseus, everywhere except parts of the Eastern the homesickness of the overseas service- be positively welcomed by all of Ukraine returning to Ithaca after a 20-year absence Christian liturgical world. It is not the mat- man. In the following decade, British poet and will not cause new obstacles for the some 3,000 years ago, “kissed the good ter of the calendar itself – there is no dis- Dylan Thomas’ “Child’s Christmas in Wales” renewal of the unity of one Pomisna green earth” (Odyssey 13: 403, Robert exemplified this kind of domestic nostalgia. agreement today about the irrelevance of Fagles trans., 1996), to our own days, when the Julian calendar, which is 13 days [Particular] Kyivan Church.” Alas, our childhood holiday memories only Back in 2006, Patriarch Lubomyr Husar Major Archbishop Myroslav Ivan invite invidious comparison with our own behind. It is a revulsion to anything had said “for us in Ukraine, to speak about Lubachivsky, arriving in Lviv in March 1991 paltry efforts to recreate them wherever we Russian, especially the Orthodox Church of the calendar change can lead to another after a half-century of exile, kissed the tar- happen to be living at the moment. It is not the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine. The split, which we do not really need… this mac at Sknyliv. only that our memories may have filtered fact that the Russian Church is younger change could have many harsh results.” In But you cannot have a home without a out the conflicts and quarrels of the past. It does not matter in this logic. (Now if only 2015 in a radio interview, now patriarch house you’ve lived in for some appreciable is also that we cannot recreate a child’s the revulsion to the Russian language were emeritus, he said, “I, myself, am not time. As a child, I found my family’s fre- wonder at a Christmas tree, or the joy of as strong.) attached to a particular date”; in another quent moves upsetting. In school, I came loving parents and relatives now long There is a difference between the issue statement, he noted, “I do not see difficul- across a book by British author Roger departed. The enchantment is gone. in Ukraine and what had been a non-issue ties in celebrating Christmas together, on Lancelyn Green. His family had lived in the Yet our complaints about our soulless, for Ukrainians in North America up to now. same house – Poulton Hall, in Cheshire – rootless society sound trivial when we con- The Orthodox Church celebrates according December 25.” for over nine hundred years. I envied him. sider the plight of today’s countless refu- to the old calendar, while the Ukrainian Patriarchate, a Greek-Catholic analytical Last October I was gratified to learn that gees, driven from their homes by political, Catholics have gotten used to the two cal- publication, is opposed to a change, my own family had lived in the same house tribal, religious or ethnic persecution. endars. In a way, it is a convenience to be because “for centuries our ancestors… for 240 years. A long, low, whitewashed When will they be able to recreate the safe, able to celebrate twice, and in another way, strongly held on to the traditional old cal- building with a pitched metal roof, a brick secure, familial atmosphere of the past? it is cheating, because whatever religious endar in church life.” Father Yevstratiy chimney and windows grown askew with Will their children grow up without ever fasting (Pylypivka) had been part of the Zoria, the head of the media bureau for the time and subsidence, it fronts a muddy having experienced “home”? protocol is either not practiced or is con- Kyiv Patriarchate, stated that “when the street in a small Galician town. Its last To the apostle Paul, hounded from place fusing. One point Ukrainians in Ukraine Ukrainian Church is already divided, to inhabitant passed away a few years ago, to place, there was no permanent home in make is that there is so much merrymak- give an additional reason [for division] is and now it is damp and dim inside, though this world: “For here we have no lasting ing and non-fasting on New Year’s Eve, not wise, not prudent.” a few photographs still hang in frames on city, but we seek the city which is to come.” December 31, and then people revert to As of now, the Ukrainian Orthodox its walls and others lie in a file in a table (Hebrews 13:14) In his last poem, written fasting before Sviat Vechir (Christmas Eve) Church – Kyiv Patriarchate has no inten- drawer. There are two ovens of the tradi- a few weeks before his death, Taras on January 6. Malanka, the “staryi novyi tion of changing the calendar it uses. And tional type, on which children or old people Shevchenko, who had spent most of his life rik” (old-calendar New Year), follows on there is no point in getting the opinion of could sleep. Outside is a deep well and a away from his native Ukraine, contemplat- January 13-14th. the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine, espe- vegetable cellar, and a small plot of land ed the afterlife: “In a grove, a grove When the change in calendars came cially because so many parishes are offi- with an apple orchard, grapevines and a eternal/I will build a little house/And plant about in the early 1960s here, it was a mat- cially leaving it to join the Kyiv hayfield. The property comprises less than an orchard all around it…” It is a vision of ter of patriotism to remain on the old cal- Patriarchate. The last straw for many was home, as well as of heaven. Perhaps they endar, being together with Ukraine and the refusal of their priests to hold services for Ukrainian soldiers. Another major turn- Andrew Sorokowski can be reached at are the same thing. For my uncle, buried in family on Sviat Vechir. Now, in Ukraine, it is off was the image of the Moscow [email protected]. Lviv, they must have been. a matter of much more serious patriotism – not being associated with anything Patriarchate bishops and others sitting in Russian, even the date Christmas is cele- the Verkhovna Rada, refusing to rise for a brated in Russia. moment of silence for the soldiers killed in LIKE The first public announcement about the war with Russia. the idea came from Oleksandr Turchynov, Neither in the early 1960s nor now is The Ukrainian Weekly religion the issue. The Russian invasion and war started this. But the issue will be on Facebook! Orysia Tracz may be contacted at https://www.facebook.com/TheUkrainianWeekly [email protected]. (Continued on page 17) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

the description of Ukraine,” and it added: the U.S. ambassador, is generally recog- Association removed homosexuality from “Signaling this administration’s lack of nized by all to be doing an extraordinary its list of mental dysfunctions years ago. Astonished by understanding of geopolitics, this major job in Kyiv? There is no war against religion in the address. . . focused instead on petty politi- The issue is not whether one likes or U.S.A. Rather, there is an erosion of faith UCCA response cal squabbles.” dislikes Mr. Obama or any other political and betrayal of faith and trust by the “reli- Dear Editor: So, our crack (or is it cracked?) cohort of figure, nor is it whether one agrees with gious.” See that fine movie “Spotlight,” and I write to express astonishment at the heavy duty foreign and domestic policy one or another policy decision. For exam- you will know what I mean. Pope Francis is UCCA’s post-State of the Union press release experts on Second Avenue is ready to lec- ple, when I represented the United States, a champion of the poor and has spoken out (January 24). During his speech, President ture the president of the United States? whether in federal court or as a diplomat, I against capitalist greed. God bless him. But Barack Obama said that “Russia is pouring Really? Is this the UCCA’s notion of making regularly interacted with persons with have you noticed he is not touching such resources in to prop up Ukraine and Syria – friends and influencing people? Does any- whose positions I strongly disagreed and issues as a married priesthood, women client states that they saw slipping away one on Second Avenue read the newspa- which disagreement I articulated forcefully, priests, contraception, and a lot of the from their orbit.” Although Russia has pers? Travel to Ukraine? Speak with politi- but that did not ever entitle me to act the ancient mythology many Christians don’t intruded in both, it is supporting separatists cal leaders in Ukraine? Speak with folks at way in which the UCCA has just done. believe anymore? Isn’t that a reason why so in Ukraine and the government in Syria. our Embassy in Kyiv? Anyone on Second If the UCCA thinks that because our many good men and women have been lost Thus, the attempt rhetorically to capture the Avenue notice that the U.S. under this political discourse has recently become to the Church? One quarter of “cradle parallel damage between Russia’s two administration has been Ukraine’s stron- much more course therefore we should Catholics” leave the Church. actions did not work and is regrettable. gest defender on the international stage, join the chorus, it should think again. The So the times they are a changin’. It is That said, the UCCA’s unhinged response whether publicly at the United Nations or Ukrainian community does not have any time to tolerate diversity. To cling to the to this mistake is beyond the pale. After behind the scenes? That we led the move- Sheldon Adelsons ready to donate hun- past is to commit suicide. The good old quoting from the president’s speech (but in ment on sanctions? That we’ve given dreds of millions to promote a political days were not that good. Anybody who part misrepresenting what he had said, i.e., Ukraine three-quarters of billion dollars agenda. Unfortunately, quite the opposite. thinks so is naïve. So the rationale behind the kind of tone he did not say that Ukraine had slipped since the Maidan? That this administration Bohdan Hodiak adopted by the UCCA towards an adminis- away from Russia’s orbit but that this was has repeatedly sent our vice-president, and Stuart. Fla. how Russia viewed it), the UCCA stated: other Cabinet members, to Ukraine to tration that will remain in office for anoth- “President Obama once again demonstrat- cajole and support reforms? That it sent er year is what exactly? ed a shocking ignorance of foreign policy our military to train Ukrainian forces? That Bohdan Vitvitsky hotspots. . . .” UCCA said it was “outraged by the president’s representative in Ukraine, Summit, N.J. Another response to Zawada’s letter Response to letter Dear Editor: From a Canadian Angle In his letter to the editor (January 10), Zenon Zawada proclaims that there is an by Oksana Bashuk Hepburn from Zenon Zawada “ideological battle to annihilate traditional Western and Christian values” being waged Dear Editor: in the U.S. According to him, the “defenders of Western, Christian values are on the losing I have read Zenon Zawada’s fine report- end so far, unless we fight back.” Mr. Zawada ing from Ukraine for many years. But I claims that the “Left,” among other deplor- 125 years in Canada: What now? want to give a counterview to his passion- able undertakings, is “ostracizing” tradition- ate letter to the editor “ ‘False binaries’ and This year marks the 125th anniversary 2. John Sopinka, a leading lawyer, violin alists as “homophobes and transphobes.” naivety” (January 10). The fact is that legal- When I read the letter, the content and of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Not too player and football star, was the first and izing homosexual marriages or not permit- many plans have been shared to date, only Supreme Court justice of Ukrainian tone reminded me of someone issuing simi- ting prayers at government meetings or lar pronouncements and to some readers hence I am offering some of my ideas on descent in Canada. public schools will not hasten the decline of how to mark this important historic year Appointed in 1988, he served until his the surprise may be that it is Vladimir Putin. Western civilization. In a similar vein, Mr. Putin said: ”Many Euro- and going forward. untimely death of a rare blood disease in Separation of Church and state has been 1. The Canadian Museum for Human 1997. He was instrumental in setting up Atlantic countries have moved away from a boon to America and Western Europe for their roots, including Christian values. Rights might develop a historic time line Canada’s judicial assistance program to it avoided many bloody conflicts. Just take a marking Canada’s development in human Ukraine. Some find his premature death – Policies are being pursued that place on the look at what is going on in the Middle East same level a multi-child family and a same- rights based on lessons learned from its the illness started after his return from a and its trampling of human rights in the harsh treatment to Ukrainians; Canada’s trip to Ukraine – suspicious. sex partnership, a faith in God and a belief name of religion. When Christianity in Satan. This is the path to degradation.” first major non-Anglo-Celtic, non-Franco- The anniversary of Ukrainian settlement became the official religion of the Roman phone settlement. This would be a fine in Canada is a fine time to consider another Fellow “warrior” on the side of the “tradi- Empire in the fourth century, the first thing tionalists” Pat Buchanan made it clear: tribute to a founding Canadian community such appointment. the orthodox Christians did was start kill- and a history of progress in human rights. 3. Canada’s New Democratic Party calls “Putin is saying the new ideological struggle ing the heretics. Western values? The cor- is between a debauched West led by the The large settlement of Ukrainians – for women to be featured on its money. ruption in the Catholic Church during the some 170,000 arrived between the 1890s Ukrainian Canadian women’s organiza- United States and a traditionalist world Middle Ages is legendary. Russia would be proud to lead. In the new and end of World War I – suffered severe tions need to respond by putting forward As a reporter decades ago I wrote a num- war of beliefs, Putin is saying, it is Russia discriminations. Financial shenanigans by deserving names. ber of articles about a rather well-known that is on God’s side. The West is Gomorrah.” immigrant agents, unattractive land settle- Certainly Dr. Silvia Fedoruk, a former homosexual priest. That got me interested The similarity between Mr. Zawada’s ments in virgin territories without govern- lieutenant governor of Saskatchewan, is an in homosexuality, a subject I knew nothing and Mr. Putin’s declarations is not only ment support, mockery of the settler’s lan- obvious candidate. She scaled many “firsts” about. I discovered that homosexuality is about a war between secularism (cultural guage and dress, and beatings were com- in academia and politics, including the not a suit of clothes you put on but has deep Marxism for Mr. Zawada) and Christianity mon. development of the world’s first nuclear psychological and probably physical roots. (for both) but extends to their appraisals of Among the most serious was legislation medicine scanning machines, which are There have been many homosexuals who the past with Mr. Zawada referring to the prohibiting Ukrainian language in schools indispensable in diagnosing cancer. wanted to change and went into therapy. “glorious” history of the U.S. and Mr. Putin – the Manitoba Language Question. It was Another “first” is astronaut Dr. Roberta The statistics I saw said therapy was almost of Russia. So that, for instance, slavery for considered un-Canadian to speak any lan- Bondar, whose grandfather came from always unsuccessful. Homosexuality also the former and serfdom for the latter do guage other than English. School children Odesa. She orbited some 35 million miles in exists in the animal kingdom. not sully an idealized version of their were strapped for non-compliance. the spaceship Discovery to study our uni- The bane of homosexuality, especially Perhaps the best known violation of respective nation’s history. Also, both allege verse. decades ago, has been its promiscuity. Isn’t that there are “victims” to protect. Mr. Putin rights was the arrest and detention of Not to be forgotten are some of the first a major purpose of marriage to keep cou- Ukrainians in internment in camps around justifies aggression with assertions that he businesswomen in Western Canada: ples together and reduce promiscuity? And is simply defending Russians and Russian Canada. It was a shameless response to the Ukrainian nuns. They ran schools, orphan- if we are talking about morality, what about turmoil of World War I. The “enemy aliens” speakers and rectifying historical injustic- ages and nursing homes when education the fairness issue? In my time, many hospi- es. Meanwhile Mr. Zawada sees “white performed forced labor in some of the most services were sparse and Canada’s social tals with a patient on the critical list would remote places in Canada, including building Christian males” as the “marked enemy.” assistance programs non-existent. permit only family members to visit. So the One could go on, but the point has been the magnificent Banff Springs Hotel. 4. Since Ukraine’s independence, but dying homosexual died alone. Would you Such abuses led Canada to establish one made in their own words. especially since the Maidan, Canada’s gov- believe that according to research homo- Perhaps Weekly readers can themselves of the most progressive human rights legis- ernment has shown exemplary support for sexuals who have adopted children, on the lation in the world. It protects minorities ascertain whether Messrs. Zawada and Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty and ter- whole, make good parents? It figures, for Putin are “strange bedfellows” or kindred and contains handsome immigrant reset- ritorial integrity. they made a conscious decision to adopt tling programs. Credit to early Ukrainian spirits. However, it is noteworthy to have The Ukrainian Canadian community and were willing to do all that cumbersome read a letter to the editor in The Weekly settlers for what they endured to make this might recognize the outstanding leader- paperwork. happen is timely. that reminds one of Mr. Putin’s world out- ship provided here by former Prime I remember as a teenager hearing some- look (weltanschauung). Minister Stephen Harper. He understood one was a homosexual would send shivers Oksana Bashuk Hepburn may be con- of horror through me. It seemed a perver- Bohdan Futala tacted at [email protected]. (Continued on page 22) sion of nature. Yet the American Psychiatric Santa Monica, Calif. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5 No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 7

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW Ukrainians and Canada: A solid partnership he main event in Canada in the year 2015 was one that potentially touched every citizen: the federal Telection held on October 19. It not only brought vic- tory to the Liberal party – which gained a majority and governing position – but Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau’s 184-member Liberal caucus included at least seven Members of Parliament with Ukrainian lineage. Alberta-born Chrystia Freeland beat her rival 27,806 votes to 15,969 in her new riding of University-Rosedale. Joining her in the caucus is Borys Wrzesnewskyj, who returned to Parliament after losing in the previous elec- UCC tion (by 26 votes). Before the October 19 elections, Liberal Party candidates met with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. From left While outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Stephen are: James Maloney, Arif Virani, Justin Trudeau, UCC President Paul Grod, Chrystia Freeland, UCC Vice- Harper was a huge supporter of the Ukrainian govern- President Renata Roman and Borys Wrzesnewskyj. ment and its fight against Russian-backed rebels, the industry, trade and mines minister during her stint in the the UWC’s director of humanitarian initiatives. Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) said it expects his Manitoba provincial government. Ministers Fast and Abromavicius also announced that Liberal successor to take a similar stand. In a meeting on Another Ukrainian Canadian woman who will play an Canada and Ukraine will conclude a free trade agreement. October 13 with the UCC, Mr. Trudeau made it clear that important role, but in the Conservative opposition, is Ms. “Preparatory work is currently under way by our officials Ukraine will remain a top foreign policy priority for a Ambrose, who became the interim Conservative leader, for a full round of face-to-face negotiations, in Kyiv, in the Liberal government under his leadership. near future. The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement The Liberals have three Ukrainian Canadian newcom- when Mr. Harper resigned. Ms. Ambrose held nine Cabinet will be an ambitious and comprehensive agreement, cre- ers from Ontario: Julie Dzerowicz reclaimed the long-time portfolios in Stephen Harper’s government. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress on October 20 con- ating new market opportunities and predictable condi- Liberal Toronto riding of Davenport by defeating NDP tions for businesses,” they noted in a joint statement. That incumbent Andrew Cash. Lawyer Don Rusnak, the son of gratulated Mr. Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada for the results of the 2015 Canadian federal election. “On agreement was signed on July 14 during a visit to Canada Ukrainian and Ojibway parents, won for the Liberals in the by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River. Next door in Manitoba, behalf of Canada’s 1.3 million Ukrainian Canadian com- munity, I congratulate Mr. Trudeau on his election as The support for Ukraine by Canada announced on two Ukrainian Canadians now sit for the Liberals in the January 26 totalled more than $50 million, and included: House of Commons: Mary Ann Mihychuk is the new MP prime minister and all the members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons,” stated Mr. Grod. “I look for- $19.7 million to Société de Coopération pour le for the Winnipeg riding of Kildonan-St. Paul, and Terry Développement International, to promote the growth of (Taras) Duguid is now MP for Winnipeg South. ward to working with Mr. Trudeau and his government, in addressing key issues of importance to the Ukrainian small and medium-sized dairy businesses in Ukraine; The UCC identified four Ukrainian Canadians who will $13.5 million over six years to address the limitations of return to Ottawa to serve in the Official Opposition: James Canadian community.” For the record, among the Members of Parliament small and medium-sized grain producers in Ukraine; Bezan in Manitoba, Rona Ambrose and Jim Eglinski in $18.8 million to Agriteam Canada transitional and long- Alberta, and Mike Warawa in British Columbia. elected in the October 19 elections, more than 10 are of Ukrainian heritage. The 10 confirmed MPs of Ukrainian term governance and economic reforms in a more inclu- Prime Minister Trudeau made good on his election sive and transparent way; and up to $100,000 in addition- campaign promise to confront “the bully that is Putin” descent are: Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal (Davenport, Ontario); Chrystia Freeland, Liberal (University-Rosedale, Ontario); al support to the Economic Advisory Council. when he met him at the G-20 summit in Turkey. “I pointed “The economic and development aid, as well as expert out that although Canada has shifted its approach on a Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal (Etobicoke Center, Ontario); Kyle Peterson, Liberal (Newmarket-Aurora, Ontario); advice that Canada is providing will help Ukraine’s fragile broad range of multilateral and international issues, we economy. As Russia wages a brutal war on Ukraine, remain committed to the fact that Russia’s interference in Terry (Taras) Duguid, Liberal (Winnipeg South, Manitoba); Mary Ann Mihychuk, Liberal (Kildonan-St. Canada continues to show that its commitment to helping Ukraine must cease,” Mr. Trudeau said. Mr. Putin appar- the Ukrainian people defend their independence and free- Paul, Manitoba); James Bezan, Conservative (Selkirk- ently answered the Canadian prime minister’s “you dom will not waver,” stated Olena Koszarny, chair of the Interlake, Manitoba); Rona Ambrose, Conservative should go away from Ukraine” with a disdainful “it’s UCC’s Ukraine Advisory Council. (Sturgeon River-Parkland, Alberta); Jim Eglinski, impossible, since we are not there.” On February 17, new economic sanctions imposed by Conservative (Yellowhead, Alberta); Mark Warawa, Mr. Trudeau’s tough stance on Mr. Putin received Canada targeted 37 Russian and Ukrainian individuals as Conservative (Langley-Aldergrove, British Columbia). cheers from the Ukrainians. “The Ukrainian Canadian well as 17 Russian and Ukrainian entities. Prime Minister community is pleased that Prime Minister Trudeau has Support for Ukraine Harper said Canada “remains steadfast in its commitment taken a principled position in response to the aggression to stand with the people of Ukraine in the face of the Putin of the Russian Federation which has invaded and occupied At the beginning of 2015, the UCC welcomed the announcement by Minister of International Trade Ed Fast regime’s ongoing military aggression, which has already sovereign Ukrainian territory in Crimea and Donetsk and cost the lives of more than 5,300 people.” RFE/RL report- of more than $50 million in additional support by Canada Luhansk,” UCC National President Paul Grod said. ed that the move was made in coordination with the to Ukraine during a trade and development mission to During the election campaign, Mr. Trudeau had prom- European Union and the United States, which have also Kyiv on January 25-26. Minister Fast met with Aivaras ised “gender parity” in his Cabinet – an equal number of punished Russia for what they say is its military backing Abromavicius, Ukraine’s minister of economic develop- men and women. The Cabinet includes two female of the separatists in eastern Ukraine. ment and trade; Oleksiy Pavlenko, minister of agrarian Ukrainian Canadian ministers: high-profile journalist and On June 29, still more economic sanctions and travel policy and food; and Natalie Jaresko, minister of finance. author Ms. Freeland was tapped to serve as international bans were announced. The individuals affected included Minister Fast announced that the provision of 100 trade minister and Ms. Mihychuk, a former provincial Aleksandr Dugin, a leader of the Eurasian Youth Union. Improved First Aid Kits (IFAKs) has been earmarked for Cabinet minister from Manitoba, is the new minister of The entities subject to economic sanctions were: funding as part of the assistance package that had been employment, workplace development and labor. Gazprom, Gazprom Neft, Surgutneftegas and Transneft Minister Freeland’s job will be to shepherd the announced on November 26, 2014, by Minister of National Eurasian Youth Union. Canada also imposed a ban on 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership and the trade deal Defense Rob Nicholson to the Ukrainian World Congress Russian-occupied Crimea that prohibited the import and with the 28-member European Union. Minister Mihychuk (UWC) Patriot Defense project, which has trained over export and the transfer, provision or communication of will be responsible for negotiating the collective bargain- 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers in first aid and distributed over technical data or services; provision or acquisition of ing process with the federal public service. She has signifi- 9,500 IFAKs. “The IFAKs Canada is providing will help save financial and other services related to tourism; and the cant experience overseeing civil servants, as she served as the lives of brave Ukrainian soldiers,” stated Ulana Suprun, docking of cruise ships. Mr. Harper stated, “Until there is real peace, until occupying forces are withdrawn, and until Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is restored, there must be ongoing consequences for President Putin’s regime.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Harper visited Ukraine on June 6 in advance of the G-7 summit in Germany. He was accompanied by UCC leaders, including President Grod. As noted in a June 23 statement by Ms. Koszarny of the UCC’s Ukraine Advisory Council, the visit once again demon- strated “that Canada stands firmly beside Ukraine.” Ms. Koszarny also noted: “His statements clearly set forth Canada’s position: ‘I don’t think Russia under Vladimir Putin belongs in the G7. Period.’ Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the Associated Press. ‘Canada would very, very strongly oppose Putin ever sitting around that table again. It would require consensus to bring Russia back pm.gc.ca and that consensus will just not happen.’ ” Prime Minister Stephen Harper (center) on April 14 announces that the government of Canada will provide signifi- cant additional military resources to help train and build the capacity of Ukrainian forces personnel following a Defense Minister Jason Kenney visited Canadian Armed briefing on the current security situation in Ukraine with Minister of National Defense and Minister for Forces personnel in Yavoriv, Ukraine, on June 27, and he Multiculturalism Jason Kenney (right) and Gen. Thomas Lawson, chief of the Defense Staff. announced more than $15 million in additional Canadian 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

happened on that square. A revolution was born.” EuroMaidan Ottawa is a grass-roots organization in sol- idarity with the Ukrainian prodemocracy movement; it seeks to help raise awareness and assist in the strengthen- ing of democracy and rule of law in Ukraine. Since November 2013, EuroMaidan Ottawa has organized over 20 demonstrations, commemorative services and public speaking events to raise awareness in Canada about the Ukraine crisis; it has raised over $25,000 in support of Ukraine – ranging from medical supplies and sleeping bags for Ukrainian soldiers on the front to direct support for internally displaced Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars. Also on February 23, Mr. Parubiy participated in a remembrance ceremony at the Confederation Flame on Parliament Hill that paid tribute to the heroes of the Revolution of Dignity. Another high point of his visit was the fund-raising reception and dinner, “Tribute to the Brave Defenders of Ukraine,” held at the Golden Lion restaurant in Toronto and attended by 400 people. The featured speeches were given by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander; the chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Presidential Administration of Ukraine Friendship Group, MP Ted Opitz; and several other MPs, On June 6 in Kyiv, President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada with among them Mr. Bezan. their spouses, Dr. Maryna Poroshenko and Laureen Harper. Serhiy Kuzan, leader of the Free People (Vilni Liudy) network in Ukraine and a national activist in the civil soci- support to democracy and institution-building in Ukraine. Ukraine’s new ambassador ety movement, in March and April conducted an 11-city “Canada is fully engaged in supporting Ukraine in its President Petro Poroshenko on September 24 appoint- tour of Canada, during which he spoke about “Ukraine’s efforts to maintain sovereignty, security and stability in ed Andriy Shevchenko as ambassador of Ukraine to Citizen Response to Russia’s War in Eastern Ukraine.” the face of the Putin regime’s unjustified aggression,” the Canada. Mr. Shevchenko is known in Ukraine as a TV jour- During his visit to Ottawa, Mr. Kuzan was hosted in minister stated. nalist, politician and civic activist. In Canada, the Ukrainian Parliament by the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Before that fourth trip to Ukraine – his fourth – Mr. Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed Mr. Shevchenko’s Friendship Group and met with government officials. Mr. Kenney told The Ukrainian Weekly, in an interview con- appointment. “We congratulate President Poroshenko for Kuzan discussed Ukraine’s citizen response to Russian ducted by Christopher Guly, that “It’s fair to say that we’ve appointing such a strong and professional voice for aggression and civic support for Ukraine’s military. He also been the most forward-leaning Western democracy, dip- Ukraine in Canada,” stated UCC President Grod. “Given the shared with the Canadian public the deep appreciation for lomatically and politically” in terms of supporting significant relationship between our two countries and the the humanitarian support provided to Ukraine’s military Ukraine. He also noted that NATO should have an open- serious ongoing issues in Ukraine, including the illegal personnel and injured soldiers. His 24-day tour was orga- door policy, adding, “We would be very happy if Ukraine occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the nized by the League of Ukrainian Canadians and its were to decide to pursue NATO membership.” ongoing invasion of Luhansk and Donetsk by the Russian Friends of Ukraine Defense Forces Fund. As previously announced on April 14 by Minister armed forces, it is very important for Ukraine to have a Vira Savchenko, the sister of illegally imprisoned Kenney and Gen. Tom Lawson, chief of the Defense Staff, very capable representative in its embassy in Ottawa.” Ukrainian air force pilot, Nadiya Savchenko, was welcomed the Canadian government was providing additional mili- Mr. Grod commented: “I look forward to working with to Canada by the UCC. She was in Canada to raise aware- tary resources to help train and build the capacity of Ambassador Shevchenko to further the strong relation- ness of the illegal arrest and imprisonment of her sister by Ukrainian forces. Canada is deploying 200 Canadian ship that exists between Ukraine and Canada and with the the authorities in Russia. Nadiya was abducted by Kremlin- Armed forces personnel to Ukraine until March 31, 2017. Ukrainian Canadian community. There are a number of backed terrorists in the Luhansk Oblast in June 2014, ille- With the U.S., Canada is also providing individual and unit significant initiatives that we will need to work on, includ- gally removed from Ukrainian territory and imprisoned in tactics training to Ukrainian National Guard personnel. A ing the ratification and implementation of the Canada- Russia. She is a victim of Russia’s war against Ukraine and a news release from the office of the prime minister under- Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, strengthening the defense political prisoner. The U.N. Commissioner for Human Rights scored: “Canada’s position on Ukraine has been clear since of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, negotiating a and governments across the globe have called for Ms the outset: we recognize the sovereignty and territorial Canada-Ukraine Defense Cooperation Agreement, ensur- Savchenko’s immediate release. integrity of Ukraine and will never recognize the illegal ing Ukraine is included in Canada’s Automatic Firearms On April 25-28, Vira Savchenko was in Toronto, where Russian occupation of Crimea or any part of that country.” Country Controls List, assisting in Ukraine’s continued she participated in the roundtable discussion “Reforms, On June 8, Sen. Raynell Andreychuk, a Ukrainian democratic development, and strengthening ties with the Security and European Ukraine,” and was hosted at a ban- Canadian, was elected co-chair of the Ukraine-NATO Ukrainian community in Canada.” quet by “Dopomoha Ukraini,” the Canada-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council (UNIC) of the NATO Foundation, the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce Parliamentary Assembly. Sen. Andreychuk said she was Visitors from Ukraine in Canada and the UCC. She also met with political leaders and mem- honored to be elected and stated: “Amid growing public Verkhovna Rada Vice-Chair Andrij Parubiy made an bers of Parliament in Ottawa. support for Euro-Atlantic integration within Ukrainian official visit to Canada on February 21-24 on the invita- The Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, in coordination with society, and as Ukraine continues in its development as an tion of House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer. On the Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and the independent and sovereign democracy, the Ukraine-NATO Saturday evening, February 21, an expanded meeting of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, on July 14 organized a busi- Interparliamentary Council provides a critical forum for UCC’s Advisory Council was held with Mr. Parubiy to dis- ness leaders’ roundtable discussion with Prime Minister building trust and understanding between Ukrainian par- cuss the current situation in Ukraine. Yatsenyuk of Ukraine. The discussion coincided with the liamentarians and their counterparts throughout the In Ottawa, together with a UCC delegation, Mr. Parubiy prime minister’s visit to Ottawa on July 14 to sign the Atlantic Alliance.” The UNIC was created by the NATO met with Minister of International Trade Ed Fast to dis- Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. A roundtable with Parliamentary Assembly in 1998 to bring greater trans- cuss Canada-Ukraine bilateral economic relations; with community leaders was held after the business roundtable. parency to the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Minister of National Defense Kenney to discuss Canada’s Charter and to demonstrate parliamentary interest and leadership and support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s involvement in cooperation between NATO and Ukraine. invasion and continued aggression; and with Prime At the end of the year, on December 17, Minister of Minister Harper. Members of the delegation also met with International Trade Freeland, together with Minister of several other MPs, including Paul Dewar, official opposi- International Development and La Francophonie Marie- tion foreign affairs critic. Claude Bibeau, announced funding to increase trade and In a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert investment between Canada and Ukraine that will help Nicholson, Mr. Parubiy discussed the security situation in small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine access eastern Ukraine, including concerns over Mariupol and Canadian and global markets. Canada will contribute the steps taken toward reform by Ukraine’s government. $13.6 million to the Canada-Ukraine Trade and Minister Nicholson said Canada is committed to working Investment Support project between 2016 and 2021. closely with the government of Ukraine. Mr. Parubiy Minister Freeland made the announcement following her thanked Canada for taking a leadership role in supporting meeting with Nataliya Mykolska, deputy minister of eco- Ukraine and for the new economic sanctions and travel nomic development and trade, trade representative of bans imposed against Russian and Ukrainian individuals Ukraine, on the margins of the World Trade Organization’s and entities. 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Minister While in the Canadian capital, Mr. Parubiy on February Freeland commented: “Canada is committed to support- 23 attended a commemorative photo exhibit organized by ing Ukraine’s government and private sector to take EuroMaidan Ottawa on the first anniversary of the brutal advantage of new trade opportunities arising from imple- sniper attacks in Kyiv that killed over 100 peaceful pro- mentation of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. testers on the Maidan in 2014. “In choosing these particu- By bolstering the growth and competitiveness of Ukraine’s lar pieces for exhibition, we were consciously trying to small and medium-sized businesses, we are building capture the zeitgeist of the Euro-Maidan,” noted Yaroslav Andriy Shevchenko was tapped on September 24 as mutual prosperity for both our countries.” Baran, one of the exhibit organizers. “Tremendous things Ukraine’s new ambassador to Canada. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 9

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Ukrainian community endeavors Koliady and shchedrivky began the year for Ukrainians in Canada. At the start of the Julian-calendar Christmas sea- son (January 7 to 19), a group of Ukrainian carolers com- posed of members of Ottawa’s Akord Ukrainian Men’s choir performed a series of carols in Ukrainian at prime minis- ter’s residence. They offered the traditional Ukrainian Christmas greeting, “Khrystos Narodyvsia,” and then asked “Do you welcome carolers?” Laureen Harper invited the group inside, where the group sang koliady and shche- drivky and presented a traditional Ukrainian Christmas greeting, a “vinshuvannia.” The caroling was organized by the National Office of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Throughout the year, the war in Ukraine was on the minds of Ukrainian Canadians. In a statement released on February 21, the UCC strongly condemned the violations of the Minsk agreements by the Russian Federation and Russian-led, -staffed, -funded and -controlled terrorist organizations in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The statement underlined that, while withdrawing from Debaltseve, Ukrainian forces were shelled by Russian artillery, resulting in over 100 wounded and over 89 Ukrainian soldiers missing in action. “The list of crimes committed by the Russian Federation and the terrorists it supports in Ukraine is long and growing daily... it shows Verkhovna Rada Vice-Chairman Andriy Parubiy with Ukrainian Canadian community members on February 23 the Putin regime’s blatant disregard for international law, during a ceremony at the Confederation Flame on Parliament Hill that paid tribute to the heroes of the Maidan. binding obligations and principles of the inviolability of state borders...In dealing with Putin, Western leaders Remembering internment operations The prime minister also took the occasion to underline would do well to remember the disastrous results of the that “Canada stands firmly against Russia’s ongoing mili- The Internment Interpretative Center at La Ferme, appeasement of Adolf Hitler,” the UCC stated. tary aggression in Ukraine. We believe that, along with the Quebec, marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of “Ukraine’s army must be given the means with which international community, Canada can play an important the Spirit Lake Internment camp, the second largest of the to defend their country, and the costs to Russia of continu- part in bringing this conflict to an end. As a country, we 24 internment camps established across Canada during ing its aggression must be significantly increased,” the UCC also remain committed to helping rebuild the democratic, World War I. Now in its fifth year of operation, Spirit Lake underscored. “Canada, the U.S., and their NATO allies economic and security institutions that will help Ukraine Internment Interpretative Center (SLIIC) was established must: 1. Provide Ukraine with defensive weapons, equip- flourish once more.” on the original grounds of the internment site. With ment and training it needs to defend its territorial integri- In order to spread awareness in Canada of the 20,000 visitors to date, a feature of the Spirit Lake Center ty; 2. Significantly increase the provision of communica- Holodomor, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) came is its outstanding outreach educational program, which tions and intelligence capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forc- out with an innovative project: the Holodomor Mobile has now developed partnerships with Quebec school es; 3. Increase sectoral sanctions against the Russian Classroom (HMC). A 40-foot RV was customized with the boards. On March 29, Spirit Lake volunteer board mem- Federation’s defense, energy and financial services.” installation of audio-visual multi-media capabilities such bers, with James Slobodian as board chairperson, were On March 3-7, the vice president of the World Jewish as 12 commercial televisions; it provides a 21st century Congress and chairman of the Confederation and presented with an award from the English Association of learning experience about the Holodomor. This federally Communities in Ukraine, Josef Zissels, spoke to both Quebec, Neighbors, in recognition of the center’s work in funded initiative is intended to educate Canadians about Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking communities in Toronto furthering awareness of Quebec’s heritage and ensuring the Famine-Genocide engineered by Joseph Stalin in and Ottawa, calling for a united effort to confront Russian the telling of the internment story. It should be noted that Ukraine in 1932-1933. Bohdan Onyschuk, past chair of aggression. In 1988 he had set up Ukraine’s first Jewish the center’s museum offers guided tours in French, CUF, the lead organization on the project, arranged for the organization and has been a fervent defender of Ukraine’s English or Ukrainian. It was established with the help of a purchase of the vehicle, while its outfitting was funded by independence and democratic path. major grant released in installments over five years, from the Canadian government through its Multiculturalism The purpose of his visit was to propose a project – the Canada’s First National Internment Recognition Fund. Inter Action program. The award of the funding was Coalition for Democratic Choice – to stand up to Mr. On October 24, the UCC-Manitoba Provincial Council announced by Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney Putin’s armed aggression. Because Ukraine is the first hosted a one-day symposium and unveiled a statue on the who said, “It is by remembering the tragedies and atroci- post-Soviet country that has been able to resist Russia’s grounds of the Manitoba Legislature in honor of the vic- aggressive policy aimed at re-integrating post imperial ties of the past that we can equip ourselves to prevent tims of Canada’s internment operations. The commemora- them from happening again. That is why this national tour, territories into a new Eurasian Union, Mr. Zissels pro- tion in Winnipeg began with a symposium in the posed that such an initiative come from Ukraine. He which will reach Canadians of all ages and backgrounds, is Manitoba Legislature. Five scholars presented papers on an important initiative.” explained that the war launched against Ukraine is being the internment operations. Peter Melnycky (Department waged on three fronts: propagandistic, economic and mili- The project also received support from the provincial of Alberta Culture) provided the historical background; ministries of Manitoba and Ontario. The CUF is working in tary. Fortunately, Ukraine has a well developed civil soci- Bohdan Kordan (University of Saskatchewan) focused on ety. Mr. Zissels advised that many Coalitions for partnership with the UCC, the UCRDC and the Holodomor human rights during the internment operations. Prof. Democratic Choice could be created in strengthening Research and Educational Consortium (HREC). Valentina Iryna Konstantiuk (University of Manitoba) spoke on democracy, to counter Russian propaganda in their Kuryliw is overseeing the development of the high school resource development for schools in social studies. James respective countries. teaching content. In its first year, the HMC said it would Kominowski (University of Manitoba) provided a biblio- A traveling exhibit highlighting and exploring the rela- focus on visits to schools in Ontario, as well as festivals tionship between the Ukrainian and Jewish communities graphical survey of publications, while Andrea Malysh and community events. In subsequent years, the HMC will was mounted by the organization Ukrainian-Jewish (First World War Internment Recognition Fund) informed tour the country. Encounter (UJE) which, since 2008, has been studying and the audience of the projects underwritten by the Fund. The Holodomor Mobile Classroom was the focus of a supporting this encounter. “A Journey Through the The statue unveiled on the grounds of the Manitoba commemoration at the Ontario Legislative Assembly on Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter from Antiquity to 1914” was Legislature was commissioned by the UCC-Manitoba November 24. The customized RV with the words shown on July 8-19, at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada Provincial Council and created by Ontario artist John “Holodomor – The Ukrainian Genocide” emblazoned at St. Vladimir Institute in Toronto, and was later shown in Boxtel. The statue depicts an internee with fingers point- across it – was a striking sight. Ontario Minister of Edmonton and Montreal. ing to himself as if asking “Why me?”; similar representa- Education Liz Sandals and MPP Yvan Baker cut the ribbon Because Jewish-Ukrainian relations have also had to bear tions of the statue are located at five other internment to launch the mobile classroom. stereotyping, the exhibit focused on “an integrated narrative sites across Canada. As noted by Minister Sandals, “The province of Ontario of these two peoples... presented in the belief that there is Holodomor awareness committed $750,000 to raise awareness of the Holodomor much to be gained by viewing their historical experience in public schools, who will benefit from the state-of-the- together, in all its complexity.” The exhibit consisted of 35 November 28 is Holodomor Remembrance Day in art audio visual experience featuring a 28-foot video wall. large panels, each dedicated to one or more topics – for Canada, and Prime Minister Trudeau issued a statement A facilitator will lead an interactive lesson that develops example, the 13th-16th centuries, Russian rule in the 1750- in which he called the Holodomor “one of the darkest critical thinking skills, lessons that underscore the impor- 1790s, Hasidism, the 1861 reforms, modernist Ukrainian chapters of human history.” He pointed out that the tance of human rights and the rule of law as well as the writers. Where appropriate, two “sides” of the story were Holodomor “tried to break the Ukrainian people, but they concept of genocide.” highlighted, for example, the city of Uman in Ukrainian, endured, persevered and ultimately won their indepen- Ms. Kuryliw, director of Education for the Holodomor Polish and Jewish Memory. Under “Pogroms in the Russian dence. Their descendants continue to make immeasurable Research and Education Consortium, conducted six work- Empire,” the text clearly said: “During the turmoil of the first contributions in countries around the world – including shops in southern Ontario on the topic of the Holodomor. Russian revolution around 650 pogroms occurred, mostly right here in Canada. …On this somber anniversary, we “April has become a time for recognition and remem- officially orchestrated with the support of the police and the pause to remember the victims, families and communities brance of those who have fallen victim to and survived army, and carried out by the Black Hundreds (monarchists, who suffered as a result of the Holodomor, and we genocides, and it is important that we ensure the place of Orthodox, Russian nationalists, anti-revolutionary mili- strengthen our resolve to continue promoting and the Holodomor in these commemorations,” Ms. Kuryliw tants). Pogroms are primarily associated with attacks on upholding basic freedoms, rights and dignity to help explained. On April 24, the Canadian House of Commons Jews in the Russian Empire in 1881-1921.” ensure that atrocities like this never happen again.” passed a motion designating April as Genocide 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

fund-raising efforts for the mission. “I am grateful to the Canada Ukraine Foundation and to the thousands of Canadians who donated to our mission,” said Dr. Antonyshyn, the lead surgeon. The CUF expressed thanks for the support of Stryker Canada, which once again awarded the medical mission a grant that provided for vir- tually all surgical hardware and implant materials for the medical procedures. The 2015 SUSK Congress was held May 7-10 in Montreal. The Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation as well as the Montreal branches of the Ukrainian National Federation and the UCC were major supporters of this conclave of the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (known by its Ukrainian acronym as SUSK).The new board members included Cassian Soltykevych (president), Anastasia Hnatyuk (vice president, finance), Borys Bilaniuk (vice president, East), Alex Prokopchuk (vice- president, Central) and Andrea Dacko (vice-president, West). Congress sessions included “Current Ukraine: Historical, Economic and Social Sides of the Story”; “Current Ukraine: Helping Ukraine and Getting Involved”; reports by SUSK executive members; and a workshop on social media tools. The keynote address was delivered by former SUSK President Artem Luhovy. Also in 2015, two Ukrainian community institutions in Edmonton were the beneficiaries of a Canadian govern- ment program that supports projects which rehabilitate existing community facilities. The funds were allocated to the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex (UYUC) and St. Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral as part of the

Holodomor National Awareness Tour “Canada 150” Community Infrastructure Program that celebrated Canada’s 150th anniversary. A special presen- The Holodomor Mobile Classroom is launched at the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park on November 24. tation was made on July 28 by Alberta Minister of State for Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month, rec- of wheat and is made from the same cast as the one in Multiculturalism Tim Uppal to the two Ukrainian commu- ognizing and commemorating the victims and survivors of Kyiv on the grounds of the National Holodomor Museum. nity groups. Accepting the gifts – totalling $350,000 – the Holodomor, the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide and It is the work of sculptor Petro Drozdowsky. were Ivan Fedyna, president of the board of directors of the Armenian Genocide. “This addition to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building the UYUC, and Larissa Podilsky on behalf of St. Josephat Ms. Kuryliw conducted a workshop for history and precinct will foster greater awareness of the Holodomor Cathedral. social studies teachers titled “The Genocidal Famine in and provide a permanent place in our province for every- For nearly 50 years, the UYUC has been a mainstay of Ukraine, 1932-1933, its historical significance in the past one to reflect upon the terrible tragedy,” said Deputy Ukrainian community life in Edmonton. The “Domivka” and present” at the Professional Development Day of the Premier Ken Krawetz. Saskatchewan was the first prov- opened its doors in 1973 as a multi-use complex. It is Toronto District School Board. She also held workshops ince in Canada to recognize the Holodomor as genocide in home to numerous organizations. St. Josephat Ukrainian for history teachers and curriculum leaders of the May 2008. Some 130,000 Canadians living in the province Catholic Parish began to serve the spiritual needs of Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board on April 21 identify themselves as having Ukrainian ancestry. Ukrainian settlers in 1904. The parish rejoiced at the visits and for teachers and administrators at the “Equity and by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky in 1910 and 1921. In Inclusivity Conference” which included sample lesson Ukrainian Canadian Congress meets 1941, a new larger church was built, which became a plans, information on new resources, new published While in Regina in May for the unveiling of the cathedral in 1948. Work has already begun on renovating materials and DVDs, and a pamphlet on the Holodomor Holodomor monument, the UCC delegation held meetings this historic site, although many generous donations will Memorial Day that is held annually on the fourth Saturday and site visits in preparation for the 25th triennial be required to complete the work. in November. Congress of Ukrainian Canadians to be held in 2016. The A record number of visitors caught the Ukrainian spirit The teachers were particularly pleased to receive hand- conclave will mark the 75th anniversary of the UCC and on September 18-20 as the 19th annual Bloor West outs detailing the curriculum applications of the the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival served up a long week- Holodomor materials. Students were especially interested On September 26-27 in Ottawa, the UCC held its annual end of non-stop entertainment, traditional food, cultural in making connections between events in the 1930s and general meeting to discuss the priorities of the Ukrainian displays and activities for all ages. It is one of the world’s what is happening in Ukraine today, Ms. Kuryliw noted. Canadian community and the action plans for the coming largest Ukrainian street festivals, and in 2015 it attracted HREC said it plans to publish “Holodomor in Ukraine, the year. The priorities focused on building Ukrainian crowds of 700,000. The three-day program included sev- Genocidal Famine of 1932-1933,” a workbook for students Canadian communities and assistance for Ukraine; as well eral stage shows featuring performers from throughout and educators. as next year’s triennial congress and major anniversaries. Canada, as well as the United States, Ukraine and Estonia; The Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation The board was also presented with the UCC “Ukraine the Festival Parade, with 74 entries and 3,100 partici- Center embarked on a new oral history project, funded by Appeal” website and the program to coordinate humani- pants; an exhibit by the Ukrainian Association of Visual the Temerty Family Foundation – interviews with children tarian assistance to Ukraine. Artists of Canada; a full day of film screenings at the of the survivors of the Ukrainian Holodomor. The project The keynote speaker at the UCC’s gala banquet was for- Runnymede Public Library; and a youth program. coordinator – archivist Iroida Wynnyckyj, stated that “The mer U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst who spoke The gala Saturday evening show featured Edmonton’s UCRDC has the experience and infrastructure needed to about the Russian involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, the Ukrainian Bandurist undertake an oral interview project of this kind, and Ukrainian World Congress President Eugene Czolij took Chorus of Detroit, Winnipeg’s Zrada band and the indeed, it will be the first such project about the second the opportunity to present the UWC Taras Shevchenko Zubrivka folk band of Toronto. The evening’s headliner generation of survivors of the Holodomor to be embarked medals to Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education and band – Ot Vinta – got the audience rocking with its on.” A sense of longing, mourning, burden or distrust, to the UCC Manitoba’s Taras Shevchenko 200th “Ukrabilly” music. Festival Chairman Jurij Klufas closed degrees of communicativeness and coping and the Anniversary Committee. the event on Sunday with thank-yous to all involved. The strength and resilience of survivorship all have an impact traditional festival finale, the double-tier Hopak per- Ukrainian Canadian miscellany on the successive generation’s identity and feelings of formed by the Barvinok Ukrainian School of Dance on the cohesiveness with their communities, the UCRDC noted. In other news in the Ukrainian Canadian community, the stage and the ground level, concluded the festivities. The purpose of this oral history project is not to record Canada-Ukraine Foundation organized a second medical On September 22 the Ukrainian Canadian Congress the history of the Holodomor’s genocidal trauma but rath- mission to Ukraine to deal with reconstructive surgical unveiled the official logo for the celebrations marking the er, to find out what became of the children of the survivors procedures on victims of the Euro-Maidan movement. A 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada. of the Holodomor and what do they see as the medical team of 22 professionals, assembled entirely from The logo was designed by the Ukrainian Canadian artist Holodomor’s legacy for Ukrainians,” stated the project’s volunteers across Canada, included surgeons, anaesthe- Oleh Lesiuk, a native of Lviv. interviewer, Sophia Isajiw. “The fact that the project is tists and nurses. Forty-nine patients from across Ukraine The artist explained that the logo consists of three parts: being done in North America is equally valuable because it with complex post-traumatic defects received treatment the bottom part symbolizes four waves of the immigration will enable a discussion of how the Holodomor has for a total of 116 operating hours. The medical personnel of Ukrainians to Canada: the waves of the ocean to be over- become a diaspora marker of Ukrainian identity.” Each performed 53 reconstructive procedures between May 10 come, the waves of people that brought new hopes and interview is video recorded in English and transcribed and 16. dreams to a new land. In the central part of the logo, people and will be accessible for further study in the UCRDC Funding for the medical missions comes largely from are transformed into three flying cranes. These powerful archives. “United for Ukraine,” a fund-raiser organized by the CUF in birds – “zhuravli” in Ukrainian – appear often in Ukrainian As part of the Holodomor commemorations, a monu- September 2014, and attended by Prime Minister Harper, music and folklore. They are a symbol of migration. The tri- ment “Bitter Memories of Childhood” was unveiled at the Wayne Gretzky and by almost 1,200 people who raised dent, superimposed on a blue crane, symbolizes Ukraine, Saskatchewan Provincial Legislature in Regina on May 12. more than $200,000. while the wings of the cranes are ultimately transformed The memorial is a bronze statue of a little girl with a sheaf Eugene Melnyk and Bohdan Onyschuk co-chaired the into a maple leaf – the national symbol of Canada. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 11

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW Ukrainians in the U.S.: Active on many fronts krainians in the United States were active in 2015 with protests, demonstrations, rallies, political and Ucultural events, as well as anniversaries. Following is a chronological account of the major developments. On January 23-26 Ukrainian Americans converged on Washington to mark the 1919 “Day of Unity” of Ukraine. Events included a protest in front of the White House that attracted more than 100 people, another protest in front of the Russian Embassy that called for the release of Nadiya Savchenko, as well as a reception at the Embassy of Ukraine. The Ukrainian community in Chicago honored Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) on January 25 with an award pre- sented by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) – Illinois Division at Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Cultural Center, as part of Unity Day celebrations. Joining the celebration were Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) and Reps. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) who have also been instrumental in supporting U.S. aid for Ukraine. Other award recipients included Andrew Fedynsky of the Vasyl Stesiuk Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland, and Olga Fedak The Chicago vigil in memory of the Heavenly Brigade on February 22. for her many years of service to the UCCA. Showing solidari- ty with Ukrainians were Robert Rusiecki, deputy consul gen- ings, constituents met with their respective representa- reforms, the nearly 2 million internally displaced people eral of Poland in Chicago, and the honorary consul of tives in the House and Senate to thank them for the sup- within Ukraine as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania. Other representatives of the Polish, Lithuanian port of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act that was signed and the need to combat Russian disinformation. and Estonian communities also attended the event. by President Obama on December 18, 2014, and to The UCCA also met with Mejlis Chairman Refat The fallen heroes of the Revolution of Dignity were com- explain the current situation in Ukraine, with regard to Chubarov on April 28 at the UCCA office in New York. The memorated with a vigil and memorial service at Ss. military and humanitarian needs, as well as the plight of small gathering of local community leaders discussed the Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church on prisoners of war held by Russia, including Ms. Savchenko. situation of Crimean Tatars in Ukraine and in occupied February 22 in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood. Nearly 50 community activists were able to attend a hear- Crimea. Mr. Chubarov was in town for the 14th session of Hundreds also gathered to mark the one-year anniversary ing of the House Foreign Relations Committee, titled the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous of the end of the Euro-Maidan protests and the Heavenly “Ukraine Under Siege,” with testimony by Assistant Issues. Ayla Bakkali, U.S. representative of the Crimean Brigade’s sacrifices. Also present were clergy of the Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Tatar Mejlis, helped arrange the meeting. Mr. Chubarov Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic Churches, as Victoria Nuland. explained that 20,000 Crimean Tatars had been displaced well as representatives of the Lithuanian and Georgian Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), a ranking member of the House from Crimea, half of whom were internally displaced with- communities. The local Ukrainian organizations, including Foreign Affairs Committee, was presented the Friend of in mainland Ukraine. Arguing for tougher sanctions against UCCA-Illinois and Orange Wave, had organized a presenta- UNIS award by UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw Jr. and Russia, Mr. Chubarov also called for increased military aid tion and a gathering with Sen. Durbin, co-chair of the Andrew Horbachewsky, chairman of the SUM-A Yonkers for Ukraine. He thanked the Ukrainian American communi- Senate Ukraine Caucus. The Consulate of Ukraine in Federal Credit Union. An evening reception was hosted by ty for its advocacy on these issues and reminded it to Chicago sponsored a meeting with former president of the Embassy of Lithuania, where Mr. Sawkiw presented include Crimea in its discussions. Lithuania, Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis, who underscored Ambassador Zygimantis Pavlionis the Friend of UNIS The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s Humanitarian Aid the parallels between Ukraine’s and Lithuania’s struggles award. The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) Program sent a 40-foot tractor trailer on April 29 to for independence from Russia. also was recognized with the Friend of UNIS award. Ukraine. The container, filled with 20 tons of medical sup- On January 30, the Ukrainian Institute of America in Hundreds gathered on March 9 at the Ukrainian plies and valued at $300,000-$400,000, left for Ukraine New York hosted an evening fund-raiser “Invisible No National Home in Hartford, Conn., to hear an address by from the Fairfax, Va., county regional office of the Brother’s More: Orphans and Street Children in Ukraine,” that was co- Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) Brother Foundation. A portion of the donated goods came organized by Sublimitas, Razom and New Ukrainian Wave. and share their concerns about the situation in Ukraine. from the Pittsburgh area, where Dr. Alexander Kirichenko, There was a screening of the documentary film “Bomzhi” “Putin is attempting not just to break Ukraine,” Sen. a radiation oncologist at Allegheny General Hospital in (“The Homeless,” 2012). Keynote speaker, Ambassador of Murphy said. “He is trying to break Europe, to break the Pittsburgh, led donations from Allegheny Health Network, Ukraine to the United Nations Yuriy Sergeyev, noted the trans-Atlantic alliance, and if he is not stopped there, then Butler Health System, Trinity Health System in challenges facing Ukraine’s orphans and street children, we have no idea what the end point will be. We believe that Steubenville, Ohio, and St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox and expressed his strong support of the Sublimitas mission this is one of the greatest threats that the world order has Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. In the Washington area, and programs. Alla Korzh, director of Sublimitas, explained ever faced…” A lively question-and-answer session was Tetyana Neeley, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation’s humanitari- in greater detail how as many as 150,000 street children held, during which the senators broke from the podium an aid coordinator, worked the logistics of donations; inter- and more than 94,000 orphans live in Ukraine. and greeted the two young Ukrainian veterans, Roman national shipping was thanks to Meest; delivery logistics in Ukrainian Americans converged on Washington on Lutsiuk and Roman Dzivinskyi, who were receiving medi- Ukraine were handled by Kozhen Mozhe, which was to dis- March 4 as part of the Ukrainian Days advocacy events cal treatments at Yale-New Haven Medical Center and in tribute the donated goods to hospitals primarily in eastern that were organized by the Ukrainian Congress Philadelphia. During the close of the program, Sen. McCain and central Ukraine, where the need is the greatest. Committee of America, with its Washington bureau, the was awarded the UNIS Friend of Ukraine award. The Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation of Boston Ukrainian National Information Service. During the meet- On March 26, nearly 300 people – Ukrainians, Latvians, – a 95-year-old institution – voted to curtail its activities Georgians, Armenians, Estonians, Belarusians, Poles and and to divide the bulk of its assets between the two Circassians – gathered in front of the White House to rally Ukrainian churches in Boston. St. Andrew Ukrainian for military aid for Ukraine. Noted speakers at the event Orthodox Church was presented a check in the amount of included Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Ambassador John $125,000 on April 26 and Christ the King Ukrainian Herbst of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Catholic Church received the same amount on May 3. Center, and Diana Vidutis, president of the District of Metropolitan Antony of the UOC-U.S.A. unveiled and dedi- Columbia Lithuanian American Community. Appeals were cated a plaque to the UAHF and its predecessor, the made for military aid for Ukraine’s soldiers by Ivan Ukrainian American Educational Citizens’ Club of Rodichenko of the Kyiv-Rus’ 25th Volunteer Battalion, and Mattapan, for its many years of service to the Ukrainian Roman Volytsky, who had worked to gather donations for American community of the greater Boston area. Walter the soldiers. Boyko, president of the UAHF, spoke at both presentations, The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America recalling the historical progression of the UAHF. hosted a briefing on the Savchenko case during a meeting Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) was honored on May 2 at The Ukrainian National Museum on April 20. The pre- for his support of Ukraine during a reception held at the sentation was led by the imprisoned pilot’s lawyer, Mark Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey in Feygin, and Maria Savchenko, Nadiya’s mother. During the Whippany. During the ceremony, Sen. Menendez was pre- previous week, Mr. Feygin was working in Washington sented a plaque from the Ukrainian National Association with the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and Sen. McCain, and the Friend of UNIS Award from the Ukrainian Congress among others, to promote Ms. Savchenko’s prisoner of Committee of America. In introducing the senator’s work war status. Mrs. Savchenko explained her daughter’s for Ukraine, Yuriy Symczyk, fraternal coordinator for the patriotic spirit and courage. UNA, said, “How fortunate we are that he was appointed Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko met with the local chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2013. Ukrainian community during a working lunch meeting His leadership role directly resulted in the Senate adopting Oksana Khanas hosted by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America such a supportive role of Ukraine. It was he, along with Sen. Dr. Alex Strilchuk, president of the UCCA Illinois at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant in New York on [Bob] Corker [R-Tenn.] who introduced the Ukraine Division, presents an award to Rep. Marcy Kaptur April 26. Key topics raised by both the community and Mr. Freedom Support Act. Without his leadership, our commu- (D-Ohio) on January 25. Klitschko were: the rampant corruption that hinders nity’s voices may not have been heard.” 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Baltimore Federal Credit Union and a commemorative plaque was presented to its representative, Stephan Kerda. On June 7, the Ukrainian Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh marked its 25th anniversary with a concert of Ukrainian music, song and dance at the Frick Fine Arts Building Auditorium that attracted an audience of 170 people. The Ukrainian Nationality Room is one of 29 nationality classrooms at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, which reflects the city’s rich ethnic heritage. Founded on June 17, 1990, the project was the culmination of years of grass-roots fund-raising. A presen- tation about the Ukrainian Nationality Room, its design and features was given by Dr. Roman G. Kyshakevych, chairman of the Ukrainian Nationality Room Committee. Greetings were delivered by E. Maxine Bruhns, director of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs. On June 8, the UCCA hosted a meeting with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko in Washington at the Embassy of Ukraine. During their visit to Washington, Mr. Yatsenyuk and Ms. Jaresko met with high-level officials from the Obama administration and members of Congress. At the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum in Washington, Mr. Yatsenyuk became the first prime minister of Ukraine to be Christine Melnyk invited to address that forum in person. A private dinner More than 400 community members pack the hall at the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford, Conn., on March 9 that was hosted by the AJC and attended by the Ukrainian to hear U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) address the current crisis in Ukraine. delegation allowed the organizers to speak candidly with the prime minister and finance minister of Ukraine. Sen. Menendez commented, “Frankly, I’m disappointed Sander Levin (D- Mich.), Mike Fitzpatrick, (R-Pa.), as well as Jewish leader Joseph Zissels, vice-president of the World with the [Obama] administration, required [by the the Embassy of Latvia, the CEEC, Polish American Jewish Congress and executive vice-president of the Ukrainian Freedom Support Act] to report to Congress on Congress, Lithuanian-American Community, Joint Baltic Congress of Ethnic Communities of Ukraine, was hosted by its plan for increasing military assistance to Ukraine, it was American National Committee and Jewish American orga- the UCCA on June 11 in New York. Mr. Zissels, a former polit- two months late in sending it. And when the report finally nizations, as well as the Open World, Open Society and ical dissident who had been imprisoned in the Soviet gulag, arrived, it did not include a section on lethal defensive Soros foundations, the American Foreign Policy Council did not hold back when explaining the realities on the assistance – assistance the administration has not provid- and Atlantic Council think tanks, Ukrainian American cred- ground in Ukraine as it is under attack by Russia. He noted ed to the Ukrainian military in contravention of the will of it unions, the UNA and other organizations, as well as cler- that the widespread corruption would require a generation- Congress and the recommendation of a cadre of current gy of the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches. al shift in attitudes through education. Having been on the and former administration officials and experts.” Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports Ihor Zhdanov Maidan during the protests of 2013-2014, Mr. Zissels noted Ms. Olexy, president of the UCCA, noted: “You have met with Ukrainian American youth development organi- how civil society in Ukraine has defied expectations again understood from the start that the international communi- zations at the UCCA office in New York on June 2. and again, and has swelled to include 7 million to 8 million ty, and especially the United States, cannot remain passive Organizations represented at the event included Plast volunteers. This, he added, will be studied by future genera- in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine, for remaining Ukrainian Scouting Organization U.S.A., the Ukrainian tions when discussing social activism in the 21st century. passive will only invite further aggression. …You have led American Youth Association, the Federation of Ukrainian Mr. Zissels underscored the inclusiveness of the Maidan and and continue to lead congressional efforts to penalize Student Organizations of America (SUSTA), the Ukrainian the presence of Jews and people of other backgrounds. Russia for its invasion and illegal occupation of Crimea, for Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (USCAK) and The 15th annual Lemko “Vatra” held on June 27-28 at the its support of terrorists in eastern Ukraine.” the Self Reliance School of Ukrainian Studies in New York. UAYA camp in Ellenville, N.Y., was sponsored by the On May 3, a former ambassador to Ukraine, William Additional exchange programs in sports between Ukraine Organization for the Defense of Lemko Western Ukraine Green Miller, was awarded the Alexander B. Chernyk Medal and the U.S., especially for children in the Russian-occupied (OOL). Performers included the Vatra rock group from Lviv, by the Ukrainian Federation of America “for his outstand- territories of Ukraine, were discussed. the Karpaty dance ensemble and Ukrainian Lemko singer ing leadership and deep commitment to U.S.-Ukraine rela- Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko met Sofiya Fedyna, as well as the Korniya folk band from New tions” during an annual awards ceremony held at the with UCCA representatives on June 3 in Washington to dis- Paltz, N.Y. There was a children’s song competition, the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown, cuss how the diaspora can assist Ukraine. Ms. Tymoshenko Vatra Cup soccer tournament and a zabava-dance to the Pa. The event was attended by former Rep. Charles said that defensive military equipment from the U.S. would music of Anna Maria. A display with video and poster Dougherty, former co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian be the only way for Ukraine to maintain its territorial integ- boards informed visitors about the pervious 15 years of the Caucus, who thanked Mr. Miller for his work that has rity, adding that the equipment would need to be a sufficient Lemko Vatra. Ms. Fedyna also gave a presentation as presi- spanned seven decades. deterrent against further Russian escalation. She said dent of the World Federation of Ukrainian Lemko Unions. The UCCA celebrated the 75th anniversary of its found- Ukraine’s economic future was also in question and also Verizon irked the Ukrainian community with its June- ing on May 20 during a reception at the Senate Visitor’s cited the humanitarian crisis facing the country. July FIOS advertisement that featured a couple flipping Center in Washington. Members of Congress present at the The Ukrainian National Credit Union Association channels and, when Ukrainian dancers appeared, saying reception were: Reps. Michael Turner (R-Ohio), chair of the (UNCUA) held its annual meeting and spring conference on “Anything but this.” Community activist Irene Jarosewich House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and June 5-6 in Washington, with 31 participants representing stated, “…Choosing any ethnic or cultural element as the Land Forces; Bill Pascrell (D-N.J), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), 13 Ukrainian American credit unions participating. Issues object of derision is, first and foremost, unethical and, in Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.). Also pres- discussed during the first day included challenges in terms of Marketing 101, is in the Top 10 of Things Not to ent were past UCCA presidents, Mr. Sawkiw and Askold increasing membership, the U.S. credit union industry, as Do unless you want to anger your customers.” The Lozynskyj. Eugene Czolij, president of the Ukrainian World well as regulatory issues in Washington. The second day’s Embassy of Ukraine also released a statement, noting “… Congress, and Ambassador Zygimantis Pavilionis of events included reports by management and various com- The issue is particularly sensitive at the time when Russian Lithuania praised UCCA’s work and its importance today. mittees as well as the election of a new board. The year aggression threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty and statehood. Also represented were Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), 2015 marked the 60th anniversary of the Selfreliance …It is our sincere hope that the company [Verizon] will

Yaro Bihun Ukrainian Congress Committe of America President Tamara Olexy speaks on May 20 at the organization’s 75th anniversary event in Washington about the goals the UCCA set for itself in 1940 and what they are today given current developments in Ukraine. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 13

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW take this fact into consideration.” The Ukrainian Weekly’s editor-in-chief, Roma Hadzewycz called for an apology, and offered to run it in this newspaper. Verizon’s public rela- tions director, Diedre Hart, offered an apology, of sorts, via an e-mail message to The Weekly, “…We sincerely apolo- gize if the commercial offended you. That was not our intent. To that end, that reference is no longer in the com- mercials. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.” But she declined to offer any further comment. On June 29, the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York hosted an event to mark the 19th anniversary of Ukraine’s Constitution Day that was organized by the UCCA, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.N. Sergeyev as well as Ukrainian American community activists. The event was attended by more than 50 ambassadors and perma- nent deputy representatives to the U.S., as well as leaders of Ukrainian community organizations. UCCA President Olexy recalled the opening words of Ukraine’s first Constitution, written in 1710 by Pylyp Orlyk, which states, “Ukraine on both sides of the Dnipro River must remain free from foreign domination for all time to come.” Ukraine’s democratic roots and European tradition can be traced to this first Constitution. The Constitution that was being celebrated that day was passed by the Verkhovna Rada in 1996. The UAYA’s Nadiya Ye Festival marked its five-year anni- versary on July 3-5 at the UAYA camp in Ellenville, N.Y. The Stefan Slutsky headlining act was Lama from Kyiv, with lead vocalist Ukrainian Americans, representatives of several waves of immigration from Ukraine and their progeny, fill New Natalia Dzenkiv. Other performers on the main stage York’s Times Square with the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s national flag in a flashmob on August 23. included the Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of New Jersey and DJ Stas. A dance with music by Svitanok in the York’s Times Square with the blue and yellow colors of video, Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Tamim and Patriarch Filaret of outdoor pavilion kept the evening’s entertainment going Ukraine’s national flag in a flashmob on August 23, singing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate. Other into the wee hours of the morning. The weekend also had Ukrainian songs and waving Ukrainian flags. Among the officials of Ukraine included Ambassador Chaly, Defense a solemn aspect. On Sunday, after liturgy led by Ukrainian crowd was Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev, in an unofficial Minister Stepan Poltorak and Finance Minister Jaresko. Catholic Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford, Conn., a capacity. Among the panelists were: Orest Deychakiwsky (U.S. memorial ceremony was held for all of the fallen On September 19-20, the first monument to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe), Ukrainian soldiers of the past and present. The event was “Nebesna Sotnia” (Heavenly Brigade) was dedicated and Edward Chow (Center for Strategic and International sponsored by the UAYA and the Organization for the unveiled at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Studies), Katrina Lantos-Swett (U.S. Commission on Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine. Bloomingdale, Ill. The parish also marked the 45th anni- International Religious Freedom), Dawn Calabia (Refugee The Ukrainian-American Civic Committee of versary of its founding with a patriarchal divine liturgy cel- International), as well as retired Gen. Wesley Clark. The Metropolitan Detroit sent off the first of three 40-foot ship- ebrated by Patriarch Filaret. The double occasion was event was co-sponsored by the House Ukraine Caucus and ping containers to the Ukraine Survival Campaign on July 13 marked with a concert by the Canadian Bandurist Capella the Senate Ukraine Caucus, in cooperation with the to Kyiv. The organizers expected that only one container and a banquet at the Hilton Indian Lakes resort. Embassy of Ukraine and Save Ukraine Now. would be filled, but the generosity of donations from the Designer Yevhen Prokopov described the monument: On October 17, the UNWLA marked its 90th anniversary Ukrainian and American communities filled three. The “The symbol of both the suffering and the hopes of the vic- with a banquet held at the Ukrainian National Home in mayor of Warren, Mich., Mayor James Fouts, encouraged the tims, a high polished stainless steel cross, is a mirror of New York City. UNWLA President Marianna Zajac recalled entire city to join the effort and solicited donations on resi- sorts that will endlessly reflect the unity of heaven and the 90 years of the organization’s success and looked dents’ water bills to be sent to his office. The effort took off earth, being and non-being. Like an endless river flowing ahead to its future. During the banquet, Ambassador in communities throughout the United States and Canada. A into the diamond-like reflections, an overlay of an ancient Sergeyev was honored with the Princess Olha Award by total of 17 40-foot containers were scheduled to be filled Ukrainian pattern (mini-crosses) furthers the symbolism the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations and shipped to Ukraine as part of the Save Ukraine Now of transcendence. Blue is the color symbolizing the souls of for his work in securing Ukraine’s temporary seat on the (founded in 2014), as the nationwide effort continued. the departed heroes and the dignity of future generations. U.N. Security Council for 2016-2017. A donation of $50,000 The UCCA commemorated the first anniversary of the The spiritual content filling the monument is faith in the by the Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union was downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17), which power of the eternal soul, and the unbreakable unity of presented by President Bohdan Kurczak to mark the 90th resulted in the deaths of all 298 on board on July 17, 2014. Ukrainian patriots. This monument calls to us… remember, anniversary of the UNWLA. In a statement released by UCCA on July 15, the UCCA said be united and you will be undefeated.” On September 26, President Poroshenko and his wife, that evidence pointed to the pro-Russian forces in the The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosted its annual forum in Dr. Maryna Poroshenko, while on a visit to the United region as responsible, “terrorists” who were also hindering Washington, this year titled “Ukraine’s Ongoing Battle for States for the 70th session of the General Assembly of the the investigation, and were accused of stealing personal Freedom: The Risk of Western Failure in Political, Economic United Nations, were welcomed at an evening reception at items from the crime scene. The statement continued: and Humanitarian Assistance” on September 25. Among the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York. The UCCA “This horrific act of terrorism is a reminder of the serious the speakers were: President Petro Poroshenko via video organized the event. Prayers were offered by Bishop Daniel threat to global peace and security posed by Russia-backed message, Reps. Kaptur, Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Sheila of the UOC of the U.S.A., and Ms. Olexy offered words of sol- terrorists in eastern Ukraine… The illegal invasion of Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Yaakov Dov idarity with the people of Ukraine and wished Mr. Ukraine by Russia and the ongoing Russian aggression Bleich via video, Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka via Poroshenko a happy 50th birthday, with the audience sing- against Ukraine, which has led to the tragic downing of MH17, must be stopped before more lives are lost.” The 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky (July 29) was commemorated with a statement from the UCCA on July 27. The statement noted: “Metropolitan Andrey lived his live as a sterling example for others of virtue, kindness and sacrifice. He served as an active pastor to his flock, used his personal wealth to help fund the numerous philanthropic programs, wrote prolifi- cally and was a gifted preacher. …Most notably, Metropolitan Andrey led his people and his Church through two world wars.” Metropolitan Andrey was arrest- ed by the Russian tsarist forces and he was placed under house arrest by the Nazis. During the second world war, he risked his own life by providing shelter for many Jews. A major step toward the dedication of the Holodomor Memorial in Washington was made on August 4 with its installation at Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol Street, one block from Union Station. The 6-foot-high-by- 35-foot-long bronze casting of the art work titled “Field of Wheat” was created by architect/sculptor Larysa Kurylas. The monument was cast by the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa. The installation was witnessed by approxi- mately 50 people, including Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Chaly, Ms. Kurylas and Mr. Sawkiw. Ukrainian Americans, representatives of several waves Christine Syzonenko of immigration from Ukraine and their progeny, filled New The Holodomor Memorial in Washington, which was dedicated on November 7. 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW ing “Mnohaya Lita.” Andrij Futey presented an icon of the Virgin Mary written by Ukrainian American iconographer Daria Hulak-Kulchytsky. Mr. Poroshenko thanked the audi- Ukrainian National Association: ence and the community for its contributions to the devel- opment of the Ukrainian army, and called for a meeting a year of changes, milestones with the diaspora on every foreign visit. Following his or our community’s oldest and largest fraternal remarks, Mr. Poroshenko bestowed the Order of Princess organization, the Ukrainian National Association, Olga (third degree) on Ms. Olexy. The Order of Danylo F2015 was a year of some welcome changes and Halytsky was presented to the family of Ukrainian financial milestones, as well as the continuation of frater- American Markian Paslawsky, who was killed in the fight- nal benefits and programs geared toward helping ing in the Donbas of Ukraine. Ukrainians here and in Ukraine. On October 3, the Ukrainian American Veterans dedi- The best news came in early December, when it was cated a national monument at St. Andrew Memorial reported that the UNA would soon reach a financial mile- Church and Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J., during stone: net admitted assets would exceed $200 million by their 68th annual national convention that was held on December 31. October 2-3. Designed by Canadian artist John Jaciw, the On December 11-13, the UNA General Assembly met at monument honors all American veterans of Ukrainian the Soyuzivka Heritage Center for its first regular annual heritage who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed meeting since the UNA convention of 2014. The highest Forces, including those currently serving in the ongoing decision-making body of the UNA between its quadrennial global war on terrorism. Metropolitan Antony and Bishop conventions, the General Assembly reviewed the UNA’s Daniel of the UOC-U.S.A. and Ukrainian Catholic activity for the past year and adopted a plan of action for Archbishop Metropolitan Soroka prayed and blessed the 2016. The weekend’s sessions were marked by good news monument. The U.S. Air Force Color Guard from McGuire about the UNA’s progress during 2015. Air Force Base in New Jersey executed the presentation of President Stefan Kaczaraj reported that, as of the end of colors and the UAYA choir from Chicago sang the the third quarter of 2015, the UNA’s assets totaled over Ukrainian and U.S. national anthems. A banquet at the $192.5 million, and net income for the first nine months of Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, N.J., followed the the year was more than $1.3 million. In addition, the UNA’s dedication. surplus as of September 30, 2015, was up to nearly $8.3 More than 5,000 people witnessed the dedication of the million. Holodomor Memorial in Washington on November 7. The Treasurer Roma Lisovich followed up Mr. Kaczaraj’s weekend’s events included commemorative concerts, report by pointing out that, by the end of 2015 the UNA’s informative displays, as well as liturgies. People came from The 2015 Almanac of the Ukrainian National assets were expected to reach $200 million, making this Association, whose cover design by Ihor Pylypchuk fea- New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, organization not only the largest Ukrainian fraternal orga- tures artwork by the renowned Edward Kozak. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, nization but also the fifth largest Ukrainian organization Maryland and Canada. The monument was blessed by (in terms of assets) in the United States (ahead of the UNA Petersburg, Fla., and a former UNA advisor (2006-2014), Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek- are four large credit unions). She also noted that net accepted the position vacated by Mr. Gavdanovich. Catholic Church, Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian income was projected to grow to $1.7 million by the end of In other UNA news, the 2015 Almanac of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate, and Metropolitan 2015, adding that this would be the third consecutive year National Association commemorated the centennial of the Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. of net profits for the UNA. founding of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen (Ukrayinski Thousands watched on a large projection screen from National Secretary Christine E. Kozak reported that Sichovi Striltsi), the first Ukrainian military formation of Columbus Circle in front of Union Station as the monu- more and more UNA Home Office employees, as well as the 20th century. Another section of the almanac focused ment was blessed. Mr. Sawkiw led the program of events General Assembly members, are now licensed insurance on the first anniversary of what has come to be known as addressed by, among others, Reps. Levin and Kaptur, as professionals. That means they are better able to the “Revolution of Dignity” that grew out of the Euro- well as Ukraine’s first lady, Dr. Poroshenko. Video greetings were delivered by President Poroshenko, and Sens. Rob approach potential members and better equipped to serve Maidan movement. This was the 102nd annual almanac Portman and Charles Schumer. The three-hour ceremony the UNA’s members. Ms. Kozak underscored, “UNA published by the Svoboda Press for the UNA. The editor of concluded with the singing of the “Prayer for Ukraine” led employees go above and beyond the call of duty in order the 2015 almanac is Petro Chasto, a longtime member of by the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of Detroit. to satisfy UNA members.” Indeed, the UNA’s customer ser- the Svoboda editorial staff. A perennial favorite of readers The Holodomor was commemorated once again at the vice is its strength, and “the UNA can differentiate itself worldwide, UNA Almanacs have been published since annual service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on from the competition by providing the best customer ser- 1903. Each one is a veritable treasure trove of information. November 21 that attracted hundreds of participants. vice to our members,” she added. The UNA’s Scholarship Program continued to support Co-organized by the UCCA, the requiem service was led by While we’re on the topic of the UNA General Assembly, young UNA members’ dreams. Fifty-six students received a hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. it should be noted that there were some changes in the total of $12,465 in scholarships for the 2015-2016 academ- (Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel) and the membership of that body. Dr. Wasyl Szeremeta, a three- ic year – four of them being awarded special scholarships Ukrainian Catholic Church (Bishop Chomnycky and term member of the UNA Auditing Committee, resigned as established by individuals or entities who care deeply Bishop emeritus Basil Losten). The Dumka Chorus of New auditor in order to accept a position on the board of direc- about the future of our Ukrainian American community. York sang the responses. Keynote speaker Larysa Kurylas, tors of the Ukrainian National Foundation (more on that Photos of the scholarship winners appeared in The who designed the Holodomor Memorial in Washington, later in this article). With a position vacated on the Ukrainian Weekly’s September 27 issue. The editorial in recalled her personal journey of genocide awareness in Auditing Committee, the UNA Executive Committee unani- that same issue commented on the UNA’s long-standing Ukraine history. Other speakers included William Pope, mously appointed Andrij Gavdanovich as the third mem- commitment to youth, as exemplified by the many youth senior advisor to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations; ber of the UNA Auditing Committee. Mr. Gavdanovich is programs and activities it has supported through the years. Ambassador Chaly; and Ambassador Sergeyev. president of UNA Branch 234 of Eatontown, N.J., and was The UNA began a new outreach to the community in The United Nations hosted an invitation-only event on elected as an advisor on the General Assembly at the 2014 2015, hosting a presentation by Dr. Petrusia G. Kotlar, a December 9 that was sponsored by the Ukrainian Convention. Olya Czerkas of UNA Branch 381 of St. well-know chiropractor and alternative health care pro- American organization Razom and the VOLYA Institute for Contemporary Law and Society, which presented its report on human rights violations in Crimea, “Human Rights in Occupied Territory: Case of Crimea.” Ambassador Sergeyev noted the ongoing violations, including the abduction of Crimean Tatars. Ivanna Bilych, president of VOLYA Institute, highlighted the key findings of the report. The discussion was moderated by Mary Holland, director of the New York University Graduate Legal Skills Program, who supported the work of the report. The group also produced a down- loadable manual, a “Human Rights Protection Guide” that can aid in identifying human rights violations. Georgia’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. Kaha Imnadze said that the inadequate response to Russian aggression in Georgia in 2008 paved the way to Crimea. The panelists echoed the view that Russia considers Crimea a war trophy and treats everyone and everything there with contempt. A similar event was held at the Shevchenko Scientific Society in New York on December 8. A roundtable discus- sion on the topic was hosted at Columbia University and moderated by Huseyin Oylupinar from Turkey, who is the Mihaychuk Fellow at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. In Washington, an official public hearing at the Roma Hadzewycz U.S. Helsinki Commission was held on December 11 to Members of the UNA General Assembly – executive officers, auditors and advisors – at the start of their 2015 annu- present the report on human rights abuses in Crimea. al meeting held at Soyuzivka on December 11-13. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 15

2015: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 No. 39 vider in practice for over 31 years. Her topic, “Wellness and Nutrition as a Means to Healthy Longevity,” was pre- UNA congratulates 56 scholarship recipients sented at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New for the 2015-2016 school year

by Maria Drich $2,000 $1,000 Jersey on November 21. The UNA Home Office said Dr. PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Fifty-six student members of the Ukrainian National Association were awarded scholarships by the UNA for the 2015-2016 school year. The scholarship Kotlar’s presentation was the first of a series of fraternal awards totaled $12,475, of which $4,250 were designated for special scholarships in higher dollar amounts. The UNA Scholarship Committee reviews applications in light of events to be hosted and funded by the UNA in an effort to financial needs of the student, academic achievement, field of study, as well as each applicant’s activity level within the Ukrainian community. The Joseph and Dora Galandiuk Scholarship in the educate local communities and promote UNA insurance amount of $2,000 was awarded to Alexander Zelez, a mem- ber of UNA Branch 277, and an honors student at Wagner College studying to be a physician’s assistant. and annuity products. Alexander is active in his student life at college as a member of the Physician’s Assistant Association, where he spends many hours volunteering his time; he is vice-presi- The UNA also had quite a presence on the Ukrainian dent of the newly formed Catholic Club at the college, where he organizes various programs for students. In the Ukrainian community, Alexander is a graduate of the St. Micahel School of Ukrainian Studies in Hartford, Conn., and festival circuit during 2015. As UNA Fraternal Coordinator since the age of 7, he has performed with the local Ukrainian dance ensemble. An active member of the Alexander Zelez (UNA Branch 277) Katarina Sokol (UNA Branch 414) Ukrainian American Youth Association, Alexander worked Wagner College Hofstra University Yuriy Symczyk wrote on “The Ukrainian National as a counselor at the UAYA sports camp and recreational camp. $750 $500 The Drs. Maria, Dmytro and Olha Jarosewycz Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 was awarded to Association Forum” page in this newspaper, “The Katarina Sokol of UNA Branch 414, and an honors student majoring in biology at Hofstra University. As with many children in Ukrainian families, Katarina was raised with Ukrainian National Association has been a part of these Ukrainian traditions. She is a graduate of the local Ukrainian school, where she studied the Ukrainian lan- guage, literature and history. Katarina also took lessons on festivals for decades and continues to support them in how to play the bandura – the national instrument of Ukraine – and performed with the Zolotyj Promin Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. The Joseph Wolk Scholarship in the amount of $750 was keeping with our motto, ‘UNA and the Community – awarded to Natalie Ginn, a member of UNA Branch 247, who is an honors student majoring in neuroscience at the University of Delaware. Natalie grew up in a Lemko family Partners for Life!’ ” As a sponsor and vendor at various with a deep respect for Ukrainian traditions – Ukrainian language, embroidery, Ukrainian folk music and dances, as well as the Ukrainian holiday traditions and foods. Having grown up with so many traditions, Natalie is clearly proud Ukrainian festivals, the UNA had a booth and gave visitors to be Ukrainian. The Blackstone Scholarship, founded by the Ukrainian National Home Corp. in Blackstone, Mass., in the amount of UNA goodies, ranging from colorful tote bags filled with an $500 was awarded to Andrea Zelez, a member of UNA Natalie Ginn (UNA Branch 247) Andrea Zelez (UNA Branch 277) Branch 277, who is an honors student studying finance University of Delaware Bryant University and analytics at Bryant University. Since her youth, Andrea assortment of UNA giveaways, including the UNA maga- has been active in the Ukrainian community. From the age distributed as follows: 20 freshman-year applicants increase the UNA membership with family members, of 10, she was a member of the local Ukrainian dance received $125 each; seven sophomore students received acquaintances, friends and others to strengthen our grow- group. She also has been an active competitor at the $150 each; 13 junior-year students received $175 each; ing Ukrainian family. As the future of the UNA, you can take Ukrainian American Youth Association’s (UAYA) annual and 12 senior-year students received $200 each. advantage of all of the fraternal benefits that are made pos- zine, its newspapers Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, competition known as Zlet, where she won numerous The Ukrainian National Association congratulates all of sible by the UNA and to contribute to the preservation of medals and trophies. Andrea also worked as a camp coun- this year’s scholarship winners. We wish them all great Ukrainian culture and heritage. selor at the UAYA sports camp for two years and has been a success in the future! For more information about the Ukrainian National and a UNA pen and note pad, to gifts for children. Among member of the UAYA since the age of 4. The UNA calls on students to remain active members of Association, readers may visit our website, www.ukraini- The remaining 52 student members of the UNA were the UNA, subscribe to our newspapers, Svoboda and The annationalassociation.org or telephone, 800-253-9862, awarded regular scholarships. The amounts are based on Ukrainian Weekly, and to visit the fantastic Soyuzivka ext. 3011. the festivals at which the UNA was represented were year of study as well as academic achievement, and were Heritage Center. Also, student members are encouraged to Translated by Matthew Dubas. those in Clifton, Jersey City, Carteret and Whippany, N.J.; $200 Horsham, Pa., and Stamford, Conn.

Three representatives of the National University of George Stanko Ostroh Academy in Rivne, Ukraine, visited the Ukrainian At the health and wellness presentation at the Ukrainian Nicholas Demczar Larysa Droczak Andrew Drozd Kristina Hayda Zoryana Kaspruk Alexandra Nagurney National Association’s Home Office on October 12. Rector (UNA Branch 13) (UNA Branch 283) (UNA Branch 240) (UNA Branch 59) (UNA Branch 234) (UNA Branch 777) Hofstra University Rutgers University The Ohio State University Boston University Berkley College Lafayette College American Cultural Center of New Jersey on November Ihor Pasichnyk, Dr. Eduard Balashov, head of the school’s 21 (from left) are: UNA National Secretary Christine foreign relations department, and Dr. Leonid Yakobchuk, The front page of the special section in The Ukrainian Kozak, New Jersey District Chair and Branch 37 honorary professor at the university, met with the UNA Weekly’s September 27 issue that spotlighted UNA Secretary Oksana Stanko, Dr. Petrusia G. Kotlar and president and then showed a film about the university to scholarship recipients for the 2015-2016 academic year. UNA Fraternal Coordinator Yuriy Symczyk. UNA officers and employees, including the staffs of Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly. Dr. Pasichnyk also newly paved roads, a new privacy fence at the entrance to Headliners were Dzidzio, Serhiy Fomenko (Foma), Oksana presented a certificate of recognition for the UNA’s con- the grounds, and new plantings and landscaping. Also before Bilozir and Pavlo Tabakov, but the three days of entertain- tinuing support of the university and its students. the start of the summer season: buildings were painted, ment showcased many other performers – musicians, At the beginning of the year, the UNA announced that, carpets were professionally cleaned, the second-floor dancers and singers – including the fiery virtuoso violinist after years of planning and preparation, it had realized its patio at the Main House was replaced, the Veselka deck Vasyl Popadiuk and two top-notch dance troupes, the goal of charitable status for the Soyuzivka Heritage Center, was renovated, and furniture in many rooms was updated. Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Workshop as the Ukrainian National Foundation Inc. (UNF), a 501(c) Ms. Lisovich added that other projects, structural in and the Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company from (3) non-profit organization became the owner of nature and perhaps not as visible to guests, were ongoing. Australia. And there was much more to be seen and expe- Soyuzivka. The UNF, it should be noted, is an affiliated com- Some things at Soyuzivka remained the same. The UNA rienced at the festival, from performances to dances, ven- pany that performs charitable activities on behalf of the Seniors held their annual week at the heritage center on dors and food. UNA. UNA Treasurer Lisovich explained in a January 25 June 14-19. The Miss Soyuzivka contest took place on It was also a festival for a cause. To that end, the UNF article: The new status for Soyuzivka “has many advantag- August 15, with Ariana Babczenko of Naperville, Ill., a held a fund-raising gala on Friday night of the festival to es, two of them most important: the ability to apply for gov- junior at New York University, chosen as Miss Soyuzivka benefit the International Alliance for Fraternal Assistance ernment and private grants, and the ability to attract higher 2016. The runner-up was Viktoriya Mazur of Kerhonkson, (IAFA) – specifically its project to establish a modern pros- donor dollars as donations carry a tax-deductible benefit.” N.Y., who was born in the Lviv region and today is a stu- thetics and rehabilitation center to help Ukraine’s wound- She added that a new organizational structure for the UNF dent at Ulster Community College. The Soyuzivka Heritage ed warriors. The fund for the rehab center is dedicated to “provides the opportunity for the board of the UNF, with Center hosted its usual array of camps for children of all the memory of Markian Paslawsky (known to his com- help of professional specialists, to develop and implement a ages, and students from Ukraine once again filled the rades in arms as “Franko”), a Ukrainian American gradu- concrete development plan for Soyuzivka Heritage Center.” ranks of its summer employees. This year there were 26 ate of West Point who was killed in action in Ukraine on That same article announced: “In order to increase students from Ukraine who arrived here under the Work August 19, 2014, during the fierce battle for Ilovaisk. One community involvement in the Ukrainian National and Travel program offered by the U.S. State Department. of the founders of the IAFA, Viktoriia Voronovych, told The Foundation, its board of directors was expanded to seven The annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival at Soyuzivka Weekly, “Current rehabilitation practices in Ukraine are members, including four independent members repre- continued its success. The 2015 festival was organized by outdated and inadequate. Our wounded Ukrainian heroes senting various segments of the Ukrainian ‘hromada.’ ” the Ukrainian National Foundation under the patronage of deserve proper longer-term rehabilitation and care for an The new board of directors of UNF was announced as fol- the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States; it was spon- opportunity to return to a full and active life. This project lows: Mr. Kaczaraj, president; Ms. Lisovich, treasurer; Ms. sored by Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union, the will help make that happen.” The IAFA had been recog- Kozak, secretary; Roman Hawryluk, Mark Olexy, Dr. Ukrainian National Association and the SUMA Federal nized on March 12 by the Ukrainian Association of Charity Szeremeta and Taras Sochan. Credit Union (Yonkers, N.Y.). Approximately 6,000 people Givers as the best local charitable NGO in Ukraine, receiv- On May 3, Ms. Lisovich reported on Soyuzivka sprucing attended the ninth annual festival, which was held under ing an award that was presented by Ukraine’s First Lady up for spring and beginning anew. Among the changes: the theme “Solidarity with Ukraine” on July 10-12. Maryna Poroshenko.

Russ Chelak In a photo taken during the summer season, students on the staff of Soyuzivka – the Part of the crowd of thousands that enjoyed the grand concert at the sixth annual majority of them from Ukraine – are seen with student coordinator Bohdana Puzyk, Ukrainian Cultural Festival, which was held at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center on who happens to be an advisor on the UNA General Assembly. July 10-12. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

court with Russia.” Russia bought a $3 bil- sequences of their actions,” he said. “They Soros urges more support for Ukraine NEWSBRIEFS lion Ukrainian bond late in 2013 as part of will lead to the resumption of the ‘hot an aid package widely seen as a reward for phase’ of the conflict, including a full-scale OTTAWA – In an interview published in (Continued from page 2) then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s deci- – and not local, as it has been so far – con- the New York Review of Books, George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management clause requiring Kyiv to pay for gas it does sion to scrap plans for a landmark deal flict with Russia.” His words appeared to be LLC and the Open Society Foundations, stat- not use is “unlawful and void.” Gazprom with the European Union and tighten ties aimed at foes of the “decentralization” leg- ed, “Ukraine has done something almost and the Ukrainian Naftohaz firm have taken with Russia instead. But Mr. Yanukovych islation that Ukraine is required to pass unbelievable in surviving for two years the dispute to an international arbitration was pushed from power in February 2014 under the peace deal signed in February while facing so many enemies. But it needs court in Sweden. Gazprom claims Ukraine 2015 by Ukraine, Russia and separatists by huge protests over that decision. The a lot more support from outside because it’s owes a total of $29.2 billion. The European debt became a bone of contention after who hold parts of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Minsk deal is crucial exhausted. By putting Ukraine on a short Union gets about 40 percent of the gas it Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula and financial leash, Europe is repeating the mis- purchases from Russia via the transit net- supported separatists in eastern Ukraine. for Kyiv because it calls for the restoration of Ukrainian control over the state border take it has made in Greece. ...The work in Ukraine. (RFE/RL, based on Russia’s Finance Ministry said on January 1 [Verkhovna] Rada has recently passed a reporting by Reuters and Interfax) that it had taken measures to start legal between the separatist-held territories and Russia, which has backed the separatists in budget for 2016 that meets the conditions proceedings over the debt. (RFE/RL, based imposed by the IMF. Now is the time to hold Jaresko: debt deal still possible on reporting by Bloomberg and Interfax) a conflict that has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. Ukraine’s out the prospect of the additional financial KYIV – Ukraine’s finance minister says Poroshenko warns of ‘full-scale conflict’ Parliament gave preliminary approval to assistance that the new Ukraine needs to there is still a chance to avoid a court battle constitutional changes granting more carry out radical reforms. That would with Russia over $3 billion of debt that Kyiv KYIV – President Petro Poroshenko has power to the regions in August 2015, but enable the country not only to survive but to defaulted on in December. U.S.-born warned Ukrainian politicians that the col- their adoption requires a two-thirds vote in flourish and become an attractive invest- Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko spoke to lapse of the Minsk agreements aimed at the 450-seat legislature. Mr. Poroshenko ment destination. Turning the new Ukraine Bloomberg News on the sidelines of the ending a war with Russia-backed separat- said he hopes the legislation will be passed back into the old Ukraine would be a fatal World Economic Forum in Davos, ists could set off a “full-scale conflict” with in the first half of this year, in the next par- mistake because the new Ukraine is one of Switzerland. Ms. Jaresko said Ukrainian and Russia. Mr. Poroshenko was speaking at a liament session, which begins after the most valuable assets that Europe has, Russian Finance Ministry officials may conference of local leaders in Kyiv on February 1. However, some lawmakers say both for resisting Russian aggression and meet “in the near future” to discuss the January 23. “Those political forces that the legislation must be passed during the for recapturing the spirit of solidarity that issue, Bloomberg reported on January 23. want to torpedo the Minsk agreements at current session to be valid, but that is high- characterized the European Union in its She said she thinks “it’s still very possible any cost... and to block the constitutional ly unlikely to happen. As a result, the presi- early days.” (Ukrainian Canadian Congress) to reach a consensual agreement out of process, must clearly understand the con- dent’s allies have asked the Constitutional Health minister on flu epidemic Court for a ruling that would effectively extend the deadline for the vote indefinite- KYIV – As of January 26 there are 83 con- ly. Mr. Poroshenko also said that adopting firmed deaths because of the flu. The total decentralization obviates any need for laws number of people infected with the influen- granting “special status” to the separatist- za virus in Ukraine is 2.6 million. Over the TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 held regions or any others, a remark that is last week 363,000 people fell ill. That infor- or e-mail [email protected] not likely to please the separatists. (RFE/ mation was provided by Minister of Health RL, based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Oleksandr Kvitashvili at a press briefing at Ukrainian Service, UNIAN and Interfax) Ukraine Crisis Media Center. He said the epi- SERVICES PROFESSIONALS demic threshold has been exceeded in 18 PM for referendum on Constitution regions, in 11 of them – by 50 percent. The KYIV – Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy highest level is in the Rivne region; the low- Yatsenyuk has called for a referendum to be est – in Kharkiv. “There is a flu epidemic in held on a new Constitution for the country. the country,” stated Mr. Kvitashvili. Stocks of Speaking on January 24 in his weekly tele- medicine are sufficient, said the minister, vised speech, Mr. Yatsenyuk said it is “high who added: “Lithuania donated 2,000 doses time for the Ukrainian people to have its say of Tamiflu and 27,000 doses of Relenza. about a new Ukrainian Constitution in a They are already in Ukraine, have gone new European Ukraine.” He said the through customs clearance procedures and Constitution would be a “new agreement on are arriving in Kyiv. They will be distributed redistribution of powers between authori- among the regions that need them most.” ties, an agreement on relations between the Lyubov Nekrasova, director of Ukrainian center and the country’s regions, an agree- Center for Control and Monitoring of ment on a new honest and fair judicial sys- Diseases at the Health Ministry, said that the tem, and on clear geopolitics” – namely, on incidence of flu is increasing intensively. the country’s future goals of becoming “The load on hospitals is growing, and more members of the European Union and NATO. patients are coming because of strong Prime Minister Yatsenyuk’s remarks came a awareness of the need to visit a doctor in day after President Petro Poroshenko the first hours of the disease,” she noted. warned the country’s politicians that the Svyatoslav Protas, acting chief state epide- collapse of the Minsk agreements aimed at miologist of Ukraine, noted a rapid increase ending a war with Russia-backed separatists in the number of calls for medical help. could set off a “full-scale conflict” with “More than 9,500 schools stopped teaching SERVICES Russia. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with as of today. But thousands of schools are reporting by UNIAN, Interfax and TASS) restoring the learning process in those areas where due measures were introduced Poroshenko meets with Cyborgs’ families from the beginning,” said Mr. Protas. KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro (Ukraine Crisis Media Center) Poroshenko on January 16 met with fami- Flu outbreak closes Kharkiv schools lies of the warriors killed during the last days of the defense of the Donetsk KHARKIV, Ukraine – Authorities in International Airport and considered miss- Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv have ing, until recently. He said the defenders of closed all secondary schools due to a flu PERSONAL the airport demonstrated the unbreakable outbreak. The mayor’s office announced on spirit of Ukrainians to the world and January 26 that schools will remain closed became an example for all militaries. indefinitely as of January 27. Meanwhile, Single Ukrainian lady Known by Ukrainians as “Cyborgs” for their Ukraine’s Health Minister Aleksandr (47, 5.’7’’), PHD in unwavering defense of the strategically Kvitashvili said that since the start of the pedagogy, easy going, located airport, Ukrainian troops con- year 83 people across Ukraine have been highly creative, kind trolled the airport facility from May 2014 killed by flu, which he added had been offi- hearted with positive until January 2015, despite non-stop cially categorized as an epidemic. He did thinking and a good attacks by combined Russian-separatist not specify if the H1N1 virus, known as sense of humor, eager fighters. Friends and family of Ukrainian swine flu, was the cause of any of the to build a happy family with an volunteer fighters and serviceman who deaths, as some earlier Ukrainian media honest, caring, hardworking, OPPORTUNITIES defended the Donetsk International Airport reports had said. According to Minister devoted, intelligent, generous, gathered in Kyiv’s House of Officers to Kvitashvili, up to 2.6 million people have sel ess American man. remember loved ones. Some 51 Ukrainians been treated in Ukraine for flu and other [email protected] Earn extra income! died in the bloody siege of the facility. respiratory diseases since January 1. He Ukrainian forces finally withdrew after also said that an emergency team to tackle The Ukrainian Weekly is looking defending the airport for 242 days. Many the problem has been established within for advertising sales agents. Run your advertisement here, compare the airport siege to the Battle of his ministry. (RFE/RL, based on reporting For additional information contact Stalingrad. The standoff acquired a symbol- in The Ukrainian Weekly’s Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, by UNIAN and Interfax) ic importance for both sides which is above CLASSIFIEDS section. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. and beyond its strategic value. (RFE/RL) (Continued on page 17) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 17

12 Yanukovych-era figures on its wanted annexation by Moscow. The 72-year-old Mr. currently controlled by Russia-backed sepa- NEWSBRIEFS list in January 2015, most of them with a Dzhemilev is a well-known Soviet-era ratists. In a statement to mark the Unity Day “red notice,” indicating an extradition human rights activist who served six sen- holiday on January 22, Mr. Poroshenko said (Continued from page 16) request. The listing came almost one year tences in Soviet prison camps from 1966 to the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian nation- Interpol explains removal from wanted list after the suspects fled Ukraine under pres- 1986. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by RIA- al flag “will return to their legal and natural sure from the Euro-Maidan protests. In July Novosti and Interfax) places in Donetsk and Luhansk, in KYIV – Interpol says it has removed the 2015, Mr. Yanukovych himself was Symferopol and Sevastopol.” Unity Day names of several suspects from the time Poroshenko: Kyiv will control Crimea removed from the wanted list after he marks the 1919 Unification Act of the that former Ukrainian President Viktor argued before Interpol that the case against Ukrainian National Republic and the short- Yanukovych was in power from its public KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro him was politically motivated. Mr. lived Western Ukrainian National Republic. wanted list in response to a legal complaint Poroshenko says Ukraine will regain its con- Yanukovych and most of the other suspects (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with reporting Mr. Yanukovych has filed. Vasyl Nevolya, trol over the Russia-annexed region of are currently believed to be in Russia. Crimea and the eastern Ukrainian territory by Interfax and UNIAN) head of Ukraine’s Interpol bureau, issued a (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with report- statement on January 22, saying that infor- ing by the Kyiv Post and the International mation about the Yanukovych-era suspects Business Times) remains available in Interpol’s restricted- access databases. He said Mr. Yanukovych’s Crimea issues arrest warrant for Dzhemilev lawyers had filed a complaint in a French SYMFEROPOL, Ukraine – A court in court and with Interpol’s control commis- Russia-annexed Crimea has issued an sion asking for the investigation against the arrest warrant for the veteran leader of suspects to be dropped, leading Interpol to Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Dzhemilev. The restrict access until the complaint is Kyiv District Court in Symferopol issued the resolved. Earlier in the day, Ukrainian anti- warrant on January 21 and added Mr. corruption activists noted that Mr. Dzhemilev to its wanted list, saying three Yanukovych, former Prime Minister Mykola investigations had been launched into his Azarov, former Finance Minister Yuriy activities. Details about the charges were Kolobov, and others seemed to have been not made public. In April 2014, just weeks removed from Interpol’s wanted list. Most after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean are wanted on a variety of corruption and peninsula, Russian authorities barred Mr. abuse-of-office charges. Vitaliy Shabunin, Dzhemilev from entering the region for five head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, years. Mr. Dzhemilev, a Ukrainian lawmak- wrote on Facebook: “Now these monsters er, and other Crimean Tatar activists have can easily enjoy life, for example, on the said that Crimea’s indigenous Tatar popula- Cote d’Azur in France.” Interpol had placed tion will never recognize the peninsula’s

this way in the political sphere. Ukraine is Moscow shifting... united in some ways, but it is also divided in many others – and Russia can and will (Continued from page 3) exploit this. the family of civilized nations is “under the And third, Mr. Uvarov is wrong to limit control of Russia.” Otherwise, “it will disap- the idea of a fifth column to political activ- pear.” And that means that Moscow’s pup- ism. The Russian version this time around pets in Ukraine must “fulfill their main task is likely to include both Russian-organized – to broaden their electoral base,” some- false-flag operations to discredit Ukrainian thing for which there are “objective precon- nationalists by promoting extremist ideas, ditions” in Ukraine itself. and Russian-organized but nominally “The Kremlin’s actions are logical,” Mr. Ukrainian paramilitary units that can be Uvarov says. But they are based on a funda- deployed to challenge Kyiv’s authority (For mental mistake, an underrating of the level a discussion of these possibilities and oth- of Ukrainian patriotism. He concludes by ers, see Paul W. Blackstock’s classic work, saying “today, the Ukrainian nation as The Strategy of Subversion, Chicago, 1964). never before is united and strong, and a Those inclined to accept as legitimate united people cannot be defeated.” Moscow’s “fulfillment” of the Minsk At least three reasons exist why Mr. accords should reflect on these realities. Uvarov is quite possibly too optimistic, The article above is reprinted from especially if the West turns its attention Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from away from Ukraine just as Moscow is its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, increasing its involvement. www.jamestown.org. First of all, the idea of a fifth column works even if it doesn’t exist. If people begin to suspect that their opponents are part of it, that in and of itself poisons politics and makes cooperation almost impossible. Second, Mr. Uvarov is too dismissive of Russia’s opportunities to stir up trouble in

What a difference... (Continued from page 4) settled in Ukraine, not in North America. We kept to the old calendar to symbolically be with our families in Ukraine. The people who changed to the new calendar still practice all our precious traditions on December 24. If there is a change eventual- ly, in western Canada we will have a prob- lem of losing our “Ukrainian Christmas” in the Canadian milieu. Will the media still be interested in writing about us, interviewing on television? Will the city lights stay on past January 7? Or will Ukrainians just blend into the general big Christmas, all the while eschewing Santa Claus and shopping until we drop? After all, our Christmas has such a different emphasis. In our hearts, no matter when, it will be Ukrainian Christmas, especially in terms of Sviat Vechir, “koliada” and our unity with Ukrainians around the world. 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

Ukrainian choral concert celebrates Marika Kuzma’s career at Berkeley

by Romana Thibodeau “Shchedrivky” by contemporary composers currently living in Ukraine. BERKELEY, Calif. – On December 9, 2015, The concerts also included very special in Hertz Hall on the University of California, guest artists: True Life Trio (a Berkeley- Berkeley campus, Marika Kuzma led two based women’s ensemble), world-renowned concerts that marked her retirement from bandurist Julian Kytasty, Koliadnyky from the university choirs. It was one of many the village of Kryvorivnia and Verkhovyna in culminating events in the 25 years of her the Carpathian Mountains, and the photog- teaching there. rapher-videographer Volodymyr Klyuzko. The year 2015 was marked by several The Koliadnyky were joined by New York milestones in her career as a choral direc- City’s Yara Arts Group under the direction of tor and Slavic music scholar. Her edition of Virlana Tkacz in what was the first excur- the Bortniansky Choral Concertos will soon sion for both to the West Coast. be published by the international publisher A celebrated theater director, Ms. Tkacz, Carus Verlag in Germany. Her compact disc who spent a winter researching Koliada rit- of Dmytro Bortniansky’s music on the pres- uals in the Carpathian Mountains in the tigious Naxos label won rave reviews and 2000s, has flown in and featured a group of an extensive interview in Fanfare Magazine. Koliadnyky in various productions with the On the concert stage: in early April 2015, Volodymyr Klyuzko Yara Arts Group at La Mama Theater in she performed the Bach ”Mass in B minor” Marika Kuzma bids farewell at Rizdvo (Christmas) concert at the University of New York City, Toronto and other locations with her Chamber Chorus to sold-out audi- California, Berkeley, which included bandurist Julian Kytasty. on the East Coast over the last decade. ences; in late April, she prepared her choirs After the concerts in Berkeley, the for performances of Mozart’s ”Requiem” “When I was growing up in a Ukrainian thunder out songs well past midnight. Koliadnyky also performed at St. Dominic and John Adams’ ”Death of Klinghoffer.” Her American community in New England, my “These concerts recreate the magic of Church in San Francisco with Ms. Kuzma’s choruses performed with the Berkeley mother would tell tales of the Christmas that culture and that moment. After a time Chamber Chorus and in Mountain View Symphony under Joana Carneiro with the season in Ukraine. While she cooked bor- when Ukraine’s town squares were marked and Sacramento (events sponsored by famous composer Mr. Adams himself shch and pyrohy in our kitchen, she would by dramatic protest and violence, during a Nova Ukraina). attending rehearsals and the concert. In recite poetry about carolers in the time of strife in the ‘border’ regions of east- The Berkeley concerts ended with Ms. September, she prepared her singers for Carpathian Mountains, and her eyes would ern Ukraine and Crimea, these concerts Kuzma’s Chamber Chorus singing an Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for Gustavo become misty. The poems told of magical affirm and celebrate a people united in excerpt from Lesia Dychko’s “Zyma” Dudamel and an international live-stream- carolers and musicians who would weave song and good will.” (Winter): “Let our song resound: a song of ing broadcast. In November, she conducted through snowdrifts going door to door, The concerts included music for concert peace, joy, and good fortune.” The final West Coast premieres of music by her for- their carols ringing through the valleys. She choir and music of the folk tradition. The UC chords, with both choirs surrounding the mer assistant Trevor Weston and also recounted stories of celebrations in choirs sang liturgical pieces by Bortniansky full house, rang out “Z novym rokom vas!” Mendelssohn’s “Lobgesang Symphony- her home city of Lviv in western Ukraine. and Alexander Koshetz; arrangements of (a New Year greeting), followed by the Cantata” with full orchestra. For her final On the eve of ‘Sviato Yordana’ (Epiphany), folk carols by the composer-ethnographers sound of the trembity from the organ loft. concerts, she presented a program of all- she would sit with her father, Volodymyr Vasyl Barvinsky, Mykola Leontovych, Mykola The Rizdvo (Christmas) concerts in Ukrainian carols representing diverse tradi- Haftkowycz, in his office overlooking the Lysenko and Yakiv Yatsynevich; a lullaby Berkeley were enthusiastically received by tions, musical styles and regions. city’s main market square. They would look carol composed in the displaced persons audiences totaling over 1,000 people – the As Ms. Kuzma herself wrote of the out and listen to church bells pealing and camp in Mittenwald, Germany, by the Rev. December concert in her program notes: watch all of the region’s choirs gather to Bohdan Hanushevsky; and newly composed (Continued on page 22) No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 19

Stephanie Mari Humen 52nd Annual Debutante Ball Deanna Maria Humennyj СУМ Hartford СУМ Hartford of the National Executive of the Ukrainian American Youth Association - CYM Saturday, February 6th, 2016 Sheraton Parsippany Hotel 199 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ

Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Kalyna Olena Leshchuk Adrianna Maria Kobyleckyj СУМ Whippany СУМ New York Presentation of Debutantes at 7:00 p.m. Banquet immediately following presentation Ball at 9:00 p.m. featuring “Hrim” and “Zvook” Black tie required.

For reservations and additional information go to: www.cym.org/us /deb Halyna Sabadakh Stephanie Alana Melnyk is page is sponsored by the SUMA (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union. СУМ New York СУМ Hartford

Natalie Teresa Shevchik Olesya Shturypita Adriana Melanie Szpynda Emily Maria Szpynda Alexandra Lila Tymikiw СУМ Yonkers СУМ Hartford СУМ Yonkers СУМ Yonkers СУМ Passaic

Oksana Maria Voronchak Tetiana Winiarskyj Katherine Ann Wislocki Alexa Christina Zborowski СУМ Hartford СУМ Hartford СУМ Yonkers СУМ Hartford 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

vened in Syria in late 2015 to shore up sup- “Freedom...” to new disasters during 2015, the previous port for Assad. Analysts warned that it Donbas fields... year’s• Although dramatic the setbacks world’s attention for freedom turned in could prove costly in financial, military and (Continued from page 1) Thailand, Egypt, Crimea and South Sudan political terms. (Continued from page 2) ient than their brittle authoritarian coun- continued to fester. “The Russian authorities were sensitive Preventing Ukraine from integrating with terparts. - to the possibility of popular discontent, the West in any form is the Kremlin’s core Among the reports finding were these: cant global reversals have been in the areas using the state’s high-volume propaganda strategic objective that may be achieved of freedom• Over the of expressionlast decade, and the the most rule signifiof law. apparatus to shift emphasis from the stale- using a variety of tactical moves. The Minsk Africa region were the worst in the world Reporting on the world’s regions, mate in Ukraine to the new adventure in II process could be used to transform the in 2015,• Ratings followed for the closely Middle by EastEurasia. and North Freedom House noted this about Eurasia: Syria. The regime also took measures to sti- Ukrainian Constitution and political regime; - “Facing new pressures due to the collapse fle criticism of its foreign interventions. Mr. Gryzlov may try to bully President vered to extend their terms in office during of world energy prices, President Vladimir Opponents have been derided as traitors, Poroshenko into submission, while eco- 2015,• Leaders most prominently in several countries in Burundi, maneu but Putin maintained his policies of repression forced from their jobs, arrested, or pushed nomic sanctions and blockades are a pow- also in Bolivia, Ecuador, the Democratic within Russia, including persecution of into exile. To drive home the leadership’s erful tool to destabilize and change Ukraine. Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo LGBT activists and independent journalists, intolerance for dissent, President Vladimir Mr. Surkov may try to coerce Washington to and Rwanda. and military intervention abroad. Moscow Putin issued a decree making it illegal to abandon the unruly Ukrainians to their fate - controlled Crimea with an iron grip, contin- publish information about military casual- and dismantle the sanctions. lence and systemic corruption sparked ued its support for rebels in eastern ties even during peacetime. The head of a But if all this does not work, the military declines• Vicious in Elcriminal Salvador, gangs, Guatemala political vioand Ukraine, and began a campaign of bombing committee of soldiers’ mothers was con- option is always there and ready. Under Honduras. in Syria in an effort to shore up the tyranni- victed of fraud after publicizing the cases of Moscow’s orders, a comprehensive cease- - cal regime of Bashar al-Assad.” Russian troops killed in eastern Ukraine, fire or “regime of silence” has been fully In the report’s overview essay, Mr. where the Kremlin has implausibly denied ical rights and civil liberties, such as observed, but this could change at the Puddington and Tyler Roylance noted: that any Russian forces are deployed.” women• Token in improvementsSaudi Arabia inparticipating women’s polit in Kremlin’s whim. Midwinter has come again “Russia was forced to deal with falling They also wrote: “Crimea, which domi- tightly controlled elections for largely pow- to the Donbas: the dirt is frozen and, oil prices at a time when international nated global headlines after Russia’s inva- erless municipal councils, have been according to Ukrainian military intelli- eclipsed by the shocking lack of genuine sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine – sion in 2014, languished in a grim status gence, separatist tank units are field-train- progress globally. plus countersanctions that hurt Russian quo, and de facto Russian control of the ing in offensive formations (Newsru.ua, consumers at least as much as the intended Donbas region in eastern Ukraine was solid- January 20). and Kosovo all suffered from crippling gov- targets – had already weakened its econo- ified in both military and economic terms.” ernment• Macedonia, dysfunction Bosnia in and2015, Herzegovina, precluding my and threatened its indebted state- To view the full report online, readers The article above is reprinted from democratic gains and ensuring that owned companies. Adding to its expensive may go to https://freedomhouse.org/ Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from European Union accession remained a dis- military occupations in parts of Ukraine, report/freedom-world/freedom- its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, tant prospect. Georgia and Moldova, the Kremlin inter- world-2016. www.jamestown.org.

he estimated Russia’s reserves to truly be which it doesn’t want to return,” Mr. the Davos forum buttressed the views of Putin regime... $210 billion, instead of $360 billion, and Browder said, according to Die Welt, a lead- political and business elites that Russia has said they’re quickly being burned through ing German newspaper. At the same time, little time left, as reported by Die Welt. (Continued from page 1) because of Western sanctions and dropping Russian state and commercial debt “They just don’t have the money to sup- nally prosecuted by the Kremlin starting in oil prices, which need to be at $70 a barrel amounts to $600 billion, he added. port the ruble, and so Russians are just suf- 2005. to support the economy instead of the cur- Moreover, Russian Central Bank Chair fering,” Mr. Browder said in a January 21 He gave “the Putin show” 18 months of rent price of about $30, as reported by the Elvira Nabiullina said on January 20 that its interview with CNBC from Davos. survival, or until the end of 2017 at the lat- forbes.com news site. policy remains not to use reserves to prop “Eventually, they’re going to run out of that est, if the sanctions remain in place. The $360 billion figure “includes up the falling ruble, which continued to hit money and, when they do, that’s when the Speaking to reporters at the Davos forum, Ukraine’s $3 billion debt, for example, record lows this week. Her absence from real trouble begins.” No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 21 Government of Saskatchewan designates 2016 as Year of Saskatchewan Ukrainians

Government of Saskatchewan Representatives of Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community presented Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall with an embroidered Ukrainian shirt in recognition of the prov- ince’s proclamation of 2016 as the Year of Saskatchewan Ukrainians. Pictured in the rotunda of Saskatchewan’s Legislative Building are (from left): Orest Gawdyda and Mary Ann Trischuk, vice-president and president, respectively, of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatchewan Provincial Council; Premier Wall (holding the shirt); Gerald Luciuk, chair of the Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee (SURAC); and Ken Krawetz, member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly and legislative secretary to the premier for Saskatchewan-Ukraine relations.

UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council Gawdyda, were on hand for the official proclamation at the Saskatchewan REGINA, Saskatchewan – On January 5, Legislative Building and presented Premier Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall officially Wall with a Ukrainian shirt on behalf of proclaimed 2016 as the Year of UCC Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Ukrainians. The proclama- Events celebrating the 125th anniversa- tion acknowledges the 125th anniversary ry of Ukrainian immigration are being of Ukrainian immigration to Canada while planned in the province and across the recognizing contributions that Ukrainians country. In the fall, Saskatchewan will be have made to the province. the center of national celebrations when It notes that Ukrainian Canadians are an UCC Saskatchewan hosts the XXV Triennial important part of Saskatchewan’s cultural Congress of Ukrainian Canadians. The diversity, making up 13 percent of its popu- theme for this gathering of Ukrainian com- lation; they proudly share their identity munity leaders is “Engage-Inspire- and culture, thereby enriching the prov- Empower.” The Congress will take place in ince’s communities. Regina on September 29-October 2. The Leaders of the Saskatchewan Provincial culmination of the weekend will be a gala Council of the Ukrainian Canadian concert at the Conexus Arts Center show- Congress (UCC), President Mary Ann casing some of Canada’s top Ukrainian Trischuk and Vice-President Orest entertainers.

KLK Cordially Invites Members, Family & Friends To Our Annual KLK Winter Ski Races Date: Saturday, February 27, 2016 Place: HUNTER MOUNTAIN , NY Registration: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Ski Lodge

Lift Tickets and Races: Adults $60.00 Seniors (65 & up) $45.00 Young Adults (13-18) $45.00 Juniors (7-12) $35.00 Toddlers (6 & under) $15.00 Race Tickets only : Adults & Seniors $15.00 Children (2-18) FREE Lift Tickets only: Adults $55.00 Young Adults $40.00 Seniors $40.00 Juniors $30.00 Toddlers $10.00 Races begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony 9:45 a.m.

Dinner and Awards Ceremony: Hunter Ski Lodge Time: 6:30 p.m. Adults: $50.00; Children, ages 14 & under - Free, if accompanied by an adult. Please wear your embroidered blouses or shirts to the Awards Ceremony Please visit our website www.klkusa.com for registration forms or contact [email protected] for more info or forms.

Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

Since January 2014, Canada has 125 years... announced more than $700 million in inter- national development assistance, and finan- (Continued from page 5) cial, humanitarian and security support to the fight for democracy and was a global Ukraine including: $400 million in low- giant in promoting it. interest loans; $226.4 million to advance On the occasion of the anniversary of its democracy and the rule of law, and to pro- first settlement, the Ukrainian community mote sustainable economic growth; $42 might consider creating a special global million for security related programming; leader in democracy award and present it $19 million in humanitarian assistance for to the prime minister, making him its first people affected by the conflict; $14 million recipient. Better yet would be to convince for election observation missions; and $3 the government of Canada to develop such million for anti-polio vaccination. a national award to underscore the value of This money flows to Ukraine via democracy and good government world- Canadian consulting firms delivering the wide. projects. It’s a lot of money! Is it enough to 5. Canada’s current Liberal government merely seek more government support for got off to a good start in partnering with Ukraine without follow-up, without know- Ukraine by announcing $13.6 million for ing how it’s spent? The time has come to investment projects supporting the Canada- understand who is delivering the programs, Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. Making the monitor their progress, evaluate results and announcement in December 2015, Minister capitalize on the new information. of International Trade Chrystia Freeland This calls for the establishment of an said, “By bolstering the growth and compet- oversight entity. Something the Ukrainian itiveness of Ukraine’s small and medium- Canadian Congress might consider at its sized businesses, we are building mutual upcoming congress. prosperity for both our countries.” Meanwhile, what about inviting Moving forward, Canada’s government Canadian troops – returning by the hun- has the opportunity to increase its global dreds – to share their experiences with the foreign policy profile – Prime Minister community? A friendly thank-you wine and Justin Trudeau’s election promise – by cheese soiree might be nice. Or a roundta- engaging Ukraine in a similar relationship ble discussion with members of the to the one the United States has with Israel. defense staff? This would be a fitting thank-you to the And finally, a request to the Ukrainian contribution Ukrainians made to Canada, Canadian Congress, the umbrella organiza- including converting virgin prairies into a tion of some 30 groups (the largest being global agricultural giant. the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League 6. Some individuals are already initiating with 4,000 members, among them this worthwhile projects. One from Manitoba writer): rather than call those who arrived petitions the minister of international trade some 125 years ago “immigrants” in official to grant Ukrainian nationals visa-free travel announcements, consider referring to them to Canada for periods of stay up to 90 days. as “settlers” or, as they had referred to Any other fine initiatives out there? themselves, “pioneers.” 7. Another idea of mine: let’s increase After all, Ukrainians were invited by relationships with the various Canadians Canada to come and help develop the prai- involved in Ukraine. ries and succeeded handsomely. A more Canada is the 4th largest donor in dignified and historically accurate appella- Ukraine. tion is warranted.

plans after her official retirement in July. Ukrainian choral... She hopes to continue in music or research or stage work in the next chapter of her (Continued from page 18) career. vast majority non-Ukrainians. They were The concerts were particularly poignant met with immediate standing ovations by and bittersweet for Ms. Kuzma in many the campus community who came both to ways. “The inspiration for this concert came hear the rich, unusual program and to bid from my mother’s memoirs. As it happens, farewell to Ms. Kuzma as the director of Oksana Kuzma passed away just over a choirs at “Cal.” month ago: the woman whose voice I heard As an encore, Ms. Kuzma sang to the singing Bortniansky in church and who audience and her students: at the noon sang ‘Spy, Isuse’ [Sleep, Jesus] to me when I concert, the folksong to the Carpathians was a child. I feel blessed for her memoirs “Hey, Hey”; at the evening concert, the and her memory and fortunate to share this American Spiritual “All Night All Day.” music with my students at UC Berkeley and Ms. Kuzma says she has no immediate the Bay Area community,” she commented.

Veterans, the Iskra Dance Ensemble, Nadiya Preview of events Dance Group, Reechka Dance Group, Trembita Dance Group and many others. Each (Continued from page 24) ticket purchased through the Devils website using the code “Ukrainian” will receive a Sunday, February 14 T-shirt specially designed for Valentine’s Day. NEWARK, N.J.: The third Ukrainian Heritage Ticket prices range from $40.93 to $75.19. To Night at the New Jersey Devils will begin at order tickets or to reserve group tickets call 12:30 p.m. at the Prudential Center, 25 the Devils, 973-757-6162, or order online at Lafayette St., Newark, NJ 07102. The New www.newjerseydevils.com/ukrainian. For Jersey Devils will be taking on the Los Angeles more information e-mail UkrHeritageNight. Kings. Scheduled to appear are Ukrainian [email protected] or call 973-544-8774. Visit opera singer Oleh Chmyr, a Ukrainian honor the event’s Facebook page: Ukrainian guard consisting of Ukrainian American Heritage Night at NJ Devils.

PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES Preview of Events is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per listing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. Items should be no more than 100 words long. Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication. Items will be published only once, unless otherwise indicated. Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in which the item is to be published. Information should be sent to: [email protected]. No. 5 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 23

Through Solo art exhibit featuring icons and gobelins by February 7 Pre-release film screening fund-raiser, “I Am a Ukrainian: February 7 Myroslava Boikiv, “The Holy Family,” KUMF Gallery, Whippany, NJ Personal Stories of a Revolution,” Ukrainian American Toronto 416-766-6802 or www.kumfgallery.com Cultural Center of New Jersey, 860-989-5184 or [email protected] Through Art exhibit, “Dialogues” by Lydia Bodna-Balahutrak, February 19 Lone Star College – Montgomery, 936-273-7021 or February 7 Film screening, “Freedom or Death” by Damian Kolodiy, Conroe, TX www.lonestar.edu Jenkintown, PA Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, www.ueccphila.org or 215-663-1166 February 1 Ukraine 2016 Stability Dialogue, featuring Rep. Marcy Jenkintown, PA Kaptur, MP Andrey Artemenko, Alex Rovut, former February 8 Roundtable discussion, “2015: Year Two of the Ukraine- NATO Deputy Secretary of Defense Bruce Weinrod, Cambridge, MA Russia Crisis,” with Timothy Colton, Sergei Konoplyov, former Rep. Curt Weldon, Manor College, Nadiya Kravets and Alexander Motyl, Harvard www.manor.edu or 215-885-2360 University, 617-495-4053 or www.huri.harvard.edu February 1 Seminar with George G. Grabowicz, “The Battle for February 13 Engineers’ Ball, with presentation of debutantes, Cambridge, MA Shevchenko: Ukraine’s Shevchenko Prize, and the Philadelphia Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America, Hilton Discourses around Them,” Harvard University, Philadelphia Hotel at Penn’s Landing, 267-879-5502 www.huri.harvard.edu or 617-495-4053 February 13 USCAK Hockey Tournament “Alexander Cup,” N.J. Newark, NJ Devils AmeriHealth Arena, 973-544-8774 February 4 Commemorative event in honor of the Heavenly Passaic, NJ Brigade, film screening of “Freedom or Death” by February 13 Romantic evening, “Endless Love,” poems, romances Damian Kolodiy, Ukrainian Center, 973-473-3379 Chicago and music, Ukrainian National Museum, 312-421-8020 or [email protected] February 5- Art exhibit, “Sentience,” featuring five Chicago-based March 27 artists, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, February 13 Concert, “Expanding Traditions,” with the Women’s Chicago www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 New York Bandura Ensemble of North America – East Coast Group, and Bandura Downtown, The Ukrainian February 6 Presentation of debutantes, Ukrainian American Youth Museum, 212-228-0110 or www.ukrainianmuseum.org Parsippany, NJ Association, Parsippany Sheraton Hotel, www.cym.org/us February 14 Ukrainian Heritage Night, NJ Devils vs. Los Angeles February 6 Malanka Benefit Dance, with music by Zabava, Lombardo’s, Newark, NJ Kings, The Prudential Center, 973-757-6162 or Randolph, MA 714-600-9199 or [email protected] www.newjerseydevils.com/ukrainian February 6 Film screening, “Freedom or Death” by Damian Kolodiy, February 21 Performance, “Afternoon at the Opera: Ukrainian Opera Philadelphia Ukrainian League of Philadelphia, Chicago Arias and Songs,” with bass-baritone Stefan www.ukrainianleague.com or 215-684-3548 Szkafarowsky, soprano Marta Zaliznyak-Dezhko and pianist Jeffery Panko, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, February 6, 20 Ukrainian beading workshop, Ukrainian Institute of www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 Chicago Modern Art, www.uima-chicago.org or 773-227-5522 Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events February 7 Concert featuring Lvivski Muzyky, Assumption of the advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions from Ottawa Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors and as http://muzyky.lviv.ua/en space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 No. 5

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Thursday, February 4 There will be a Q&A with the director after the screening. A second screening will take PASSAIC, N.J.: The Ukrainian community of place on Sunday, February 7, at 1 p.m. in northern New Jersey invites you to its com- suburban Philadelphia at the Ukrainian memoration of the Heavenly Brigade, the Educational and Cultural Center 700 N. Ukrainian heroes killed on the Maidan in Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Kyiv in February 2014. The commemoration will start at 7 p.m. at the Ukrainian Center, Saturday, February 13 240 Hope Ave., Passaic, NJ 07055, with a NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Museum and screening of the documentary “Freedom or Bandura Downtown present “Expanding Death” by Ukrainian American filmmaker Traditions,” a concert with the Women’s Damian Kolodiy, to be followed by a Q&A Bandura Ensemble of North America – East session. Afterwards there will be a candle- Coast group. This event is organized in con- light vigil (please bring a candle) along with junction with the museum’s exhibition “The a joint prayer in memory of Ukrainian Ukrainian Diaspora: Women Artists, 1908- heroes killed during the Revolution of 2015.” The ensemble is a group of 21 talent- Dignity and since Russia’s invasion in the ed and creative female bandurists from New east of Ukraine. Admission is $10; free for York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, youths up to age 18; 50 percent of the pro- New Jersey, Ohio and Ontario. Join us at 7 ceeds will be donated to the fund Help for pm. Admission (includes light reception and Ukraine to support wounded Ukrainian sol- gallery access): $20; members, seniors, stu- diers. The event is sponsored by Self dents – $15. Order tickets in advance online. Reliance (N.J.) Federal Credit Union. The Ukrainian Museum is located at 222 E. Saturday, February 6 Sixth St; telephone, 212-228-0110; website, www.ukrainianmuseum.org. NEW YORK: The Shevchenko Scientific

Society invites all to a lecture “ ‘Vatniki’ vs. NEWARK, N.J.: The Ukrainian Sports ‘Ukropy’: Ethnic ‘Othering’ and Stereotyping Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada (known during the Russian-Ukrainian War,” by as USCAK based on its Ukrainian acronym) Mykola Riabchuk, a prominent Ukrainian will be hosting a Ukrainian ice hockey tour- political scientist, writer and president of nament at the AmeriHealth Pavilion, located the Ukrainian PEN Club. Mr. Riabchuk is a adjacent to the Prudential Center, the home Fulbright scholar in Washington. The lecture of the New Jersey Devils. Four teams from will take place at the society’s building, 63 Montreal, Toronto, New Jersey and New Fourth Ave. (between Ninth and 10th York will be competing in this first tourna- streets.) at 5 p.m. For additional information ment among Ukrainian amateur hockey call 212-254-5130. teams. They will be vying for the Ukrainian Saturday-Sunday, February 6-7 version of the Stanley Cup – the Aleksander Cup, which will be presented at the PHILADELPHIA: A screening of the docu- Ukrainian Heritage Night at the New Jersey mentary film “Freedom or Death” by film- Devils after the 12:30 p.m. New Jersey maker Damian Kolodiy will take place on Devils vs. Los Angeles Kings game on Saturday, Febuary 6, at 7 p.m. at the February 14. For more information call Ukrainian League of Philadelphia, 800 N. 973-544-8774. 23rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. The film examines how the Maidan demonstrations escalated into a hybrid war with Russia. (Continued on page 22)