INSIDE: • The Russian factor in Ukraine’s presidential election – page 2. • Educational achievement of Ukrainians in the U.S. – page 11. • Snapshot of the election: voting in Halychyna – page 17.

ThePublished U by thekra Ukrainian Nationali association n i a Inc., a n fraternal Wnon-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXVIII No.4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 $1/$2 in Ukraine International observers say Ukraine’s It’s Yanukovych vs. Tymoshenko election demonstrates significant progress in runoff of presidential election Organization for Security ence in the second round of the election,” and Cooperation in Europe said João Soares, president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and special coor- KYIV – The first round of Ukraine’s dinator of the OSCE short-term observ- presidential election was of high quality ers. and showed significant progress over pre- “Ukraine has proven that it can hold a vious elections, meeting most clean election, even under an incomplete Organization for Security and and unclear election law, confirming the Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and desire of the Ukrainian people to freely Council of Europe commitments, con- choose their leaders. However, a major cluded the international election observa- challenge ahead for Ukraine’s politicians tion mission in a statement published on is to play by the rules rather than with the January 18. rules,” said Matyas Eörsi, head of the del- The observers noted that the election egation of the Council of Europe’s demonstrated respect for civil and politi- Parliamentary Assembly. cal rights, and offered voters a genuine “These elections consolidated the prog- choice among candidates representing ress achieved by Ukraine since 2004. We diverse political views. Candidates were were impressed with the overwhelmingly able to campaign freely, and the cam- orderly process conducted in polling sta- paign period was generally calm and tions across the country on election day. orderly. Shortcomings remain, particularly with yanukovych.com.ua www.tymoshenko.ua The legal framework remained unclear regard to the electoral legal framework and incomplete, and was the subject of and its implementation. This undermines Heading to the February 7 second round of Ukraine’s presidential election are permanent discussion. Nevertheless, the public confidence. Still, the Ukrainian Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko. election was generally administered effi- voters won these elections. They have by Zenon Zawada votes for two politicians who have as their ciently, and commissions mostly worked once more demonstrated their strong in a collegial and non-partisan manner. A commitment to freedom and democracy,” Kyiv Press Bureau priority enhancing relations with the pluralistic media offered voters a variety Russian Federation. The international said Assen Agov, head of the delegation KYIV – The 2010 presidential election of information about candidates, although of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. community recognized the elections as fair will offer a showdown similar to the 2004 electronic media reporting was often “The people of Ukraine had a genuine and free, much improved from 2004. vote, pitting the pro-Russian leader Viktor influenced by candidates paying for news democratic choice between a large num- The election marked the end of the era Yanukovych against Prime Minister Yulia coverage, election observers reported. ber of candidates. Open access to infor- of Viktor Yushchenko, a pro-Western Voting and counting on election day Tymoshenko, who supports Ukraine’s mation about the candidates and their banker who was thrust into the Ukrainian were assessed overwhelmingly positively membership in the European Union (EU), program allowed the Ukrainian voters to presidency as a result of the Orange by observers. in the runoff scheduled for February 7. make a well-founded choice. Looking Revolution in late 2004 but failed to fulfill “This was a good and competitive elec- About 67 percent of eligible voters, or back to the last presidential elections, promises of establishing rule of law and tion and very promising for the future of democratic standards and mechanisms 24.6 million Ukrainians, voted in the Ukraine’s democracy. I look forward to January 17 first round, casting the most (Continued on page 16) the continuation of this positive experi- (Continued on page 20) FINaL ELEcTION REsULTs Yushchenko praises guilty verdict KYIV – With electronic protocols from 100 percent of district election commis- sions processed, the Central Election Commission announced the following results of Ukraine’s presidential election: against Soviet leaders for Famine Viktor Yanukovych – 35.32 percent (8,686,751 votes) RFE/RL Viacheslav Molotov and Lazar Yulia Tymoshenko – 25.05 percent (6,159,829 votes) Kaganovich, Soviet Ukrainian Communist KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko Serhii Tihipko – 13.06 percent (3,211,257 votes) Party officials Pavel Postyshev and Arseniy Yatseniuk – 6.96 percent (1,711,749 votes) has praised a Ukrainian court ruling that Stanislav Kosior, and Ukrainian politi- Viktor Yushchenko – 5.45 percent (1,341,539 votes) finds former Soviet leaders culpable in cians Vlas Chubar and Mendel Hataevich. the mass Famine in Ukraine in The case was initiated by the Security Petro Symonenko – 3.55 percent (872,908 votes) 1932-1933, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian and Service of Ukraine in May. Volodymyr Lytvyn – 2.35 percent (578,886 votes) Russian services reported on January 14. Boris Gryzlov, the speaker of Russia’s Oleh Tiahnybok – 1.43 percent (352,282 votes) The judge declared the case closed State Duma and a leader of the ruling Anatoliy Grytsenko – 1.2 percent (296,413 votes) after pronouncing the verdict, as all of the United Russia party, responded by calling Inna Bohoslovska – 0.41 percent (102,435 votes) defendants are deceased. the ruling a politically motivated action Oleksander Moroz – 0.38 percent (95,169 votes) But President Yushchenko said in a that is “part of the plan to fall afoul of Yurii Kostenko – 0.22 percent (54,376 votes) statement that the ruling is a landmark Russia.” He said the idea that genocide Liudmyla Suprun – 0.19 percent (47,349 votes) “that restores historical justice and gives was organized by Soviet leaders is base- Vasyl Protyvsikh – 0.16 percent (40,352 votes) a chance to build Ukraine on fair and less. Oleksander Pabat – 0.14 percent (35,475 votes) democratic principles.” Mr. Gryzlov added that Ukraine suf- Serhii Ratushniak – 0.12 percent (29,796 votes) The list of leaders found guilty by the fered from the poor harvest along with court of organizing “genocide of a other Soviet republics. Mykhailo Brodskyi – 0.06 percent (14,991 votes) Ukrainian ethnic group” and murdering “Ukrainian authorities once again are Oleh Riabokon – 0.03 percent (8,334 votes) millions of people included Soviet leader trying to prove that Russia treats A total of 2.2 percent voted against all presidential candidates. Joseph Stalin, his close associates Ukrainian people badly,” he said. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS

The Russian factor in Ukraine’s U.S. congratulates Ukraine didates. “People who voted for me are intel- ligent people; they’ll make up their own presidential election of 2010 WASHINGTON – The United States has minds,” he said. (RFE/RL) congratulated Ukraine on the quality of the by Taras Kuzio regions. These are all people who are first round of its presidential election. State Nashi mock Orange policy Department spokesman Philip Crowley Eurasia Daily Monitor sympathetic to Russia and want to see the noted that the Organization for Security and MOSCOW – Activists of the youth January 14 development of Russian-Ukrainian rela- movement Nashi “congratulated” the tions,” said UR deputy Konstantin Zatulin Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), one of sev- eral groups that monitored the vote, found Ukrainian president on his defeat in the The Russian factor in this year’s (Ukrayinska Pravda, December 25). presidential election in a rally near the Ukrainian presidential elections is essen- Ms. Tymoshenko’s Fatherland Party that the election had been conducted far bet- ter than previous Ukrainian elections. “We Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow on January tially a straw man and far less important has only cooperated with the center-right 18. “Over 100 Nashi activists rallied in front key than five years ago. Russian political European People’s Party (EPP) group in congratulate the Ukrainian people on the conduct of their January 17 presidential of the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow to technologists openly worked for one can- the European Parliament and is the most congratulate the Ukrainian people on the didate (Viktor Yanukovych), while active Ukrainian party in Strasbourg- elections, which the OSCE deemed to have been high-quality, showing significant prog- defeat of the Viktor Yushchenko policy of Moscow allegedly sought to poison the Brussels. Mr. Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine rapprochement with American ‘friends,’ and opposition candidate (Viktor is also a member of the EPP, but he has ress over previous elections,” Mr. Crowley said on January 20. “This is another signifi- to sum up the grim results of the Orange Yushchenko). President Vladimir Putin been persona non grata since 2008 after president’s five-year rule,” Nashi spokesper- visited Kyiv on the eve of the first and cant demonstration of the development of EPP leaders repeatedly criticized his son Kristina Potupchik told Interfax. “After second rounds to endorse Mr. democracy in Ukraine. The U.S. looks for- attempts at undermining the Ms. coming to power and securing support from Yanukovych. Mr. Putin congratulated Mr. ward to free and fair runoff elections on Tymoshenko government. Ms. well-known overseas partners, Yushchenko Yanukovych on his “victory” two days Tymoshenko – but not Mr. Yushchenko – February 7, and working with whomever pledged quite a lot to his people and the after the second round – and one day attended the December 7, 2009, EPP the Ukrainians choose as their next presi- neighboring leaders. Nashi activists demon- before the Central Election Commission meeting in Bonn, where she was present- dent.” Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych strated the difference between Yushchenko’s (CEC) had released the official results. ed as “the future president of Ukraine” won 35 percent of the vote, compared with pledges and actual deeds,” Ms. Potupchik Mykhailo Kasianov, now in opposition (www.Tymoshenko.ua, December 9). 25 percent for Yulia Tymoshenko. A runoff said. (Interfax-Ukraine) but then an ally of Mr. Putin, described Mr. Yushchenko has used the Russian election will be held on February 7. the Orange Revolution, the defeat of Mr. factor against Ms. Tymoshenko by raising (Ukrinform) Court rules on Holodomor case Yanukovych and election of Mr. three issues: Yushchenko as the biggest setback of Mr. • 1. He claims that she would indefi- Tymoshenko offers job to Tihipko KYIV – The Kyiv Court of Appeal has concluded the criminal case on the Putin’s presidency (www.glavred.info, nitely extend the presence of the Black KYIV – Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine’s Holodomor, the Famine-Genocide of January 11). Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol. Yet, among current prime minister and a candidate in the 1932-1933 in Ukraine. The case was Russian policy is now less obviously the main candidates only Mr. Yanukovych country’s February 7 runoff vote, told report- launched and investigated by the Security interventionist. It is highly exaggerated (EDM, November 3, 2009), Serhiy ers in Kyiv on January 20 that she has Service of Ukraine (SBU). The court said by Ukrainian candidates, particularly by Tihipko and Communist Party leader offered a rival candidate the position of the Holodomor was genocide and named the incumbent Mr. Yushchenko, who with Petro Symonenko have supported this prime minister. “I proposed to Serhii Tihipko the perpetrators of the crime: Joseph Stalin, single-digit poll ratings is fighting for his step. In addition, no elected president can not only that we unite our programs and our Viacheslav Molotov, Lazar Kaganovich, political life. Mr. Yushchenko’s 2010 unilaterally extend the lease beyond 2017, visions of Ukraine’s development, not only Pavel Postyshev, Stanislav Kosior, Vlas election campaign has retreated to as this would require a constitutional to be his reliable partner in the difficult but Halychyna on an anti-Russian, nationalist Chubar and Mendel Khataevych. “We con- majority to change the Constitution to no rewarding work, but I also offered him the platform. He repeatedly labels the two sider this a significant turning point for longer ban foreign bases. position of prime minister,” Ms. front-runners, Prime Minister Yulia Ukraine and its people, since all further dis- • 2. He alleges that Ms. Tymoshenko Tymoshenko said. Mr. Tihipko, a former Tymoshenko and Party of Regions leader cussions on Holodomor will be shifted from will sell off Ukraine’s gas pipelines. In National Bank of Ukraine chairman, came Viktor Yanukovych, who are expected to the political to the juridical sphere, where February 2007 Ms. Tymoshenko mobi- in third in the initial January 17 presidential enter the second round of the presidential the only arguments could be the facts,” lized 430 (out of 450) deputies to vote for vote. Mr. Tihipko said that he doesn’t know election on February 7, as a “Moscow noted Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, head of the legislation that bans every form of trans- whom to vote for in the runoff. “So far all coalition” (Ukrayinska Pravda, January SBU, in a statement dated January 14. In fer of the pipelines. In March 2009 she we hear are promises. I want to see what 8). working toward their of goal of suppressing signed an agreement with the European they plan to do, then I’ll make up my mind,” Mr. Yushchenko’s anti-Russian plat- Union to modernize the pipelines that the national liberation movement in Ukraine form will likely backfire for three rea- Mr. Tihipko told RFE/RL’s Ukrainian ser- and preventing the creation and formation excluded Russia, provoking protest by vice program. He said that he had answered sons. Mr. Putin. Four candidates have support- of the independent state of Ukraine, during a preliminary no to Ms. Tymoshenko’s offer, Firstly, it has already been attempted ed a gas consortium with Russia: Messrs. the period of 1932-1933 the perpetrators and said that Viktor Yanukovych had also by Leonid Kravchuk in the 1994 elections Yanukovych, Tihipko, Symonenko and artificially created living conditions aimed made him an offer, but did not elaborate. and he lost in the second round by 44 per- Arseniy Yatseniuk (EDM, November 20, at partial physical extermination of the Mr. Tihipko also said that he would not ask cent to Leonid Kuchma’s 52 percent. In 2009). his supporters to vote for any one of the can- (Continued on page 14) the 2010 elections, Mr. Yushchenko is not • 3. He argues that Ms. Tymoshenko expected to enter the second round. has backtracked from NATO membership Moreover, Ukrainian opinion polls for Ukraine, which appears far-fetched as show that over 80 percent of Ukrainians none of the 18 candidates – including Mr. seek good relations with Russia and do Yushchenko – mention NATO in their Th e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y FOUNDED 1933 not see any contradiction between 2010 programs (EDM, December 15, Ukraine’s integration into Europe and 2009). NATO membership is on the back- An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., maintaining these ties. Any candidate burner because support for this step has a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. who campaigns on an anti-Russian plat- not increased during the Yushchenko Yearly subscription rate: $55; for UNA members — $45. form will consequently weaken his/her presidency. Mr. Yushchenko prioritized Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. electoral credentials. blocking Ms. Tymoshenko’s return to the (ISSN — 0273-9348) Finally, Mr. Yushchenko’s campaign is post of prime minister in 2006 over the The Weekly: UNA: a regression from patriotism (2004) to one realistic chance of Ukraine obtaining Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 nationalism (2010), which has shrunk his a Membership Action Plan, Ukraine- electoral appeal to Halychyna from that fatigue grew from 2007 in Europe and the Postmaster, send address changes to: of five years earlier when he swept the U.S., while President Barack Obama is The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz west and central Ukraine. not pursuing NATO enlargement to the 2200 Route 10 Editors: Matthew Dubas Mr. Yushchenko has focused on daily same extent as the previous administra- P.O. Box 280 Zenon Zawada (Kyiv) attacks against Ms. Tymoshenko, while tion. Parsippany, NJ 07054 ignoring Mr. Yanukovych (Eurasia Daily Within Ms. Tymoshenko’s team there Monitor, January 5, 6), with one theme are NATO supporters, and Kuchma-era The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com; e-mail: [email protected] being her allegedly close working rela- high levels of cooperation with NATO tionship with Mr. Putin, now Russia’s would be revived if she were elected. If prime minister. Mr. Yushchenko claimed The Ukrainian Weekly, January 24, 2010, No. 4, Vol. LXXVIII Mr. Yanukovych is elected, NATO mem- Copyright © 2010 The Ukrainian Weekly that Russian President Dmitry bership would drop from the agenda and Medvedev’s appeal represented indirect cooperation will decline compared to the support for Ms. Tymoshenko (Ukrayinska Kuchma era. ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Pravda, January 3). The Russian factor diminished after The United Russia (UR) party has Mr. Yushchenko’s last pre-election press Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3041 endorsed Mr. Yanukovych as its favored conference, which came off as an anti- e-mail: [email protected] candidate – one reason being that it Tymoshenko speech (www.president, Maria Oscislawski, advertising manager (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 entered into a cooperation agreement with gov.ua, www.pl.com.ua, January 12). Mr. fax: (973) 644-9510 the Party of Regions in 2005. “We believe Yushchenko revived documents from the e-mail: [email protected] that the Party of Regions mainly repre- criminal case fabricated by Messrs. Putin Mariyka Pendzola, subscriptions (973) 292-9800, ext. 3042 sents Russian-speaking voters in Ukraine e-mail: [email protected] who live in the east, south and central (Continued on page 22) No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 3

ELECTION ANALYSIS: Surprise showing for Yulia Tymoshenko by Gregory Feifer years ago – put on a brave face. RFE/RL Speaking in a massive, wood-paneled January 17 room at his own hotel headquarters next door to Ms. Tymoshenko’s, the onetime KYIV – It appears Orange is still in style electrician said the results showed he would in Ukraine. win the presidency. “Our citizens voted for When the results of the country’s most change. They made it clear their views respected exit polls were announced on tele- require transformation for the better – that’s vision after voting ended in Sunday’s presi- the main result,” she said. dential election, pro-Moscow candidate Yanukovych defiant Viktor Yanukovych came in first with more than 31 percent of the vote. But the mood at the banquet tables under Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko fol- a giant video screen of Mr. Yanukovych was lowed with more than 27 percent. But the decidedly dejected. The barrel-chested heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution opposition leader said he would wait for the placed far better than expected, putting her official results to come in, saying he was in good position to gain enough support to prepared for possible falsifications by his win the presidency in a second-round vote rivals in power. next month. Mr. Yanukovych’s main support is in the Supporters applauded as Ms. industrial, largely Russian-speaking east of Tymoshenko entered a packed press room in the country. He returned to an issue that her campaign headquarters inside central helped make him popular there when he first Kyiv’s Hyatt Hotel. Wearing a chic white rose to prominence, vowing as president he dress and with her hair impeccably styled in RFE/RL would make sure Ukraine would never join NATO. her trademark blond braid crown, Ms. Yulia Tymoshenko at a press conference after the January 17 presidential election. Tymoshenko appeared radiant. “The Ukrainian state will remain outside any bloc. Ukraine will never join any mili- Echoes of Orange toward the renewal of democracy,” she said. Orange Revolution – which drove him from If the final official results expected over power after street demonstrations against his She spoke confidently at the podium, the next several days show that no candidate victory in a tainted presidential election five (Continued on page 4) demonstrating the kind of decisiveness won a majority, the first- and second-place Ukrainians say they desperately want after finishers will face each other in the runoff five years of political crisis and endless election on February 7. infighting among the Orange Revolution’s Ms. Tymoshenko appealed to Ukrainians Canadian observers uncover estranged leaders. who had voted for other candidates, saying Lashing out at her main rival, Ms. she would carry out what had eluded the Tymoshenko said the exit poll results country’s Orange leaders since they came to fake election commission document showed a majority of people want Ukraine power. “The democratic forces will be unit- to be a free, democratic country. “The ed,” she said. “We will do everything so that KYIV – The Canada Ukraine Foundation Monday, January 18. chances for Mr. Yanukovych – who repre- in the future they will act in a single and (CUF) Election Observation Mission pre- “An election day failure by Ukraine’s sents criminal circles – [of becoming presi- powerful force to move the country toward sented its preliminary findings after the first- Central Election Commission to take emer- dent] simply don’t exist,” she said. European civilization.” round presidential election vote in Ukraine. gency action in District Election Other exit polls gave Mr. Yanukovych a While the January 17 election was found to Commission No. 91 (Bila Tserkva, Kyiv bigger lead, around 10 percent, which is Tired of infighting be generally free and fair, the Canadians did Oblast) where 23 polling stations failed to much closer to predictions ahead of the Many Ukrainians say they’re disillu- uncover isolated incidents of electoral fraud convene opening day quorums led to chaotic vote. sioned by politics that have been hamstrung that could potentially disenfranchise mil- voting conditions and the disenfranchise- But Ms. Tymoshenko criticized them for by the bickering between Ms. Tymoshenko lions of voters, should similar schemes ment of voters, including those voting at having been commissioned by television and her former ally, President Viktor become widespread in what promises to be home. An additional provocation occurred stations connected to corrupt business oli- Yushchenko. a hotly contested runoff round of the elec- with the circulation of a false CEC declara- garchs, saying they had spread lies during The infighting deepened even as corrup- tion early next month. tion advising that the election was postponed the campaign aimed at obstructing the dem- tion ballooned and the economy was devas- “Our current assessment indicates that on to a future date,” Mr. Markevych said. ocratic process. tated by the effects of the global financial balance, in the oblasts under observation, CUF, in association with the Ukrainian Ms. Tymoshenko said as president, she crisis. there was an adequate attempt to meet inter- Canadian Congress established its 2010 would never allow Ukraine to turn from the Exit polls gave Mr. Yushchenko around 6 nationally accepted standards for free and Election Observation Mission (EOM) on path it chose during the Orange Revolution. percent of the vote, ruling him out of the fair elections. However, there remains an January 3, deploying experienced and “It’s the path of struggle for the revival of race. overriding concern that the institutionaliza- trained Canadian volunteer election observ- justice, the struggle for our European choice, But Mr. Yanukovych, the villain of the tion of free and fair elections requires a ers. The EOM comprised five team leaders greater exercise of political will at the high- and 60 short-term observers in six oblasts est levels,” chief observer Lubomyr (regional centers) observing over 600 poll- Markevych told journalists in Kyiv on ing stations. house resolution supports Ukraine’s political and economic development WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of people to consolidate democratic institu- Representatives on January 13 passed, by tions, rule of law, respect for human unanimous consent, a resolution “sup- rights and economic reforms; (3) recog- porting continued political and economic nizes the suffering of the Ukrainian peo- development in Ukraine.” ple due to the downturn in the world The resolution was introduced on economy and supports measures by the December 16, 2009, by Rep. Howard international financial institutions to Berman (D-Calif.), chairman of the assist Ukraine; (4) urges all parties in Committee on Foreign Affairs. Signing Ukraine to seek resolution of disputes and on as original co-sponsors were: Reps. to take active measures to enable neces- Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), ranking sary political and economic reforms; (5) member, Committee on Foreign Affairs; urges the government of Ukraine and all CUF Robert Wexler, (D-Fla.); and Alcee political parties to ensure that the 2010 The Canada Ukraine Foundation’s Chief Observer Lubomyr Markevych (right) Hastings (D-Fla.), co-chairman, U.S. election is conducted freely, fairly, trans- shows journalists the fake resolution of the Central Election Commission on post- Helsinki Commission; as well as Reps. parently and without manipulation; (6) poning the election until the end of January as Chief of Mission Hania Szyptur Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Sander M. Levin encourages the government of Ukraine looks on. (D-Mich.), Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) and and all political parties to welcome the Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.), co-chairs of participation of OSCE [Organization for the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. Security and Cooperation in Europe] and House Resolution 981 states, in part: other international election monitors, Quotable notes “Resolved, that the House of cooperate fully with them and provide “So what did this Orange Revolution give us? Freedom of speech? That’s very Representatives, (1) reaffirms the strong them unimpeded access to all aspects of good. But what price did the Ukrainian people pay for this? For the development relationship between the United States the election process; and (7) reiterates its of this democratic principle in our country, the price was too great.” and Ukraine, and encourages continued enduring support and friendship for efforts to implement the provisions of the Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.” – Presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, as quoted in a story based on an United States-Ukraine Charter on The resolution was passed four days interview with the leader of the Party of Regions of Ukraine that was released by Strategic Partnership; (2) expresses its before the first round of Ukraine’s presi- the Associated Press on December 29, 2009. support for the efforts of the Ukrainian dential election. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

OBITUARY: Anna Chopek, UNA leader, pioneering lawyer, 97 LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – Anna Chopek, Women that would cost 5 cents less in car- town of Los Alamos after her long career in longtime activist of the Ukrainian National fare than the other night school that taught Boston. There was no need to worry. In Association, a UNA advisor for 24 years law, she enrolled. She determined that she 1990, Ms. Chopek ran for County probate and an honorary member of its General could pay her tuition from her daytime sec- judge and served two four-year terms. Assembly since 1976, died on January 17. retarial job, and even give her parents a tiny Ms. Chopek often spoke about how won- She was 97. amount for her room and board if she was derful her retirement years in this small Ms. Chopek was also a pioneering law- otherwise careful to avoid any unnecessary town were. She made many dear friends and yer who graduated from law school and spending. enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. began her legal career at a time when Studying had to be done on streetcars and In Los Alamos, she and her sister collab- women were not accepted in the profession. the very late-night hours after Ms. Chopek orated in starting a Ukrainian blessing of Born on September 18, 1912, in Kozova, returned from school. She did this for four Easter food at the local Catholic Church. Ternopil Oblast, then a town within the years. In her senior year, she wrote a prize They began a yearly picnic at Mrs. Austrian Empire, Anna and her mother paper on Constitutional Law and graduated Sydoriak’s home for the town’s few crossed the ocean when she was a year old magna cum laude. Ukrainians, who, as it turned out were only to join her father, Elias Chopek, who had The Boston bar exam was taken by grad- partially Ukrainian. She made pyrohy every come earlier to Boston. Her father, who had uates of Harvard and Tufts universities, as year until her last picnic in 2009, when she been called up once again for duty in the well as other prestigious law schools. Ms. turned 97. Every Lent, Ms. Chopek and her Austrian army, had decided that he would Chopek’s score on the bar exam was the sister taught the art of Ukrainian Easter eggs not fight for any country but Ukraine itself, highest among all the graduates. to many of the Los Alamos folk, who always so he had left abruptly for America when Nonetheless, no law firm in Boston would enjoyed the experience. Anna was 6 months old. hire her because they simply didn’t hire In 2004 the New England School of Law Anna’s mother, Maria née Olinyk, held women. She had no choice but to work for in Boston, awarded Ms. Chopek an her tightly throughout the terrifying 22-day an insurance company that paid women Anna Chopek in a 2004 photo. Honorary Doctor of Laws degree for her crossing. Living in the slums of Boston was lawyers half of what they paid the men. contributions to the struggle of professional no less terrifying for her mother over the 11 Frustrated by the negative attitude toward for the city of Boston. Upon retiring, Ms. women to be recognized for their achieve- years before they could afford to build a women, Ms. Chopek later applied for and Chopek was honored by a group of eminent ments in the field of law. This was her house in the suburbs. was hired by the U.S. Civil Service and the lawyers – all men. She found this to be a crowning joy. The family’s lifeline was the Ukrainian General Accounting Office. She worked in delicious irony. Ms. Chopek died peacefully on January community. Mr. Chopek became a leader in both New York and Washington. Throughout this time, Ms. Chopek 17. Interment was on January 20 at Guaje the community and his daughter recalled the After the war she returned to Boston, remained active in the UNA. She was audi- Pines in Los Alamos, and a memorial mass many plays he directed and acted in, as well where she worked in an attorney’s office. In tor of UNA Branch 307 between 1961 and will take place at the Immaculate Heart of as the speeches he gave whenever there was 1945 she was appointed a member of the 1978. She served as Boston District chair- Mary Catholic Church on January 29 at 10 a concert of choir and dancers. Her mother Displaced Persons Commission. In this person and attended 13 UNA conventions. a.m. made her share of “pyrohy” and “holubtsi” capacity, she met the boats carrying refugees She was a UNA supreme advisor from 1954 Ms. Chopek leaves behind her sister, Ms. for lunches in the basement after liturgy. as they arrived at the Commonwealth Pier. to 1978, as well as an honorary member of Sydoriak, and her sister’s children, Stephen, Anna took part in these activities, and in In the name of the governor, she greeted the the General Assembly since 1978. She was Katherine, Eugene, Christine and Walter, time followed her father into activity in the Ukrainians in their own language. Many president of the UNA Seniors in 1996-2004. with their spouses. Ukrainian National Association (UNA). remembered those moments and in later She retired to Los Alamos, N.M., with In lieu of flowers, the family notes that The Depression was at its deepest when years thanked her. her mother so that they could be with her contributions can be made to the UNA’s Ms. Chopek graduated from high school, so Ms. Chopek established her own law sister, Stephanie Sydoriak, who worried Ukrainian National Foundation earmarked the outlook for higher education was grim. practice, and in addition did work as a legal how Anna would take to the small mountain for its Scholarship Fund. Her father had no work, and her mother was assistant in the Attorney General’s Office. In working two jobs at a very low pay. In spite 1961 she was appointed an assistant attorney of all this, Ms. Chopek investigated her general for the Commonwealth of options, and when she found that she could Massachusetts. This was followed by an take night classes at Portia Law School for appointment as an assistant district attorney

Anna Chopek is sworn in as a probate judge in Los Alamos, N.M., in 1990.

Surprise showing... chance of winning.” Negotiations under way Anna Chopek (right) in 2002 at the Ukrainian National Association’s convention (Continued from page 3) held in Chicago, where, as the senior member of the UNA General Assembly, she tary alliance,” he said. “That’s the view of Backroom negotiations to win backing administered the oath of office to newly elected General Assembly members. the Ukrainian people, it must be respected from the losing candidates had already and taken into account.” begun on Sunday, January 17. The exit polls put Ukraine’s newest up- Analysts say unlike Ms. Tymoshenko, and-comer Serhii Tihipko – a wealthy bank- Mr. Yanukovych has less room to maneuver, Ukrainian Orthodox Church er and former economy minister who once saying he can’t be certain anyone besides served as Mr. Yanukovych’s campaign man- the small number of Communist and ager – third with more than 13 percent of the Socialist voters will join his supporters. Besides the intense horse trading, most seeks to help victims in Haiti vote. Trailing Mr. Tihipko was 35-year-old expect the coming weeks ahead of the sec- PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Ukrainian Orthodox Bishops in the Americas Arseniy Yatsenyuk, President Yushchenko’s ond round to be fraught with fraud allega- Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. (UOC (SCOBA), and coordinates its response former affairs foreign minister, with almost of the U.S.A.) is collecting donations with the Action by Churches Together tions and court cases. 8 percent. But in cold and snowy Kyiv on Sunday on behalf of the International Orthodox (ACT), and Orthodox partners on the Analyst Taras Kuzio said the exit poll night, Ms. Tymoshenko’s supporters were Christian Charities (IOCC) International ground. The IOCC is a member of the results were “fantastic” for Ms. Tymoshenko. Emergency Response Fund for the vic- giddy with the prospect that she appears set ACT Alliance, a global coalition of He said if she’s able to win over the Orange tims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. to be crowned Ukraine’s new leader. churches and agencies engaged in voters who cast their ballots for Mr. Tihipko, The IOCC has already airlifted water purification equipment, tents and other development, humanitarian assistance Mr. Yatsenyuk and other candidates – some- Copyright 2010, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted supplies to the area devastated by the and advocacy. thing many predict – she can easily win the with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ disaster. Readers can make checks or money second round. Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Founded in 1992, the IOCC is the orders payable to: UOC of the U.S.A. “It’s not going to be a massive result, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org. See official humanitarian aid agency of the (Haiti Earthquake), P.O. Box 495, it’s not going to be a massive landslide, in http://www.rferl.org/content/Surprise_ Standing Conference of Canonical South Bound Brook, NJ 08880. Ukraine politics never are,” Dr. Kuzio Showing_For_Tymoshenko_In_ said. ”But certainly I think she has a Ukraine/1932130.html. No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 5

The Ukr a ini a n Nationa l Asso c iation For u m

Carolers brings Christmas greetings to UNA Home Office

Matthew Dubas Oksana Trytjak PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Four parishioners from Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox PARISPPANY, N.J. – Halyna Shepko and her children, Zoya, Stephan and Church in Maplewood, N.J., visited the Ukrainian National Association’s Home Roksolana Shepko-Hamilton, along with Leksi Hamilton, of New Paltz, N.Y., Office here on January 13. The parish’s Ukrainian Orthodox League, both junior visited the Home Office of the Ukrainian National Association on December 29, and senior chapters, collected donations for the league’s annual convention, 2009. During their visit, the children sang Christmas carols in Ukrainian and per- which will be hosted by the parish UOL chapters in July. Pictured with UNA formed on their musical instruments, including violins, cello and sopilka (wooden President Stefan Kaczaraj (center), are (from left) Michael Komichak, Aleksandra flutes). All of the children have attended summer camps held at Soyuzivka. UNA Hucul, Darya Gapon and Khrystyna Chorniy. Treasurer Roma Lisovich thanked the carolers with tokens of appreciation.

Young UNA’ers

Kristina Adrianna Iwaskiw, daughter Alexander Melnychuk, son of Dr. of Oksana and George Iwaskiw of Elizabeth and Marc Melnychuk of Hockessin, Del., is a new member of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., is a new John Peter and Alexander Wasyl George-Szeremeta are new members of UNA UNA Branch 247. She was enrolled by member of UNA Branch 360. He was Branch 246. They are children of Sally Ann George and Ihor Szeremeta of Princeton, her grandparents Wasyl and Teodora enrolled by his great-grandmother N.J., and were enrolled by their grandparents Wasyl and Teodora Szeremeta. Szeremeta. Oresta Pereyma.

The UNA: 115 years of service to our community 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

FOR THE RECORD: Executive order creating Th e Uk r a i n i a n We e k l y Eastern European-American Heritage Commission On to Round 2 Following is the full text of Executive Department of State, the New Jersey Anyone who’s familiar with Ukraine knows it’s a nation of ironies and riddles. Order No. 165, signed on January 11 by Eastern European-American Heritage Just three days after international observers were marvelously impressed by New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, which cre- Commission (“Commission”). Ukraine’s presidential elections, the Heritage Foundation released its Index of ates the New Jersey Eastern European- 2. The Commission shall be composed Economic Freedom declaring Ukraine the worst economy in Europe and second- American Heritage Commission. of twenty-one (21) members. worst in the post-Soviet sphere, surpassing only Turkmenistan. Heck, you’re bet- 3. The following officials, or their des- ter off investing in Ethiopia or Bangladesh than in Ukraine, according to this Whereas, New Jersey draws strength ignees, shall serve on the Commission, ex report. from its ethnic and cultural diversity; and officio, and with a vote: the Secretary of The disastrous shape of the economy is precisely why Ukrainians voted to Whereas, New Jersey is home to over State; the Public Advocate; the oust President Viktor Yushchenko from his post. It’s the first time in recent histo- one million Americans of Eastern Commissioner of the Department of ry that a sitting president earned such low support in elections, about 5.5 percent, European ancestry, including Americans Education; the Chair of the Governor’s news reports said. of Polish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Slovak, Ethnic Advisory Council; the Chair of the The president made unprecedented gains in raising ethnic consciousness among Czech, and Lithuanian ancestry; and New Jersey Human Relations Council; Ukrainians, who have spent the last three and a half centuries under Russian cultural, Whereas, Americans of Eastern and the Chief Executive Officer of the economic and linguistic imperialism. Although he failed to strengthen state institu- European ancestry share a common geo- New Jersey Economic Development tions, such as the courts and police, President Yushchenko also deserves enormous graphic, historical, and cultural heritage; Authority. In addition, the Governor shall credit for ensuring the foundations for democracy upon which Ukraine can build. and appoint a State representative to the This foundation consists of the right to vote, freedom of the press, freedom of Whereas, Americans of Eastern Commission. speech and freedom of assembly – all the rights protected in the U.S. Constitution that European ancestry contribute to the eco- 4. The Commission also shall consist are becoming essential elements of Ukrainian society. nomic, social, cultural, and civic vitality of one public member appointed by the The January 17 elections demonstrated that Ukrainians have embraced Western and of the State and the Nation; and Governor upon the recommendation of European values and want to live in a democratic republic. More than 67 percent of Whereas, dissemination of knowledge the President of the Senate, one public eligible voters participated (compare that to 62 percent in the 2008 U.S. presidential of the heritage, culture, and history of member appointed by the Governor upon election, which was unusually high). Americans of Eastern European ancestry the recommendation of the Speaker of the Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the is important to the State of New Jersey; General Assembly, one public member European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations said the January 17 vote was and appointed by the Governor upon the rec- of high quality and showed significant progress over previous elections. The Now, therefore, I, Jon S. Corzine, ommendation of the Senate Minority Committee of Voters of Ukraine reported that instead of violence and the falsification Governor of the State of New Jersey, by Leader, one public member appointed by of millions of ballots, which plagued the 2004 presidential elections, the biggest prob- virtue of the authority vested in me by the the Governor upon the recommendation Constitution and by the Statutes of this lems on Sunday were inappropriate additions to voting registers. Except for some iso- of the Assembly Minority Leader, and an lated election day incidents, the elections were a remarkable success. State, do hereby order and direct: Observers from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America visiting Donetsk 1. There is hereby established, in the (Continued on page 20) reported no major election violations, even reporting that Donetsk officials spoke in Ukrainian on their behalf. Talk about progress! Of course, these achievements could easily be undermined when the run-off LETTERS TO THE EDITOR between Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko rolls around on February 7. Most political observers expect the declared loser won’t acknowledge the declared ories. winner’s victory. What happens after that is anyone’s guess, but a repeat of the 2004 Fedynsky column Veselykh Sviat! Orange Revolution is not in the cards. Ukrainians won’t risk their health, let alone their lives, in sub-zero weather for the lesser of two evils, which is how many view calls up memories Lydia Bodnar-Balahutrak these two candidates. The battle will be fought in the courts, in the media and at Houston, Texas roundtables in government chambers. If a winner is recognized by the end of February, Dear Editor: Ukraine will be able to claim another success. How ironic that a fair victory for a guy like Mr. Yanukovych, who has a criminal Andrew Fedynsky’s column of record and falsified the 2004 presidential elections, could be among Viktor “Ukrainian holiday reflections” Kudos for using Yushchenko’s greatest contributions towards ensuring Ukrainian democracy. (December 20, 2009) called up my own Ukraine certainly is a land of ironies and riddles. Let’s hope Ukrainians stay the musings and memories of the annual term “Kozak” course towards Western and European values, no matter who wins the elections. The Rizdvo pageant and Sviatyi Mykolai’s economy might be a wreck, but democracy is alive and well in Ukraine. visit in Cleveland. Dear Editor: My husband, Mychaylo, and I now live I commend you and The Ukrainian in Houston, but we grew up in Cleveland Weekly for using “Kozak” instead of and, as Mr. Fedynsky writes, often made “Cossack” (December 27, 2009), and I won- note of Sviatyi Mykolai’s resemblance to der why the Ukrainian academic community Jan. Turning the pages back... my father. The voice within the bearded still sticks with the latter. Then, some mem- face may have been my father’s, but that bers of that same community were trying to did not deflect me from a wholehearted explain “the Ukraine” a few years ago, and belief that this was Sviatyi Mykolai. I 27 some editors in North America still defend Last year, on January 27, 2009, a memorandum, allegedly even believed the devil presiding over the “Kiev,” bending over backwards to explain 2009 penned by Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk, was leaked to the event was a real devil, despite his uncan- its use. There are no more excuses for using public by the news website of Ekonomichna Pravda, which did ny resemblance to Borys Sadovsky. outdated spellings/transliterations from a not disclose the source of the information. (When the devil gifted my beloved moth- previous era. Beijing, Mumbai and similar The memo, dated January 6, 2009, was addressed to the Cabinet of Ministers and er with a switch, I was horrified by his changes have been accepted, and the world ordered by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to be recalled by Mr. Pynzenyk. affrontery.) goes on. The memo stated: “There is an exit out of today’s complicated situation, but there’s The Mykolai annual event was a trea- Most probably it was through the pres- almost no time left. In a month or two, in the absence of adequate measures, the situation sured communal gathering – one in which sure of North American Ukrainians that “the will govern the country.” children and adults alike could delight Ukraine” and “Kiev” are mostly gone from “No government institution with expenses will be able to function,” the memo said. and share in those moments of magic, media publications (although some media “This is a paralysis of Ukraine’s government institutions. And in such conditions, a budget suspended disbelief. And the good news still need educating). Now to get authorities norm was retained to raise wages to the minimum living standard!” is that these occasions still abound; the in Ukraine to have official documents and The memo confirmed reports by economists and observers that state revenue streams human spirit continues to build and soar. releases use the proper Ukrainian translitera- had dried up, infrastructure systems are faltering, and the hryvnia risks hyperinflation if the Community celebrations take place tion of Ukrainian words. This is a matter of government were to print money as a means of finance. The lack of financing, the memo around the globe, including Houston, correctness, national pride and honor. stated, was due to the steep decline in tax revenues. Texas. Now back to “Kozak.” Mr. Pynzenyk issued a statement through the Cabinet press office, which denied that This Christmas season, the Pokrova I am still reeling from what happened to he authored the memo and labeling it a “falsified provocation.” On January 28, 2009, he Ukrainian Catholic Church and Hall con- a bi-lingual book I translated (2008). did not appear at the weekly Cabinet meeting, and First Vice Prime Minister Oleksander tinues to be the hub of all things spiritual “Kozak Mamai” in Ukrainian was given as Turchynov explained it was due to medical reasons. But later that morning, Mr. and social in this part of Texas. Ridna “Cossack Mamai” in English. Despite all Pynzenyk was seen being escorted by a recently hired security entourage leaving the Shkola presents Sviatyi Mykolai, organi- assurances of the publisher to my adamant Cabinet building. zations like the Ukrainian National insistence on this matter, when the book Local governments had their share of financial woes. In November 2008, 425 local gov- Women’s League of America and The appeared I was devastated over the title and ernments couldn’t execute their budgets, compared to 31 in the same month in 2007. By Zhuravli Dance Group bring the “kolia- the use of “Cossack” throughout. The term December 2008 deficits ran 463 million hrv, compared to 2 million hrv, for the previous da” to families throughout the city... “Cossack” has so many definitions and con- year. The State Pension Fund, which has been a lever for public support for Ms. Holidays are occasions to unify, notations that are not Ukrainian at all. My Tymoshenko, was projected to have a 4.2 billion hrv deficit, the memo noted. regardless of differences, to bring every- name is down as translator, but there were Some of the projections, said economist and author Andriy Novak, were “slightly exag- one together, including those who have English-language editors and the publisher gerated” with the hope of drawing attention to Ukraine’s economic problems. “It seems like become part of the Ukrainian community who had the final say. the government is not objectively considering the budget out of political concerns,” he said. through marriage, children and close friends. We can celebrate what we have Orysia Tracz (Continued on page 20) in common and create new shared mem- Winnipeg, Manitoba No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 7

From a Canadian Angle On second thought by Oksana Bashuk Hepburn by Alex Kuzma

Stopping hate crimes Keeping our vertep unblemished

Hate crimes are clearly defined. They Nazi crimes. In this legal framework, its The Christmas holidays in Ukraine are of ethics we teach our children, if we range from individual harassment, intimi- current determination to go after a non- full of richly layered pageantry and beau- want to have an honest conversation dation and publicly stirring up hatred to German is drop-jaw incredible. To do so tiful traditions that we, in the diaspora, about race, ethnicity and religious toler- deprivation of citizen rights and life. in a country where genocide was state strive to pass on to our children. Our sea- ance, the symbolism in the vertep might Motivated by hostility to, among others, policy and the accused was – just maybe son begins with the Feast of St. Nicholas be a good place to start. ethnic belonging, western societies are – a lowly guard, is preposterous; to try a on December 19 and continues through Since gaining independence, Ukraine working to stop hate. This is good. man already found to be innocent of such January’s Feast of Theophany – our has made huge progress in building a Therefore, it was not surprising that a crime is a singular act of determined Yordan, when Ukrainians celebrate the pluralistic society where Jews, Muslims, last month, after the chief of staff for the hate and misappropriation of justice. And Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. as well as Christians of all denominations Wild Rose Alliance political party in to do so to a helpless 89-year-old recalls Even during the bleakest days of Soviet are free to worship as they please. The Alberta mocked Premier Ed Stelmach for the Nazis’ gas furnaces and the stench of rule, Ukrainians braved sub-zero temper- Ukrainian government and progressive his Ukrainian accent, criticism of the burnt human flesh. It appears that atures and defied government informants organizations have gone to great lengths “red neck” remarks targeting an ethnic Chancellor Angela Merkel has not bene- to carve a cross of ice and bless the to promote reconciliation, giving homage group were swift. Within days Stephen fited from Germany’s history lesson waters, steadfast in their unyielding faith to the victims of the Holocaust and hon- Carter apologized and resigned. about ethnic hate. Germany is backslid- that someday the rivers would thaw, oring the Ukrainian Righteous among Genocide, like the Holodomor, the ing, and this must stop. tyrants would fall and God’s Grace would Gentiles who sheltered Jews. Perhaps the most egregious hate crime of the USSR But how can this be stopped? again reign in their homeland. healthiest sign of Ukrainian-Jewish rela- which starved some 10 million A successful strategy requires more Among the great traditions undergoing tions is the large number of Jewish pil- Ukrainians in 1932-1933, tops global muscle than has been mustered to date. revival, both in Ukraine and in North grims “voting with their feet,” returning hate violence. Undenounced, indeed Yes, there’s considerable debate; the level America is the “vertep” – a morality play to Ukraine and feeling welcome to rationalized by communism’s advocates of awareness is up; and the press has that carolers bring to neighbors’ homes to restore traditional Hassidic communities like The New York Times’ journalist been sympathetic to Mr. Demjanjuk. But celebrate the miracle of Christmas. For in Uman and Berdychi. In the United centuries, our “koliady” and “sche- States, Jewish leaders such as Sens. Walter Duranty, the Famine served as a time is growing short. Germany must drivky” were a way to bring Christmas Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg and model for another genocide: the Jewish dismiss the case now or be held up once cheer to shut-ins, widows and paupers. Carl Levin have become staunch allies in Holocaust. again as the arrogant Aryan depriving a Caroling often included an element of our fight for recognition of Ukraine’s One would think that two such horrific vulnerable untermenschen Slav of human social protest and “redistribution of Famine-Genocide, the Holodomor. Why crimes would cure humanity of hate. Not rights. wealth” as destitute children sang at the would anyone jeopardize this progress by so. A current attempt to deal with war Admittedly, politics are in the way. doorstep of wealthy landowners, urging reverting to crude stereotypes that our crimes is itself a hate crime. In recent years Germany has reverted the “khaziayin” to show mercy by shar- Jewish friends would find offensive? After nearly half-a-century of persecu- to hostile relations with Ukraine, favor- ing with them his sweetbreads, or some Some have said that the unflattering tion, John Demjanjuk has been deported ing Russia’s initiatives like bypassing coins he had hidden in his beloved fur portrayal of Jews in certain vertepy is all again from the United States. He was Ukraine for an alternate energy delivery coat (shuba-liuba). about light-hearted fun, that excluding sent to Germany, where he is accused of system to Europe and blocking its mem- being an accessory to the killing of Jews To appeal to the conscience of this figure would amount to humorless bership in NATO. Ukraine itself – unlike Ukrainian Scrooges, carolers dressed in “political correctness.” Yet, consider how in a German concentration camp. The Russia, which has used the trial to pitch ongoing violations of the human rights of the costumes of King Herod, Old Man offended we would be if Jewish children anti-Ukrainians rants – has failed to Death, angels and devils, stubborn goats in a Hanukkah play presented a “typical” this former prisoner of war – a Red Army mount a robust defense for Mr. soldier captured by the Nazis – stirring and other emblematic figures. They Ukrainian figure as a bloodthirsty Demjanjuk. Strange, given President reminded rich and poor alike that Jesus “pogromchik” accompanying the Syrian up hatred against a group is madness Viktor Yushchenko’s recent legislation worthy of Kafka’s novel “The Trial.” was born in a manger (vertep) and that King. For decades, Ukrainian studies designed to support Ukraine’s diaspora. God does not take kindly to misers or teachers in my hometown presented per- Here’s why. Most importantly, it does not help any American justice pursued Mr. those who side with the powers that be fectly beautiful Christmas pageants with- Ukrainian issues that the president is against the downtrodden. Even in the out resorting to ethnic slurs or demeaning Demjanjuk for a crime he did not com- weak at home and not respected abroad. mit. Moreover, the process was used to bleakest days of tsarist and Communist stereotypes. Why change now? The diaspora, too, has been anemic. rule, carolers reminded their neighbors Bigotry is not something children smear his national group. Accusers made Some 50 years of intimidation of sure it was widely known that the “war not to lose hope for ultimately Christ inherit through their genes. It is some- Ukrainians has cowered them. The would defeat King Herod and good thing we either choose, or refuse, to criminal” – rarely “alleged,” by the way Ukrainian World Congress’ call for pub- – was of Ukrainian descent. Singled out, would triumph over evil. teach. In America, we no longer tolerate lic demonstrations near German Mr. Demjanjuk was extradited to Israel to Each year, on the stages of our blackface or caricatures of Indians as Embassies has yet to happen. There are stand trial. Its Supreme Court overturned Ukrainian schools, children re-enact “bloodthirsty savages.” God forbid that insufficient op-ed commentaries, letters the conviction. His U.S. citizenship rein- these traditional themes in beautiful St. we give validity to Ukrainophobic stereo- to editors, meetings with German and stated. And the U.S. Office of Special Nicholas pageants and vertepy. Recently, types by teaching Ukrainian kids that rid- American officials, petitions to global Investigations was disgraced for with- however, I have noticed the revival of a iculing Jews is acceptable. human rights bodies to have this fiasco holding exculpatory evidence from the more sordid vertep tradition, one that Reviling King Herod as a historical stopped. And, there is little political will Demjanjuk defense. would be best nipped in the bud and left figure is fine as long as we understand to haul Germany before international By then Mr. Demjanjuk was sick and behind. that his slaughter of the Innocents is human rights and judicial review entities impoverished. Instead of apologies and One school play began innocently emblematic of any tyrant whose greed compensation for loss of health and like the Office of the United Nations enough, with children performing the tra- and lust for power leads him to commit assets, U.S. justice chose to respond High Commissioner for Human Rights ditional dance of the snowflakes, while crimes against humanity. The demons again to its aggressive Jewish lobby by for hate crimes and selective, ethnic- older students recited lovely poems about that motivated Herod are the same as allowing the persecution to continue. The based application of justice. the rebirth of Christmas and freedom in those that drove other fanatics to slaugh- logic goes something like this: let the But Ukrainians, having lived through Ukraine. Then when King Herod made ter Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica, mas- Ukrainian defend himself if he’s inno- ethnic hate before, are now succeeding in his entrance, he was accompanied by sacre Cheyenne Indians at Sand Creek, cent; meanwhile the case publicizes the righting the wrong done to them in the another emblematic figure – the Jewish starve Sudanese babies in Darfur and Holocaust. Incredible as it seems, Holodomor. They can do so with the businessman. Like Shakespeare’s Ukrainian children in the Holodomor. Demjanjuk is facing trial for the second Demjanjuk case too. Now is a good time Shylock, this fellow was up to no good – Our koliadky recall Herod as a caution- time and for the same crime. to start. depicted as an untrustworthy type, out to ary tale for anyone who would contem- And there’s more evidence of ethnic swindle the masses and sell Ukraine plate evil or inflict suffering. bias and hate. Some 40 years ago Oksana Bashuk Hepburn may be con- down the river. If we want to teach our children that Germany decided to stop prosecutions of tacted at [email protected]. In the past, certain figures such as the greed is a sin and economic exploitation hated landlord portrayed as a Polish is evil, we can do so without dredging up dandy, or the sleazy businessman por- old ethnic or religious hatreds. trayed as a Jew, were add-ons to the basic The vertep, like the literal manger The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commen- vertep story, odious figures lurking in the where Jesus was born, should be a hal- taries on a variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and background. So, the question is, what do lowed space where we venerate the Ukrainian Canadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, ugly stereotypes and bigotry have to do Prince of Peace. We would do well to commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily with the story of Christmas? If we want keep it untarnished by hateful stereo- to do some soul-searching about the kind types. reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association. Letters should be typed and signed (anonymous letters are not pub- lished). Letters are accepted also via e-mail at [email protected]. Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

FOLLOW-UP ON THE NEWS Ukraine screens the world’s first documentary about the Holodomor by Victor E. Glasko showed the live telecast of the solemn Requiem Service in Kyiv’s St. Sophia ST. CATHARINES, Ontario – The first Cathedral officiated by the country’s top documentary ever produced about the clergy, and attended by survivors and the Holodomor, or Great Famine of 1932-1933, nation’s top officials. The service was part was screened by the First National of the official opening of the daylong Television Company of Ukraine (UT-1) on ceremonies commemorating the victims of November 28, 2009, as part of its extensive the Holodomor. coverage of ceremonies marking the Day of The second portion was the pre-recorded Memory for Victims of Famines and telecast of Hector Berloiz’s “Requiem” Political Repression. performed in Kyiv by the Kyiv Symphony “The Unknown Holocaust” was produced and Choir (director, Roger McMurrin), the in 1983 in three languages – Ukrainian, Dumka Choir (director, Yevhen Savchuk), French and English – and financed outside and the Platon Maiboroda Choir of the of Ukraine by the Quebec government National Radio Company of Ukraine educational television network, Radio- (artistic director, Viktor Skoromny). Quebec, in Montréal. It was released at a The third chapter of the telecast was time when the Soviet Union still existed. introduced with a narrative and upward- The chief people involved in the film’s scrolling white type on a stark black production were Francophone director background that read: “The film ‘The Claude Caron, Czech executive producer Unknown Holocaust’ became the first Karel Ludvik and Ukrainian researcher, documentary production in history regarding consultant and host Taras Hukalo. “The the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. In The title page of the documentary “The Unknown Holocaust” produced by Radio Unknown Holocaust” was an international Canada, for the 50th anniversary of the Québec in 1983 and aired in 2009 on Ukrainian television as part of national com- effort that diffused the Holodomor deniers’ tragedy, consultant Taras Hukalo, director memorations of the Holodomor. argument that the Famine of 1932-1933 was Claude Caron and executive producer Karel nothing but a Ukrainian diaspora Ludvik compiled information and completed screened immediately afterwards. issued decree No. 23/2009 dated August 18, fabrication. the film. In April 1983 the documentary In the interview Mr. Hukalo remembered 2009, honoring foreign citizens with “state This documentary became the first in the premiered on the public television network well-known British journalist Malcolm awards of Ukraine for their significant world to label the Holodomor as genocide. Radio-Quebec, which also financed its Muggeridge, one of the witnesses contribution to the enhancement of the Official documents featured in the film production. Not all appearing in the film interviewed in the documentary, who was international standing of Ukraine, disclosed that there were up to 10 million agreed to speak facing the camera due to one of the very few correspondents who popularization of its historical heritage and victims of the Holodomor. “The Unknown fear of reprisals against family members reported on the Holodomor of 1932-1933. modern achievements.” Cited as a Ukrainian Holocaust” also mentioned other Soviet-era who, at that time, were living in the Soviet The narrator of the program reminded the community leader, Mr. Hukalo was one of famines in Ukraine – those of 1921, 1946 Union.” audience that, “we have no right to forget the recipients of the Order of Merit, third and 1964 – and concluded that food was Next, Mr. Hukalo was shown being about them [the victims of the famines] or to class. used as a weapon of destruction of the interviewed in Kyiv, in the vicinity of forget that food can be used as a weapon to In September 2009, at Montréal’s nation even in times of peace. Ukraine’s new national memorial to victims destroy people.” Ukrainian Festival, Mr. Hukalo also received The first portion of the UT-1 program of the Holodomor. The topic of the interview It should be noted that, on the occasion of a certificate of honor from the festival titled “Today is the Day of the was the film he helped produce 26 years the 18th anniversary of Ukraine’s committee for his long-time work for the Commemoration of the Victims of Famines” ago, “The Unknown Holocaust,” which was independence, President Viktor Yushchenko good of the Ukrainian community. NEWS AND VIEWS Ukrainians meet with state senator to advocate Holodomor curriculum by Oksana Kulynych • We voiced our readiness to provide and Anna Szczupak free seminars and materials to teachers, thus incurring no additional financing. After months of requests, Ukrainian • It was pointed out that many union- community activists were finally granted ized teachers had expressed strong inter- a meeting eight days before Christmas est in learning more about the Holodomor with Suzi Oppenheimer, New York State so that they could present this vital infor- senator and chairwoman of the Education mation to their students. Committee, regarding Bill S3356 and A • We underscored that the execution of 6690, which would mandate the inclusion millions by Stalin was the model that of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide in the Hitler used only a few years later during state’s curriculum. the Holocaust. The Holodomor was an It was a bittersweet success since state earth-shattering event that changed the Sen. Oppenheimer staunchly refused to course of global events. consider any new legislation in education, • This atrocity needs to be taught to all including any amendments to existing students throughout the state, especially legislation. She cited fiscal constraints, in light of the large Eastern European, other worthy groups requesting mandates Chinese and Cuban immigration in the and her strict philosophical opposition to last few decades to New York state. Ukrainian community activists at a meeting with New York State Sen. Suzi legislating curriculum. Attention needs to be given in geno- Oppenheimer. From left are: Oksana Bodnar, Dr. Maria Kiciuk, Tamara Olexy- Each of her points was well countered cide education by elected officials of New Gallo, Ms. Oppenheimer, Roman Kozicky, Oksana Kulynych, Anna Szczupak by the Ukrainian group: York State so that students have the tools and Sonia Smith. they need to understand the potential con- Politicians must stop stonewalling this sequences of current political events. effort and comply with the wishes of their The activists attending the meeting voting constituents. Want to see with State Sen. Oppenheimer represented It is important for our community to Ukrainians from diverse groups such as keep the pressure on New York State sen- your name in print? Educators for the Study of the Ukrainian ators and Assembly members. Please con- Genocide – Holodomor, Ukrainian tact your representatives at their offices in Then why not become a correspondent of Congress Committee of America, Albany, N.Y. at www.senate.state.ny.us Ukrainian National Women’s League of about Bill s3356 and at www.assembly. The Ukrainian Weekly in your community? America, Ukrainian Medical Association state.ny.us regarding Bill A6690 and urge of North America, Ukrainian Educational them to support these bills and sign on as We welcome submissions from all our Ukrainian communities, no matter Council and Ukrainian American Bar co-sponsors. It is especially important to where they are located. Let the rest of us know what you’re up to in your Association, all of whom have children email those on the education committee educated in New York state. at http://www.nysenate.gov/committee/ corner of the Ukrainian diaspora! As Harvard conferences have recom- education and http://assembly.state.ny.us/ mended, it is time to break the silence comm/?sec=mem&id=12. Any questions? Call The Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext. 3049. about the Holodomor and educate the For more information readers may con- public about this genocide in Ukraine. tact [email protected] No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 9

COMMENTARY Yushchenko’s place in history: A leader who failed his people by Stephen Velychenko pathy for national issues or culture. This the media were removed and established abroad, and the president did nothing to is significant because it means that as a a division of power between the president regulate or limit Russian corporate take- For 200 years the bulk of Ukrainian group they cannot be considered a and the prime minister. This ensured overs in Ukraine. Most corporations work lands were for all intents and purposes, “national capitalist bourgeoisie.” Ukraine would be a political democracy and produce in Russian because there is Russian colonies. Ukrainians produced a After 18 years under their neo-liberal rather than an autocracy. He gave full no Ukrainian national capitalist class. humanist-cultural elite within the empire, capitalist rule, post-imperial Ukrainian government support to the cultural elite to This keeps the public sphere Russian and but not a national political or economic society has become “feudalized.” A small implement national initiatives. These reinforces the notion that Ukrainian is elite. Between 1917 and 1947 this colo- group of very wealthy surrounded by include things like spreading education in suitable only for Sunday folk concerts – nial legacy was compounded by millions guards, fences and darkened car win- Ukrainian and mass dissemination of pre- not corporate offices. of unnatural deaths and massive in-migra- dows, lords over a mass of indebted poor viously suppressed information about A few have become very rich, but tion of Russians. living in dirty, run-down cities with Ukraine’s past. Mr. Yushchenko also many more have become poorer. The lat- Immigration is a normal phenomenon. undrinkable tap water. In the capital peo- wanted Ukraine to belong to the European ter development is particularly troubling, But between 1930 and 1991, media, edu- ple must daily dodge empty beer bottles, Union, which for all its faults, offers because the resulting mass socio-econom- cational and publishing policies created a hordes of street peddlers and cars that lit- greater prospects for Ukrainian develop- ic dissatisfaction can be exploited politi- Russian urban public communications ter the sidewalks. Ukraine is a country ment than does Vladimir Putin’s renewed cally by revisionist imperial neo-fascist sphere in Ukraine. This ensured that where the average person still depends on Russian empire. groups who want to restore the old immigrant Russians did not have to learn local bazaars and private relations to sur- Despite these initiatives Mr. Yushchenko Russian Empire, as well as by Ukrainian the language of the country they had vive – and not on the newly established lost virtually all credibility, not only among extremists. immigrated into, but rather that “capitalist free market.” As in feudal soci- Ukrainians but among Ukraine’s loyal When Prime Minister Tymoshenko Ukrainians in their own country had to eties, many still retain pre-modern impe- Russian citizens as well. Instead of arrest- attempted to prosecute “non-Orange” oli- learn a foreign language to get an educa- rial or local identities and do not consider ing the rich and powerful guilty of rampant garchs and re-privatize in favor of her oli- tion and be socially mobile. Under these themselves “Ukrainian” in either a nation- corruption, he gave them medals. Although garch supporters, President Yushchenko conditions Ukraine experienced not al or civic sense. this may have been motivated by a plan to opposed her. American corporations in immigration but colonization. This had Private shopping malls crawling with co-opt former enemies and transform them Ukraine were not enthusiastic about such psychological consequences. Russians “guards” are clean and “secure,” like into a “new national elite,” nothing in the an initiative either, as they were also and Ukrainians in Ukraine identified medieval castles, while outside them peo- behavior of men like Serhii Kivalov, the involved in the pillage of Ukraine’s pub- Ukrainian with Sunday folklore and ple must live with filthy, run-down streets discredited former head of the Central lic assets. Russian with modern urban daily life and and adolescent males who turn to crime Election Commission, or Kyiv Mayor The “Orange coalition” split and their power. The provincial political elite did because there are few full-time well-pay- Leonid Chernovetskyi suggests they have pro-Russian rivals have recovered the not envisage their territory as an entity ing jobs. The public space is polluted been thus transformed. Both still can’t influence they lost in 2004. Their leader, apart and distinct from its imperial whole, with billboards. Even St. Sophia square is even speak Ukrainian. Under the former’s a former criminal who legally cannot hold and behaved accordingly. ringed with obnoxious advertisements. direction the vote count in the 2004 presi- any public office and as governor of The peaceful collapse of the USSR left Russian still dominates the public com- dential election was falsified; under the Donetsk closed the last Ukrainian school the old Russophile provincial political munication sphere. stewardship of the former, Kyiv is turning there, is now running for president. Never elite in power. While the cultural elite While no-one died as a result of the into a vast filthy slum. Honoring them having any principled differences with concerned itself with cultural issues, this political upheavals of 1991, since then made a mockery of the awards system and Mr. Yanukovych and his oligarchs, the old political elite stole Ukraine’s public the country has lost more millions in emi- the man who gave them. “Orange” oligarchs would not have diffi- assets and became an economic elite as gration and unnatural deaths due to mis- Mr. Yushchenko’s neo-capitalist “free culties supporting them, as their wealth well – urged on by neo-liberal capitalist erable public health services than had market” economic policies also lost him and status would not be affected. advocates like Anders Aslund. They sub- died during the 1933 Famine. popular support. Oligarchs continued to sequently did not reinvest their wealth Russians and Ukrainians disgusted by steal public assets and send profits (Continued on page 22) into infrastructure, services, manufactur- the still dictatorial post-independence ing and national culture. They send their regime rallied in 2004. They hoped that capital offshore, invest abroad, buy foot- Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko ball teams, import luxury goods and would “place the criminals in prison” and finance Russian-language media products implement a just re-distribution of the and projects. formerly stolen public assets. Mr. While most of these “oligarchs” were Yushchenko failed to act decisively and born and raised in Ukraine, few are thus make a place for himself as a great Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians with sym- man not only in Ukrainian but in European history. What he did was mere- Stephen Velychenko, Ph.D., is an asso- ly supervise a seizure of power from one ciate at the Center for European, Russian clique of oligarchs, to another part who and Eurasian Studies, and a research fel- had decided to ally with him – more low at the Chair of Ukrainian Studies, because he won than for any ideological both at the University of Toronto; as well or national reasons. as a visiting lecturer at the National To his credit, President Yushchenko University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. ensured the last government controls over IN THE PRESS: Yushchenko’s legacy “Viktor Yushchenko’s Legacy for able on every television channel, while Ukraine? Smiling People,” by Tony street billboards were a riot of posters Halpin in Kyiv, TimesOnline from competing candidates. … (London), January 18: “Ukraine still has many problems, particularly with corruption, and none of “Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine’s out- these achievements is irreversible. But going president, has tasted a heavy people freely speak their minds here and defeat at the polls. But despite his the fear that so stifles public life in other humiliating rejection by all but 6 per- former Soviet republics has gone. … cent of the electorate, history should “A trend has developed in recent years judge him kindly. for Russians to travel to Kiev [sic] for the “For all the political and economic weekend to enjoy the more relaxed atmo- turbulence of the past five years, sphere of Ukraine’s capital… They see Ukraine has been transformed under that people smile more easily, service in his presidency from just another ugly restaurants and stores is more cheerful, post-Soviet basket case into a country that the tension they sense at home is with real hopes of success as a demo- absent in human relations. cratic civil society. … “In short, they see that Ukrainians “Voters enjoyed a genuine choice of have a stake in their society and can candidates reflecting a full spectrum of influence its future, and that this affects political opinions. Campaigns were con- the public mood. The average Russian ducted without fear that the ruling regime has no such opportunity and feels a would send in riot police to break up sense of sullen resentment towards the election meetings and arrest opposition authorities that leaves the Kremlin con- activists. Vigorous debates were avail- stantly fearful of political upheaval. …” 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

New York community honors visionary Church leaders, founders of UCU by Matthew Matuszak guests had an opportunity to view a unique and original exhibit of photos from the CHICAGO – The establishment of a lives of Metropolitan Andrey and Patriarch Ukrainian Catholic university in Lviv was Josyf, photos gathered from various public the vision of two extraordinary leaders of and private archives. Organized by mem- the Ukrainian Catholic Church, bers of the New York Committee under the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky and direction of Co-Chair Orest Kyzyk, the Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. exhibit, through the photos of its leaders, On November 1, 2009, in commemora- reflected historic moments from more than tion of the 65th anniversary of the passing seven decades in the life of the Ukrainian of Metropolitan Andrey and the 25th anni- Catholic Church. versary of the passing of Patriarch Josyf, As the program turned to the current the New York Friends of the Ukrainian situation in Ukraine, the first speaker was Catholic University and the Ukrainian Andriy Kurochka, project manager with Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) UCU’s Development Department in Lviv. held a commemorative event at the After first obtaining a degree in mathemat- Ukrainian National Home in New York ics from Ivan Franko National University City celebrating the legacy of the universi- in Lviv, Mr. Kurochka enrolled in UCU, New York Friends of UCU Committee members with guests: (seated from left) Maya ty’s founders, along with an informational from which he graduated in 2000. Woloshyn, Iryna Zaluzhna, Orest Kyzyk, Mykola Haliv, Jaroslava Gudziak, Yaroslawa presentation about current developments at In his presentation, he emphasized that Rubel, Nell Andrzejewski, (standing) Roman Chwyl, Roman Kyzyk, Andrew Lencyk, the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. UCU gives students a deep knowledge of Daniel Szymanski Jr, Anna Shpook, Dr. Taras Dobko, the Rev. Michael Perry, Andrij The Ukrainian Catholic University Christ’s Church, cultivating each student’s Kurochka, Oksana Lopatynska, Maria Chaban, Motria Milanich. (UCU) was established based on the Lviv spirituality and providing the students with Theological Academy founded in 1928 by a solid grounding in moral values. He Metropolitan Andrey. Later, in Rome, underscored that the goal of UCU is to pro- Patriarch Josyf established the prototype vide not only an education, but to create a of the current Ukrainian Catholic new, post-Soviet person, a model for others University. His efforts inspired seminari- to emulate, a goal that is being achieved as ans with the dream of one day going to more and more UCU graduates move into Ukraine to create a university – a dream leadership positions within the Church, aca- fully realized in 2002. Among those semi- demia and Ukrainian society. In particular, narians was the current rector of UCU, the Mr. Kurochka offered his sincere thanks to Rev. Dr. Borys Gudziak. the Ukrainian diaspora for its unfailing sup- The luncheon in New York was the port and faith that UCU, and the students of sixth in a series of annual events organized UCU, would succeed. by the New York Friends Committee. The main presentation was given by Committee member Mykola Haliv and UCU Senior Vice-Rector Dr. Taras Dobko, committee Co-Chair Andrew Lencyk who, as one of the first members of the staff began the event, attended by more than at UCU, joined the university 11 years ago 750 supporters of USCU with comprehen- at the invitation of the Rev. Gudziak. Dr. sive presentations about the achievements Dobko emphasized the independent path and dynamic historical impact of both along which the university is developing, Church leaders. still a rarity in Ukraine where most pro- Dr. Taras Dobko, senior vice-rector of UCU (left), with Andrew Lencyk, co-chair Prior to the beginning of the luncheon, grams of higher education primarily are of the New York Friends of the Ukrainian Catholic University.

government-funded and adhere to a rather private contributions to fund its efforts, so standard and rigid course of education. in gratitude for the generous support of the He expanded on Mr. Kurochka’s point New York community in previous years, that UCU sees its task as the complete for- as well as with concern for the overall eco- mation of the young individual, providing nomic downturn, this year’s luncheon in the student not only with information, but New York was complimentary and funded also with critical thinking skills, to prepare by an anonymous sponsor. Nonetheless, each student to assume positions of many attendees made unsolicited contribu- responsibility. Along with the expectation tions and more than $230,000 was donated that high academic demands be met, the in support of UCU. university hopes to instill in each student Major donations this year included the understanding that to lead a good life $50,000 from the Self Reliance New York is not to live it only personally, but to Federal Credit Union (bringing the total engage in society, to create a religious, for six years to $455,000); $50,000 from civic, cultural and political life that values Dr. Michael Klufas; $25,000 from Stefan and nurtures the culture of freedom, digni- and Wolodymyra Slywotzky; $20,000 ty, religious and political tolerance. He from MRI of New England; $10,000 from noted that UCU should become an interna- Dr. Lydia Klufas-Tkach, and $10,000 from tionally renowned university, one with Dr. Irene Klufas. Additionally, in 2007, the many profiles, while maintaining its Klufas Family made a pledge of $1 million unique Ukrainian character. dollars that will be paid over a 10-year In addition to the presentations, the pro- period. gram included a new film about the uni- According to Mr. Kyzyk, over the last versity, as well as a photo exhibit of stu- six years supporters from the greater New dents and faculty. York area have contributed approximately Since its inception, UCU has relied on $1.6 million at the annual fall events alone. UCEF President and Executive Director Daniel R. Szymanski Jr., in the event’s The general meeting of UNA Branch concluding remarks, expressed particular gratitude to the staff and volunteers who 125, The Annunciation Society and worked to organize the day’s program and UNA Branch 220, the Sts. Peter and emphasized the event was a fitting tribute to the university’s visionaries Metropolitan Paul Society will be held on Sunday, Andrey and Patriarch Josyf. The financial and moral support of the Feb. 7, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. in the New York community is both generous and essential to the work of UCU, basementat St. Joseph the Betrothed explained Mr. Szymanski, as he sincerely Ukrainian Catholic Church, 5000 N thanked the guests at the event. Every donation, regardless of amount, is greatly Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL. treasured by UCEF, and put to efficient use for the benefit of UCU and for rebuild- Interesting topics will be discussed. ing the Church in Ukraine. In coming For more information call months, UCEF will publish a list of all contributors from the UCEF November 847-697-5630. event in community media outlets, he noted. No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 11

U.S. UKRAINIANS IN NUMBERS Educational achievement of Ukrainians in the United States, 2006 by Oleh Wolowyna We continue our series “U.S. Ukrainians in Numbers” by examining the education achievement of Ukrainians in the United States. “Ukrainians” are defined here as persons who declared “Ukrainian” as their first or second ancestry in the American Community Surveys (ACS) conducted annually by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. (The ACS survey has replaced the long form of the previous censuses, and con- tains the same questions as previous cen- suses). The results are based on averages of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 annual ACS surveys, and they are reported here for the year 2006 (midpoint of the 2005-2007 period). We compare the educational achieve- ment of Ukrainians with that of the total U.S. population, and with a couple of eth- nic groups. We also compare the educational level of different subgroups among Ukrainians in the U.S. First, we compare U.S.-born Ukrainians and “older” immigrants (arrived in the U.S. before 1991) with new wave immigrants. Second, we examine the education level of Ukrainians by language spoken at home. All the analyses are done for people age 25 years or more, when most persons have completed their educa- tion. In Table 1 we compare the education attainment of Ukrainians with that of the total U.S. population. We also present the educational level of a subset of the total U.S. population, labeled Whites* in the table, where Blacks, American Indians and Hispanics are excluded. This provides a higher standard of comparison, as these three minorities have been shown to have lower levels of education. A good summary indicator of a group’s level of education is the percent with uni- versity-level education: bachelors, masters, Ph.D.s or professionals. In 2006 about 44.5 percent of all Ukrainians in the U.S. had a university-level degree, while for the total U.S. population this percentage was 27.5 percent. If we exclude the three men- tioned minorities from the total U.S. popu- lation, this percentage increases to about 31.5 percent (column labeled White*). Thus, according to this indicator, Ukrainians have a significantly higher level of education than the total U.S. popu- lation, and this advantage is maintained if we exclude from the total U.S. population minorities with lower education levels. The percent of illiterates (no grade com- pleted) is very small among Ukrainians, 0.5 percent, and is equal to that of the Whites* population. Dropout rates at the elementary and high school levels are lower among Ukrainians than among both the total and selected (Whites*) U.S. popu- lations. For example, for persons complet- ing 9th to 12th grade and no high school two ethnic groups to address this question, illiterates (no grade completed) with 0.5 percentage of Jews among Russian immi- diploma, Ukrainians had a much smaller Poles and Russians, who are culturally and percent, while the percentages for Poles grants, and Jews tend to have very high percentage than the other two populations: historically related to Ukrainians, and the and Russians are 0.2 percent and 0.0 per- education levels. 4 percent for Ukrainians, compared to 9 results are presented in Table 2. cent, respectively. Next we examine the educational level percent for total U.S. and 7 percent for the Using the indicator percent with univer- These differences are to a great degree differences among different migration Whites* subpopulation. sity degree, Ukrainians have a higher per- related to the different migration histories waves among Ukrainians. We divide At all levels of university degrees, centage than Poles, 44.5 percent and 40 of the three ethnic groups. Poles have had Ukrainians into two groups: U.S.-born and Ukrainians had higher percentages than percent, respectively, but lower than a longer and much more numerous migra- “old” immigrants (arrived in the U.S. the two U.S. populations. For example, Russians with 59 percent. For all three tion history to the U.S. than Ukrainians, before 1991) and new wave (or Fourth almost 25 percent of all Ukrainians had a university degree levels, Ukrainians have and a much smaller post-Soviet migration Wave) immigrants. New wave immigrants bachelor’s degree, while the percentages higher percentages than Poles. This differ- stream than both Ukrainians and Russians. are defined here as persons of Ukrainian for the total U.S. and White* populations ence is especially significant for the Ph.D. The significantly higher percentage of ancestry born in Ukraine and who migrat- were 17.5 percent and 20 percent, respec- or professional level; Ukrainians have 7 Ukrainians than Poles with university edu- ed to the U.S. between 1991 and 2007. tively. At the Ph.D. and professional level percent compared to 4.5 percent for Poles. cation is probably a combination of two The new wave immigrants are subdivided Ukrainians surpass the total and White* Russians, on the other hand, have consis- factors: Ukrainians took better advantage into two groups: early immigrants (arrived U.S. populations by about a factor of two tently higher percentages than Ukrainians of educational opportunities in the U.S. in the U.S. between 1991 and 1995) and (7 percent, 3 percent and 4 percent, respec- at all three university degree levels, with than Poles, and recent immigrants from later immigrants (arrived in the U.S. tively). the highest difference in the Ph. D. or pro- Ukraine tend to have higher educational between 1996 and 2006). These periods How does the education level of fessional level: 7 percent and about 4.5 levels than immigrants from Poland. The are selected to reflect the fact that in the Ukrainians compare with that of other eth- percent, respectively. At the other extreme, main reason for the high educational level nic groups in the U.S.? We have selected Ukrainians have the highest percentage of among Russians is the presence of a high (Continued on page 21) 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4 No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 13 Chicago’s Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art celebrates community by Stano Grazdo from outside the Ukrainian community – a clear indication that the institute is no CHICAGO – The Ukrainian Institute longer the “best kept secret” in Chicago, of Modern Art in Chicago hosted a holi- that in fact it has become mainstream, day evening on December 5, 2009, to and attracts people of all backgrounds thank the community, sponsors and mem- interested in the arts, culture and interna- bers of the institute for their support, and tional relations. Thus, the UIMA is fulfill- to encourage others to join the institute in ing its role as Ukraine’s “cultural ambas- its mission of sharing Ukraine’s contem- sador” in contemporary art. porary cultural identity with the world. The event was promoted and organized In spite of the community’s extraordi- by the Institute’s new board chairman, Dr. narily busy calendar, close to 200 people Paul Nadzikewycz, and the organization’s gathered at the institute on this occasion. president, Orysia Kossak Cardoso, with It was an encouraging show of support. the efforts of the executive committee But the most invigorating sign of the eve- and staff. Vision and commitment were ning was the large presence of individuals evident from the current exhibit of art works by Anatolyj Kowalenko, informa- Stano Grazdo is curator at the tion about future programming and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. newly remodeled space. Guests were treated to live jazz music provided by the Jason Raynovich Group, an elegant buffet provided by Shokolad (a new restaurant owned by a master chef UIMA President Orysia Kossak-Cardoso addresses the gathering. who recently immigrated from Ukraine), holiday decorations, and a presentation of of 1st Security Savings Bank the institute tute’s team is committed to fulfilling its drawings depicting the next remodeling would not have been able to expand and mission, and expansion of membership phase for the UIMA’s entrance, offices and become a center of Ukrainian contempo- and involvement of a new generation of conference room. Architectural drawings rary culture. Ukrainian Americans will guarantee the by a new member of the community, archi- Approached by myriad proposals and UIMA’s survival. tect Oleh Ivaskiw, who recently immigrat- solicitations for support, potential donors Since Ukraine’s independence the insti- ed from Ukraine, and by project director have all become a bit skeptical and suspi- tute has established close ties with leading Jaroslav Sobol were unveiled to the public. cious in these challenging times. But this artists and cultural institutions in Ukraine It should be noted that both individuals are evening of appreciation at the UIMA during and identified shared attitudes, values, doing their work pro-bono. the Christmas season reconstituted positive goals and practices of mutual benefit. The The UIMA was founded more than 35 feelings and expectations for the future. cultivation of identity and a sense of years ago and has flourished on dona- The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art belonging benefit both the individuals in tions, sponsorships and volunteer work – continues in its role to present, preserve, our communities and the group as a whole. a fact that is remarkable for its time span, share and cultivate Ukraine’s cultural her- Cultural identity is the key to a nation’s but even more so in this year of economic itage and evolving creativity. It is inter- stability and potential, and to its interna- fallout. Without the continuous financial esting to note that the term “culture” tional acceptance as a meaningful entity. and in-kind support of individual donors stems from the Latin word meaning “to A nation’s accumulated experience is a and the sponsorship and donations from cultivate.” Cultivation requires goals, powerful tool for both its identity as a Chairman of the Board Dr. Paul Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal work, focus, creativity, talent, planning, Nadzikewycz speaks. Credit Union and the Heritage Foundation implementation and results. The insti- (Continued on page 22) 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

accident’s immediate aftermath. A number NEWSBRIEFS of oxygen tanks exploded in a ward of the CLACLASSSSIFIEDIFIEDSS (Continued from page 2) hospital, causing at least two floors to col- Ukrainian population, i.e. they deliberately lapse. The Health Ministry said more than TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL MARIA OSCISLAWSKI (973) 292-9800 x 3040 organized this crime, the court stated. The 600 people were in the hospital at the time or e-mail [email protected] court put the cumulative losses of Ukraine of the blast. “The fate of 17 people remains due to the Holodomor at 10,063,000 people unknown,” National Deputy Oleksander (3,941,000 dead and 6,122,000 unborn). Efremov said at the scene, while rescue SERVICES The court also proclaimed that there was no operations were continuing. The Wall Street reason for rehabilitating the perpetrators of Journal reported that both candidates in the the Holodomor since the pre-trial investiga- runoff of Ukraine’s presidential election tion proved they had committed the crime sprang into action after the explosion. Yulia delineated under Part I, Article 442 of the Tymoshenko rushed there in her capacity as Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court con- prime minister. Viktor Yanukovych prom- firmed that the investigation of the case was ised his Party of Regions party would give conducted fully and thoroughly. In compli- $3,000 to the families of each victim. The ance with national and international legisla- Cabinet of Ministers set up an emergency tion in force, the court found the aforemen- commission to study the circumstances of tioned persons guilty of crimes against the blast. The prime minister said after her PROFESSIONALS humanity. (Security Service of Ukraine) visit to the accident site that the Cabinet had decided to extend 20 million hrv for disaster Stalin’s grandson disputes verdict relief operations. By January 20 the death KYIV – The grandson of former Soviet toll at the site was reported to be 16. (RFE/ dictator Joseph Stalin says he wants a probe RL, Ukrinform, Wall Street Journal) of a Ukrainian court that found the ruler guilty of genocide. Yevgeny Dzhugashvili Russia to send envoy to Ukraine sent a letter to Ukraine’s procurator general MOSCOW – Russia on January 19 urging him to investigate the Kyiv court that finalized the appointment of its ambassa- last week found Stalin (born Joseph dor to Ukraine, ending a five-month dip- Dzhugashvili) and other Bolshevik leaders lomatic freeze with Kyiv. Russian guilty of genocide against Ukrainians during President Dmitry Medvedev made the the 1932-1933 Holodomor, RIA Novosti announcement at a partly televised meet- reported on January 18. The news service ing with the envoy, Mikhail Zurabov. “I said Mr. Dzhugashvili is well-known for fil- think you should begin your duties as our ing court cases in Russia to protect his ambassador to Ukraine and try to do your grandfather’s honor. In the latest filing, he utmost to strengthen the friendly charac- claimed genocide has only been listed as a criminal offense in Ukraine since the 1990s ter of our relations,” Mr. Medvedev said. and so cannot be applied retroactively as in Mr. Medvedev also named Mr. Zurabov Stalin’s case. (United Press International) as the special presidential envoy for trade and economic ties. The move follows the Luhansk hospital collapses after blast defeat of Ukraine’s pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko in the first-round KYIV – Luhansk Hospital No. 17 was presidential election on January 17, which partially demolished in an explosion on set up a February 7 runoff between oppo- January 18, killing at least five people and leaving several missing, officials said in the (Continued on page 15)

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Yushchenko that Russia would not be NEWSBRIEFS sending its envoy to protest Kyiv’s “anti- (Continued from page 14) Russian” policies. (RFE/RL) sition leader Viktor Yanukovych and Yushchenko on early Rada elections Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Both are seen as friendlier to Moscow than Mr. KYIV – President Viktor Yushchenko Yushchenko, who had clashed with the said that early parliamentary elections Kremlin on a range of issues in recent could be held soon. Speaking at a meet- months. In a thinly veiled jab at President ing with Ukrainian intellectuals on Yushchenko, President Medvedev on January 20, Mr. Yushchenko called on the January 19 voiced hope that Ukraine’s intellectuals to continue work on popular- With deep sorrow we regret to inform you future leader will be more “constructive.” izing national ideas and a European that on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, He said, “I hope after the final results [of choice. “I link this work not only to the the presidential election] are determined, second round of the presidential election, Ukraine will have a viable and effective but also to parliamentary elections that ROMAN GEORGE KUPCHINSKY leadership that is prepared to establish a will soon be an inseparable part [of the constructive, friendly, multifaceted rela- political process] in the next months,” he born November 1, 1944, in Vienna, Austria, tionship with the Russian Federation.” said. According to some experts and ana- entered into eternal rest Mr. Medvedev appointed Mr. Zurabov as lysts, early elections to the Verkhovna pre-deceased by his wife Oksana Skubiak. ambassador to Ukraine in August 2009, Rada will take place after the presidential but a few days later wrote to Mr. election. (Ukrinform) He is survived by: son Markian Kupchinsky brother Michael Savchak and his wife Anneliese Kniffin aunt Yaroslava Popovich cousin Anatol Popovich and his wife Iryna cousin Alexander Popovich and his wife Marta and their daughters Andrea & Christina mother-in-law Kateryna Skubiak cousin Ihor Skubiak and his wife Handzia, their daughter Taisa and their son Marko with his wife Josie cousin Oleh Skubiak and his wife Luba with their daughters Nina and Tanya cousin Lydia Chachor and her children Natalia and Nick

Details regarding the funeral services to be announced. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to UNWLA publication “Our Life,” The Ukrainian Museum in New York, The Ukrainian Weekly, or Children of Chornobyl Relief and Development Fund.

Ivanna Lysynecky (née Olesnicky)

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, passed into eternal rest on December 30, 2009. She was born on January 11, 1914, in Stanislaviv (Ivano- Frankivsk) Ukraine. She received her law degree in Lviv.

The Board of Directors In 1948, she with her family immigrated to Brazil, and in 1957 came to the of the United States. Here, she worked as a librarian in several public libraries in New Ukrainian Institute of America Jersey. She took an active role in the Ukrainian National Women’s League of regrets to announce to its members and the general public that America, and volunteered in The Ukrainian Museum in New York. our longstanding member She was predeceased by her husband Prof. Orest Lysynecky in 2007.

She is survived by:

Jaroslav Kurowycky children Alexander with wife Taissa Christina Bejger with husband Bohdan passed away on January 1, 2010. Tatiana Irene Hayden with husband Michael Funeral liturgy was held on January 9 at St. George Ukrainian grandchildren Renata Hanchuk with husband Walter Catholic Church in New York City, followed by interment at St. and children Deanna, Natalia and Andrea Mark Lysynecky with wife Kyra Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery in S. Bound Brook, NJ. and children Katya, Mykola and Maksym Roman Bejger with wife Motryja The board extends sincere sympathy to wife Iryna, son Jaroslav and children Stephan, Alexander and Adrianna and daughter Oksana. Peter Lysynecky with wife Paula and son Dmitri Larissa, Samantha and Matthew Hayden cousins George Olesnicky and family Aleksandra Tarnawsky and family Marta Dedeluk and family Death announcements Bohdan Sharko and family Myron Sharko Deadline: Tuesday noon before the newspaper’s date of issue. Close family in the U.S. and abroad: Olesnicky, Sessak, Sharko, Shypailo, Rate: $7.50 per column-inch. Tarnawsky Telephone, (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040; e-mail, [email protected]. May she rest in peace! Please include the daytime phone number of a contact person. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

in Europe (OSCE) on January 18. It's Yanukovych... “Civil and political rights were respect- (Continued from page 1) ed, including freedom of assembly, associ- Quotable notes ation and expression. Election day was ridding government of nepotism and cor- “People have voted for Ukraine to become a just and European country. It conducted in an efficient and orderly man- ruption. means Yanukovych, who represents the criminal circles, has no chance.” The Yushchenko era succeeded in reviv- ner. This election saw a diverse field of ing ethnic consciousness among the candidates representing alternative politi- – Yulia Tymoshenko, speaking after the first round of Ukraine’s presidential Ukrainian people, who have been subject- cal views, offering a genuine choice to the election, as quoted by The Washington Post on January 18. ed to Russian imperialism for three and a electorate.” half centuries, but will also be remembered A delegation of 10 members of the “The mistake of the Orange team is that they thought that, between elections, for its rampant corruption and lawlessness European Parliament (MEPs) visiting Kyiv people would forget the promises made and never kept, but this isn’t the case. … that failed to improve the standard of liv- on January 17 declared “a great step for- Today marks the end of Orange power.” ing for most Ukrainians. ward” in stabilizing democracy in Ukraine. – Viktor Yanukovych, commenting on the election results, as quoted by The President Yushchenko also failed to gain Voting was well-organized without serious Washington Post on January 18. a NATO Membership Action Plan for irregularities, they said, despite problems Ukraine and an EU Association Agreement which will need to be addressed. “Looking back to the last presidential people, they would automatically gain dip- Regions and the Tymoshenko Bloc, for- during his term, despite repeated assuranc- bid Ukrainian citizens from monitoring elections in 2004, democratic standards lomatic status,” he said. “In this case, it es. their own elections. and mechanisms, particularly in this elec- would be impossible to arrest and prose- More than 35 percent of voters, or 8.7 cute them. Therefore, we are practically At the same time, the CVU reported tion, have really placed Ukraine at the million Ukrainians, cast their ballots for legalizing, at the Tymoshenko Bloc’s cases of illegal destruction of ballots on level of the European Union,” said Marek Mr. Yanukovych, the president’s rival who request, 1,500 military representatives of the eve of the vote, forced quorum viola- Siwiec, a Polish MEP and active advocate was embarrassed by the 2004 vote and his another country whose goal during their tions at local election commissions, for Ukraine’s EU membership. Mr. Siwiec confirmed role in its falsification. Yet, the stay in our country isn’t understood.” attempts to smuggle ballots out of polling sits on the board of directors of Yalta nation’s Russophile Ukrainians again The observers are to remain in Ukraine stations, vote-counting violations and European Strategy, founded by Ukrainian chose to overlook his criminal past in until the February 7 runoff. incidents of foul play, including theft, oligarch Victor Pinchuk to promote favor of his pro-Russian policies. That their mission wasn’t understood attacks against journalists and observers, Ukraine’s EU integration. Prime Minister Tymoshenko earned was confirmed by the observers them- and the cut-off of lights during the vote more than 25 percent, or 6.2 million votes, U.S. State Department Acting Deputy selves, some of whom told the Obozrevatel count. confirming that the Ukrainian public has Spokesman Mark Toner congratulated news site after arriving January 15 that “The biggest problem of the presiden- more faith in her ability to lift the standard Ukraine for its successful elections, citing their intentions were to meet with tial elections was the low quality of voter of living in Ukraine than her rival positive conclusions reported by the Ukrainian women they met on the Internet, lists and, related to this, the mass inclu- President Yushchenko, who spent much of OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly and as well as celebrate the old New Year holi- sion of citizens in voter lists at the deci- his term viciously attacking and criticizing Office for Democratic Institutions and day (based on the Julian calendar). This sion of local election commissions, which her in hopes of ruining her career. Human Rights (ODIHR). group of 145 Georgian men arrived on a ranged between a few to a hundred at a President Yushchenko’s attack strategy The Russian government didn’t assess chartered plane. polling station,” the CVU noted. Such backfired, instead mustering sympathy for the elections’ fairness but celebrated the Observers with the Ukrainian Congress incidents occurred most in the Donetsk Ms. Tymoshenko. Most political scientists ouster of President Yushchenko, whose Committee of America (UCCA) who visit- Oblast, the CVU reported, where as many believe his political career is beyond resus- support for NATO integration and the ed Donetsk for the elections reported the as 100 voters were added to a single voter citation, like that of his predecessor, global campaign to recognize the Georgian observers didn’t cause any trou- list at any given polling station. Leonid Kuchma. Holodomor as genocide riled its leaders ble. “Several of the Georgian observers Including voters onto election registers throughout the last five years. on the day of the vote was yet another Free and fair elections stayed at our hotel and they behaved very “I am convinced that Ukraine’s new calmly and didn’t cause any problems in source of confusion. While the Central Perhaps most importantly, the elections president will understand to the fullest the voting process,” said Oleh Zhukovskyi, Election Commission ruled this could be were held freely and fairly without any extent the necessity of... not making our leader of the UCCA observation team in done with the approval of local election significant cases of vote fraud or tamper- relations a hostage to either our own or Donetsk. commissions, many election experts, such ing, election officials and observers someone else’s ambitions, not having any- At the same time, the Georgian observ- as CVU Chair Oleksander Chernenko, declared, signifying the progress made thing in common with the interests of the ers didn’t seem very interested in receiving believe the law allows voters to register since 2004, when millions of votes were Ukrainian people,” said Sergei Lavrov, the the assistance and advice of the experi- on election day only with a court order. determined by Ukraine’s courts to have Russian foreign affairs minister. enced UCCA observers, said Elisabeth “Carousels,” or voters voting more than once, were reported only in isolated been falsified. Georgian monitors Centkiewicz, a French observer with the Two of the politicians involved in the UCCA Donetsk team. cases. falsification in 2004 – Mr. Yanukovych Among the elections’ biggest controver- Documents submitted to the CEC indi- The Bila Tserkva district of the Kyiv and his then-campaign manager Serhii sies was Prime Minister Tymoshenko’s cated that hundreds of the Georgian Oblast was the site of one of the dirtiest Tihipko – finished among the top three recruitment of 1,466 military personnel observers arrived from a single village, reported election tricks. candidates in this year’s vote. Mr. Tihipko from Georgia to monitor the vote in the and almost none were women. Some polit- Voters there received fake CEC letters surprised Ukraine’s political establishment Donbas region, as alleged by the Party of ical observers speculated that Ms. declaring that the elections were post- by mustering 13 percent, or 3.2 million Regions of Ukraine, led by Mr. Tymoshenko hatched an election provoca- poned until the end of January because votes. Both candidates achieved their Yanukovych, in a January 20 statement. tion with the help of Georgian President the Tymoshenko government had failed results honestly, observers reported. The Party of Regions believed these Mikheil Saakashvili. to pass the 2010 budget. The Tymoshenko The first round “was of high quality and observers could be Georgian special forc- The Tymoshenko Bloc’s involvement Bloc blamed the letters on its opponents, showed significant progress over previous es, said Leonid Kozhara, a parliamentary in recruiting the Georgian men was prov- without naming the culprit. elections,” said a statement released by the deputy. “If the Central Election en when its politicians issued statements Meanwhile the Bila Tserkva District Organization for Security and Cooperation Commission (CEC) were to register these defending their presence. They offered Election Commission passed a resolution those observers, who were denied regis- recommending that local commissions tration, journalists’ accreditation from work without quorums. Luhansk newspapers under their control. At-home voting UccA monitors Ukraine election Yet whether it was a provocation or a last-minute election maneuver-turned- Approaching the elections, observers KYIV – The Ukrainian Congress Notwithstanding that overall evalua- blunder remained unclear. warned of abuses in at-home voting that Committee of America (UCCA), which tion, there were some violations during “It’s a typical example of could account for as much as 10 to 15 has a long history of observing Ukraine’s the election process, including: Tymoshenko’s chaotic, charismatic percent of votes in a given polling sta- elections (1991, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, • Candidates’ billboards were still approach to governing,” said Ivan tion. 2004, 2006 and 2007), took an active part hanging in Kharkiv on election day, Lozowy, president of the Institute of Ukrainians unable to physically reach in monitoring Ukraine’s fifth presidential which is in violation of the election law. Statehood and Democracy in Kyiv. a polling station had the option of writing election. • Not all election commission members “These were clearly Georgians from law statements requesting that local commis- The UCCA registered 104 international were adequately trained and educated enforcement authorities, fit and disci- sioners bring mobile ballot boxes to their election observers from the United States, about the Law on Election of the plined. This could have been done with homes on election day. as well as several observers from Canada, President of Ukraine, which proved prob- proper channels, well in advance, which Conflicting rulings by courts and elec- France, Great Britain, Germany, Australia lematic during the election process. would have given them a shot at being tion organs, arriving in the last few and Poland. On election day, January 17, • The procedure to add voters to the legitimized. Her goal was to apply elec- months, caused more confusion among the UCCA observed voting in various voters’ list varied from polling site to tion monitoring control and minimize fal- commissioners as to whether voters were oblasts of Ukraine, including Cherkasy, polling site. sifications in the Donetsk Oblast, which required to submit written statements, as Crimea, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, • The recommendations of the United were widespread and systemic.” well as medical documents confirming Kharkiv, Lviv, Poltava and Kyiv. The Nations Commission on Human Rights their physical incapacity. The CVU reports UCCA also monitored polling sites in the on changing the election law to reflect Court rulings came as late as the night United States at the Embassy of Ukraine international standards were not imple- The Committee of Voters of Ukraine before Election Day, fueling the confu- in Washington, and at the Consulates in mented. (CVU), Ukraine’s largest non-govern- sion. Chicago, New York and San Francisco. The UCCA’s delegation added that it mental organization monitoring the elec- Tymoshenko Bloc politicians failed in Observing in more than 227 polling believes these minor violations did not tions, reported no significant or systemic their attempt to get the nation’s polling sites, the UCCA delegation of interna- change the outcome of the election. violations that could have influenced the stations to adhere to a Kyiv district court tional election observers stated that, The UCCA will continue its election elections. ruling handed down on Saturday night despite some minor violations, the observer mission during the second round Its 2,000 election observers participat- that required a voter to provide a medical January 17 presidential election was con- of the election, which will take place on ed as accredited journalists after the 2009 ducted in a free and fair manner. February 7. election rules law, passed by the Party of (Continued on page 17) No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 17 sNAPshoT of The eLecTioN: voting in halychyna by Zenon Zawada Commission (CEC). Kyiv Press Bureau Mr. Yushchenko remained a popular pol- itician in Halychyna, finishing in second IVANO-FRANKIVSK – Broken prom- place. He earned 31 percent of votes in the ises didn’t deter the majority of Ukrainian Lviv Oblast, or 454,000 votes; 26 percent in voters from going to polls on January 17 Ternopil, or 171,000 votes; and 25 percent and participating in their 18-year-old in Ivano-Frankivsk, or 194,000 votes. democracy. Nowhere else in Ukraine did the presi- Nowhere was the 2010 presidential dent fare so well, and he earned only 5 per- election as competitive as Ukraine’s pro- cent of the national vote. Western Halychyna region, where voters “They say if there’ll be Yushchenko, were torn between selecting the pro- there’ll be Ukraine. But who knows?” com- NATO President Viktor Yushchenko and mented Sofiya Klymkovych, 75, who cast Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who her ballot for the president at her home. seeks to enhance ties with the Russian In many voting districts in Halychyna government. Ms. Tymoshenko doubled the president’s Those seeking an alternative to the status result. She earned 35 percent in the Lviv quo opted for the 35-year-old upstart Oblast, or 512,000 votes; 36 percent in the Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who finished in third Ternopil Oblast, or 231,000 votes; and 39 place in all three Halychyna oblasts of percent in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, or Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Ternopil. 302,000 votes. “Yatsenyuk is an economist and, at the Serhii Zhytkov, 49, said he was outraged given moment, it’s necessary to improve by the way President Yushchenko constant- Zenon Zawada the economy,” said Ivan Chornyi, 50, an ly attacked Ms. Tymoshenko since she Ivano-Frankivsk physician. “Once the econ- returned as prime minister in December Ballots cast for Yulia Tymoshenko (foreground) were more than twice those for omy is fine, then someone like Yushchenko 2008. He particularly remembered how the Viktor Yushchenko (left) after election commissioners tallied the final vote count is needed to raise the national ideals.” president called her a thief and a bum. at an Ivano-Frankivsk polling station. Other politicians who earned at least 3 “A person who says only negative things percent of the vote in Halychyna were on television isn’t a person who can lead agreement she reached with Gazprom in Yushchenko in the 2004 presidential elec- nationalist Oleh Tiahnybok, and Russian- the nation,” he said. “Most recently, it was January 2009. tions. oriented candidates such as Serhii Tihipko unpleasant to listen to him and he doesn’t While some said they voted for Ms. “If I vote ‘against everyone,’ then and Viktor Yanukovych, who drew their deserve to be president. You can’t even say Tymoshenko because they support her poli- Yanukovych wins. The politics here are support from the region’s ethnic Russian such things between regular people, let cies, others said they cast their votes as a not voting for someone, but against some- population. alone on a governmental level.” preventive measure against a Yanukovych one. I am voting so that Yanukovych Voter turnout in Ivano-Frankivsk was 69 Mr. Zhytkov said he supports Ms. presidency. doesn’t win,” said an Ivano-Frankivsk percent – just above the national average of Tymoshenko’s efforts to stabilize Ukraine’s That’s the same reason that motivated 67 percent – reported the Central Election energy sector, as well as the natural gas millions of Ukrainians to vote for Mr. (Continued on page 18)

down a flight of stairs by members of a Ms. Tymoshenko’s strongholds were that Ms. Tymoshenko’s chances of becom- It's Yanukovych... local election commission, the CVU the Volyn (54 percent, or 587,000 votes) ing the next president were “zero.” (Continued from page 16) reported. and Vinnytsia oblasts (47 percent, or “Tymoshenko already got her answer to document, once the CEC issued a state- Indeed the first round was expected to 900,000 votes); she won in 15 oblasts. her latest attempt, in her style, with voters ment on the morning of the election be more problematic than it turned out, Yet it was Mr. Tihipko’s surprisingly of Tihipko and Yatsenyuk – neither ordering commissioners to disregard the likely because authorities knew what to strong performance that drew the most Tihipko nor Yatsenyuk will support her,” Kyiv ruling. prepare for. interest. He finished in second place in the he said at a January 21 meeting with party Mr. Chernenko told The Weekly that In the week before the election, the city of Kyiv and the Dnipropetrovsk and leaders in Mykolayiv. “And that means the no more than 100 polling stations report- Kyiv City State Administration issued a Volyn oblasts, and earned a strong third- prospects of her being chosen on February ed at-home voting of more than 15 per- resolution forbidding any mass demon- place finish in most eastern and southern 7 are zero.” strations on Kyiv’s “maidan” oblasts. cent, and most of those were in villages Yushchenko reacts where the ice and snow prevented many (Independence Square) until February 5. Voters selecting Mr. Tihipko were look- elderly from reaching their local polling It also forbid mass demonstrations on all ing for a pragmatic politician as an alterna- In his remarks to the press following tive to those who have dominated the stations. Overall, no more than 3 percent the capital’s central squares – European the vote, President Yushchenko criticized Ukrainian political scene for the last of Ukrainians voted at home in these Square, St. Michael Square and St. Ukrainian voters for choosing values decade, political observers said. elections, he said. Sophia Square. based on “bread, pork fat and barren Mr. Tihipko is most popular in During the January 19 session of Both the Yanukovych and Tymoshenko flowers.” He said the 2010 elections Ukraine’s Russophile regions because of Parliament following election day, Party campaigns submitted the paperwork would consolidate Ukraine’s national- his strong support for enhanced relations of Regions deputies boasted of their clean requesting permission to hold demonstra- democratic forces. with Russia, as well as Russian language results and ridiculed pre-election appre- tions at these locations. On the morning of January 20, and culture in Ukraine. hensions that election commissions under Meanwhile, the leading candidates President Yushchenko reportedly met were accusing each other of attempts to Recognizing her need to cover a 10 per- with leaders of the recently formed their control in eastern and southern cent gap in order to win the second round, falsify the election. At a January 12 press Ukrainian People’s Council, including its Ukraine would resort to falsifications Ms. Tymoshenko declared on January 20 conference President Yushchenko said leader, Mykola Porovskyi, and Dmytro “For two weeks we listened to the hys- that she will offer Mr. Tihipko the prime Ms. Tymoshenko posed the biggest threat, Pavlychko, head of the Ukrainian World terics that at-home voting in Donbas minister post if she’s elected president. Mr. which drew her retort that it was Mr. Coordinating Council. would be between 10 and 20 percent,” Tihipko declined the offer and didn’t Yanukovych who was preparing fraud. The president is considering forming a said Olena Lukash, a Party of Regions endorse either finalist. At the same press conference, the pres- national deputy. “It’s the people and the The other runners-up in the vote, political bloc that includes his own Our ident made his final desperate attempts at voting that refuted this lie. Not more than Messrs. Yatsenyuk and Yushchenko, said Ukraine party, the Congress of Ukrainian derailing his nemesis, drudging up and 3 percent of people, whose ability to they wouldn’t support either Mr. Nationalists, the Republican Christian move is limited, voted. Apologize before reading aloud years-old court documents Yanukovych or Ms. Tymoshenko in the Party and the Ukrainian People’s Party them, those who call themselves demo- implicating Ms. Tymoshenko in financial second round. Mr. Yatsenyuk went so far led by Yurii Kostenko, the Kommersant crats and consider this as your own lie.” crimes such as bribing Russian defense as to say he would mark his ballot “not daily newspaper reported. officials with tens of millions of dollars. Many political observers predict the Problems on election day supporting anyone.” He continued accusing deputies of her The two presidential rivals immediately declared loser of the second round vote Yet not everything was squeaky clean eponymous bloc of being pedophiles, began saber-rattling once the results were will not accept the declared victor’s tri- with the Party of Regions. A security without evidence, and demonstrated doc- obvious. Little more than an hour after the umph and will launch an offensive of guard for Mr. Yanukovych allegedly uments verifying the arrest of polls closed, Ms. Tymoshenko declared mass demonstrations and court com- thrust his elbow into the stomach of an Tymoshenko Bloc Deputy Oleh Liashko, that Mr. Yanukovych would never place plaints. assertive Georgian television journalist, alleging he was convicted three times. his hand on the Peresopnytsia Gospel to As a result, Mr. Chernenko said it will likely take weeks following the February Tea Adeishvili, who attempted to ask him Election results take the presidential oath. a question. “The chances of Yanukovych, who rep- 7 vote to establish a winner. Georgian television producer Irakliya That the president finished in fifth resents criminal circles, don’t exist,” she “I don’t exclude attempts to subvert the Hvaramadze was beaten in a Donetsk place, earning about 5 percent of the vote, said at the January 17 press conference at vote in the second round with the goal of pool hall after leaving a Party of Regions came as little surprise. He finished behind her campaign headquarters. freezing the situation,” said Andrii campaign office on the eve of elections. his former ally, 35-year-old political neo- The next day, the Party of Regions Yermolayev, director of the Sofiya Center Donetsk Deputy Police Chief Anatolii phyte Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who earned mobilized more than 2,000 supporters to for Political Research in Kyiv. “The inter- Smirnov offered a different explanation, about 7 percent of the vote. stage a rally in front of the CEC. They ests of the government will be higher than stating that Mr. Hvaramadze insulted Mr. Yanukovych’s results were strongest arrived on more than 20 buses from cities the opposition’s interests. In any cases, it’s locals at the pool hall, drawing the attack. in the Donetsk (76 percent, or 2.4 million such as Luhansk and Makiyivka, news worth following this very carefully. The In Zaporizhia, a city dominated by the votes) and Luhansk oblasts (71 percent, or reports said. advantage can be obvious for both the Party of Regions, a journalist was shoved 2.1 million votes); he won in 10 oblasts. Days later, Mr. Yanukovych declared president and the current government.” 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

Zenon Zawada A voter casts her ballot in the January 17 election at an Ivano-Frankivsk elemen- Election commissioners at an Ivano-Frankivsk polling station count the ballots tary school. cast during the January 17 first round of the presidential election.

votes in Ivano-Frankivsk, or 38,000 Yushchenko. “That’s the problem. There’s a The disappointments following the Voting... votes; 5 percent of Lviv Oblast votes, or gang of oligarchs that make up 10 percent; 2004 presidential elections, in which Mr. (Continued from page 17) 79,000; and 5 percent of Ternopil votes, 70 percent of the people are surviving; the Yushchenko and Ms. Tymoshenko prom- woman who voted at Elementary School or 32,000 votes. rest are utterly destitute, including pension- ised to clean up corruption and establish No. 10, but declined to give her name. “He’s a strong leader – a young man. ers and villagers.” equality before the law, haven’t dissuaded Those sentiments were echoed by Viktor Who else to vote for – that old Dido Despite abandoning his policies support- Ivano-Frankivsk’s voters from their con- Dubnytskyi, 20. “If I don’t cast my vote for Moroz?” said Anna Selyk, 65, referring to ing Euro-Atlantic integration, Mr. viction that it’s their civic duty to vote. her and vote for someone else, then a candi- Socialist Party candidate Oleksander Yatsenyuk outperformed both the president “This is our democracy,” said Dr. date will win whom I don’t like very Moroz, who’s also 65 years old. She added and Mr. Tiahnybok, a native of Lviv. He Chornyi, who spent a month in Kyiv during much,” he said. she that was disappointed by Mr. earned 14 percent in Ivano-Frankivsk, or the Orange Revolution with his kids. “We Although Mr. Tiahnybok’s nationalist Yushchenko, “I wanted a better life in 107,000 votes; 11 percent in Lviv, or showed that we are not some kind of a party, the Svoboda All-Ukrainian Union, Ukraine.” 163,000 votes; and 10 percent in the lower race, not a people of the third world, overwhelmingly won the March 2009 President Yushchenko put the cart Ternopil Oblast, or 64,000 votes. ‘bydlo’ [cattle] which can be led around. Ternopil Oblast Council elections, he fin- before the horse, Dr. Chornyi said. The Mr. Yatsenyuk earned second place in We lifted our democracy and showed the ished in fifth place in the Halychyna economy needs to be addressed first before his native Chernivtsi Oblast, where he entire nation that we can democratically oblasts, falling behind Mr. Yatsenyuk and addressing cultural and historical issues, earned 84,000 votes, or 19 percent. achieve our goals.” even Mr. Yanukovych, the choice of the he said. “He’s a young, interesting man with ini- “It’s 1,000 percent worth it to vote,” Ms. region’s ethnic Russian electorate. “He offered national ideals, but the peo- tiative and his own ideas and views on Selyk said. “Maybe something will improve Mr. Tiahnybok earned 5 percent of ple are poor,” he said of President Ukraine’s development,” said Dr. Chornyi. and we’ll change life for the better.”

The Taras Shevchenko School of Ukrainian Studies of Greater Washington in cooperation with The Washington Group requests the pleasure of your company at the Ukrainian Debutante Ball Saturday, the thirteenth of February, Two thousand and ten at six o’clock in the evening

L’Enfant Plaza Hotel 480 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20024 Miss Alexandra Christina Chopivsky, Miss Larissa Slava Szyszka, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Petro 6:00 - 7:00 Cocktails with open bar daughter of Captain and Mrs. Chopivsky of Leesburg, Virginia, is a 7:00 - Dinner and Presentation of Debutantes Stephen Szyszka of Burke, junior at Loudoun County High 9:00 - Dance, Music provided by HRIM Virginia, is a senior at Robinson School. Secondary. Attire: Black Tie Ticket prices From Jan. 21, 2010 to Feb. 9, 2010 – $145 pp Dance only after 9:00 pm From Jan. 21, 2010 to Feb. 13, 2010 – $50 pp To register online contact [email protected]. For those interested in an overnight stay, a special event room rate is available. Our group code is UDB213. Please call L’Enfant Plaza Hotel at 800-635-5065.

Miss Lida Maria Chopivsky-Benson Miss Julianna Elizabeth Romaniuk, (Lala), the daughter of Dr. Randy daughter of Mrs. Julia Romaniuk Benson and Mrs. Lydia Chopivsky and the late Mr. Demetrius Benson of Washington, DC, is a Romaniuk, is a sophomore at St. member of the National Cathedral John’s College High School in School for Girls Class of 2010. Washington, DC.

Miss Andrea Bohdana Hetmansky, daugh- Miss Maria Emilia Hewko, Miss Tatyana Kolybabiuk, ter of LTC (USA Ret.) Bohdan Andrey daughter of Mr. and Mrs. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hetmansky and LTC (USA Ret.) Vanessa John Hewko, is a junior at Orest Kolybabiuk of C. Hetmansky of Huntingtown, Maryland, Episcopal High School in Ashburn, Virginia, is a senior is a junior at Huntingtown High School. Alexandria, Virginia. at Stone Bridge High School. No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 19 BOOK NOTES: Larissa Onyshkevych on Ukrainian drama “Tekst I Hra. Moderna Ukrayinska events in Ukraine were reflected in interpretations of these works by artistic Drama” (Text and Performance. Modern Ukrainian drama (from the Pereiaslav directors, as staged in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Drama), by Larissa Zaleska Treaty to the Holodomor of 1933). United States, between 1980 and 2007. Onyshkevych. Shevchenko Scientific In the second part, the author analyzes While some of these plays are not classi- Society (USA), Literary Studies Series. plays written from the end of the 19th fied as Ukrainian drama, they were New York/Lviv: Litopys, 2009. 472 pp. century to the present, by authors in included in the book since they were Ukraine as well as in the diaspora. Among either written by Ukrainians, or were This new Ukrainian-language book these are plays by: Ivan Franko (“Prince about Ukrainians or Ukrainian folklore. provides over 30 articles discussing lead- Sviatoslav’s Dream”), Lesia Ukrainka Many of the above studies on ing works of Ukrainian drama on the (“In the Wilderness”), Volodymyr Ukrainian drama were first published in background of 20th century’s literary Vynnychenko (“Disharmony” and “The periodicals, as documented by Dr. trends. The author, Larissa Zaleska Prophet”), Ielysei Karpenko Onyshkevych in the bibliography of her Onyshkevych, is a literary scholar who (“Edelweiss”), Mykola Kulish (“Sonata bilingual publications, representing over has devoted the major part of her work to Pathetique”), Ivan Kocherha (“Masters of 100 titles. The book includes an author Ukrainian and comparative drama. The Time”), Iurii Kosach (“A Play about index (16 pages) and an index of plays volume’s three separate sections deal George the Conqueror”), Liudmyla discussed (17 pages). with: thematic and stylistic aspects of Kovalenko (“The Heroine Dies in the The general design of the cover is by modern Ukrainian drama; a comparative First Act”), Eaghor Kostezky (“A Play Tamara Skrypka, while the title page approach to specific textual analysis of about a Great Man”), Bohdan Boychuk design is by Vasyl Lopukh, who uses more than 20 plays; and interpretations of (“Hunger-1933”), Oleksandr Levada Vasyl Iermylov’s “Harlequin” (1924) as a 26 texts performed on various stages in (“Faust and Death”), Yurii Shcherbak background. Ukraine and in the USA. (“Approaching”), Valerii Shevchuk Dr. Onyshkevych is the co-author, edi- In the first part, individual articles dis- (“Birds from an Invisible Island”), as tor or co-editor of 12 books on Ukrainian cuss modernism, postmodernism, existen- well as verse dramas by Wira Wowk. The literature, language or culture, including tialist expressions of individual identity literary aspects of each of the above plays analysis and/or archetypal criticism. and the ways in which great historical are discussed in terms of comparative The third part of the book discusses the (Continued on page 22)

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Erin Marie Niedzwiecki Michelle Marie Podberezniak Anna Romaniv Bohdanna Natalia Stolar Nadia Olena Szpyhulsky Natalia Vergara Jamesburg, NJ Springfield, NJ Yonkers, NY Bear, DE Hillside, NJ New York, NY 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

as practical after the chair and a majority Eastern European ancestry. Such informa- with law, is hereby required to cooperate Executive order... of the members have been appointed. The tion and materials also shall be made with the Commission and to furnish it (Continued from page 6) presence of a majority of the authorized available to non-public schools. with such information and assistance as is additional ten (10) public members membership of the Commission shall 10. The Commission may, subject to necessary and feasible to accomplish the appointed by the Governor. The Governor constitute a quorum and shall be required such approvals as are required by law, purposes of this Order. The Commission shall designate a chair from among the for the conduct of official business. expend such monies as may be donated to may consult with experts or other knowl- members, and the members shall elect 8. The responsibilities and duties of the the State for the benefit of the work of the edgeable individuals in the public or pri- annually from among their members a Commission are as follows: Commission. vate sector on any aspect of its mission. vice-chair. a. to recognize, study, and share infor- 11. The Commission is authorized to 12. The Commission shall establish a 5. The public members shall be resi- mation on Eastern European heritage, call on any department, office, division, schedule of meetings and report periodi- dents of the State, chosen with due regard culture, and history; or agency of State government to request cally to the Governor on its activities and for representation by national origin, geo- b. to coordinate events observing the such information, resources, or other recommendations. An initial report to the graphic representation, educational back- heritage, culture, and history of assistance deemed necessary to discharge Governor shall be submitted within six ground, knowledge, and experience relat- Americans of Eastern European ancestry, its responsibilities under this Order, and months from the date of the first meeting including an annual Eastern European ed to the heritage, culture, and history of which such department, office, division and annually thereafter. Month Celebration; Americans of Eastern European ancestry. or agency can reasonably provide. Each 13. This Order shall take effect imme- c. to provide expertise to and to collab- 6. The State representative shall be department, office, division, and agency diately and shall expire in five (5) years orate with the Department of Education of this State, to the extent not inconsistent from the date of this order. appointed by the Governor for a term of to continue to develop content and curric- three (3) years. The public members ulum guides on the heritage, culture, and appointed by the Governor upon the rec- history of Americans of Eastern European only the poorest in society and placing more ommendation of the President of the ancestry; utility burdens on the wealthy. Senate, the Speaker of the General Turning the pages... d. to coordinate events with the (Continued from page 6) On February 17, 2009, the Verkhovna Assembly, the Senate Minority Leader, Department of State observing the heri- Rather than raise taxes, the author of the Rada officially dismissed Mr. Pynzenyk and the Assembly Minority Leader shall tage, culture, and history of Americans of memo suggested reducing expenditures, such as finance minister. Mr. Pynzenyk was in each be appointed for a term of three (3) Eastern European ancestry; as cutting ministers’ salaries by 40 to 50 per- the hospital during the vote. years. Of the other ten (10) public mem- e. to assist the New Jersey Tourism cent, canceling all benefits to national depu- bers first appointed, four (4) shall be Policy Council in promoting cultural ties and high-ranking officials, and reducing Source: “Leaked memorandum warns appointed to a three-year term, three (3) exchanges between the citizens of the government automobiles, telephones and of collapse of Ukraine’s economy,” by shall be appointed to a two-year term, and State of New Jersey and the nations of vacations. Other proposals included limiting Zenon Zawada, The Ukrainian Weekly, three (3) shall be appointed to a one-year Eastern Europe; all social benefits, such as transportation, to February 1, 2009. term. Thereafter, after the initial term of f. to assist the Office of International office, all public members shall be Trade in promoting economic develop- appointed to a term of three (3) years. ment and international trade between the Public members shall serve until their citizens of the State of New Jersey and mental freedoms, despite challenges such successors are appointed and qualified, the nations of Eastern Europe. International... as an incomplete and inconsistent legal and any vacancy in the membership of 9. The Department of Education shall (Continued from page 1) framework. We commend the tireless the committee shall be filled for the unex- assist the Commission in the dissemina- have made a great step ahead and have efforts of countless election workers to pired term in the manner provided for the tion to educators, administrators, and stabilized democracy in Ukraine,” said ensure a smooth functioning of the elec- original appointment. Public members of public school districts in the State, educa- Pawel Kowal, head of the delegation of toral process,” said Heidi Tagliavini, head the Commission shall serve without com- tional information, and other materials on the European Parliament. of the election observation mission of the pensation. the history and cultural heritage, and the “This election was organized overall OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions 7. The Commission shall meet as soon contributions to society of Americans of efficiently and with respect for funda- and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America, Philadelphia Chapter cordially invites you to attend the 56th Annual Engineers’ Banquet and Ball with Presentation of Debutantes Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Hyatt Hotel at the Bellevue Broad and Walnut Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oresta Borodevyc Sandra Zarichny Cocktails at 6:00 PM Banquet at 7:00 PM Ball and Presentation of Debutantes at 9:00 PM Music by the “Fata Morgana” Orchestra Masters of Ceremonies: Danylo Bojcun, Taisa Hewka

Banquet and Ball - $150 per person Ball only - $60 per person Student Tickets for Ball - $30 per person

Anastasia Chervonyak For additional information and to make reservations, please contact Cristina Zalucky Dr. Larysa Zaika at 215-635-7134 Send mail, reservations and payments to: Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America c/o Dr. Larysa Zaika 40 Johns Road Cheltenham, PA 19012 Please make checks or money orders payable to “Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America”

For room reservations, please call the Hyatt Hotel 215-893-1234 or 800-233-1234 Nadia Korsun Please refer to the Ukrainian Engineers’ Ball for special room rates Alexa Watters

Xenia Krylyuk Krystyna Kupicha Julianna Petryk Diana Rozumov Yuliya Stupen Sofiya Sydoryak Oksana Vovchuk No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 21

Education... (Continued from page 11) early years of post-Soviet migration from Ukraine to the U.S., a great majority of immigrants were Jews, and only in later years Ukrainians became the dominant nationality in this migration stream. (According to Derzhkomstat – Ukraine’s State Committee on Statistics – data on legal immigrants from Ukraine to the U.S., classified by nationality, show that until 1995 Jews were the majority in this migra- tion stream, and only starting in 1996 did Ukrainians become the predominant nationality among these immigrants). As can be seen in Table 3, new wave immigrants had a slightly higher percent- age of persons with university degrees university completed among English than U.S.-born and pre-1991 immigrants, speaking new wave immigrants is likely Ukrainians in the United States have 46 percent and 44 percent, respectively. due to the fact that many of them are high- When we subdivide the new wave immi- ly trained professionals with a good com- achieved a significantly higher level of grants into early and more recent immi- mand of English and they reported that grants, we see that the early immigrants they use English as their main language at education than the total US population. had almost 52 percent with university edu- home. The much higher percentage of uni- cation, surpassing the 44 percent of U.S.- versity graduates among Russian speakers Close to 45 percent of them have a univer- born and pre-new wave immigrants. The than among Ukrainian speakers is proba- more recent new wave immigrants, on the bly due to two reasons: a) most Jews are sity degrees, compared to 27.5 percent for other hand, tend to have a slightly lower Russian speakers and they have high edu- the total US population, and this advan- percent with university degree (43 per- cation levels; b) a reflection of Soviet real- cent). ity, where more successful and highly edu- tage is only slightly diminished if we ex- Surprisingly new wave immigrants have cated people tended to speak in Russian, a fairly high proportion of illiterates (no while Ukrainian speakers tended to have clude from the total U.S. population. The grade completed), more than 1 percent, lower education levels. compared to 0.3 percent for U.S.-born and In Table 4 we also present the absolute percent with university education among pre-1991 immigrants. For early new wave numbers of persons with university degree, immigrants (1991-1995 arrivals) this per- both for U.S.-born and pre-1991 immi- “new wave” immigrant from Ukraine is centage is close to 2 percent. Although grants, as well as for new wave immi- most of these early “new immigrants” are grants, and these numbers suggest two higher than for U.S.-born and pre-1991 70 years or older, it is still surprising that important policy issues. Among the first immigrants of Ukrainian ancestry, docu- some of the new wave immigrants did not group (first panel in Table 4), the total complete a single grade, given the empha- number of English speaking university menting the loss of highly educated hu- sis on universal education in the Soviet graduates was about 14 times larger than Union. Perhaps some of them did not the respective number of Ukrainian speak- man resources for Ukraine. understand the question due to language ers. For example, in 2006 there were about problems. 31,000 English speaking Ph.D.s and pro- Finally we examine the education level fessionals, and only 2,500 Ukrainian among Ukrainians by language spoken at speakers. home. Thus English speaking Ukrainians with For U.S.-born and pre-1991 immigrants, university-level education represent a Russian speakers had the highest percent very large potential resource for the with university degree, over 50 percent, Ukrainian community in the U.S. while the percentages for English and Strategies should be developed by differ- Ukrainian speakers were 44 percent and ent organizations to try to include in their 34.5 percent, respectively (Table 4). A activities as many of them as possible. majority of these Russian speakers were This requires flexibility, tolerance and immigrants (not U.S.-born), and it is quite imagination, as many of these persons are likely that a large proportion of them are not interested in standard community Jews. Most of them arrived in the U.S. in activities, and sometimes they are not the late 1970s and early 1980s (the first welcomed by our organizations. wave of Jewish emigration from Ukraine For the new wave we have a similar to the U.S.), and in 1989-1990, the begin- situation with Russian speaking immi- ning of the second Jewish migration wave grants, as there are more than twice as from Ukraine to the U.S. many Russian speaking immigrants with For U.S.-born and pre-1991 Ukrainian university degrees as Ukrainian speakers. speaking immigrants with university level Unfortunately they are often not wel- education, their low percentage (34.5 per- comed or rejected in our communities cent) is due to the fact that half of them are because they speak Russian. It is impor- immigrants and that these immigrants have tant to keep in mind that these persons a low percent with university level educa- declared of their own will that they are of tion. The U.S.-born component of this Ukrainian ancestry. Second, given the group has proportionally as many persons reality of current Ukraine, many of them with university level education as English do consider themselves Ukrainians and speaking Ukrainians. The low percent with care about Ukraine and its culture. Third, university degrees among pre-1991 anecdotal evidence indicates that some of Ukrainian speaking immigrants is proba- them do attend performances by bly an effect of their old age structure. Ukrainian artists and buy Ukrainian More than half of them are 65 years or books. Given their large numbers, it older, and during their formative years would be inadvisable to reject all of them higher education was not as prevalent as it just because they speak Russian. It may became in later years. be advisable to try to establish contacts Among new wave immigrants English with them and try to integrate them in speakers have the highest percent with some fashion into our communities. It university degree, over 60 percent, fol- would be interesting to test the hypothesis lowed by Russian speakers with 54 percent that some of them have become more and Ukrainian speakers with about 33.5 conscious Ukrainians once they migrated percent. The high level of persons with from Ukraine to the U.S.

To subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly, call 973-292-9800, ext. 3042 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

natives singing folk songs. Ukrainian lan- Literature and National Identity” (guest Yushchenko's place... guage-use in the public sphere would Larissa Onyshkevych... editor, Fall 2006), as well as the book (Continued from page 9) spread. (Continued from page 19) “Contemporary Ukraine on the Cultural Since clan divisions among the oligarchs In the event of a Yanukovych victory, her anthology of drama of the Ukrainian Map of Europe” (co-editor, 2009). are stronger than national or political divi- Ukraine’s cultural elite, without govern- diaspora (1997) and an anthology of “Tekst I Hra” received the top rating in ment support and with no national capi- the field of literary studies for the third sions, they can easily support whoever wins Modern Ukrainian drama (1998) – both the 2010 elections and thus perpetuate their talist class to back them, would be quarter of 2009, as judged by experts of reduced to running private cultural clubs in Ukrainian (the latter is now also in the Kharkiv-based LitAkcent website. domination of the country. Thanks to the print in English). Among her most recent proportional electoral system, they can easi- – much as they did under the tsars and The book may be ordered from the publications is special Forum edition of ly buy parliamentary seats and then deter- then the commissars. The country would Shevchenko Scientific Society, 63 Fourth mine the selection of bureaucrats who remain under the cultural dictatorship of The Slavic and East European Journal Ave., New York, NY 10003, for $26 would act in their interests. a Russian minority. dedicated to “Contemporary Ukrainian (includes shipping). It should be noted, that, although most Additionally, while Yanukovych would oligarchs have a neo-Soviet Russophile do nothing to restrict the oligarchs, Ms. mentality, not all would welcome a rein- Tymoshenko, at least in principle, knows not to vote in the second round. tegration of Ukraine into Mr. Putin’s new that Ukraine will continue to decline The Russian factor... Therefore, the election outcome will empire. In exchange for cheap gas and a unless she not only puts her opponents’ (Continued from page 2) hinge on whether Orange voters will heed “strong state” that could control democra- oligarchs in their place, but that she forc- and Kuchma against Ms. Tymoshenko Mr. Yushchenko’s advice. Listening to cy, unions and wages, under Mr. Putin the es the oligarchs in her party to realize that following the 2000-2001 Kuchmagate Mr. Yushchenko would have the effect of they must be subject to the government oligarchs would lose the political power scandal to undermine her as an opposition dampening the turnout in western Ukraine and law and not above them. Government and ensuring Mr. Yanukovych’s election they have in independent Ukraine. Not all leader. Mr. Kuchma was unsuccessful in assets are not booty to be stolen for pri- (and possibly Mr. Yushchenko becoming of them are keen on EU membership making such charges stick; nevertheless, either, because there, at least until the vate interest but wealth that must be nur- prime minister). However, if they ignore Ms. Tymoshenko in February 2001 Lisbon Treaty is fully implemented, they tured for the public good. What she will Mr. Yushchenko’s appeal, Ms. would have to obey laws and regulations do, obviously, remains to be seen. became the only member of the Ukrainian Tymoshenko will likely be elected as that still limit corporate rapacity or suffer It might also be added that some elite who was ever imprisoned (Radio Ukraine’s next president. the consequences. European leaders on the left and right Free Europe, August 15, 2002). Thus, collectively, the oligarchs are don’t understand that it is not in the inter- Mr. Yushchenko argues that the The article above is reprinted from quite happy to keep Ukraine in a geopo- est of the EU to have a powerful Russian “Moscow Coalition” (Ms. Tymoshenko Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission litical no-man’s land because that allows empire on its eastern border. Such people and Mr. Yanukovych) are no different, from its publisher, the Jamestown them to make profits and decisively influ- would obviously welcome a Yanukovych and is calling on “patriotic Ukrainians” Foundation, www.jamestown.org. ence, if not control, national politics – victory. Those who realize that without while at the same time permitting them Ukraine Russia will never again be an open access to places like Monaco and empire, however, would welcome a and for facilitating meaningful genera- Davos. But does such a state of affairs Tymoshenko victory. Chicago UIMA... tional passage. reflect the interests of the population at Ukraine after 2004 remained a Russian (Continued from page 13) The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art colony in the cultural and economic sense large? society and for individual community is a non-profit educational and cultural There are two major differences ruled by a kleptocratic neo-Soviet clan- members’ sense of belonging. organization that presents exhibits, con- between Ms. Tymoshenko and Mr. oligarchy primarily thanks to Mr. certs, lectures and multi-disciplinary Yanukovych. Yushchenko’s failure to exploit his mass Ukrainians scattered throughout the The former is pro-EU and she opposes support in 2004 to break their power. If world constitute a powerful commodity events and maintains a museum of mod- legal-status for Russian. Should Ms. the oligarchs stole the nation’s wealth, that can provide a positive image of ern art relevant primarily to the Ukrainian Tymoshenko win she would continue Mr. Yushchenko did worse – he stole its Ukraine and can be an influential force community but also to the community at government support for national develop- hope for a better future. There was only for positive change in Ukraine. The large. It welcomes participation, member- ment and ensure the country would not one 1917 revolution in the last century. It UIMA provides an ideal opportunity and ship, commentary and support, as all revert to the status of a “little Russia” is unlikely there will be another 2004 venue for promoting Ukrainian culture in these will make the difference that where “culture” was limited to happy revolution this century. a contemporary changing environment impacts future generations. No. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 23 OUT AND ABOUT

January 30 Debutante Ball, Plast Ukrainian Scouting Washington Washington School of Ukrainian Studies, L’Enfant Whippany, NJ Organization, Newark Branch, Hanover Marriott, Plaza Hotel, [email protected] or 800-635-5056 732-356-1575 February 13 Debutante Ball “Chervona Kalyna,” Hilton Hotel, January 30 Malanka, featuring music by Zolota Bulava and Pearl River, NY 718-291-4166 New Britain, CT Hrim, Zolotyj Promin Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, St. George Greek Orthodox hall, February 13 Winterfest ice skating, Bobrivka, 860-883-1391 or 860-452-4023 or 860-676-2790 Colebrook, CT 203-932-4376 or www.bobriwka.org

January 30 Malanka, featuring music by Fata Morgana, St. February 13 Debutante Ball, Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of Carteret, NJ Demetrius Community Center, 609-655-4468 Warren, MI America – Detroit Branch, Ukrainian Cultural (prepaid tickets only) Center, 734-717-0695

January 30 Debutante Ball, Ukrainian Medical Association of February 13 Debutante Ball and Silent Auction, featuring music Chicago North America – Illinois Branch, Palmer House Marina Del Rey, CA by Zakhid, California Association to Aid Ukraine, Hilton, 312-282-7017 or [email protected] Marriott Hotel, 800-228-9290

January 31 Blessing of church iconostas and wall iconography February 20 Kaktus Kolomiyka Zabava, featuring music by Lansdale, PA by Chrystyna Dochwat, led by Metropolitan- Phoenix, AZ Svitanok, Ukrainian National Women’s League of Archbishop Stefan Soroka, Presentation of Our America, Country Inn and Suites, Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 215-715-4871 480-991-4656 or [email protected]

February 6 Debutante Ball, Ukrainian American Youth February 20 Wild West Ukie Fest, featuring the Zorianka Parsippany, NJ Association, Sheraton Hotel, 212-473-3084 Phoenix, AZ Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Edmonton, Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Pinnacle High February 6 Debutante Ball, Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of School Auditorium, 480-991-4656 Philadelphia America – Philadelphia Chapter, Hyatt Hotel at the or [email protected] Bellvue, 215-893-1234 or 215-635-7134 February 21 Concert, “Ukraine Rain,” featuring Julian Kytasty, February 6 Pub night, featuring live music, Dnipro Ukrainian New York poet Bob Holman, and the Radio Banduristan Song Baltimore, MD Sports Club, 410-967-0501 or [email protected] and Dance Ensemble, Bowery Poetry Club, 212-614-0505 February 7 Concert, “Natalka Poltavka,” Vocal School of Toronto Larissa Stilmachenko, St. Volodymyr Cathedral, February 25 Lecture by Taras Prokhasko, “FM Galicia U.S.” 416-766-6478 Washington Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 202-691-4000 February 12 Concert, “Night Songs from a Neighboring Village,” New York Bandura Downtown, The Ukrainian Museum, Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to 212-228-0110 events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome sub- missions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the February 13 Debutante Ball, The Washington Group and the editors and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 24 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2010 No. 4

PREVIEW OF EVENTS Friday, February 12 French, Latin, Balkan and other perform- ers. Bring your instruments and dance NEW YORK: The Ukrainian Museum, shoes. For information contact Halyna Center for Traditional Music and Dance, and New York Bandura Ensemble/Bandura Shepko, 845-255-5936, or check http:// Downtown present “Night Songs from a www.berkshire.net/~flurry/festival/index. Neighboring Village,” an evening of East html. Advance sale discounted tickets European Jewish and Ukrainian music and available. song, presented comparatively by Yiddish Thursday, February 25 singer/klezmer multi-instrumentalist Michael Alpert and Ukrainian-American WASHINGTON: The Embassy of singer/bandurist Julian Kytasty. The con- Ukraine and The Washington Group cert takes place at 7 p.m. at The Ukrainian Cultural Fund will present a unique con- Museum, 222 E. Sixth St. (between cert featuring Oleksandr Pushniak, bari- Second and Third avenues). Tickets: $15; tone, and Oksana Skidan, piano. Mr. senior/member discounts available. For Pushniak was a 2007 semi-finalist in the further information call 212-571-1555, Placido Domingo “Operalia” competition ext. 35. in Paris. He is presently in his second sea- son as a Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Sunday, February 14 with the Washington National Opera. Mr. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.: The Pushniak will perform selections from Korinya Ukrainian Folk Band from international classical operas as well as Gardiner, N.Y., will be playing and teach- Ukrainian opera arias and folk songs. The ing Ukrainian village dances at the 23rd concert is at 6:30 p.m. at the Embassy of annual Dance Flurry Festival at the Hilton Ukraine, 3350 M St. NW. Ticket price is Broadway Ballroom at 12:45-1:45p.m. 30; please mail checks to: R. Norair, 9311 Festival attendance – including over 600 Persimmon Tree Road, Potomac, MD performers and 300 Flurry staff and volun- 20854-4327. Seats will be confirmed upon teers – has climbed to over 4,000. The fes- receipt of check. Please include e-mail tival includes African, Scottish, English, address for confirmation of reservation. French-Canadian, old-time American, No tickets will be sold at the door. For Cajun, Afghan, Scandinavian, Irish, information call 202-364-3888.

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o Two Easters in springtime. Information should be sent to: [email protected] or Preview of Events, The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, o “Zlet” and “Sviato Vesny” in May. 973-644-9510. NB: If e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments; o Soyuzivka’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival in July. simply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. o “Uke Week” at Wildwood in August. o Back to Ukrainian school in September. o “Morskyi Bal” in New Jersey in November. o “Koliada” in December. o A subscription to The Ukrainian Weekly ALL YEAR ROUND.

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