Inside: l Obituary: George Sawchak, Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame member – page 4 l UNWLA fashion show to spotlight Ukrainian designers – page 9 l Leonid Poltava: celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth – page 12

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal Wnon-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXIX No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 $2.00 U.S. announces fresh military aid to Ukraine In White House meeting, Biden assures Zelenskyy as Zelenskyy visits Washington of U.S. support against ‘Russian aggression’

Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Office of the President of Ukraine Oval Office on September 1. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the president’s trip to the United States on September 1. by Todd Prince “The United States remains firmly com- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty mitted to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territo- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty The Biden Administration said in a noti- rial integrity in the face of Russian aggres- fication to Congress cited by the AP news WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden sion and our support for Ukraine’s Euro- Washington promised Kyiv up to $60 agency on August 31 that the aid package assured his Ukrainian counterpart Volody­ Atlantic aspirations,” Mr. Biden told the million in military aid before U.S. President for Ukraine was necessary because of a myr Zelenskyy that the United States Ukrainian president in the Oval Office on Joe Biden and his visiting Ukrainian coun- “major increase in Russian military activity stands behind Kyiv against “Russian September 1. terpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met in the aggression” in a widely anticipated meeting White House on September 1. (Continued on page 6) at the White House. (Continued on page 5) ‘Biggest’ recent collection of Soviet-era mass In a bold and dangerous military operation, Ukrainian troops graves discovered in Black Sea city of Odesa evacuated Canada-bound Afghani translators from Kabul

Site includes 29 mass graves dating by Roman Tymotsko ed the vehicles so that they could travel the final 600 meters to the airport. to Stalin’s Great Terror LVIV – Members of the Ukrainian mili- “The convoy entered [the airport] tary stationed at the airport in the Afghan because the Ukrainians came out. We just The Kyiv-based Ukrainian Institute of by Mark Raczkiewycz capital of Kabul conducted a bold operation sent them the plate numbers of our vehi- National Memory confirmed the discov- KYIV – Four days before Ukraine cele- in the early morning hours of August 27 to cles, and they came to the local bazaar to ery two days later saying it is one the big- evacuate Afghani translators working with find us,” Mohammed Sharif Sharaf told the brated its 30th anniversary of renewed gest “mass graves” from the Soviet era independence, a local historian in the the Canadian army and a Canadian news- Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, found in recent history. paper. which first reported the story. Black Sea port city of Odesa reported Mr. Babich, who heads two nonprofits finding 29 mass graves where victims of The operation to rescue the translators “They [the Afghani translators] said called Odessa City Tours and Society and took place a day after the last Canadian ‘Ukraine?’ We said ‘Yes!’ and they took us Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s Great Terror Historical Heritage, quipped that he has of 1937-1938 were buried. plane took off from Afghanistan and hours inside,” said Mr. Sharaf, a 49-year-old father now become an expert on “Soviet terror.” after a terrorist attack took place at the of five who spent 10 years as a fixer and Oleksandr Babich’s Facebook post on The work for the two nonprofits involves August 20 slowly gained traction as he gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport. translator who worked with The Globe and giving historical tours or showing tour- joined a team of researchers to measure After the attack, the United States said it Mail to cover Canada’s role in the war in ists catacombs in the city where Soviet the metes and bounds of the discovery would allow only foreign nationals to enter Afghanistan. partisans resisted the Nazi German-led situated southwest of the city where the airport, but not Afghans with visas. Two previous attempts, one by the occupation during World War II. metal garages were slated to be relocat- Despite the limitation, and with a grow- Canadian military and another by the U.S. ed amid an expansion of the airport on Preparations for exhumation at the ing risk to coalition forces ahead of the State Department, to evacuate citizens from the outskirts of the city. 4.7-hectare (11.6-acre) site have com- planned withdrawal of the last U.S. force on the airport in Kabul were unsuccessful. As a Approximately 8,500 victims shot by menced, he said, and bullet shell casings, August 31, Ukrainian special forces troops result, Mr. Sharaf’s group could not get to the Soviet-era NKVD – the predecessor of human bones, Soviet coins and clothing marched into the city to escort two mini- the airport to leave the country. In the the internal security and counterintelli- buttons from that period have already buses filled with 19 Afghans to the airport failed operations, the Canadians and their gence agency of the KGB – are believed been uncovered. Mr. Babich added that so that they could be evacuated. families needed to reach specific meeting to be buried at the site, Mr. Babich told The soldiers, using photos of the license points near the airport gates, but doing so The Ukrainian Weekly over the phone. (Continued on page 3) plates on the minibuses, identified the cor- rect vehicles. They surrounded and escort- (Continued on page 3) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

ANALYSIS

Zelenskyy returns to Kyiv to continue Zelenskyy and Biden summit ‘productive’ occupied Crimea. He said that the United States praised the idea to create the Crimea Ukrainian President Volodymyr Platform. “This is a very powerful initiative the political struggle at home Zelenskyy said that his meeting on according to the United States. They want September 1 with U.S. President Joseph support Washington is currently offering to support this initiative. Crimea has been by Bohdan Nahaylo Biden took place in a productive and con- Ukraine to move decisively in this direc- mentioned many times. Regarding the de- structive atmosphere, and that both parties As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tion. This support surpasses what the occupation of Crimea, with regard to pris- are interested in a fruitful dialogue. “I don’t returns home after a successful working U.S. has offered Ukraine in total assis- oners,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. He noted that he know if there was ‘chemistry,’ but the fact visit to the United States, his attention tance for defense purposes. proposed to involve at the level presidential that the meeting lasted two hours instead will now have to switch to pressing Mr. Zelenskyy has managed temporari- level the United States in the process of of an hour shows that the parties are inter- domestic issues. The Ukrainian parlia- ly to find a way around the restraints peaceful settlement of the conflict in the ested in the dialogue and the outcome of ment is shortly due to reconvene after its imposed by a corrupt judiciary and flawed Donbas. The two men also discussed this dialogue. I believe that the meeting was summer recess, and the political battles democratic institutions by using executive threats from the Nord Stream 2 pipeline held in a normal, productive, not in a con- over critical issues will be reconvened power to endorse decisions made by the project during their Oval Office meeting. stantly sunny atmosphere, but in a direct with vigor. National Security and Defense Council Mr. Zelenskyy said that Mr. Biden assured conversation,” Mr. Zelenskyy said during a In light of this, and bearing in mind that (NSDC). It in turn, he has argued that him that, in the event of any threat to conversation with the media in Washington Ukraine has just celebrated the 30th anni- Ukraine is in a state of war with Russia Ukraine’s energy security from the Russian after the talks with Mr. Biden. Mr. Zelenskyy versary of it’s breaking free from the and it is acting in the interests of national Federation or other parties to the pipeline said Mr. Biden gave him a positive assess- Soviet empire, it is worth recalling what security. The president has also said that project, the United States will enforce sanc- ment of the reforms being implemented in the main current political conflicts are and he will not hesitate to turn directly to the tions against Nord Stream 2. “I believe that Ukraine. “He especially noted the land and seeing what the mood of the country is people, if necessary, through the use of this is a great victory for us, although it is a judicial reforms. Everyone sees infrastruc- three decades after it affirmed its referenda. complicated issue,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. He tural changes in Ukraine and some kind of renewed independence. This tactic caught his opponents off also invited Mr. Biden to visit Ukraine. a result. I am pleased that they see positive Essentially, the battle lines established guard, but they have regrouped and are (Office of the President of Ukraine) things at the level of the president of the after Mr. Zelenskyy’s unexpected landslide accusing him of violating democratic and United States,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. The Zelenskyy met with businesses leaders victory in the presidential election of 2019 constitutional norms. They appear to have Ukrainian president said that considerable and, subsequently, the victory of his hasti- Ukrainian President Volodymyr secured a valuable asset in the speaker of attention was paid during the talks to the ly cobbled together Servant of the People Zelenskyy met with representatives of the parliament, Dmytro Razumkov, the issue of Ukraine’s membership in NATO. American businesses on September 1. The party majority have become even more president’s former close political associate Mr. Biden supports Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic meeting included representatives of finan- accentuated. The party has refused to who during the last year has distanced integration, but no specific dates have been cial, energy, agricultural, infrastructure and enter into a coalition with other parties himself from the Ukrainian president and set for joining the Alliance. “I have heard defense companies. Mr. Zelenskyy dis- and it has pursued its own purportedly indicated that he has political ambitions of that the president supports Ukraine in reformist agenda as understood by the his own. cussed Ukraine’s Transformation Plan, obtaining NATO membership, but it is diffi- which aims to attract about $300 billion in presidential team and in response to situ- Mr. Zelenskyy’s adversaries have also cult to say what the path will be,” Mr. ational factors. succeeded in persuading respected exter- foreign investments into the Ukrainian Zelenskyy said. He noted that security economy. “We can do these transformations On the right, the president and his par- nal democratic watchdogs to voice con- issues in the Black Sea region were raised liamentary faction are bitterly opposed by cern. For instance, on the eve of Mr. ourselves, but it will take about 20-25 during the meeting. “There is a specific years, so we need support from large com- former president Petro Poroshenko and Zelenskyy’s visit to the U.S., Freedom issue and specific proposals. We will dis- his followers who have yet to come to House sent a letter to the president panies,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. He also stressed cuss them with the United States. I think that Ukraine is now taking real steps to sup- terms with their humiliating defeat. The regarding developments in Ukraine that that the U.S. secretary of defense will arrive owner of two TV channels, Mr. Poroshen­ touch on issues of freedom of expression, port business. In particular, the Ukrainian in Ukraine. We will look forward to his visit parliament approved a historic measure on ko has so far managed to evade charges of as well as violence against journalists, and the meetings of the working subgroups corruption levelled against him. activists and vulnerable groups. It accused land reform, and the president said that on this issue,” said Mr. Zelenskyy, adding Ukraine is interested in investing in the The pro-Russian forces left over from the Ukrainian leader of using executive that Ukraine offered the United States a the Party of the Regions, which was in power, “without judicial review, to sanc- development of irrigation. Mr. Zelenskyy number of initiatives for bilateral coopera- also reminded participants of the meeting control under ousted president Viktor tion media outlets, tech platforms, journal- tion. “Some of our proposals were new to Yanukovych, are grouped together in the ists and websites under the pretext of that Ukraine is working on further banking the United States. They are interested. We reforms and is eager to privatize one of the Opposition Platform – For Life. They are fighting disinformation.” have agreed that they will work out the also staunch adversaries. They have been In short, Mr. Zelenskyy faces strong largest banks in Ukraine, PrivatBank. “Many details of these proposals, and there will be reforms, many steps. We are in a hurry, we hamstrung by the house arrest of one of opposition at home in his effort to trans- an answer,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. The their key figures – tycoon and close asso- form a deeply entrenched political system. do not have time to talk,” Mr. Zelenskyy Ukrainian president noted that during the said, while also urging American business- ciate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, The crucial question is whether Mr. meeting with Mr. Biden special attention Viktor Medvechuk, who faces charges of Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People faction was paid to the issue of the temporarily (Continued on page 10) treason. Three of his pro-Russian TV will hold together and find enough votes channels have been shut down. from independent lawmakers to allow the Another veteran of Ukrainian politics, Ukrainian president to push ahead with Yulia Tymoshenko, and her Fatherland reforms. Or, will parliament become para- FOUNDED 1933 party, are also in opposition to Mr. lyzed by gridlock and infighting, necessi- The Ukrainian Weekly Zelenskyy and in a tacit alliance with his tating early elections. other adversaries. She has increasingly According to a recent poll conducted by An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., relied on populist rhetoric to preserve her the Ukrainian Sociological Group and pub- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. base of support. lished on August 20, if parliamentary elec- The main issues of contention in recent tions were to be held now, five parties Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. (ISSN — 0273-9348) months have been Mr. Zelenskyy’s would overcome the five percent thresh- attempts to rein in the oligarchs who for old need to have seats in the parliament. The Weekly: UNA: long have dominated political and eco- The Servant of the People would receive Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 nomic life, reform the legal system, curb 22.9 percent of the vote, the Opposition corruption and create conditions that will Platform – For Life would get 18.4 percent, Postmaster, send address changes to: generate confidence from foreign inves- Mr. Poroshenko’s European Solidarity The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Andrew Nynka tors. would receive 16.5 percent, Fatherland 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas P.O. Box 280 The Ukrainian leader is facing strong would get 11.6 percent and Strength and Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] pressure from Ukraine’s supporters and Honor, led by former security service chief allies to deliver on reforms. Delivering on Ihor Smeshko, would receive 6.4 percent of The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com those badly needed reforms is seen as a the vote. precondition for the country before it can The most recent polls also show that The Ukrainian Weekly, September 5, 2021, No. 36, Vol. LXXXIX join Euro-Atlantic structures. Mr. Zelenskyy’s approval rating, though it Copyright © 2021 The Ukrainian Weekly The Biden Administration made it very has fallen, still puts him comfortably clear to Mr. Zelenskyy during his during ahead of all his potential rivals. After his visit to Washington that, in return for receiving assurances from the Biden the continued and even enhanced sup- Administration that, far from abandoning ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA port of the U.S. for Ukraine, Washington Ukraine, it wants to renew an enhanced Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 expects Mr. Zelenskyy to press ahead with strategic partnership with the country, and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 e-mail: [email protected] reforms, especially in the legal sphere and Mr. Zelenskyy and his supporters are like- in security and law enforcement agencies. Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 ly to be encouraged and ready for the e-mail: [email protected] It is striking to see the amount of financial tough political battles ahead. No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 3

Twitter after a fourth Ukrainian plane In a bold and dangerous... helped evacuate people from Afghanistan. “We have already evacuated all Ukrainian (Continued from page 1) citizens who have expressed a desire to proved impossible amid the chaos. leave Afghanistan. Of course, there may still “The Ukrainian operation succeeded be people who are in other parts of where others had failed because the Afghanistan. If they apply, we will use all our Ukrainian military deployed special forces opportunities, diplomatic contacts to contin- troops into the city on foot to conduct the ue the evacuation,” Andriy Yermak, the head rescue,” journalist Mark Mackinnon of The of Ukraine’s presidential office said during a Globe and Mail reported. briefing at Kyiv’s Boryspil airport. The evacuees said they were stunned Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told that Ukrainian troops had taken such a The Ukrainian Weekly that it plans to con- great risk to save them. The risk was too tinue evacuating Ukrainians from great for Canadian and U.S. troops. Afghanistan after August 31. “Everybody was surprised. I tried for the “At the same time, the return routes of last month to have someone get us. We our citizens can be adjusted, depending on asked the Americans, the Canadians, the the development of the situation at Kabul Qataris, everybody – and no solution. They Presidential Office of Ukraine airport,” said Oleh Nikolenko, spokesman were scared to come out,” said Jawed An Afghani toddler who was among the 19 people evacuated by Ukrainian military for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Haqmal, a 33-year-old father of four who personnel in a daring mission on August 27 stands on the tarmac at the Boryspil air- Ukraine. for two years worked with Canadian spe- port in Kyiv the following day. “Security risks in the country continue to cial forces in Kandahar. grow. In the last few days, the Ministry of “The Ukrainian soldiers were angels for provided Ukraine $700 million in financial have such fearless partners,” the former Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ukraine us. They did an exceptional job. They have assistance and has deployed 200 troops on ambassador wrote. in Tajikistan have witnessed a new wave of big hearts,” Mr. Haqmal said. a rotational basis since 2015 on a mission The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) requests for evacuation from Afghanistan. Roman Waschuk, who served as Canada’s to train Ukrainian forces for battle. congratulated Ukraine on a successful res- The embassy is now clarifying the details of ambassador to Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, “This is, in part, a return on the invest- cue operation. the people involved, their number, location helped coordinate the special operation by ment of successive Canadian governments “This courageous operation by Ukrainian and we are liaising with them,” a statement connecting personnel working for The in training Ukraine’s military,” Mr. Waschuk special forces shows the strong bonds of from the ministry said. Globe and Mail with a senior official in wrote. friendship and long-standing close ties Mr. Nikolenko said that Ukraine has Ukraine’s Presidential Office. “There’s a lot of respect and appreciation between Canada and Ukraine,” said Alexandra already conducted six evacuation flights in “It is a story of altruism, courage, ability for what Canada’s done over the past seven Chyczij, national president of the UCC. unprecedentedly difficult conditions. Those and gratitude,” Mr. Waschuk wrote on his years,” said Mr. Waschuk. “The Ukrainian forces acted with bold- flights have evacuated more than 650 peo- Facebook page, “about how Ukrainian spe- “I must admit that when I started mak- ness, valor and fearlessness. In the terrible ple, making Ukraine among the most suc- cial forces rescued 19 Afghans at the ing my first contacts, I didn’t really believe circumstances in Afghanistan, Ukraine has cessful countries which have helped people request of Canadians – and that was due to that anything would come of this Ukrainian demonstrated that it has Canada’s back, flee Afghanistan. their readiness to go outside the security venture. But the already active and sympa- and we are grateful to them.” “Protecting the rights and interests of zone of the airport in Kabul – which no one thetic position of the foreign policy appara- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelens­ Ukrainian citizens abroad is one of the top but them dared to do last Friday.” tus of the presidential office [of Ukraine] kyy also praised the personnel involved in priorities of the foreign policy strategy. Mr. Waschuk said, he believed that the encouraged me. The 19 Canada-connected the mission. Ukraine does not give up, and the evacua- Ukrainian military agreed to conduct the Afghans extracted from the chaos of Kabul “Our military, intelligence and diplomats tion from Afghanistan once again proves rescue mission because of Canada’s support consider them [the Ukrainians who con- have done a brilliant job. Ukraine does not this principle by concrete actions,” Foreign of Ukraine in defending the country against ducted the rescue mission] guardian leave its citizens in trouble in difficult times Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Russian aggression. Since 2014, Canada has ‘angels.’ Canadians can be grateful that we and helps others!” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on his Facebook page.

Terror was shot to death.” Named after the then-village Bykivnya, ‘Biggest’ recent... He provided figures which show that in there are up to 100,000 people who were the first of two years of the purge, 779,700 buried there, according to Mr. Mahdych, the (Continued from page 1) people in Ukraine were arrested either “for historian. much work remains to examine the discov- counterrevolutionary activity … or treason, The next largest is a site in west-central ery, because “the [shot] bodies were buried of whom 353,540 were shot [to] death.” Vinnytsia Oblast where 91 mass graves were at a garbage dump site.” In 1938, More than 593,000 Ukrainian discovered. Researchers said that 9,439 peo- There is no consensus on the exact num- inhabitants of the Soviet republic were ple were found shot at that site. In total, about ber of Soviet citizens who became victims arrested, “of whom 328,616” were shot and 20,000 people were murdered by Soviet of Stalin’s Great Terror. executed, according to Mr. Mahdych’s data. authorities in the region in 1937-1938. “According to the Memorial Human Mr. Mahdych, who holds a PhD degree in More than 4,309 Polish citizens, of Rights Center in Moscow, at least 12 million history, added that in total, about every fifth whom 3,809 were military officers and 500 innocent people were jailed or executed in person arrested in the USSR in 1937 was a civilians, were killed in March 1940 and the Soviet Union between the 1930s and Ukrainian, “and every fourth person arrest- buried in Kharkiv in what was then the 1950s,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ed the following year was a Ukrainian.” rural town of Pyatykhatky. In the preceding reported. The figures are disproportionate since, two years, 2,746 Soviet citizens were killed Victims of Stalin’s mass repressions in at the time, Ukraine’s estimated population and buried there. the 1930s were often generically prosecut- of 31 million comprised nearly 18 percent The invading German army found an ed as “counter-revolutionaries” by so-called of the USSR’s population. NKVD burial site of more than 500 people troikas (triads) usually consisting of a To illustrate the extent of repression in shot to death in Donetsk in the autumn of region’s highest Communist party member, the Communist Party ranks, he said that 10 1941. More than 2,000 people who were chief NKVD officer and respective prosecu- of the 11 members of Ukraine’s Politburo shot and killed in Luhansk in easternmost tor, said historian Oleh Mahdych of the “were shot in 1937-1938.” Facebook.com/aleksander.babich Ukraine were discovered in the early 1990s. Kyiv-based think tank Arc.UA. Even the head of the NKVD secret police, Odesa historian Oleksandr Babich (top) A mass grave with 200 bodies was found Another historian at Arc.UA, Oleksandr Nikolay Yezhov, was shot to death in 1940 works to excavate a mass grave site that in central Poltava Oblast in the 1980s. More Kiryakov, said the millions of arbitrary before being replaced by Lavrentiy Beria. was discovered on the outskirts of Odesa than 500 bodies from an NKVD prison arrests and killings were made through He, in turn, would be tried for treason and in August. were identified in western Ivano-Frankivsk “Stalin’s doctrine of big revolution and class shot and executed in 1953. Oblast. Those individuals were shot in the warfare” at a time when the Soviet leader- In Odesa, given the city’s pre-Soviet cos- while painstakingly “using a dictionary to summer of 1941. ship learned they “couldn’t build a commu- mopolitan population during the Tsarist translate” documents. In Lviv, in a prison that had been used by nist utopia.” era, Mr. Babich said many people were tar- As an ally of Nazi Germany during WW II, Poles, Germans and the Soviets, more than So, members of the intelligentsia – edu- geted for having last names that did not Romania had sought to understand what 1,000 victims were found. They were shot cated and well-off people such as engi- sound Slavic. happened to its prisoners when the Soviets in June 1941 when the Red Army invaded neers, teachers, artists, “basically the bour- Although “the majority of victims were re-took the city. Mr. Babich said the western Ukraine. In 1990, 486 human geoisie,” Mr. Kiryakov said, were targeted. Ukrainian by ethnicity…, the NKVD would Romanians were shot in 1942-1943. He remains from the Soviet era were identified The wave of killings also included die- target people with German, Bulgarian or also found accounts “from 21 eyewitness- in Drohobych. hard communists and fellow NKVD officers, Romanian surnames,” the Odesa historian es” dating to the 1960s-1970s who had dis- And in the central Cherkassy regional added Mr. Mahdych, which is why the Great said. covered human remains at the site “but city of Uman, 1,402 people were murdered Terror is also known as the Great Purge. “Documents also show that 5,000 Odesa who were told by the KGB ‘that you didn’t by the NKVD; their bodies were found bur- Even the best individuals and the top brass Jews were shot to death” during the Stalin- see anything.’” ied in a mass grave. of the Soviet military were also sent to pris- era purges, Mr. Babich said. The biggest site to date of NKVD victims Overall, the Gulag History Museum in ons or killed. Jews comprised more than one-third of in Ukraine is the Bykivnya grave in Kyiv in Moscow said the number of people who According to Mr. Mahdych, in Ukraine Odesa’s pre-WWII population, he noted. what is now the Dnipro municipal adminis- perished under the Soviet regime was alone every “other Ukrainian citizen of the Mr. Babich first learned of the site while trative district located on the eastern bank around 20 million, of whom more than 1 [Soviet] republic arrested during the Great researching state archives in Romania of the Dnipro River. million were executed. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

OBITUARY George Sawchak, former ranked U.S. Tennis Association Middle States player and Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame member, 82

by Andrew Nynka (Branch 83 in Philadelphia). He was also a High School in Philadelphia, where he member of the USCAK Tennis Committee excelled in math and played on both the PARSIPPANY, N.J. – George Sawchak, a since 1967 and its director since 1989. basketball and soccer teams and ran track. former ranked U.S. Tennis Association In 1991, Mr. Sawchak organized and led He attended Drexel University where he Middle States player and member of the the Ukrainian-American USCAK tennis was a starting member of the famed men’s Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame and the team which traveled to Ukraine to compete soccer team that won the NCAA champion- Ukrainian National Association (UNA), died in the Olympiad. In 2016, he was inducted ship in 1958 with an undefeated season. on August 21 after battling a long illness, into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame for He also competed on the men’s tennis team according to his wife. He was 82. his tremendous leadership and dedication where he won 16 straight singles matches, For more than half a century, Mr. to the sport of tennis. He was also the ten- a record at the time. Sawchak ran the annual tennis camp held nis director of the Ukrainian American While a student at Drexel University, Mr. at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Sport Center Tryzub for many years. Sawchak took part in the Reserve Officers’ Kerhonkson, N.Y. (for many of those years Born on April 27, 1939, in Lviv, he immi- Training Corps (ROTC), one of the nation’s he was joined by Zenon Snylyk). Mr. grated to the United States in 1950 with his first ROTC units. In 1963, he graduated Sawchak also ran many of the tennis tour- family, father Roman, mother Jaroslawa and from Drexel University with a degree in naments held during the Fourth of July and sister Halyna. The family spent their first mechanical engineering and was commis- Labor Day weekends at Soyuzivka. five years as emigrees in Mittenwald, sioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Those tournaments, run by the Germany, in a displaced persons’ camp After marrying Patricia (Kociubajlo) Katya Bis Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. where Mr. Sawchak excelled in school and Sawchak in Philadelphia in 1963, the young and Canada (known by the Ukrainian- sports. He was active in the Plast Ukrainian couple moved to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he George Sawchak, pictured in 2016, based acronym USCAK), are sponsored by Scouting Organization, was a competitive served from 1963 to 1967 in the 13th received an award from the Ukrainian National Association and Soyuzivka the Ukrainian National Association (UNA), chess player and an avid stamp collector. Airborne Corps of the 92d Engineer Heritage Center honoring his 50 years of of which Mr. Sawchak was a member Mr. Sawchak attended Bishop Neumann Battalion, attaining the rank of Captain. service and dedication to Soyuzivka Tennis Camp. He is pictured with UNA Advisor Bohdana Puzyk, who presented him with the award. Upon leaving the Army, he moved back to Philadelphia to begin his career. While working as a professional engineer (P.E.) and as the father of two small children, Tetiana and Leda, he returned to Drexel to earn his MBA in finance. He spent his career as a director of engineering for com- panies such as the FMC Link-Belt Corp., British Tyre and Rubber, and Rexnord Corp., before retiring. Mr. Sawchak was the tennis champion at the legendary Rifle Club in Philadelphia before helping to found the Delaware Valley Tennis Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., where he was a member for more than 40 years. At that club, he was also a past presi- dent, vice president and director for many years. There he played recreationally and competed in and organized many club- sanctioned tournaments over the years. He also served as the captain of many United States Tennis Association senior men’s intersectional teams, for many years orga- nizing groups to compete across the United States. He was the head instructor of the Advanced Gold Club program and an instructor of the National Junior Tennis League. A tremendous organizer and com- petitor, he also won a countless number of tennis tournaments throughout his many years of competitive play. In addition to his love of tennis, Mr. Sawchak was very passionate about music. He played the piano and sang in a jazz band during his time in high school and college. For more than 40 years, he sang in the Prometheus Male Chorus as a second tenor, very much enjoying the camaraderie of the group. He also loved playing the piano at home and could always be heard humming or singing. But above all, he adored his family both in the United States and Ukraine. A viewing was held at Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park. He was buried with military honors at St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Elkins Park, Pa. Mr. Sawchak is survived by his wife of 57 years, Petrusia (Ms. Sawchak used this name when writing many stories for The Ukrainian Weekly); daughter Tetiana with fiancée Dawei Yin and granddaughters Ariadna and Juliette; daughter Leda (Don) Kopach and granddaughter Katya; his sis- ter, Halyna Kutko; and many nieces and nephews. No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 5

Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska place symbolic Arlington National Cemetery on September 1. sheaves of wheat at the National Holodomor Memorial in Washington on August 31.

Critics of the pipeline project – which is nearly complet- Moscow that Washington firmly supports Kyiv. In White House... ed – argue it will strengthen Moscow’s energy hold on Shortly after Mr. Biden won election in November, Mr. Europe and cut Ukraine off from lucrative gas-transit fees, Zelenskyy expressed optimism that the new administra- (Continued from page 1) amounting to billions of dollars annually. tion would be a better fit for his country than his predeces- “The partnership between our nations grows stronger, Mr. Zelenskyy has described the new pipeline as a pow- sor, Donald Trump. and it’s going to even become stronger than it has been,” erful geopolitical weapon. Mr. Trump accused Kyiv of interfering in the 2016 election he added. Mr. Zelenskiy said he will use the one-on-one meeting to on behalf of his opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Mr. Zelenskyy arrived at the White House saying he had ask Mr. Biden to get involved in the dormant peace talks to Clinton. He also pressured Mr. Zelenskyy in 2019 to dig up a “very big agenda” to discuss, with a focus on security and end the conflict in eastern Ukraine. dirt on Mr. Biden and the work of his son Hunter in Kyiv, trig- Ukraine’s ambitions to join the NATO alliance. The main partners in the effort include France and gering an impeachment trial that all but brought bilateral “I would like to discuss with President Biden his vision, Germany, along with Ukraine and Russia, but some relations to a standstill for the rest of Mr. Trump’s term. his government’s vision of Ukraine’s chances to join NATO Ukrainian officials are skeptical of the support received Under Mr. Trump, the United States did keep a range of and the timeframe,” he said. from Berlin and Paris, and have pushed for more involve- Ukraine-related sanctions measures, targeting Moscow, in But Mr. Biden has made clear he considers Ukraine far ment by Washington to breathe life into the peace process. place; the Trump Administration also finally authorized the from ready to join the alliance, with the country still in The United States created the position of special envoy delivery of the Javelin anti-tank missiles – something that need of vast reforms and Russia strongly opposing the for peace talks, but that role has been left unfilled since President Barak Obama had declined to do, fearing it prospect of NATO membership. September 2019. The Biden Administration is not expected would antagonize Moscow. Instead, Mr. Biden appeared ready to press Mr. Zelenskyy to fill the position, a U.S. State Department official told to tackle corruption and carry out badly needed reforms. RFE/RL ahead of the meeting. Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permission “We’re going to discuss how the U.S. can continue to The Oval Office visit is the culmination of a multiyear of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. support Ukraine as it advances its democratic reforms effort by the Zelenskyy Administration to secure the meet- NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https://www. agenda and movement toward being completely integrated ing, an effort in large part intended to send a message to rferl.org/a/ukraine-biden-zelenskiy-russia/31437986.html). in Europe,” Mr. Biden said. Russia took control of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after staging a referendum dismissed as illegal by at least 100 countries. Moscow also backs separatists in a war against government forces that has killed more than 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, although it has consistently denied any role in the fighting. Mr. Zelenskyy won an election in 2019 on a platform of trying to end the war in eastern Ukraine, and also tackle the country’s notorious deep-seated corruption, including the undue influence of powerful businessmen known as oligarchs, and clean up the country’s court system. Though Mr. Zelenskyy has moved to target some power- ful business interests, especially those with Russian ties, the reform effort is seen as sputtering and Western donors have grown impatient. Mr. Zelenskyy was expected to seek greater U.S. help building up Ukrainian defense capabilities and U.S. partici- pation in peace talks to resolve Ukraine’s war with Russia- backed separatists. Ahead of Mr. Zelenskyy’s meeting with Mr. Biden, the United States announced it would release a $60 million tranche of military aid for Kyiv. The new package, which includes more sophisticated anti-tank missiles, comes on top of the $400 million in annual spending that Washington provides Ukraine. Washington says it’s provid- ed more than $2.5 billion to Ukraine since 2014. “Russia’s buildup along the Ukrainian border has high- lighted capability shortfalls in the Ukrainian military’s abil- ity to defend against a Russian incursion,” the White House said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Ukraine’s significant capability gaps must be urgently addressed to reinforce deterrence in light of the current Russian threat,” it added. “The United States is our strategic partner and a sup- porter of our sovereignty, and our territorial integrity,” Mr. Zelenskyy said at the start of the meeting with Mr. Biden. He thanked Mr. Biden for the additional military aid as well as more than 2 million COVID-19 vaccines. Mr. Zelenskyy had said earlier this week that Ukraine needs “not just words” but action from the West to help deter Russian aggression and end a conflict that has raged for seven years. During his meeting with Mr. Biden, Mr. Zelenskyy was expected to raise Washing­ton’s decision not to block con- struction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline that is set to bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

The new proposed military aid package U.S. announces... to Ukraine will reportedly include more Javelin anti-tank missiles, which Kyiv sees (Continued from page 1) The Ukrainian Weekly as critical to defending against the Moscow- along its border” and because of mortar backed separatists in the Luhansk and attacks, cease-fire violations and other Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy visits Washington provocations. In March, the Pentagon announced a Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Joe Biden in “Russia’s buildup along the Ukrainian $125 million military aid package for the Oval Office on September 1. As soon as that meeting ended, Ukrainians around border has highlighted capability shortfalls Ukraine, including two armed patrol boats the world wanted to know whether Mr. Zelenskyy had done enough to convince Mr. in the Ukrainian military’s ability to defend to help the country defend its territorial Biden that the United States should do more to help Ukraine gain entry into the against a Russian incursion,” the notifica- waters. North Atlantic Treaty Organization, fend off the looming threat of further Russian tion states. “Ukraine’s significant capability Military aid to Ukraine became a politi- aggression by providing more concrete military aid and stop construction of the gaps must be urgently addressed to rein- cally charged issue in the Trump Adminis­ Nord Stream 2 by punishing the pipeline’s builders with strong sanctions. Speaking force deterrence in light of the current tration. Allegations that then-President the day before his meeting with Mr. Biden, Mr. Zelenskyy was clear in what he hoped Russian threat.” Donald Trump withheld assistance to to achieve during his visit. Mr. Zelenskyy, who arrived in Washing­ Ukraine as part of a scheme to press the “We want support not only in words,” the Ukrainian president said. ton on August 30 on a three-day visit, and Ukrainian government to investigate Mr. While some of the details of Mr. Zelenskyy’s various meetings in the United States Mr. Biden met on September 1 at the White Biden and his son Hunter formed the basis have already been made public, it will take more time before we’re able to learn the House as part of a visit Washington hoped of the first impeachment case against Mr. extent to which the Ukrainian president’s trip to the United States was a success. will demonstrate support for Ukraine’s sov- Trump. What we know so far is that the United States has agreed to increase military aid to ereignty. Mr. Trump was acquitted by the Senate Ukraine by $60 million, which brings the total amount of U.S. aid for Ukraine up to Russia took control of Crimea from in February 2020. $400 million this year. Ukraine in March 2014 after sending in Meanwhile, during Mr. Zelenskyy’s talks While the U.S. is already touting the additional assistance to Ukraine as a sign of troops, seizing key facilities and staging a in Washington on August 31, Ukraine’s its renewed commitment to helping Kyiv, according to a report in Radio Free referendum dismissed as illegal by at least state-owned nuclear power enterprise Europe/Radio Liberty, “some U.S. analysts have called for hundreds of millions of 100 countries. Energoatom and the U.S. nuclear power dollars, even as much as $1 billion, in military aid, saying that would send a strong Moscow also backs separatists in a war company Westinghouse signed a memoran- signal to the Kremlin.” against government forces that has killed dum of agreement with a view to expand Nevertheless, Moscow reacted to the news by saying that they believe the more than 13,200 people in eastern Ukraine’s nuclear power industry. increased military assistance would embolden Ukraine to escalate the ongoing con- Ukraine since April 2014, although it has Mr. Zelenskyy tweeted that the costs of flict with Russia and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. consistently denied any role in the fighting. the construction of five power plant units Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “we believe this could potentially Mr. Biden is also expected to press Mr. would amount to up to 25 billion euros ($30 billion). cause unpredictable actions by the Ukrainian side in terms of attempting to resolve Zelenskyy to tackle corruption in the coun- try and carry out reforms. More than 50 percent of Ukraine’s elec- the … Ukrainian conflict … by force. This is very dangerous. Simply put, we’re talk- Mr. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is expected to tricity demand is met by nuclear power at ing about a Ukrainian-American friendship that is directed against Russia. This can raise Washington’s decision not to block present. Six of the 15 nuclear power plants only cause regret.” construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural- in operation in the country are already sup- We certainly believe that more must be done to help Ukraine, as Mr. Zelenskyy gas pipeline to Germany that bypasses plied with fuel by Westinghouse. (With currently faces a truly daunting task of both trying to protect the country from the Ukraine. Mr. Zelenskyy has described the reporting by dpa and AP) very real possibility of further Russian aggression against Ukraine, while also mak- new pipeline as a powerful geopolitical ing significant headway in the fight to dramatically reduce corruption in the country. weapon for Russia. Copyright 2021, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted By all accounts, Ukraine has no chance of gaining entry into NATO if it does not dem- Critics of the pipeline project – which is with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ onstrate that it has done the latter. And its best chance to ensure its sovereignty and nearly completed – argue it will strengthen Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, territorial integrity is to become a full-fledged member of NATO. The celebrations of Moscow’s energy hold on Europe and cut Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see Ukraine’s 30th anniversary of independence will continue through the beginning of Ukraine off from lucrative gas-transit fees, https://www.rferl.org/a/us-ukraine-zelens- December. And while most Ukrainians will rightly continue to celebrate for the rest amounting to billions of dollars annually. kiy-washington/31437441.html). of this year, Mr. Zelenskyy, having completed his much-desired Oval Office meeting, must now turn his attention to tackling corruption in Ukraine. The fate of the coun- try rests on this single issue. LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sept. Turning the pages back... Do UAB members have “buyer’s remorse”? Dear Editor: can enumerate, point by point, the threats posed by Russia to Ukraine’s international Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 1996, two Ukrainian I read with interest the released state- sovereignty and security. They are well naval vessels – the Hetman Sahaidachny (a frigate) and the ment issued to the White House by the 11 aware that Russia’s strategic goal is to hin- Kostiantyn Olshansky (a landing ship) – arrived at the U.S. Naval Ukrainian Americans for Biden (UAB) that der Ukraine’s membership into NATO. 1996 Base in Norfolk, Va., making it the first time that Ukrainian naval appeared in the August 8 issue of The They also recognize Ukraine’s role as a vessels (representing an independent Ukraine, flying Ukraine’s Ukrainian Weekly. In it they describe the frontline defender (albeit buffer state) of blue-and-yellow banner) visited a U.S. port. The weeklong visit comprehensive set of policy recommenda- Europe. The case that the UAB makes is included joint naval landing exercises, shore excursions for the sailors, a weekend open tions they provided the Biden Administra­ solid if not prophetic for Ukraine’s survival. house for American visitors and an evening concert by the military band aboard the tion in December 2020 and reiterated the It’s too bad that they were not prophetic on Sahaidachny. important need to re-emphasize these rec- the domestic front in seeing this adminis- The commanders of the U.S. naval base, led by Rear Adm. Bill Cole, greeted the arrival of ommendations with the upcoming Biden- tration’s decision to sacrifice Ukraine for a the two Ukrainian vessels at Pier 5 at the U.S. Naval Base. They were joined by Embassy of Zelenskyy summit. They also expressed second time, and how this administration Ukraine staff (led by Ambassador of Ukraine Yuri Shcherbak), members of the Ukrainian their deep disappointment over Mr. Biden’s is striving to make this great nation into a American community, formations of U.S. seamen and a U.S. Navy band. failure to oppose the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) third world country. I am wondering if UAB Sailing three weeks from Sevastopol, the Ukrainian sailors were praised during the offi- pipeline. They then went on to elaborate have “buyer’s remorse” now. cial welcoming ceremonies for their courage in the face of stormy seas. why the NS2 pipeline is a bad deal for Adm. Cole, noting the significance of the occasion, remarked, “It shows that the Ukraine and Europe as a whole. Bohdan Hetmansky Ukrainian Navy has come a long way … to achieve a new partnership with the United Clearly, the UAB can think on interna- Lt. Col., U.S. Army (retired) States Navy.” tional/strategic military levels when they Huntingtown, Md. It was noted that Adm. Cole’s remarks were translated from English into Russian, under- scoring the need for continued work for Ukrainian identity to be respected by U.S. officials as being different from Russian, where Russian was the default during the Soviet era. “This is a unique event, as we are witnessing a new dimension of our bilateral relations in the fields of defense and security,” said Ambassador Shcherbak. Ukraine’s deepening Opinions in The Ukrainian Weekly relationship with the U.S. in the departments of defense “have served as an example for The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor other U.S. and Ukrainian departments, ministries and agencies,” he added. Ukraine was and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the the first former Soviet republic to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, Mr. Shcherbak continued, saying, “Today, we are forging a new partnership, a trans-Atlantic Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communi- community stretching from the Black Sea to the Atlantic, to which both our nations ties, as well as the Ukrainian diaspora. Opinions expressed belong. Let Norfolk, Sevastopol and other U.S. and Ukrainian seaports become the havens by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their of real partnership and friendship between our sailors and peoples.” Capt. Volodymyr Kuzmin, deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian Navy, said the historic own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either arrival of Ukraine’s naval vessels in the U.S. was made possible by Ukraine asserting its The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian own independence, and he thanked the U.S. Navy for helping to organize and provide sup- National Association. Similarly, paid advertisements do not port in what was the Ukrainian Navy’s first trans-Atlantic voyage. reflect the opinions of either The Weekly or its publisher. (Continued on page 15) No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 7

COMMENTARY It’s now or never. Biden must by Andrew Fedynsky stop Putin’s beloved pipeline The following commentary first appeared in the August 30 issue of The New York Times. The original can be found on The New York Times’ web site at the following address: https:// Ukrainian independence: 30 years on www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/opinion/biden-zelensky-nord-stream-2.html. It is reprinted It’s been an interesting summer for ment to Ukraine is firm, bolstered by near here with the express written permission of The New York Times. © 2021 The New York those interested in Ukraine. Youth camps unanimous congressional support and Times Company in America, Canada and elsewhere institutional backing at the State and by Mark Temnycky The deleterious effects are easy to foresee: resumed after a year’s hiatus, albeit with Defense departments and an active If relations were to sour, Russia could turn shortened schedules and appropriate pre- Ukrainian-American community. For the first time in over four years, a off the flow of gas to Europe, potentially cautions against the COVID-19. Other ven- With all this, I can’t help but remember Ukrainian president is coming to the White leaving millions of Europeans without it. ues opened as well. The Soyuzivka Heritage that September will be 40 years since my House. Then there’s Ukraine. The country earns Center welcomed guests. In Cleveland, the father died. He was 66. Mama died four On Tuesday [Editor’s note: the meeting an annual $1 billion in transit fees from its Ukrainian Museum-Archives had a dozen years later. She was 69. Both had difficult was originally scheduled for Tuesday, pipeline to Poland: if Nord Stream 2 were interns, funded by a generous bequest from lives, yet were people of quiet greatness August 31, but was later moved to Septem­ to be completed, the Ukrainian-Polish pipe- Nicholas Supranenko nearly 20 years ago, and unspoken heroism. So were hundreds ber 1], President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of line would be obsolete, depriving Ukraine – and this year for the first time had three of thousands of other immigrant men and Ukraine will meet with his American coun- one of the poorest countries in Europe, undergraduates funded by the Nanovic women of their generation who survived terpart. They’re likely to cover a variety of according to the International Monetary European Studies Institute at the the world war and were then forced to issues: the state of relations with Russia, Fund – of substantial revenue. University of Notre Dame. leave their homeland, scattered across four Ukraine’s fight against corruption and the What’s more, Europe’s dependence on On the geopolitical stage in late-June, the continents – nearly all are now gone. And challenges of the pandemic. After thanking Russian gas could embolden the country to United States and Ukraine jointly spon- lest I, a diaspora Ukrainian, should forget, President Biden for America’s continued meddle further in Ukraine’s affairs, without sored Sea Breeze 2021, a two-week naval let me note how that same greatness also support and assistance, the Ukrainian leader fear of repercussions. That could lead to an exercise in the Black Sea with 32 countries characterized millions of families in Soviet may gently inquire about NATO member- escalation in the Donbas conflict – a from six continents providing 5,000 troops, Ukraine who quietly sustained the dream ship. yearslong Russian military incursion in east- 32 ships, 40 aircrafts and 18 special opera- of Ukrainian statehood when it seemed It should be a good meeting. But there ern Ukraine that has led to the deaths of tions teams. Participants included repre- hopeless, when openly speaking out for will be a large elephant in the room: Nord over 14,000 people and the displacement of sentatives from all of the NATO countries, minimal human and national rights in the Stream 2. Beloved of President Vladimir nearly two million – or even a Russian effort as well as Australia, South Korea, Japan, KGB police state risked imprisonment, even Putin of Russia, the natural gas pipeline to unite eastern Ukraine with Crimea. Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, death. And so, for many, Ukraine under threatens the security of Europe – and Lastly, there are the economic conse- even Senegal. In 2020, Sea Breeze had only unfathomable government pressure and Ukraine especially. The time to stop the quences for Poland. Currently, the country eight countries. repression seemed doomed. And yet fami- project, now on the cusp of completion, is imports its gas from the Ukrainian-Polish Sea Breeze ended just in time for my lies kept the national flame lit, however running out: It’s now or never. At the risk of pipeline. Nord Stream 2 would put an end wife and me to watch the Tokyo Olympics, cautiously. Underground churches and a souring an enjoyable encounter, Mr. Zelens­ to that. Instead, Poland would be forced to where Ukraine sent 155 athletes and won tiny handful of “dissidents,” at great per- kyy should tell Mr. Biden in no uncertain buy gas from Germany – at much higher 19 medals, including a gold for Zhan sonal sacrifice, spoke truth to power: we terms that Nord Stream 2 must be stopped. rates. For all the country’s relative econom- Beleniuk, son of a Black Rwandan father are Ukrainians; we are believers; we have The Biden Administration, to be sure, ic health, that’s something its citizens can ill who studied in Kyiv in the 1990s and a the right to exist. What a heroic deed it was never had much time to stop the project. By afford. white Ukrainian mother. Zhan, who took to simply state that. For me, getting the time Mr. Biden was sworn into office, The case is clear. For reasons of econo- his mother’s name, is a proud Ukrainian, a involved in the dissident movement in the more than 90 percent of the pipeline – the my, energy and national security, the pipe- member of the Verkhovna Rada who 1970s – from a safe haven in America – was first parts of which were installed in July line must be stopped. Crucially, that’s still famously celebrated his Olympic victory a way to give back to the parents who gave 2018 – had been completed. Even so, the possible. U.S. sanctions on the project pre- draped with the blue and yellow flag and my brothers and me a home, an education early signals suggested the new adminis- viously stopped it in its tracks, as the com- by performing hopak steps. and a cause. Thousands shared that sense tration was serious about stopping it. Mr. panies responsible for constructing and The big news was 30 years of Ukraine’s of obligation as we linked spiritually, and in Biden previously stated that the pipeline laying the pipeline abandoned the project. independence. My hometown celebrated an increasing electronic world, virtually was a “bad deal for Europe,” while All it would take to stop it completely is for with a parade in Parma’s Ukrainian Village. with counterparts in Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Biden Administration to reverse its There were similar celebrations across the My family moved to Cleveland in 1954 the government was “determined to do recent waiver on additional sanctions on world capped by a massive parade in Kyiv on my seventh birthday from Frackville, whatever we can” to prevent the project’s Nord Stream 2. Several congressional on August 24, which millions followed on Pa., a small mining town near Scranton completion. Then the administration members and European leaders are in the internet. In his speech, President with large Ukrainian and Irish communi- changed course. In July, the United States favor of this option. Objections from Volodymyr Zelenskyy listed a couple dozen ties which traced their arrival in America to issued a joint statement with Germany on Germany, the project’s chief beneficiary, can nationalities which now constitute the the middle and end of the 19th Century. In Nord Stream 2 that effectively granted be eased by stressing the many long-term Ukrainian nation, including his own Jewish Cleveland, I was immediately enrolled in Russia permission to complete the project. advantages for Europe. identity. He had just recently feted Mr. the Ridna Shkola Heritage School and Plast The move shocked America’s other allies That’s the best-case scenario, and Mr. Beleniuk and other Olympic athletes with Ukrainian Scouting Organization. We in Europe, where many countries oppose Zelenskyy should push hard for it. But he official medals from Ukraine. Mr. Zelenskyy attended church services at Sts. Peter and the project. Domestically, it went down should also call for additional assurances in also touted Ukraine’s glorious, often tragic, Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church and gather- badly, too: a bipartisan group of lawmakers, his meeting with Mr. Biden. While the U.S.- 1,000-year history, saluted multiple regions ings “akademiyi” at the Ukrainian National appalled by the about-face, tried to per- German joint statement offered various eco- and noted illustrious figures from the coun- Home, which an earlier generation of immi- suade the administration to stop the com- nomic and energy provisions – such as try’s past and present. grants had purchased in 1919, a mile from pletion of the pipeline. But it was Ukraine investing in Ukraine’s green-tech infrastruc- Like the Sea Breeze exercise in June and downtown and walking distance to the and Poland, the two countries that have the ture and helping it transition to green ener- July, the Independence Day parade sent an industrial valley. That community of “Old most to lose from Nord Stream 2, whose gy – they are nowhere near the $1 billion unmistakable message: Ukraine has allies Immigrants” kept Ukrainian culture alive in response was most rancorous. Ukraine would lose in annual transit fees. and, unlike the Yanukovych era, also has a the “New World” and cultivated political The countries’ foreign [affairs] ministers, Mr. Zelenskyy should demand, for both military force which adversaries – i.e. ties which enabled the “New” post-WW II who were not involved in the negotiations his own country and Poland, help with the Russia – have to reckon with. There was a immigrants to come to America. between Germany and America, also issued financing and construction of the infra- long stream of Ukrainian-made armored One of my first memories in Cleveland their own statement, arguing that Europe’s structure needed for alternative energy. personnel carriers, tanks, drones, helicop- was a commemoration honoring Roman political, national and economic security And he should press Mr. Biden to discuss ters and columns of troops from all branch- Shukhevych (Taras Chuprynka), killed just would be threatened by Nord Stream 2. A how Ukraine – with American funds, train- es of the country’s military, which now four years before. Shukhevych was the completed project, they said, would give ing and assistance – can bolster its defens- numbers 300,000 men and women. The leader of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army Russia the ability to “destabilize the security es, reform its military and deter Russian U.S. sent an honor guard; Poland and Great (UPA) which fought the Nazi and Soviet situation in Europe.” They have a point. aggression. Britain had military fly-overs. militaries in Western Ukraine for a full There are numerous reasons Nord Stream 2 Tuesday’s [Wedensday’s] meeting pres- The summer ended just before Labor decade during and after WW II. What I would be catastrophic, not only for Ukraine ents Mr. Zelenskyy with an excellent oppor- Day with President Zelenskyy meeting with remember from the “academia” at the and Poland but also for all of Europe. tunity to enhance the relationship between U.S. President Joe Biden, the first such National Home was a couple guys in uni- Running from Russia to Germany under the two countries. But it’s also a final chance White House welcome since Barack Obama form with “Tommy guns” – ubiquitous in the Baltic Sea, Nord Stream 2 would give to stop Nord Stream 2. If he can persuade was president. There are disappointments the military struggle in Ukraine – and Russia a direct route into the heart of Mr. Biden, it would be a major victory for all and disagreements (notably over the Nord someone reciting a poem or a choir singing. Europe. That would make Europe, which of Europe, protecting it from a strategically Stream 2 pipeline), but America’s commit- At seven years old, I was impressed, but the currently imports over a third of its natural disastrous dependence on Russian gas. real battle was thousands of miles away in gas from Russia, even more heavily reliant But if Mr. Zelenskyy fails, the only win- Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is on the country – effectively conferring on it ner will be Russia. And no amount of com- [email protected]. (Continued on page 10) an energy monopoly over the continent. pensation can reverse that. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36 No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 9

UNWLA fashion show to spotlight contemporary Ukrainian designers

by Orysya Soroka Home in New York on September 10 and the Montclair Art Museum in Montclair, N.J., LIVINGSTON, N.J. – The Ukrainian on September 12. National Women’s League of America The event, a fundraiser organized by (UNWLA) was founded more than 95 years members of UNWLA Branch 137, will fea- ago with a mission that includes promoting ture the works of Roksolana Bogutska and “the preservation of Ukrainian national Oksana Polonets, both of whom are promi- identity, cultural heritage and ethnic tradi- nent, award-winning designers in Ukraine. tions in the United States,” according to the Modern Ukrainian fashion has not only organization’s website. In keeping with this gained acceptance throughout Europe, but goal, the organization will hold a Ukrainian it is now also gaining greater attention in Fashion Show at the Ukrainian National North America as well. With many incredi- bly talented, creative fashion designers in Ukraine, the coun- try is producing high quality clothing, and most important- ly, clothing featuring Ukrainian designs. “New technologies, fabrics or tailoring – all this in the world has long been done or is being done better than in Ukraine,” said Ms. Bogutska. “But we can sur- Mary Meyska prise the world with Roksolana Bogutska’s work combines elegant luxury and bold modernity, a unique the most valuable thing mixture of Ukrainian ethnic motives and progressive fashion tendencies. we have – our culture. We surprise them with Millennium,” was also on Fashion Insider the support of the Ukrainian Embassy. collections using our tra- magazine’s list of the 12 best spring/sum- Among Ms. Bogutska’s customers are ditions – that’s how they mer collections in 2010. She was invited former Ukrainian first ladies Kateryna discover Ukraine,” said Ms. as a special guest of the 28th international Yushchenko and Maryna Poroshenko, as Bogutska, a designer and Golden Thread competition. She took part well as singer Ruslana Lyzhychko. Ms. owner of a clothing brand of in Vancouver Fashion Week in Canada, Bogutska created costumes for Ruslana’s the same name. She is also Latino Fashion Week in Chicago, the tour “Wild Dances,” which took place after responsible for many collec- Runway Fashion Show in Dubai, Ukrainian the famed singer won the Eurovision Song tions of women’s prêt-a-por- Fashion Week in Chicago, and she present- Contest in 2004. Volodymyr Anufriyev ter (ready-to-wear) clothing. ed her collections in New York at the Ms. Bogutska’s brand is a combination of Oksana Polonets designs modern clothing in a national Ms. Bogutska, a winner Ukrainian Institute of America at the invi- elegant luxury and bold modernity, a style, from casual to bridal, and each creation is a of the 2006 All-Ukrainian tation of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the unique mix of comfort and beauty. Prize “Woman of the Third United Nations and in Washington with (Continued on page 15) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

attitudes and traditions. In America, the and use of space for peaceful purposes is Ukrainian... Ukrainian community did so as well, more NEWSBRIEFS an important component of partnership openly, free to establish organizations, between Ukraine and the United States,” (Continued from page 7) (Continued from page 2) schools and churches while linking with Mr. Zelenskyy said. The parties discussed Ukraine and Siberia; the guys on stage, no “Old Immigrants” to lobby politicians to es to invest in Ukraine. (Office of the the prospects of participation of Ukrainian doubt WW II and UPA military veterans support Ukraine. With the Soviet Union President of Ukraine) enterprises in the ANTARES project, the themselves, going to work in factories the firmly entrenched, they were happy to do Artemis lunar exploration program, as well Zelenskyy visits Holodomor memorial next day, with a good portion of their wages so, never anticipating that Ukraine would as projects that Ukraine can join with its going to support the Ukrainian cause on ever become more than just a campaign During a working visit to the United unique space technologies. Mr. Nelson the battlefield. slogan. States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr noted the courage and heroism of Like the previous immigrations, the “Captive Nations” was a big part of that. Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska Ukrainians, which they have shown since post-WW II Ukrainian political immigration Along with many others, I went on parades visited the National Holodomor Memorial, Euro-Maidan and the Revolution of Dignity. was endowed with a stupendous work and demonstrations throughout the 1950s, which was opened in November 2015 in Mr. Nelson accepted an invitation from Mr. ethic, dedication to family, education and 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, joining other eth- downtown Washington. The head of state Zelenskyy to visit Ukraine. (Office of the community. Struggling immigrants, they nic groups denouncing communism and and his wife placed symbolic sheaves of President of Ukraine) found money to lease Tremont Elementary supporting liberation of homelands. These wheat at the foot of the memorial. Zelenskyy met with U.S. energy secretary School for Saturday school lessons where I exercises massively bothered the Kremlin Members of the official Ukrainian delega- attended first and second grades with bril- even as Western media largely dismissed tion honored the memory of the victims of Ukrainian President Volodymyr liant teachers who instructed and inspired. them as irrelevant or ignored them alto- the Holodomor. Michael Sawkiw, Jr., vice Zelenskyy met with U.S. Secretary of No more than eight years old, I vividly gether. And yet, all that bore fruit when president of the Ukrainian Congress Energy Jennifer Granholm on August 31. remember Pani Stawnycha passionately what had been forbidden burst into the Committee of America, and Larysa Kurylas, Mr. Zelenskyy thanked Ms. Granholm, who recounting how Ukrainians in the Gulag open 30 years ago with massive demon- the designer, architect and sculptor of the was the head of the U.S. presidential dele- just two years before had staged an upris- strations and communist Ukraine declared National Holodomor Memorial, spoke with gation that took part in the inaugural sum- ing with Soviet tanks, while storm troopers independence. A miracle? No – it took lead- Mr. Zelenskyy about the monument’s cre- mit of the Crimea Platform, for supporting went in to suppress the rebellion with fire ership, sacrifice and dedication from every ation. “This Memorial is an important sym- Ukraine’s effort to restore its sovereignty and bloodshed. Twenty-five years later, I level of society throughout the world, bol of the American people’s solidarity with and territorial integrity. During the meet- remembered that when I read Alexander grounded in faith that steady unrelenting Ukrainians and a reminder of one of the ing, the issues of Ukraine’s energy security Solzhenitsyn’s “Gulag Archipelago,” where pressure would be rewarded. And it was. most dreadful tragedies in the history of was discussed. The parties exchanged he credited UPA warriors with breaking up No longer under Russian domination, our people and of all mankind,” Mr. views on Nord Stream 2 and the threat it the massive Soviet slave labor network. Ukraine today is vibrant, democratic, free, Zelenskyy said after visiting the site. (Office poses to the energy security of Ukraine and “These young men, fresh off the guerrilla pluralistic and yes, embattled, but infinitely of the President of Ukraine) Europe. “Russian gas is the most polluted in trails, saw the slavery around them and interesting. The parade in Kyiv ended with the world due to significant methane emis- Zelenskyy met with NASA head reached for their knives,” Solzhenitsyn an adorable little girl singing a patriotic sions during production and transporta- wrote. song as thousands of bystanders stood by Ukrainian President Volodymyr tion, as well as corruption, blackmail and After Stalin, the Gulag was down-sized and millions watched on the worldwide Zelenskyy met with the administrator of manipulation,” Mr. Zelenskyy said after the but still remained for decades in dimin- web. Where will she be in another 30 the National Aeronautics and Space meeting. He stressed the importance of cre- ished form. Newly-released prisoners went years? Where will Ukraine be? Who Administration (NASA), Bill Nelson, on ating effective safeguards against Russia’s back to their homes where they kept a low knows? But hey, 2021? Great summer; August 31. The president noted that use of gas as a weapon, and he noted the profile while quietly maintaining forbidden promising future. Ukraine is interested in reviving its scientif- importance of launching regular trilateral ic and technological potential and consid- consultations in the Ukraine-Germany-U.S. ers cooperation with NASA an important format. The parties discussed in detail component in the development of the ways to intensify cooperation between domestic space industry. “Ukraine must become a space power again. Exploration (Continued on page 15) TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 or e-mail [email protected] Пачки, автомобілі SERVICES PROFESSIONALS та контейнери ОКСАНА СТАНЬКО в УкраїнУ Ліцензований продавець Страхування Життя Туристичні послуги: авіяквитки в Україну та інші країни • Пересилка OKSANA STANKO пакунків, автомобілів та контейнерів в Україну та інші країни світу • Licensed Life Insurance Agent Українські та европейські компакт-диски • Українські сувеніри та хустки Ukrainian National Assn., Inc. ROSELLE, NJ CLIFTON, NJ PHILADELPHIA, PA Tel.: 908-872-2192 645 W 1st Ave. 565 Clifton Ave. 1916 Welsh Rd., Unit 3 email: [email protected] Tel.: 908-241-2190 Tel.: 973-916-1543 Tel.: 215-969-4986 888-336-4776 215-728-6040

LAW OFFICES OF 1152 Route 10 West, Suite N, Randolph, NJ 07869 ZENON______B. MASNYJ, ESQ. 862-219-5344 In the East Village since 1983 Serious personal injury, real estate for personal and business use, representation of small and mid- size businesses, divorce, wills and HELP WANTED probate (New York matters only). (By Appointment Only) SENIOR CARE NEEDED 140 Second Avenue live-in, Morris County, NJ New York, NY 10003 212-477-3002 area. [email protected] KULINSKI MEMORIALS Tel.: 201-207-0333 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 If 212-477-3002 landline busy, Tel. 800-458-5467 • 908-722-3130 • Fax 908-253-0027 please call 201-247-2413 OPPORTUNITIES [email protected] • KulinskiMemorials.com • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years Earn extra income! • Over 40 granite colors to choose from WANT IMPACT? • Custom etchings The Ukrainian Weekly is looking Run your advertisement here, • House appointments available for advertising sales agents. • Serving the tri-state area in The Ukrainian Weekly’s For additional information contact Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, • 5 minutes from St. Andrew Ukrainian Cemetery CLASSIFIEDS section. The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. in South Bound Brook, NJ No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 11

Leonid Poltava: a celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth

by Adrian Bryttan Philip was still a child. In his 60th year, Poltava’s curiosity and NEW YORK – In 1955, two years before explorer spirit sparked his travels through the Soviets launched the first artificial Earth Alaska to discover the remains of 19th cen- satellite, Sputnik 1, Leonid Poltava pub- tury Ukrainian churches and communities. lished his Ukrainian spy-novella “Will the His musings were embodied in his eighth Sun Rise Tomorrow” (Chy Zijde Zavtra collection of poems, a volume titled “Taste Sontse). Captivating readers with cloak and of the Sun” (Smak Sontsia) in 1982. dagger cliffhangers à la Tom Clancy or Ian Poltava’s stepdaughter Daria Dykyj Fleming, his narrative also explored serious shared with The Ukrainian Weekly how concerns about tomorrow’s technology, Poltava was engrossed in news from every foretelling a time when energy supplies of corner of the world. gas, oil and even uranium are almost “Every experience was mined for exhausted, and parched food harvests loom. themes and content connecting Ukraine. All told, “Will the Sun Rise Tomorrow” was The distance to his on-call Underwood a brave look into the future by an accom- typewriter was short, and a cigarette was plished story teller. always in hand as if connected to the whir- In Poltava’s fast paced futuristic thriller, a ring wheels in his mind,” Ms. Dykyj said. new and free Ukrainian government races Near the end of his life Poltava lay in to recover from thieving Russian spies a bed, uncharacteristically still from illness, Ukrainian Canadian’s recent discovery of his eyes following avidly videos of Germans the technology used to extract energy from tearing down the Berlin wall, yet he knew ubiquitous lead ore. Along the way, the that he would not live to join and report on author poetically exalts the Ukrainian coun- Courtesy of Daria Dykyj Ukraine’s long-awaited freedom. He was tryside, its people’s spirit, their national ide- An undated photo portrait shows Poltava unaware that Kyiv editors interested in in his younger years. Poltava on an Air Alaska flight in 1980 in als and their nation’s responsibilities to route to Alaska to study Ukrainian humanity (Unlike Moscow, Kyiv pledges to the poet created and staged children’s churches and communities. (Continued on page 12) share the discovery with the entire world). plays and “montages,” penning poems and Yet, perhaps even more fantastic than libretti for songs and children’s operettas. this sci-fi adventure were the actual life and He also edited and contributed to the youth kaleidoscopic activities of its author, Leonid З почуттям невимовного жалю ділимося сумною journals of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Poltava. Born one century ago in Romny, вісткою з родиною, приятелями і знайомими, Organization and the Ukrainian American Sumy Oblast, on August 24, 1921, Poltava що 14 липня 2021 року, прийнявши найсвятіші Youth Association (SUM). In Berlin, Poltava began writing as a child, but he destroyed all Тайни, відійшов у Божу вічність на 86-му році co-founded the Organization of Creators of of his early poems in dread of the NKVD, a свого трудолюбивого життя найдорожчий Literature for Children and Youth fear induced by witnessing his father’s arrest Муж, Батько, Дідуньо і Двоюрідний брат (UPLDM), an organization dedicated to and disappearance in Siberian exile. Poltava publishing children’s works by many himself survived the Holodomor, years in a Ukrainian authors. His numerous rhyming св. п. German labor camp and Potsdam prison. and illustrated children’s books became the інженер-архітект Today, one can barely imagine the myri- first exposure to reading Ukrainian for ad social and cultural activities once gener- many youngsters throughout the world- Богдан Андрій Подолюк ated by resourceful Ukrainian refugees wide Ukrainian diaspora. throughout post-war Displaced Persons Deeply patriotic, Poltava was an active народжений 30 листопада 1935 року. camps in Germany and other countries. participant at Ukrainian demonstrations, Панахида відбулася в п’ятницю, 16 липня, о 1-ій год. по полудні These exiles created their own school sys- cultural and political events; as a member в похоронному заведенні Hempstead Funeral Home, Hempstead, NY. tems, operated their own bakeries and of America’s foreign language press, he Похоронні відправи відбулися в суботу, 17 липня, о 11:30 год. ран- medical units, organized choirs, theatrical attended Congressional receptions with and opera ensembles and even established ку в церкві св. Володимира при Фронт вул. в Гемпстеді, Лонґ-Айленд. Ukrainian community representatives. Після Служби Божої тлінні останки були перевезені на вічний спо- printing centers. Poltava often had oppor- Poltava’s protean interests extended to tunities to meet with circles of like-minded чинок на цвинтар св. Андрія Первозваного в Савт Бавнд-Бруку, Ню all performing arts, especially theater, opera Джерзі. litterateurs in other camps. It was in and cinema. He was engaged by MGM stu- Augsburg (in 1946) that he published his dios in Hollywood as a Russian script editor У глибокому смутку залишені: first collection of poems “Behind the Walls for the 1956 Yul Brynner film “The Journey.” дружина - Христина Богданна of Berlin” (Za Muramy Berlinu). Poltava composed plays and film scenarios донька - Марта Джіоваґнані з мужем Робертом Poltava’s unquenchable thirst for experi- about the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), та дітьми Зевином і Надійкою ence, his unflagging willpower and percep- the brutal deportation of Ukrainians by син - Роман з донею Камілою tive eye would accompany him across the Polish authorities in “Operation Wisla,” the двоюрідний брат - Микола Семенюк з дружиною Даною world via his many activities as a poet and Soviet and German occupations and other і трьома синами novelist, journalist, translator and play- works related to Ukrainian history, like ближча і дальша родина в США й Україні. wright/librettist. As these interests Shevchenko in exile and “The History of evolved, Poltava befriended and translated Ukrainian Film 1903-1930.” Вічна Йому пам’ять! German, French, Spanish, Polish and His major prose work is “1709,” a novel Просимо про молитви за душу Покійного. Russian authors and poets. Impressions of about Hetman Ivan Mazepa and the histori- Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Замість квітів в пам’ять Покійного, просимо складати пожертви на cal figures of his era, published in 1961. допомогу сиротам в Україні. Morocco and London left their imprint on Poltava’s notable lyric compositions his diverse works. include a collection of poems titled “Ashen In Madrid, Poltava worked for two years Grass” (Bila Trava), in which the poet fore- По фаху Богдан був інженером-архітектом і працював у фірмі in the Ukrainian sector of Spanish National saw in 1964 a future Ukrainian land devas- Sikorsky Aircraft (helicopter plant), Bridgeport, CT. Тут Покійний проєк- Radio. He followed this with four years in tated by nuclear catastrophe. A long poem тував та доглядав будову гелікоптерів. broadcasting for Radio Svoboda in Munich. dedicated to Chornobyl reflected upon the В 1964 році Покійний переїхав на Лонґ-Айленд та розпочав працю He was later also employed by Voice of actual catastrophe. America in Washington. Poltava was first в „government defense plant“ під назвою Grumman Aircraft Engineering Of special interest is Poltava’s imagina- Corporation, Bethpage, Long Island, де проєктував та наглядав будову married in Paris; his son Ivan Alexander tive epic poem “Eneiida Moderna” now lives in California. In 1974, Poltava F-14 і радарних літаків. Також проєктував пляни і перевіряв будо- (Contemporary Aeneid), the author’s “cri ву космічного корабля (lunar landing module). За свою наполегливу wed Halyna Dykyj with whom he shared a de coeur” on behalf of the suffering happy and productive life for the remain- працю та свої виняткові здібності Покійний отримав багато нагород Ukrainian nation, in which the reincarna- і признань, але ніколи тим не величався, бо був дуже скромної вдачі. der of his days. He died in 1990 and is bur- tion of an ancient monk visits Ukraine at ied in St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery in intervals of 300 years, ostensibly to com- Покійний Богдан був членом Української католицької церкви св. South Bound Brook, N.J. plete painting his icon. But as this monk Володимира в Гемпстеді, де прєктував деякі поправки під будову This writer is grateful for having had the journeys from city to city, Poltava weaves a церкви та готував пляни і займався будовою вінди до церкви. opportunity to meet and speak with gripping and passionate condemnation of Покійний Богдан очолював та солідно виконував всі обов’язки Poltava in the 1980s. Throughout his life, Soviet brutality and crime. секретаря 103-го Відділу Українського Народного Союзу на Лонґ- Poltava always championed the impor- Poltava also created librettos for five Айленді. tance of producing suitable literature, operas, most notably “Anna Yaroslavna,” poems, plays and musicals for children. His about the learned and cultivated princess Покійний був дуже лагідної і смиренної вдачі і завжди допомагав love for children was matched by a lively of Kyiv who married Henry I of France, who потребуючим. imagination and puckish sense of humor; ruled France as co-regent while their son 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

Fr. Andriy Dudkevych: a blessed journey from Ukraine to America

by Tom Hawrylko Zboriv, Ternopil Oblast. sick parishioners and mourned at 263 While living in Ukraine, Fr. Andriy funerals. CLIFTON, N.J. – In August, Fr. Andriy served in two parishes following his ordi- He has also organized and spearheaded Dudkevych marked 14 years as pastor of St. nation. His first parish, assigned in many parish events and projects, including Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in September of 1996, was in the village of restarting the children’s Sunday religious Passaic, N.J., which serves the greater Horodyshche, Zborivski raion. It was the education program, coordinating the cre- Passaic/Clifton, N.J., community. This year, same parish in which his father had served ation of the centennial parish history the long-time pastor also celebrates his 35 years prior. He was assigned his second museum in the church basement and con- 50th birthday and the 25th anniversary of parish the following year; it was in the vil- verting the annual parish picnic into a suc- his ordination. Although many parishio- lage of Haiye Roztotzki, Zborivski raion. cessful Ukrainian festival that annually ners feel they know Fr. Dudkevych well, That same year, he and Ms. Dudkevych wel- draws more than 1,500 guests. many may not be familiar with the details comed their newborn son, Ivan. As a pastor of a long-established parish, of his life’s journey. But life would change for Fr. Andriy and Fr. Dudkevych has formed bonds with Fr. Dudkevych’s story began in July 1971 his family in 2003. That year, he was grant- third- and fourth-generation Ukrainian in the village of Kypchyntsi, located in ed a green card and the Dudkevych family families, as well as those who are new Kozivski raion, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. He left Ukraine for the United States. Fr. immigrants. He has maintained English was born to Rev. Myroslav Rudolf and Alla Dudkevych was appointed pastor of St. and Ukrainian language Sunday Divine (Havryleyko) Dudkevych. He has two older Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Liturgies and celebrates bilingual services sisters, Maria and Svitlana. Passaic, N.J., in August 2007. The following including baptisms, weddings and funerals. Like his father before him, Fr. Andriy year, the family welcomed a newborn Through his journey, Fr. Dudkevych has entered the seminary in Ivano-Frankivsk daughter, Marta Maria. remained filled with gratitude as he looks in the early 1990s. He later graduated Since his arrival at St. Nicholas, Fr. to the future. from the Theological Catechetical Dudkevych has become a deeply integral “Thank you, Lord, for my 25 years of ser- Institute. By mid-1995, Fr. Andriy married part of the community. As pastor, he has Courtesy of Tom Hawrylko vice to You and Your Church,” Fr. Mariya, the daughter of Rev. Ivan and baptized 301 children, offered the first pen- Father Andriy Dudkevych, his wife Dudkevych said. “Thank you for the bless- Nadiya Popiv­chak, in Ternopil, and by that ance and solemn holy communion to 185 Mariya (left) and their children Marta ings I have received and the blessings I September he was ordained a deacon in children, married 67 couples, visited 551 (front and center) and Ivan. have given. Help me to continue to serve You with love, faith, courage and holiness.” The 25th anniversary of his ordination will be celebrated during a Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. on September 12 at St. Nicholas Church, 217 President Street, Passaic, N.J., and it will be followed by a banquet at 3 p.m. at Il Villaggio restaurant in Carlstadt, N.J.

Leonid Poltava... (Continued from page 11) publishing his work were writing him let- ters of recognition from his homeland, which his wife, Halyna Dykyj, received too late to share with him. She responded by supporting, with Daria Dykyj, the Ukrainian publication of Poltava’s main compositions, as well as depositing his archive in the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NANU) in Kyiv. She also helped support the first staging in Ukraine of his opera “Anna Yaroslavna” (music by Antin Rudnytsky) at the Kyiv National Opera in 1995. “As familiarity with the creativity of Leonid Poltava recedes on American shores, his works are alive and well in Ukraine, just as he wished,” Daria Dykyj said. No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36

With 75 medals, Ukraine sits fourth in overall medal count After an opening day haul of eight med- Day Three – Gold medal wins by als, Team Ukraine had a quiet day two (one Mariana Shevchuk (55 kg) in women’s medal and a new world record), and then powerlifting (her best lift at 125 kg) and quickly regained major medal momentum Anna Stetsenko (S13) in women’s swim- with 13 medals on the third day of competi- ming 400-meter freestyle (time). Four sil- tion, followed by another 12 medals on day ver medals in swimming included Sergiy four, including five gold medals in swim- Klippert (S12) in men’s 100-meter back- ming. Day five witnessed another nine stroke (1:00.71 seconds), Trusov (SM7) in medals won by Ukrainian Paralympians, men’s 200-meter individual medley only to be topped by two on the sixth day (2:29.99 seconds), Kyrylo Garashchenko with 11 more podium rewards and a sec- (S13) in men’s 400-meter freestyle ond new world record. The seventh day (4:02.07 seconds) and Kateryna had Ukraine again attain 13 medals and set Denysenko (S8) in women’s 100-meter a pair of new world records, while day eight backstroke (1:18.31 seconds). Silver med- garnered eight medals and a fifth world als were also won by Vladyslav Bilyi (F38) record at these Games. in men’s javelin (55.34 meters), Anastasiia Ukraine ranks fourth among all nations Moskalenko (F32) in women’s club throw with 75 total medals (17 gold, 35 silver and (24.73 meters) and Ukraine’s women’s 23 bronze), ranking sixth overall in gold épée team (Yevheniia Breus, Olena Fedota medals and second in silver medals. A and Nataliia Mandryk, which lost 17-40 whopping 35 medals have been won in against China in the final). Bronze medals swimming and 16 in athletics. Outstanding were claimed by Yuliia Pavlenko (T11) in individual performers thus far have been women’s long jump (4.86 meters), Yehor Sport.gov.ua swimmer Maksym Krypak (five medals, Dementyev in men’s cycling track (C5) Men’s 50-meter freestyle (S7) medalists from left: silver medalist Carlos Daniel including three gold), swimmer Andriy 4,000-meter individual pursuit (4:22.746 Serrano Zarate of Columbia, gold medalist Andrii Tsurov of Ukraine and bronze Trusov (five medals, two gold), and flag seconds) and a pair in women’s judo – medalist Yevhen Bohodaiko of Ukraine. bearer/swimmer Yelyzaveta Mereshko Yuliia Ivanytska (48 kg, defeated Shizuka (four medals, two gold). The latter three Hangai of Japan) and Nataliya Nikolaychuk jump (5.54 meters), and super rower onds) in athletics, Iana Lebedieva (F53) in swimmers have set new world records in (52 kg, defeated Ramona Brussig of Roman Polianskyi won a gold medal in sin- women’s discus throw (15.48 meters), Tokyo (see below). Ukrainian Paralympians Germany). gle sculls (PR1M1x) finishing with a time of Andrii Doroshenko in men’s 10-meter air have established a total of five new world Day Four – Five gold medals in swim- 9:48.78 seconds. Ukraine won an addition- rifle standing (SH1) and Serbin in men’s records at these 2020 Games. ming had Mykhailo Serbin (S11) winning in al three silver medals in swimming: Trusov 200-meter individual medley swimming Below are daily Ukrainian medal victo- the men’s 100-meter backstroke (1:08.63 in the 400-meter freestyle (4:35.56 sec- (2:27.97 seconds). The four bronze medal- ries and highlights from the Tokyo Games. seconds), Bohodaiko (SB6) in the 100- onds), Denys Ostapchenko (S3) in the ists included Iryna Shchetnik in R2 wom- Day Two – Gold medal-winner meter breaststroke (1:20.13 seconds), 50-meter backstroke (45.57 seconds) and en’s 10-meter air rifle standing (SH1), Zoia Mereshko set a new world record in the Krypak in the 100-meter freestyle (50.64 Illia Yaremenko (S12) in the 50-meter free- Ovsil (F51) in women’s discus throw women’s 200-meter individual medley seconds for a world record), Denys Dubrov style (23.70 seconds). Also winning silver (14.37 meters), Roman Pavlyk (T26) in (SM6) with a time of 2:56.90 seconds in (SM8) in the 200-meter individual medley were Anastasiia Mysnyk (F20) in women’s men’s long jump (5.63 meters) and Team her qualifying heat. The previous world (2:20.96 seconds) and Anna Stetsenko shot put (14.16 meters) and Nataliia Ukraine (Maryna Piddubna, Maksym record was 2:57.24 seconds held by Great (S13) in women’s 400-meter freestyle Oliinyk (79 kg) in women’s powerlifting Veraksa, Anna Stetsenko and Kyrylo Britain’s Maise Summers-Newton. (4:23.92 seconds). Silver medals were won (with a best lift of 133 kg). Bronze medal- Gerashchenko) in the mixed 4x100-meter Mereshko won Ukraine’s lone medal this by Roman Danyliuk (F12) in men’s shot put ists for this day were swimmer Maksym freestyle (SM13) swimming relay (3:55.15 day with her silver in the aforementioned (16.53 meters), Iryna Husieva (63 kg) in Veraksa (S12) in men’s 50-meter freestyle seconds). event (2:58.04 seconds in the final). women’s judo (she lost against Khanim (23.83 seconds) and Oleksandr Nazarenko Day Seven – Maksym Koval (F20) won Ukraine produced the biggest surprise in Huseynova of Azerbaijan), Viktor Smyrnov (90 kg) in men’s judo (Nazarenko defeated gold and set a new world record in the goalball on day two, gaining payback for (S11) in men’s 100-meter backstroke Arthur da Silva Cavalcante of Brazil). men’s shot put with a throw of 17.34 their European Championships final defeat (1:09.36 seconds) and Nataliia Morkvych in Day Six – Trusov became the second meters, besting the old record of 17.29 by thrashing Germany 11-5 in the prelimi- women’s foil individual (Category A) wheel- Ukrainian to set a world record with his meters. Krypak (S10) won gold in the men’s nary round of Group B; Ukraine lost 4-5 in chair fencing (Morkvych lost 8-15 against time of 1:08.14 seconds in the men’s 100- 100-meter butterfly, setting a new record the quarterfinal against the U.S.A. Ukraine’s Haiyan Gu of China). Bronze medals went to meter backstroke, eclipsing fellow country- time of 54.15 seconds and topping country- goals against Germany were shared Ivan Mai (Class 9) in table tennis men’s sin- man Bohdan Hrynenko’s old record of man Denys Dubrov’s old record of 54.71 between two players, Rodion Zhyhalin and gles (after his 1-3 loss against Lin Ma of 1:08.92 seconds. Trusov and table tennis seconds. A third gold medal was captured Vasyl Oliinyk, taking full advantage of gaps Australia), Rufat Mahomedov (73 kg) in player Maryna Lytovchenko (Class 6) won by Trusov (his second gold, fourth overall) in the Germans’ play, particularly in the men’s judo (winning against Vasili Kutuev gold medals (Lytvochenko defeated Maliak in swimming’s 50-meter freestyle (S7) with second half. Ukraine capitalized on of the Russian Paralympic Committee) and Alieva of the Russian Paralympic a time of 27.43 seconds. Four silver medals Germany’s lethargic offense, inopportune Maksym Nikolenko (Class 8) in table tennis Committee 3-0 in the final). Silver medal- were won in athletics: Oksana Boturchuk decision-making and penalties (Germany men’s singles (after his 1-3 loss in the ists were Olena Fedota in women’s individ- (T12) in women’s 400-meter race (55.33 defeated Ukraine 6-3 in the 2019 Goalball semifinal against Shuhai Zhao of China). ual saber (Category B) after her 7-15 loss seconds), Oleksandr Yarovi (F20) in men’s European Championships final held in Day Five – Oksana Zubkovska (T12) against Shumei Tan of China, Ihor Tsvietov shot put (17.30 meters), Yuliia Shuliar Rostock, Germany, on October 14, 2019). earned a gold medal in the women’s long (T35) in men’s 100-meter race (11.47 sec- (T20) in women’s 400-meter race (56.18 seconds) and Nataliia Kobzar (T37) in the women’s 400-meter race (1:01.47 sec- onds). Road cyclist Yehor Dementyev (C5) won a silver medal in men’s time trial (43:19.11 seconds) and Veraska (S12) won silver in swimming’s 100-meter freestyle (52.87 seconds). Serbin (SM11) won silver in the men’s 200-meter individual medley (2:27.97 seconds). Team Ukraine won four bronze medals in swimming competitions: Yevhen Bohodaiko in the 50-meter free- style (27.99 seconds), Vasyl Krainyk (SM14) in men’s 200-meter individual medley (2:09.92 seconds), Mereshko (her third medal) in women’s 100-meter free- style (1:11.07 seconds to tie for a world record with Yuyan Jiang of China) and Team

Facebook.com/NationalSports Ukraine in the mixed 4x100-meter freestyle CommitteeOfTheDisabledOfUkraine Paralympic.org.ua/ua/tag/tokio-2020 relay (3:55.15 seconds). The mixed team Anastasiia Moskalenko (F32) won gold in Instagram.com/ukraineparadeaflympic/ Maryna Lytovchenko maintains her was made up of Veraska, Maryna Piddubna, the women’s shot put and set a new Maksym Krypak shows off his gold focus during her table tennis perfor- world record distance of 7.61 meters. medal in Paralympic swimming. mance that earned her a gold medal. (Continued on page 15) No. 36 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 15

floral ornaments decorating every design- UNWLA fashion... er dress are delicately embroidered with natural yarns and are gently combined (Continued from page 9) with fragile and delicate fabrics, such as unique mixture of Ukrainian ethnic voile, organza, silk and satin. Prêt-a-porter clothing provides the motives and progressive fashion tenden- September 10-12 2021 Zustrich (meeting), Ukrainian Philatelic and public with high-end clothing made in cies. It has impeccable quality, the newest Lehighton, PA Numismatic Society, Ukrainian Homestead, small quantities to guarantee exclusivity of finishing technologies and the perfect cut www.ukrainianhomestead.com or 215-740-1609 for each model. It is the style of a woman the purchased outfit. Today this style bor- with a strong character, exquisite, provoca- ders on art and readers are invited to September 11 23rd annual Plast Chicago Golf Classic, Pobratymy tive and self-confident at the same time. attend the Ukrainian Fashion Show, which Oak Brook, IL Foundation, Oak Brook Golf Club, [email protected] Ms. Polonets is a designer and owner of is a fundraiser, a celebration of beauty and or www.pobratymyfoundation.com a brand of exclusively embroidered clothes art, and a venue where readers can view with over 16 years of experience in the and buy wonderful and unique products September 11 38th annual golf tournament, Ottawa Ukrainian Golf, The global fashion market. She has displayed from talented and successful Ukrainian Ottawa Meadows Golf and Country Club, 613-599-5310 or her collections in more than 20 countries, designers. 613-834-9935 including Canada, the United States, Previous fashion shows organized by Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey, the UNWLA Branch 137 featured the works of September 11-12 Open House, Ukrainian National Museum, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, Oksana Karavanska, Olena Dats, Oksana Chicago 312-421-8020 Singapore, Switzerland, among others. Her Polonets, Foberini, Olena Serebrova and September 12 Memorial concert for Marta Skorupsky, with cellist Mihai work can be found at branch locations in Olena Vasenko. Proceeds from those shows New York Tetel, violinists Solomiya Ivakhiv and Oleh Krysa, and Kyiv, Lviv, Chicago and Singapore. supported families of Ukrainian soldiers, pianists Melvin Chen and Mykola Suk, Ukrainian Institute Ms. Polonets won design acclaim first in Ukrainian orphanages and Dzherelo of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org or 212-288-8660 the Autograph fashion competition and Children’s Rehabilitation Center. All of the proceeds from this year’s fash- received the Golden Quality Mark in 2006. September 12 Parish picnic, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, ion show will go toward the UNWLA’s Her dresses were worn on the red carpet Philadelphia www.stvladimirsphila.org at the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles in existing cultural, educational and humani- 2016, and her brand was awarded the tarian projects, including Dzherelo September 12 53rd annual Connecticut Ukrainian Day Festival, St. Basil Golden Mark of Quality of National Goods Children’s Rehabilitation Center and the Stamford, CT Seminary, 203-269-5909 – This event has been cancelled and Services in 2017. UNWLA Scholarship program to support due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic Among her customers are former disadvantaged students. These fundraising Ukrainian first lady Maryna Poroshenko, efforts help bring joy to the lives of chil- September 14 Visitation to Naval Academy and harbor cruise, Ukrainian- singers Katya Buzhynska, Oksana Pekun, dren with disabilities, children from poor Annapolis, MD American Senior Association in Philadelphia, Natalia Valevska, Anzhelika Rudnytska, and families and kids in Ukraine who are most 215-699-6068 (must have proof of COVID-19 vaccination) actress Olga Sumska. Her design studio in need of joy. also stitched the dresses for the winner of For more about this year’s fashion show, September 17 Presentation by Ambassador Roman Popadiuk celebrating the Queen of Ukraine beauty contest. That including information about the designers New York the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s renewed independence, winner went on to represent Ukraine in an and tickets, readers can visit the following Ukrainian Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org international competition in 2007. She has web site: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ or 212-288-8660 also designed clothing for the debutantes ukrainian-fashion-show-roksolana-boguts- September 17-19 18th annual Washington Ukrainian Festival, celebrating of the Vienna Ball in 2020. ka-oksana-polonets-fundraiser-tick- Ms. Polonets designs modern clothing in ets-164426579325. Silver Spring, MD Ukraine’s 30th anniversary of independence, St. Andrew a national style, from casual to bridal, and Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, www.ukrainefestdc.com Orysya Soroka is a member of UNWLA each creation is a unique mix of comfort September 18 Cars and Coffee, Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Branch 137. and beauty. Stylish geometric and colorful Jenkintown, PA Center, www.ueccphila.org

September 18 Ukrainian Historical Encounter Series event, “Ukraine at ter. RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service reported New York 30,” Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian NEWSBRIEFS Tradition and Order members used tear Institute of America, www.ukrainianinstitute.org (Continued from page 10) gas against police as law enforcement sepa- rated the neo-Nazi group from several hun- Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Ukraine and the United States in the field of dred LGBT activists who had gathered for advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions energy, combating climate change and the Pride event. “A group of young people from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors “green” transformation. “We have con- started attacking the police for no reason. It and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. sciously chosen the path of reforms and is clear that the police used proper means decarbonization of the energy sector,” Mr. to stop the offense,” Mykola Semenyshyn, prices to a level the sailors could afford) to Zelenskyy said. Ms. Granholm and Mr. the head of the National Police in Odesa Zelenskyy said that the involvement of the Turning... deliver fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and Oblast, told reporters. As a result of the other produce for purchase. Mr. Charchalis United States in the implementation of this (Continued from page 6) clashes, 29 law enforcement officers were also worked with Selfreliance Baltimore to ambitious plan opens up opportunities for injured, mostly from reactions to tear gas. building a new quality of partnership Included among the representatives of buy a stockpile of varenyky at St. Michael Police said they opened criminal proceed- the Ukrainian American community during Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore, and between the countries. Particular attention ings against Tradition and Order members was paid to cooperation in the field of the visit were the Very Rev. Stefan Zencuch delivered the haul to feed the sailors of the under articles of threat or violence against (St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, two ships before they departed. nuclear energy and the implementation of a law enforcement officer, riots and hooli- Silver Spring, Md.) and Olena Boyko (a The U.S. continues to support Ukraine’s projects for the construction of additional ganism. LGBT activists were on high alert noted open-sea sailor, who was instrumen- efforts to rebuild its naval forces and assets, reactors at Ukrainian nuclear power plants, after last year’s event was marked by tal in working with Ukraine’s Embassy to including the regular participation of both and the use of small modular reactors. Mr. Tradition and Order members attacking organize local activities for the Ukrainian countries in the NATO-led Sea Breeze naval Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the sailors). exercises in the Black Sea (this year’s Sea launch of the Strategic Dialogue on Energy police and participants of the Odesa Pride On September 17, on the eve of the ships’ Breeze included participants from 32 coun- and Climate between Ukraine and the rally. According to a U.S. State Department scheduled departure from Norfolk, the tries). Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea United States will contribute to the further human rights report, last year there was poor communication between Pride orga- Ukrainian sailors received a gift from from Ukraine in 2014 significantly reduced intensification of bilateral cooperation and Baltimore Ukrainian American community Ukraine’s naval capabilities. the practical implementation of joint initia- nizers and police which contributed to law enforcement failing to provide adequate members, Taras Charchalis and the tives and projects. (Office of the President Selfreliance Baltimore Federal Credit Union. Source: “Ukrainian Navy makes historic of Ukraine) protection to the rally. “Many were afraid of a repetition of last year’s events and did not Mr. Charchalis arranged for a local immi- first U.S. port visit,” by Yaro Bihun, The Police clash with far-right group want to come,” Anna Leonova, head of the grant farmer (who was willing to lower his Ukrainian Weekly, September 22, 1996. Violent clashes broke out on August 28 organizing committee of Odesa Pride, was between Ukrainian police and a far-right quoted as saying by news outlet Dumskaya. nationalist group trying to disrupt an annu- To prevent a repeat of last year’s violence, a world record). Silver medalists included al LGBT Pride march in the port city of this year police deployed more than 1,000 With 75 medals... Vasyl Kovalchuk in mixed 10-meter air rifle prone (SH2) and Oleksii Fedyna in men’s Odesa. Police detained at least 51 members officers to protect LGBT activists from (Continued from page 14) 100-meter breaststroke (SB12). Four addi- of Tradition and Order, including the head around 300 Tradition and Order counter- Stetsenko and Garashchenko. tional bronze medals were won by Iryna of the ultra-nationalist group’s Odesa chap- protesters. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) Day Eight – Anastasiia Moskalenko’s Shchetnik in mixed 10-meter air rifle prone (F32) efforts in women’s shot put got her a (SH1), Yana Berezhna in women’s 100- new world record to go with her gold meter breaststroke (SB11), Yaryna Matlo in medal. Her heave of 7.61 meters bested the women’s 100-meter breaststroke (SB12) The Ukrainian Weekly previous record of 7.04 meters. Krypak and Lev Kats and Ivan Mai in men’s table (S10) won his third gold medal in the men’s tennis (Class 9-10) after their 0-3 loss LIKE on Facebook! 400-meter freestyle (50.64 seconds and set against China’s Hao Lian and Yi Qing Zhao. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 No. 36