February 2021 | Volume 62 | Issue 3 COVER: UKRAINIAN STUDENTS’ CLUB AT RYERSON A letter from the “Student” editor Dear Student, Our “Student” Editor, Alexandra Holyk. Is it just me, or did everyone experience serious nostalgia when watching your Snapchat memories these last two months? January and February are usually our busiest months, and it’s not because we go back to school after winter break. Once * Ukrainian Christmas and koli- ada season are over, the fancy shoes, dresses and drinks come out every weekend in January for all the different Malankas. I’ve spent the last four years getting ready with my friends for * “real” Malankas — the coming- of-age milestone once you’re too old to attend the family Malanka with your parents. Whether it was CYM or PLAST, the ener- gy, good friends and good fun were always the best part of any * Ukrainian event. as well as internationally — LUX February usually marks zaba- and Zirka, both based in Toron- A special thank you to our con- va season ahead of Great Lent. to. Find out how the pandemic tributors featured in this issue: Every weekend there’s anoth- has impacted them and what er event hosted at the Taras they’ve done since their last live Roman Grod Anastasia “Staz” Priadka Shevchenko Cultural Centre performances. on Horner Avenue — so every Somewhere in the middle of Anastasiya Gorodnicha Aleksa Gobosz weekend there’s another reason the issue, our alumni will expe- to get dressed up and party with rience some nostalgia of their River Hoffos Ukrainian Students’ Club at your friends. I haven’t gotten own — we look back on past Ryerson University dressed up since Feb. 29, 2020, Student issues that highlighted Raya Dzulynsky and I’ve been sitting in my py- zabavas of the times back then. jamas every day since March. In the meantime, we must Please, let there be an opportu- continue to stay strong and cope nity in 2021 to get dressed up. with the ongoing pandemic and This issue tackles that nostal- restrictions. Since Toronto and gic feeling we’ve all felt over the Peel region are still in a stay-at- past year and specifically during home order at the time of publi- these last two months. Our con- cation, I recommend turning on tributors are recounting their some Ukrainian music, lay out fondest memories of attending the shot glasses, dress up in what Malankas, zabavas and any other should’ve been your Malanka get Ukrainian event that featured a up and enjoy your own zabava live performance (which is basi- from the comfort and safety of cally every Ukrainian event). your own home. Pretend you’re We’ll also hear from some of in those pre-Zoom zabava times. our favourite bands in the GTA – Alexandra Holyk 2 A message from SUSK’s president Our President, Roman Grod. has accomplished a lot, and I am highly optimistic about our future and the difference that SUSK will be able to make. I look forward in seeing more participation through our var- ious advocacy campaigns and events that we have planned throughout 2021. When looking forward it is * always good to look back and reflect on the past. We hope that you enjoy this issue as we look back to some Zabava’s pre- COVID-19. We are only as strong as our USOs and we hope to continue * to see them thrive even in this virtual environment. All the best! Всього найкращого! * – Roman Grod Вітаю! ever virtual koliada. Our talent- prosperity of our community. Welcome to SUSK’s first issue ed executive continues to create Thank you to all our members of 2021. SUSK was sure to hit the more virtual content and bring and executives that continue to ground running this year when together clubs and leaders from be successful and forward-think- we brought together clubs from all over the country to ensure ing even during these difficult Check us out on YouTube: across the country for our first we are working together for the times. In the last 67 years, SUSK youtube.com/user/SUSKNational Table of Contents Looking back on a pre-Zoom zabava............................................................................................................................................4 Follow the music: The heart of the zabava.................................................................................................................................6 A blast from the past zabavas..........................................................................................................................................................7 How the pandemic afected our bands: LUX............................................................................................................................8 A conversation with Zirka....................................................................................................................................................................9 Where are you?......................................................................................................................................................................................10 3 Looking back on a pre-Zoom zabava A collection of Malankas, zabavas, stories and memories from Ukrainian events before the pandemic By Roman Grod ber organizations from across the country has seen a signifi- Zabavas now seem like an cant national increase in all our event of the past. Many look back local events. With the increased and don’t even remember the last usage and acceptance of virtual zabava they attended. It is diffi- events, the issue of being 5,000 cult to believe that the last zabava km away seems irrelevant. SUSK hosted was back in 2019, Do I miss zabavas? Of course during our annual congress in I do. Will SUSK host more na- Winnipeg. It is good that SUSK’s tional zabavas in the future? Of unofficial motto is to make every course we will. For the time be- moment count, and back at the ing, SUSK and all our members, Ukrainian National Federation supporters, and friends need to building in Winnipeg, with Bud- adapt and make the most of the mo playing for us all night, we current virtual situation. So that By Anastasia “Staz” Priadka sic of the live band, feet throbbing were sure to do that! one day, we can go back to com- from dancing and spinning on the Although COVID has seen us plaining about how we have to The Latin New Year begins in dance floor, and cheeks aching shift away from the in-person get on a plane and fly halfway January and with it, many events from all the smiling and laughter. events such as zabavas and con- across the country, all for some take place in the Ukrainian-Ca- Most zabavas are surprising gresses, SUSK and all our mem- awesome SUSK zabava. nadian culture. Most notably is and exciting since moments are Ukrainian New Year’s, known experienced with individuals as Malanka, which is celebrated you’ve just met, or with those in many different forms on the you’ve reconnected with after eve of Jan. 13. a while. Regardless, it’s nice to Some choose to drink cham- say hello and catch up with a fa- pagne at home as the clock miliar face or make connections strikes twelve. Others host gath- with new faces. No matter how erings of family and friends — in much time has passed, conversa- the case of 2021, this was likely tions are just as easily continued done virtually. at the next zabava. In the past, most would have Also, cheers only get better attended a zabava where they can each year, so hang in there until dance the night away with many the next zabava — there’s bound more friends that would fit under to be many great stories from the roof of a common dwelling. living through the pandemic! The atmosphere of any zabava Until then, Budmo and keep leaves ears ringing from the mu- those dancing shoes nearby! 4 By Anastasiya Gorodnicha a delicious dinner, and unlim- culture!). He taught me how to Then we decided it was a good ited drinks. I was amongst new polka, and at one point we had idea to walk around the grounds You really can’t say you’ve expe- friends, ready for a good time. the dance floor to ourselves. The of the Banff Centre, some of us rienced being Ukrainian if you ha- I don’t know what it is about band was amazing and the music more drunk than others. ven’t been to a Ukrainian zabava SUSK Congress, but it’s so easy was flowing from one ear to the I don’t remember what we at least once. Even though I have to become close with people other — it was magical. We were were doing exactly, but I remem- only started to go to Ukrainian you met just a few hours ago. dancing so fast and so energeti- ber a fellow Ottawa Ukrainian events during my undergraduate There are people from that cally. We ended up dancing for Students’ Club (OUSC) member degree, I have been to quite a few congress that I still speak to a good 30 minutes until it was ended up with a ripped suit, and zabavas and Malankas since then, often to this day. I have to say, time to go back to our hotel. I’m pretty sure someone from and there is one that particularly SUSK Congress is probably the the Alberta USO had a swollen was lots of fun. epitome of friendships and con- SUSK Congress is ankle. Luckily I had my first aid It was SUSK Congress 2018, nections, especially at a Satur- probably the epitome of and helped him to the best of my in beautiful Banff, Alta. It was day night zabava. abilities. I remember the secu- my first SUSK Congress, and The reason for this night to friendships...especially at a rity guard was running after us this was only a few months af- be so memorable for me, was Saturday night zabava and we were hiding in the trees ter I truly discovered my true that I’ve always wanted to dance and behind buildings...It was a Ukrainian heritage. It was also a polka, but had no idea how.