INSIDE:• Ukraine at NATO’s Prague summit — page 3. • Hrushevsky’s history and its relevance to today’s Ukraine — page 9. • Kyiv’s world-renowned Klitschko brothers — page 11 Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXX No. 48 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2002 $1/$2 in Ukraine HE KRAINIANSoyuzivka celebratesEEKLY 50th anniversary DecadesT later, UkraineU openly mourns W as plan for its renaissance is announced the millions lost in Famine-Genocide by Roman Woronowycz he saw the bloated bellies of children by Roma Hadzewycz Ukrainian folk costumes. It was a full Kyiv Press Bureau near death and the desperate eyes of house as nearly 300 people were in atten- mothers begging for a small piece of a KERHONKSON, N.Y. – Hundreds of dance: Soyuzivka regulars, former KYIV – Today Yakym Kovalyshyn loaf of bread to feed their babies as guests accepted the Ukrainian National employees, UNA officials, participants of Association’s invitation to “come home sees little except for dark shapes and famine raged in Ukraine. Soyuzivka’s sports competitions, leaders to Soyuzivka” for the UNA estate’s 50th shadows, but in 1932-1933 his eyes wit- Mr. Kovalyshyn did not last long at his of Soyuzivka camps and many others anniversary gala on Saturday, November nessed the misery of starving mothers first job in Kyiv. The director of the store who have come to know and love this 23. and their children as they dragged them- told him he would have to make a unique resort. (The younger set enjoyed a They came home and they learned that selves into Kyiv from the famine-ravaged choice: either stop feeding the peasants buffet dinner in the Main House dining there is a promising plan for Soyuzivka’s countryside looking for food. because that could lead to arrest and room.) “I had the soul of a peasant, I came future as a four-season resort serving the The banquet opened with the singing imprisonment for both of them, or leave. Ukrainian community. from the village, I had never seen this He chose the latter. of the American and Ukrainian national and my heart hurt,” explained Mr. Upon arriving at the resort’s Main anthems by Sviatoslava Kaczaraj. An Seventy years after Stalin and the House, guests were greeted by outdoor Kovalyshyn, today 92 and all but blind as Communist hierarchy decided to force a n invocation was delivered by Bishop Basil a result of time spent at forced labor in lights spelling out “I Q.” Inside, the Losten of the Stamford Eparchy of the reluctant Ukraine to accept agricultural lobby was decorated with hundreds of Soviet concentration camps. “I was collectivization and Soviet domination Ukrainian Catholic Church, who led the balloons bearing the same message. audience in singing the prayer “Otche taught mercy and belief in God, but peo- from Moscow by artificially starving the The welcome continued in the guests’ Nash.” ple ignored these villagers who lay on the peasant population in what came to be rooms, where a schedule of the festivities UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj wel- sidewalk before the store.” know as the Great Famine, there is final- was attached to Hershey’s kisses, in comed all the guests and UNA’ers pres- Mr. Kovalyshyn, 21 years old at the ly full awareness and recognition by the time and filled with the spirit of the keeping with the “I love Soyuzivka” ent, noting that “Soyuzivka holds a very state leadership of the extent and nature theme, and more balloons. The resort was special place in our hearts.” He then gave “enlightened future of Communism,” had of what remains the worst man-made left his village in the Polish-controlled booked solid, and many guests stayed at a capsule history of the significance of calamity in Ukraine’s tragic history. nearby hotels, including the Hudson Soyuzivka for Ukrainian children, youths Ternopil region of Ukraine at the age of Many who never saw what Mr. 18 to move to Soviet Ukraine, where he Valley Resort, which always welcomes and parents, for campers, athletes and Kovalyshyn saw, are finally admitting Soyuzivka’s overflow guests. devotees of Ukrainian culture. was promised a free college education in that it did occur. the Ukrainian language – not the Polish Cocktail hour in the Main House He also vowed: “We must and we will At the anniversary commemorations in lobby and library was jam-packed with do all in our power, with God’s help and tongue then being forced upon western Kyiv on November 23, President Leonid Ukrainian lands. guests, as they mingled with old friends the community’s support, to rebuild Kuchma and government leaders placed and enjoyed the photo display of people After living initially in Kharkiv, he Soyuzivka, to make sure that it is secure wreaths and flowers at the single memo- and events from years past at Soyuzivka. had moved to Kyiv where he was for our children and grandchildren.” rial of the Great Famine in Kyiv, located Many found themselves in the photos on assigned a job at a Kyiv bread store in UNA National Secretary Christine E. exhibit, and thus recalled old times, good Kozak introduced the master of cere- the Podil district. There, at close range, (Continued on page 3) company and cherished moments. monies for the evening, former UNA Then it was on to the banquet in the Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky, who Veselka auditorium. At the entrance, shared with the audience some of his UNA General Assembly holds guests were cordially welcomed by three memories of Soyuzivka, including his young ladies, Adriana Brodyn, Kira stint as a summer worker at the resort. first post-convention meeting Myskiw and Melasia Rud, dressed in (Continued on page 5) by Roma Hadzewycz approved several standing committees that are to spur UNA activity in the fields Self Reliance N.Y. donates $50,000 to Soyuzivka KERHONKSON, N.Y. – The of fraternal activity, organizing efforts, Ukrainian National Association’s General finances and the UNA’s Canadian affairs. KERHONKSON, N.Y. – Assembly met here at Soyuzivka on The committees – which are to func- A surprise $50,000 donation Friday and Saturday, November 22-23. tion for the full four-year term of the from Self Reliance (New The focus of the assembly was revitaliza- General Assembly and are chaired by York) Federal Credit Union tion of the Soyuzivka resort, which this UNA executive officers – were constitut- to Soyuzivka elicited a year marks its 50th anniversary. ed as follows: robust round of applause at The agenda was a brief one, as this • Fraternal Committee: Second Vice- the gala banquet celebrating was a special meeting held during a UNA President Eugene Iwanciw (chair), the 50th anniversary of the convention year and was the first full Advisors Eugene Oscislawski, Vasyl resort, which is owned and gathering of the General Assembly elect- Liscynesky and Barbara Bachynsky; operated by the Ukrainian ed at the association’s 35th Regular • Organizing Committee: First Vice- National Association. Convention held in May in Chicago. President Martha Lysko and Ms. Kozak The presentation was Reports on the UNA’s operations for (co-chairs), Advisors Joseph Hawryluk, made by Dr. Bohdan 2002 were delivered by the fraternal Stefan Hawrysz, Myron Pylypiak and Kekish, president and CEO society’s three full-time executive offi- Pawlo Prinko; of Self Reliance New York, cers, President Stefan Kaczaraj, National • Financial Committee: Ms. Lisovich to Ukrainian National Secretary Christine E. Kozak and and Mr. Kaczaraj (co-chairs), Advisors Association President Stefan Treasurer Roma Lisovich, who took Vasyl Luchkiw and Michael Kuropas; Kaczaraj. Also present at the office on July 1. • Canadian Affairs Committee: banquet were Orest Glut, a member of the credit union’s In addition, members of the General Director for Canada Al Kachkowski Roma Hadzewycz board of directors, and Assembly – which encompasses six (chair), Advisors Myron Groch and Nicholas Oprysko, manager executive officers, three auditors and 11 Andrij Skyba. Dr. Bohdan Kekish (left), president of Self of the credit union’s advisors – reviewed organizing results (Vice-President Iwanciw and Advisors Reliance New York, presents the credit union’s Kerhonkson branch, as well for 2002 and discussed the plan of action Bachynsky, Skyba and Kuropas were not $50,000 donation for Soyuzivka Project for enrolling new members in 2003; Renaissance to UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj. (Continued on page 14) approved the UNA budget for 2003; and (Continued on page 4) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2002 No. 48 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFS Enlarged Europe’s borderlands NEWSBRIEFS Kuchma names ministers to new Cabinet Ukraine, Polish Radio reported. “Much depends upon President [Leonid] Kuchma present a vast challenge KYIV – President Leonid Kuchma has himself, and on his circle, and whether he appointed State Tax Administration head has drawn the conclusions from the fact that by Christopher Walker of a Kolchuha radar system to Iraq, an Mykola Azarov as first vice prime minister the world expects a Ukraine that is moving RFE/RL Newsline act that has put the Ukrainian president and finance minister in Prime Minister forward and not one that is marking time,” squarely in Washington’s crosshairs. Viktor Yanukovych’s Cabinet, Reuters Mr. Kwasniewski said. “The world wants a At the precise moment the Euro- Belarus and Ukraine have settled into reported on November 26, quoting presi- Ukraine that resolves problems and does Atlantic community is opening its arms a particularly alarming pattern of behav- dential spokeswoman Olena Hromnytska. not seek successive justifications,” he to a large group of new NATO and ior, where one is more likely to hear of Ms. Hromnytska also told the agency that added.