THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (09/01/91)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Soyuzivka staff and guests urge Bush action on Ukraine

Following is the text of a letter sent to President George Bush by guests and staff at Soyuzivka, the upstate New York resort of the Ukrainian National Association. The letter, dated August 26, was signed by more than 140 persons and was faxed to the White House. A similar letter will be circulated at Soyuzivka during Labor Day weekend.

Dear Mr. President:

With the August 24, 1991, adoption by the Ukrainian Parliament of a resolution proclaiming the independence of Ukraine, the historic aspirations of the Ukrainian people for freedom were realized. The 52 million people of Ukraine need the moral and political support of the free world to guarantee that independence much like the support the United States received in our struggle for independence.

In 1974 and again in 1982 at conventions of the Ukrainian National Association, you endorsed Ukrainian independence. We urge you to publicly reaffirm that commitment by immediately establishing full diplomatic relations with the government of Ukraine.

Lviv City Council thanks UNA for pledge of support

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Lviv City Council Chairman Vasyl Shpitser recently turned to the Ukrainian diaspora to help with fund-raising for the first monument of Taras Shevchenko to be erected in Lviv next year.

In response, Dr. Vasyl Ivanytsky of Toronto has organized the Ukrainian Committee for the Taras Shevchenko Monument in Lviv, which will help raise funds.

In addition, the Ukrainian National Association has pledged to support the monument fund, on the recommendation of its Cultural Committee. Mr. Shpitser has thanked the UNA and invited Supreme President Ulana Diachuk to send a delegation to the unveiling on May 22, 1992.

The Lviv City Council approved the plan on March 22, 1991. The site of the monument, chosen by city residents, will be across from the Opera Theater.

Volodymyr and Andriy Sukhorsky, two brothers who won first place in a design competition held in 1990, will sculpt the monument. When completed, it will stand four and a half meters tall. The monument will be made in Argentina, since bronze is cheaper there, and then shipped to Lviv.

The unveiling is set for the date on which Taras Shevchenko's remains were reburied in Kaniv.

Donations may be sent to: Ukrainian Committee for Taras Shevchenko Monument in Lviv, 2150 Bloor St. W., Suite 96-A, Toronto, Ontario M6S 1M8.

UNA representative greets Sterniuk

When Lviv Archbishop Volodymyr Sterniuk paid a weeklong visit to Winnipeg in June, he was welcomed by representatives of the local community's diverse organizations, including church groups and the clergy, youth organizations and representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee with national president Dr. Dmytro Cipywnyk heading the delegation. Among those who met with the prelate was John Hewryk, the Ukrainian National Association's supreme director for Canada. Above, Mr. Hewryk is seen presenting Archbishop Sterniuk with a gift from the UNA.

Detroit District holds picnic/meeting

WARREN, Mich. - The Detroit/ToIedo/Windsor District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association is actively pursuing its summer agenda. On July 18, a meeting of the executive committee was convened to deliberate several pressing issues.

One of these was the feasibility of a UNA-sponsored concert tour of a student chorus from the Poltava region of Ukraine. Tentatively, this itinerary has been scheduled for the fall season, but entirely contingent on a full acceptance and support by all UNA centers in America and Canada.

A promotional videotape of the Poltavian Dumka Chorus is currently under review and, from all indications to date, the quality of performance seems to be very positive. However, the mechanics of the proposed tour in terms of travel and lodging need better management than local UNA groupings have experienced in the past.

In another matter, the UNA executive wanted to go on record with congratulations to Michigan's U.S. Rep. David E. Bonior (D-12th Congressional District) on his ascendancy to the post of majority whip in the Democratic leadership. The holder of this highly influential third-ranking post is of Ukrainian ancestry.

It was through Rep. Bonior's aides and Washington office that bureaucratic snarls in Moscow and Washington unraveled and, as such, permitted the Yavir vocal ensemble from Ukraine to enter the U.S. from Canada at the border of Windsor, Ontario. Although the UNA-sponsored concert in Warren began late, the performers received enthusiastic plaudits.

On July 27, approximately 50 UNA'ers assembled at the popular Dibrova Estate in Milford, Mich., for an annual fraternal family picnic. After cocktails and dinner planned by Jaroslaw Baziuk and Katherine Nazark, Dr. Alexander Serafyn, chairman of the Detroit District Committee, opened the program by welcoming all officers, spouses and-friends. He also introduced Yaroslaw Hritczak, a professor from the University of Lviv currently visiting America on a lecture tour.

In addition, Dr. Serafyn presented vital statistical data related to UNA growth, and acknowledged those who had enlisted new members during the past six months.

Zenon Wasylkevych, who acted as master of ceremonies for the afternoon called on Dr. Serafyn to speak about his recent trip to western Canada. The highlight of his talk was he Vegreville Alberta, 100-year celebration of Ukrainian immigration to Canada.

"I believe Ukrainians in Canada enjoy more compatibility and understanding among their religious and political groupings than we do in America," said Dr. Serafyn. Bits of Canadian history were reviewed along with a recommendation to purchase Dr. Myron Kuropas' recent book on the history of immigration of Ukrainians to America.

Ms. Nazark was the next presenter as she offered a humorous parody on growing older. A talented satire developed by Olha Marusczak was pleasurably entertaining. Dr. Atanas Slusarczuk, one of UNA's most able national organizers, delighted his audience with his unique anecdotes.

Afterwards, Mr. Wasylkevych called on district vice-chairpersons Irene Pryjma and Stephen Wichar to conduct a sing-along.

The afternoon program was concluded by Dr. Serafyn as he recalled the goals and objectives of Detroit's District Committee. In addition, he extended many thanks to all members who made the picnic-meeting so successful.