LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (09/08/96)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Brazil radio offers 'obrigado' for music

Dear Editor:

I have been asked by the Ukrainian-language radio program in Prudentópolis, Brazil, to write this letter of thanks (in English) for the numerous donations of Ukrainian music that have been sent to the station "Copas Verdes." A big "muito obrigado" (thank you very much) is extended to all those who have sent records, cassette tapes and compact discs over the last several months. Each and every donation has been greatly appreciated and has augmented considerably the program's inventory of Ukrainian recorded music.

During my recent stay in Brazil I had the opportunity to listen first-hand as many of the newly acquired recordings were played and enjoyed by the city's Ukrainian community.

Anyone still interested in making a donation of records, cassette tapes or compact discs should send them directly to the program's director at the following address: Elvira Lozovei, Secretaria de Educação e Cultura, Ruo Conselheiro Rui Barbosa, 201, Prudentópolis, Paraná, Brasil, CEP 84400.000.

For further information please contact this writer by telephone at (204) 889-2534 or fax at (204) 895-3430.

Jeff Picknicki Morski
Winnipeg

What would Ukraine do with Krawtschouk?

Dear Editor:

I agree with Orysia Tracz's letter (August 4) on transliterating Ukrainian surnames into English and want to add a cautionary twist that makes me despair of ever hearing my Ukrainian surname "åË¸Ó" pronounced correctly, even in Ukraine.

You see, when foreign names must be transliterated into Ukrainian for official purposes, the name transliterated is the one in that individual's passport. Thus, instead of using the original Ukrainian spelling of my surname on my press credentials, for example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs transliterated the American name invented by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and stamped in my U.S. passport.

As a result, my legal surname in Ukraine is spelled "å¥Ò¸Ó" with an "s" instead of a "ts," and pronounced "meesyo." This is much like the favorite American mispronounciation, but bears a small resemblence to the original. I can only imagine what a garble would come of a Canadian Krawtschouk.

Mary Mycio
Kyiv

Searching for Detroit's Ukrainian Bandurists

Dear Editor:

Does anyone know what happened to the Ukrainian Bandurists of Detroit?

As usual, back in June I dutifully sent my check for the annual (or is it semi-annual raffle organized by Friends of the Ukrainian Bandurists Chorus that would give me a chance to win a calculator, a juicer, an electric tooth brush, or that perennial microscope that every winner seems to forego like a Christmas fruitcake (it inevitably makes the next raffle list of prizes). The bandura first prize always tempted me. I visualized myself trying to play it on the front lawn of our suburban home to add to the multi-ethnic exotica of Metropolitan Washington.

Year after year my check would be cashed, gratefully acknowledged in a densely typed list of the bandurists' supporters in the organization's bulletin, and I was never notified as a winner - not even of the microscope. But I had the satisfaction of giving to a worthy cause.

You can imagine my surprise when my latest contribution, sent in a pre-printed envelope, came back the other day with a yellow U.S. Postal Service label and this terse note: "Return to Sender. Friends of the Ukrainian Chorus box closed. Return to Sender."

What?! Are there no more Ukrainian bandurists, or is it that they've lost their "Friends"? Could you send an investigative team of reporters to Detroit - or actually to some place called Mt. Clemens, Mich. - and let your readers know about the fate of the bandurists?

While you're at it, could you find out whether the perennial raffle prizes like the alarm clock, the juicer and the typewriter (yes, the typewriter!) will be offered at some garage sale in Michigan?

R.L. Chomiak
McLean, Va.

Ukrainians should get involved in elections

Dear Editor:

I am a Ukrainian American beginning my sophomore year at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, studying political science and serving my first term as vice-president of the University of Michigan College Republicans.

I am writing in regard to Myron Kuropas' column, "Now's the time to organize passionately" (August 18). Mr. Kuropas calls for Ukrainian Americans to "organize our forces and become visibly and passionately involved in this election, both at the national and the local levels." Not only do I strongly agree with Mr. Kuropas, I would take his charge even further.

Ukrainians have long believed in a model of democracy that subsumes hard work, responsibility and vigorous self-action. Today's GOP platform is unique in that it coincides in many respects with the core beliefs characterizing the Ukrainian psyche. These are the moral principles that have survived the insidious social policies of bankrupt demagogues who succeeded in denigrating entire nations.

As a significant component of this nation's ethnic diversity, we Ukrainians have not only espoused such values as hard work, family and self-action, but have staked our lives and our livelihoods on their validity. Our proven, unwavering commitment to the principles of family, community, property, hard work and self-reliance - the values advocated by the GOP platform - are the same ones that helped to effectuate the long-awaited independence of Ukraine. Moreover, they constitute the very catalyst that will continue to vindicate our relentless faith in a morally strong and democratic future for the Ukrainian nation.

At a time when Ukraine looks to the unprecedented idealism of America's forefathers to bolster her own state-building efforts, let us wisely utilize our unique vision as Ukrainian Americans to ensure that America remains a model for nation builders for centuries to come.

Elias T. Xenos
Ann Arbor, Mich.