At The Bay: Reminiscences of Christmas (02/09/97)

At The Bay: Reminiscences of Christmas

by Oksana Bashuk Hepburn

Jeff Picknicki Morski mentions the Christmas window exhibit at The Bay, a department store in Winnipeg. A little history may be of interest to some.

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The window exhibit was started by my mother, Natalie Leontowych Bashuk back in the late 1950s. It was a first in Winnipeg - perhaps in Canada. From that time, for about 30 years, as president or executive member of the League for the Liberation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, the Society of Ukrainian Cultural Activists, etc., and on behalf of, or in conjunction with the various organizations with which she was involved, the window exhibit of Sviata Vechera was the best. Portage or Vaughan windows would get done. Half of Mama's house decor would be transported to The Bay to do the job right. (Poriadno!)

It seems to have started because a fine lady, Mrs. Tsybulska, or as she was lovingly called by Mama, "Pani Tsybulka," a-thin-as-a-scallion elegant soul who worked in the gift/china department at The Bay and served on the LLU executive, with Mama presiding, suggested it. The overture was made, and the practice was begun. The Bay saw this as a means to lure clientele. Mama saw it as a way to spread the word. ("Schoby vsi znaly.")

At that time there were no funds available or donated for such undertakings. At the end of December, after St. Nicholas' Feast Day and the annual unforeseen cost of the extra delivery of coal for that "kholierny" (cursed) furnace during each "kholierna" (cursed) winter cleaned out the monthly budget, Mama would solicit all our pennies and clean out all the coat pockets for loose change to pay for taxis to The Bay to deliver the exhibit pieces.

The memories of these times are very warm and rich.

Through the years, coming home from Ottawa for Sviat Vechir, we made the requisite pilgrimage - babies, children, the middling and the old - to view the window display. It was wonderful and as valued as going to midnight liturgy, a never-to-be-questioned tradition, good for the soul.

The problem was that at home for our own Sviata Vechera, Mama would fuss that this "servetka" (ritual cloth) and that "svichnyk" (candleholder) were missing. Of course, they were gracing the display, wishing all Winnipeggers a Merry Ukrainian Christmas.

There was always a fine discussion about the value of preserving and protecting traditions for one's own family and self, or going beyond the ghetto. Mama always won and did what she thought was needed to enhance and promote the presence and contribution of Ukrainians in Canada, even if we had to do without the manger.

And I'm glad that Oseredok is continuing the tradition.

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