UNA celebrates Father's Day at Soyuzivka (07/11/99)

UNA celebrates Father's Day at Soyuzivka

by Andre Worobec

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The weather was beautiful on June 20 as the UNA successfully celebrated its 15th annual Father's Day at Soyuzivka. The resort was blessed with many visitors that weekend and a large number of guests attended the concert in the afternoon at the Veselka auditorium.

After divine liturgies a the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Chapel, an ecumenical moleben was celebrated for the intention of all fathers at St. Volodymyr Chapel. The celebrants were the Rev. Yuriy Hodenchuk, pastor of Holy Trinity, and the Rev. Peter Levko, who recently arrived from Ukraine and is pastor of the Ukrainian Orthodox congregation in Kerhonkson.

The concert featured the Yevshan Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Rochester, N.Y., under the artistic direction of Slavko Wirlo and Oksana Kraus, respectively, company director and head instructor.

Yevshan was founded in 1974 and has been performing at Ukrainian and international festivals in the Rochester and Buffalo areas ever since. Last April it performed at Disney World's EPCOT Center in Florida.

The concert began with greetings to the audience by Andre Worobec, UNA advisor, fraternal activities coordinator and program director for Father's Day. Halyna Kolessa, also a UNA advisor and secretary of UNA Branch 489, was mistress of ceremonies for the concert.

Yevshan performed eight dances, beginning with the traditional "Pryvit" (greeting) with bread and salt, and followed by the lively "Podilskyi Kozachok," the well-executed "Zakarpatskyi Tanets" (Transcarpathian) dance; the "Hutsulka"; and the humorous "Dolls Dance," featuring the courtship of two young men competing for the affections of a young maiden (with solos by Nikole Riedl, Alexander Wirlo and Zenko Boris).

The three-part "Ivan Kupalo Dance" featured a maiden's dance with wreaths, a duo performance by Olena Chwesik and Markian Lylak, and youthful games of young men and women acting out the customs of Kupalo night.

Next came a lyrical dance, "Vesnianka," in which girls welcomed spring with wreaths, ribbons and kerchiefs. An adroitly executed, high-spirited, graceful and grand "Hopak" provided the finale for the concert.

Between numbers Ms. Kolessa provided the audience with information about the growth and background of the Yevshan ensemble and the professional background of its directors. She also mentioned the administrators, Lesia Chwesik and Hanya Skorbach, and pointed out that Ms. Chwesik is in charge of the wardrobe, including sewing of all costumes.

Ms. Kolessa also introduced UNA dignitaries present at the concert: Ulana Diachuk, president of the UNA, with her husband, Wolodymyr; UNA Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk, who is also secretary of Branch 88, with her husband; and UNA Advisor Worobec. She introduced Daniel Slobodian, former manager of Soyuzivka; John A. Flis, current manager of Soyuzivka; and former Svoboda Editor-in-Chief, Zenon Snylyk.

Also acknowledged were: Nicholas Fil, chairman of the UNA Albany-Troy District; Paul Shewchuk, honorary chairman of that district and secretary of Branch 13; and Michael Sawkiw, secretary of Branch 57.

Ms. Kolessa gave special thanks to the many guests from the Albany-Watervliet area and to Mr. Fil for organizing the trip. She also noted the presence of a pillar of the UNA, the retired secretary of Branch 200, John Pryhoda.

There was also strong representation from the Northern New Jersey District: William Osadchuk, former secretary of Branch 172; Stephan Kosonocky, current secretary of Branch 172 and vice-chairman of the Northern Jersey District Committee; and Longin Staruch, secretary of Branch 371.

The mistress of ceremonies expressed special thanks to the staff of Soyuzivka for the technical help and general assistance that made the concert possible.

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