LETTER TO THE EDITOR (09/19/99)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

UNA's Soyuzivka: a fine family resort

Dear Editor:

With encouragement from cousin Helen, nine of us cousins decided that we would have our annual reunion at Soyuzivka. The third week of July found members of the Timo, Silvestri, Silver and Fill families enjoying the amenities of the result.

A highlight for me was Hutsul Night. First, I was impressed as to how smoothly the dining and kitchen staff move and served outdoors. The evening was further enhanced with the participation of the children who were at a camping program at the time. On another night the children entertained guests with a talent show that was very well done.

I would also like to complement the staff and those responsible for the gift shop. It has a fine cross-section of articles for sale, and at reasonable prices. The glaring disappointment here is that many of the embroidered Ukrainian shirts were made in China!

So, from the care of my room to Tanya's trek to the waterless waterfalls and everything in between, we enjoyed our holiday at Soyuzivka. We plan to return next year and recommend this place to The Ukrainian Weekly readership as a fine family resort.

The Rev. Michael Fill
Lake Ariel, Pa.

Travel to Ukraine reveals needs, projects

Dear Editor:

I have just recently returned from Ukraine and wish to inform readers of The Ukrainian Weekly of three events that I became aware of while touring Ukraine for a new video that I intend to produce in the fall, titled "The Ukrainians."

1. In Zaporizhia, I met Oleksander Pretula, otaman of the Boyovi Kozaky of Ukraine, who is involved with a school in Zaporizhia teaching teenage boys Ukraine Kozak martial arts (Spas). These martial art secrets were passed on to him by his uncle, who in turn learned from his Kozak relative, and so on.

Otaman Pretula has expressed an interest in recruiting teenage boys from the diaspora to Zaporizhia in the summer of the year 2000 and summers thereafter to teach them Spas. The Boyovi Kozaky of Zaporizhia would be in charge of the training, accommodations and food for the recruits. The cost has not yet been established.

Should any of your readers be interested in sending their teenage sons for this summer training, they could contact the writer of this letter.

2. In Kyiv I had the pleasure of meeting the honorary past hetman of the Ukrainian Kozaks, Gen.-Maj. Volodymyr Muliava, who was recuperating at home from a stroke. I was quietly informed by his aides that because of the financial situation in Ukraine, Hetman Muliava does not have resources to pay for his medicines, doctors and hospital stay. I was extremely saddened, made a small contribution and decided to share the hetman's plight with your readers. Should anyone wish to contribute to the hetman's recovery, please mail a check to Mir Huculak Law Office - in trust for Mr. Muliava, and I will ensure payment to Hetman Muliava and an acknowledgment. My address is: No. 807-938 Howe St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1N9.

3. Also in Kyiv, I found out from my Ukrainian colleagues that Ukrainian school resources are non-existent and that the schools primarily need small presses for the printing of various school manuals, books and literature for distribution to students. These miniature printing presses cost in the range of $3,500 to $9,000 (Canadian). I was informed that one Ukrainian American, Gregory Malynovsky, has contributed to this worthwhile cause by funding the purchase of several of these presses and presenting them to some high schools in Ukraine, where they have been most enthusiastically received.

Should any of your readers be in a position to support this most worthwhile cause, contact the firm of Veta Ltd., at 71 Honchar Street, Kyiv 54, Ukraine, or this writer.

Mir Huculak
Vancouver

A voice in support of Natalia Vitrenko

Dear Editor:

It was refreshing to read in The Ukrainian Weekly's "Quotable Notes" (August 29) Natalia Vitrenko's election program statement. Ms. Vitrenko is correct in calling for the integration of Eurasian and Eastern European countries into a single economic and political program. As Western Europe has already formed the EU and NATO, Eastern peoples must establish a union that will advance our needs.

As a Marxist, Ms. Vitrenko will defend the interests of Ukrainian workers and farmers who make up the majority of Ukraine's population. Her vision goes beyond the narrow nationalism of other "democratic" candidates to include other fraternal countries with a socialist orientation. Ukraine must forge a path of development away from Western capitalism and build socialism!

Michael Step
Garwood, N.J.

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