Newly founded UNWLA branch presents "Dyvo-Koliada" concert

by Lydia Matiaszek
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

NEW YORK - Ukrainians in the New York metropolitan area on January 21 were given a rare treat: an honest-to-goodness, traditional "Dyvo-Koliada" concert, which was presented by Branch 125 of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA), headed by Ludmila Hrabovska, with the participation of the Promin Vocal Ensemble directed by Bohdanna Wolansky, members of the New York Bandura Ensemble and the children's studio of Branch 125.

The concert, which took place at the Ukrainian National Home, was masterminded by director/producer/scriptwriter/ actor/singer/musician Alla Kutsevych, a member of Branch 125, who is well-known as a bandura soloist and instructor, and a member of the Promin Vocal Ensemble.

Although the concert was a lengthy three hours, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the audience with a single complaint - those who braved the aftermath of the snowstorm of the night before were richly rewarded for their efforts.

Act I included the traditional Vertep, where carolers, dressed as the principal characters, go from house to house presenting the story of the birth of Christ, interweaving carols into the story line. There are: the Angel, who announces the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds; the Three Kings from the East, who follow the Christmas star to pay homage to the Child; King Herod, who learns of this, orders the slaying of all newborn children in the realm, and is then taken to hell by Death and the Devil.

Although the Christmas story is reverently portrayed, there were some light, humorous vignettes included, as local customs and interpretations were interspersed as the carolers would enter the home and greet the host and hostess.

Promin, members of UNWLA Branch 125 and the bandurists, under the direction of Ms. Wolansky, performed beautiful arrangements of various Christmas carols, combining old, beloved favorites with some perhaps less-known, but equally moving carols. These groups tapped into the rich store of Ukrainian traditions, many of which have been so streamlined in the diaspora that some families are at a loss after singing two or three favorite carols, or recounting a couple of family traditions that have been handed down through the generations. This prompted many people during intermission to reminisce about traditions they remembered from Ukraine and share those still continued in their homes.

Act II was an enactment of a traditional Schedryi Vechir - Epiphany Eve. The carolers sang Epiphany and New Year's carols praising the hosts and bidding them good fortune and harvest in the New Year. The children of the branch's studio sowed kernels of grain throughout the house for luck and abundant health in the New Year and outdid each other in their well-wishing and song - particularly the Chereshenky duo of Lidia and Gabriele Oros.

This was followed by a cycle of ancient ritual songs involving: Malanka (a boy dressed as a girl) and Vasyl (a girl dressed as a boy), which represent the beginning of a new agrarian cycle and the rebirth of nature; and a goat, which symbolizes well-being and harkens back to pre-Christian sacrifices, performed to ensure a bountiful year. The actors portraying Malanka, Vasyl, the Old Man and yes, even the goat, deserve recognition for their stage performances, for they nearly brought the house down in laughter with their antics.

The cast and choir - Promin, the bandurists, featured soloists Iryna Hrechko, Alla Kutsevych, Tania Yakymenko, John Lechicky (executive director of the New York Bandura Ensemble), Theodor Bodnar, and especially the main cast, comprising Myroslav Hrabovsky, Iryna Onufriyeva, Oleksander Veshtebey and Ms. Kutsevych - truly deserved the great round of applause they received.

At the conclusion of the program, Irena Kurowycky, UNWLA national president, and New York Regional Council Chair Nadia Sawczuk, presented Ms. Hrabovska with a bouquet of flowers and praised the head of the new branch of UNWLA for this very ambitious and successful endeavor.

Branch 125 is made up of recent Ukrainian immigrants - the so-called Fourth Wave - and this tremendous undertaking showed what an asset their combined talent, experience and enthusiasm is to the Ukrainian community in New York City.

Despite the everyday responsibilities that come with work and family life, all the participants found the time and energy to get together in their spare time for rehearsals in order to pull together this wonderful holiday event - truly a Christmas gift to the community.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 18, 2001, No. 7, Vol. LXIX

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