COMMUNITY CHRONICLE (03/17/02)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Museum's malanka: a new community tradition

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - Elegant, sophisticated and delightfully merry, The Ukrainian Museum's Malanka 2002 fund-raiser once again treated its guests to an evening of splendid dining and dancing at the Tavern on the Green. Situated in New York's Central Park, the world's most expensive piece of real estate, the world-famous restaurant provided a fantasy setting for the modern-day celebration of a traditional holiday, the Ukrainian New Year's Eve.

The majestic elms surrounding the Tavern were already ablaze with thousands of glittering lights as the patrons, in fashionable evening dress, arrived to gather for a cocktail interlude prior to the main event - a dinner-dance in the restaurant's Crystal Room. Decorated with its brilliant chandeliers and ceiling-to-floor windows that brought the outdoor magic to the dining tables, the ornate room precluded anyone from noticing that all that was lacking in this overall wonderland setting was snow.

This year the museum organized its third Malanka. Judging by the excellent turnout of mostly a younger crowd not only this evening, but during the two previously held New Year's Eve dances as well, it is evident that The Ukrainian Museum has established a new tradition in the greater New York community of Ukrainian Americans. What makes these events so unique is a compilation of many factors.

At the beginning of each year it is the task of the Malanka organizer, the Special Events Committee on the museum's board of trustees, to research and locate that very special place in Manhattan that would answer its requirements. These were enumerated by the chair of the committee, Tatiana Tershakovec, who explained that the beauty and elegance of a setting, its cuisine, a central location, accessibility, on-site or nearby parking, and, of course, all at a reasonable cost, are the criteria that govern the selection process.

The members of the committee work hard to make sure that these considerations and their overall plans for the events result in their success, destined to be remembered with fondness by the participants for a long time.

This year's Malanka was the second such event held at the Central Park restaurant; the first was at the inimitable New York Water Club in 2000. It is worth speculating if Malanka 2003 will be held in a different "gem" of a setting, chosen from New York City's fabulous array of such similar venues.

Malanka 2002 was a wonderful event. More than 200 guests enjoyed the great ambiance, excellent food and each other's company. Their feet tapped, skipped and moved to the versatile music of the Montage orchestra, which provided with equal ease the fluid, romantic music of the tango and waltz, as well as the body-rocking beat of today's popular dances.

The articulate and charming young woman who most ably moderated the tempo of the evening was the mistress of ceremonies, Roma Slobodian Odulak. Dressed in a richly embroidered blouse from the Bukovyna region of Ukraine and a stylish long black skirt, Ms. Odulak gave the first indication, through her attire, that this Malanka was due for some traditional Ukrainian flavor.

It came with the emergence of four well-wishers, dressed in authentic Hutsul and Lemko costumes, lent for the occasion by Domka Rachlitska Slobodian of Montreal, mother of Ms. Odulak. The young men, Timish Hnateyko, Dr. Taras Odulak, Andrij Sonevytsky and Dr. Ihor Terleckyj, walked among the guests, chanting traditional Ukrainian New Year's wishes for health and prosperity, while dispersing fists full of grain. This wonderful re-enactment of the beloved time-honored Ukrainian custom was a welcome reminder of the rich traditions of the Ukrainian historical and cultural legacy.

Malanka 2002 was honored with the presence of several special guests, among them the consul general of Ukraine in New York City, Serhiy Pohoreltzev, and his wife, Svitlana; the president of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Iryna Kurowyckyj; the president of the Ukrainian Institute of America, Walter Nazarewicz; and a former president of The Ukrainian Museum board, John Luchechko.

Malanka 2002 was sponsored by several friends of the museum. These individuals hold the institution in high esteem and their support of this event was an endorsement of the museum's agenda and goals. In her greeting to the guests, Board President Olha Hnateyko emphasized that the museum's successes and accomplishments in its 25-year history are due to the strong support base given to the institution by thousands of individuals and business concerns within our greater community in the United States. The start of construction of the new museum building in December 2001 is a testimony to that unfailing, continued support.

This year's sponsors of the Malanka were: Julian and Maria Baczynsky, Zenon Czernyk and Dr. Areta Podhorodecki, Lydia Ficalowych, Roman Hawrylak and Maria Tershakovec, Myron and Olha Hnateyko, Dr. Arthur and Irene Hryhorowych, Dr. Andrew and Tatiana Tershakovec, and Dr. Karl and Sofia Zaininger. The museum expressed gratitude for their patronage.

The success of such events as malanka 2002 is due to the long-term planning and work by members of the organizing committee, by volunteers, such as artist Ilona Sochynsky, who designed the invitation to the event, and members of the museum's administration. The joint, cooperative efforts of this team have proven to be very effective and productive on a larger scale as well, enhancing the museum's image, encouraging volunteerism and introducing the institution to a new audience.

The Malanka 2002 ended much too quickly. The music stopped; the guests departed with sighs of contentment. The lights dimmed and Central Park succumbed to the few hours of stillness that only a winter night could bring to the effervescent spirit of New York City.

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