Kulynych premieres film about Ukraine's independence anniversary celebrations

NEW YORK - The videofilm "In Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence" by the Yaroslav Kulynych Film Studio, featuring highlights of events held in Kyiv August 18-24, 2001, as part of the 10th anniversary independence celebrations, was shown at the Ukrainian National Home on February 10.

The film's main focus is the third World Forum of Ukrainians (WFU), which was attended by delegates from 42 countries. Among the highlights of the film are: the official opening of the forum on August 18 by President Leonid Kuchma and the offering of a benediction by Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kyiv Patriarchate, followed by footage of the Plenary Session; Cultural Program and concert featuring speakers and artists from the Ukrainian diaspora which was held August 19 at the Ukraina Palace; passage of the WFU's Resolutions (August 20); gala concert, featuring leading artists from Ukraine (August 23); and the military parade and youth rally held in Kyiv's Independence Square on August 24.

Among featured speakers on the video are Askold S. Lozynsky, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, who in his speech underscored the important role played by the diaspora in contributing to the process that culminated in Ukraine's independence, and the status of the Ukrainian diaspora in the former republics of the Soviet Union, foremostly, in the Russian Federation and in Asia. Also captured on film are Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko; and former dissident and political prisoner and Verkhovna Rada National Deputy Lev Lukianenko.

Among other highlights of the video are President Kuchma's official visit to the United States, where he was received by President Bill Clinton at the White House.

The video screening was sponsored by the Ukrainian World Congress, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council.

Mr. Kulynych, who resides in Yonkers, N.Y., has been documenting major events, both civic and cultural, of the Ukrainian community in the United States and of Ukrainians around the world. During his several decades of indefatigable work he has amassed a comprehensive film archive.

Mr. Kulynych is the producer also of "Ukraine in Flames," a film that traces Ukraine's history from the princely era to modern times.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 2, 2002, No. 22, Vol. LXX

| Home Page |