THE ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE: Community members gather at Ukrainian Institute of America to mark anniversary (09/22/02)

THE ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Community members gather at Ukrainian Institute of America to mark anniversary

by Andrew Nynka

NEW YORK - Nearly 200 individuals gathered at the Ukrainian Institute of America on September 5 to celebrate Ukraine's 11th anniversary of independence. Speeches from government officials, performances by various artists and a reception provided guests the opportunity to contemplate more than a decade of Ukrainian freedom.

Representatives of the Ukrainian government in New York thanked the diaspora community for their support and confidence in a young democratic Ukraine. They commended Ukrainian Americans for upholding Ukrainian tradition and cultures.

Ukraine's permanent representative to the United Nations, Valeriy Kuchinsky, said the 11th anniversary of Ukraine's independence marked the country's "rebirth as a European country."

Ambassador Kuchinsky added that his diplomats had also done much work with the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States. "We are beginning to understand each other," he said. As an example of the collaboration between the two groups he cited recent cooperation with The Ukrainian Museum.

Bishop Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Stamford, Conn., opened the celebration with a prayer. He recalled "all those who lost their lives in the various tragedies in the last few months in Ukraine," referring to those who died when a fighter jet crashed into a crowd of spectators during an airshow at Lviv's Sknyliv airbase this summer and a coalmine explosion in July in which 35 workers died.

Consul General of Ukraine in New York Serhiy Pohoreltzev thanked Ukrainian Americans who "strengthened Ukraine's international recognition with their words and actions, and have supported Ukraine's move to democratic and economic reform."

Following speeches from Ukraine's diplomatic representatives in New York, guests listened to poetry written for the occasion by Ukrainian writer/actor Rostyslav Wasylenko and watched performances by the Ukrainian Family choir, under the direction of Oksana Lykhovyd. Soprano Lesia Hrabova sang for the audience, while Andrij Stasiw accompanied her on the piano.

New York State Gov. George Pataki also sent a letter which was read by Yevhenia Filipenko of Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Gov. Pataki noted that he is happy to celebrate Ukraine's 11th anniversary of independence with Ukrainian American communities in the New York metropolitan area. He characterized Ukraine as a "new democracy, sparked by a momentum that is well established in people whose yearning and reverence for freedom will never cease."

Olha Bodnar concluded the night's performances by singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

Also speaking at the celebration were Ukrainian World Congress President Askold Lozynskyj and Ukrainian Institute of America President Walter Nazarewicz. Following the speeches and performances, the UIA continued the celebration by serving guests refreshments.

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