"Ukraine Day in the Park" is Saskatoon's newest festival (11/24/02)

"Ukraine Day in the Park" is Saskatoon's newest festival

by Al Kachkowski

SASKATOON - "Ukraine Day in the Park," Saskatoon's newest annual summer festival, was staged August 24-25 by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatoon Branch. The outdoor portion took place on Saturday on the huge outdoor stage in the park immediately south of Saskatoon's landmark hotel, the Delta Bessborough, in front of an audience of more than 1,000 people. Twenty performing groups from Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert provided a dynamic program of entertainment.

The day began with an ecumenical Moleben prayer service held at 11 a.m. at the Kiwanis band stand adjacent to the festival site. Bishop Michael Wiwchar and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Vladimir Mudri represented the Ukrainian Catholic Church and officiated with the Rev. Taras Makowsky and the Very Rev. Bohdan Demczuk of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Responses were sung by cantors and a choir consisting of members of both Churches led by Stan Chepyha. Al Kachkowski read the epistle.

The flag of Ukraine was raised by two youths, Larissa Makuch and Craig Zaichkowsky. The flag-raising contingent also included Eugene Krenosky, UCC-SPC president; Lenore Swystun representing the Saskatoon City Council: and Paul Bunka, UCC-Saskatoon Branch president. All present then sang the Ukrainian national anthem "Shche ne Vmerla Ukraina."

Activities then moved to the festival site where participants enjoyed food and beverage service supplied by vendors representing various Ukrainian organizations. Cultural displays and childrens' activities attracted interest as everyone waited for the concert to start at 2 p.m.

Master of Ceremonies George Hupka and Lesia Sorkokan-Normand opened the stage program by welcoming everyone present and outlined the significance of the day conducted in conjunction with the 11th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. They then called Eugene Krenosky of Regina, to bring greetings. Mr. Krenosky commended the organizers of the event and commented on the nature of the event, which so appropriately showcases Ukrainian culture throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

He presented Paul Bunka with a check from the UCC-SPC representing monies received from the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko in support of Ukraine Day in the Park. Mr. Bunka spoke briefly, thanking Mr. Krenosky and welcoming all festival participants to the stage performance.

The four-hour stage show that followed was opened and closed by the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble, the Lastiwka Ukrainian Orthodox Choir and Orchestra and the Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble. Other groups performing were: Tavria and Zapovit Dancers of Regina; Barveenok Dancers, singers Veseli Holosy and Veselka of Prince Albert; Demyan Prokopchuk and Marko Baran, piano and trumpet duet; Larissa and Tania Makuch, bandura duet; Alexandra Hartshorn, tsymbaly; Nahachewsky Family, violins and guitar; and the Tut i Tam instrumental ensemble. The following Saskatoon dance groups also performed: Vesnianka, Rushnychok, Sonechko, Ukrainian Dance School and Zuravel, and the Saskatoon School of Dance.

Although the day was extremely warm, the public was able to watch the entertainment in relative comfort in their lawn chairs and in the shade of the large trees in the park. The beer garden also provided an excellent vantage point and was well-shaded. A colorful atmosphere was provided by the array of tents, yellow and blue streamers and red "kalyna" (balloons) in the trees. The comfortable and beautiful surroundings overlooking the South Saskatchewan River resulted in a pleasant and relaxing day for all present.

The cultural display included large, free-standing informational panels with texts, maps and illustrations about Ukraine and Ukrainians mounted by Harry Ewaschuk. Authors Danny Evanishen and Larry Warwaruk promoted their books, and this marked the first public display of Mr. Warwaruk's new book "Andrei and the Snow Walker."

At 6:30 p.m. the stage filled with the 200 performers and other young people present for the much-anticipated balloon launch. Approximately 500 blue-and-yellow helium-filled balloons were released as the recorded rendition of "Ukraino" by Taras Petrynenko filled the air with soul-stirring patriotic music and Serhij Koroliuk waved the blue and gold flag from the roof of the stage.

The evening concluded with dancing to music provided by two live bands, the Skylarks and Zvook.

A lengthy report on the day's activities was provided by Global Television the same evening.

Event chairman, Slawko Kindrachuk summed up the festival this way: "This family event is designed to share the richness and diversity of the Ukrainian culture with the general public of Saskatoon and beyond. Ukraine Day in the Park is one of many summer events in Saskatoon that appeals to residents and visitors alike."

Fund-raising luncheon

A charity fund-raising luncheon took place on Sunday at the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium at 1 p.m.

The program began with the singing of "O Canada" by the 120 attendees. MC Nadia Prokopchuk made the opening remarks and introduced the head table.

A special guest in attendance was David Forbes, member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon-Idylwyld. In his greetings Mr. Forbes quoted statistics from Ukraine regarding the state of its people. There are many people, especially children, who are in great need for assistance because adequate government programs do not exist, he noted.

During the luncheon, musical interludes were provided by Carissa Klopoushak on violin and Marko Baran on piano.

Stefan Franko and Emilia Panamaroff each made an appeal for donations to help the needy children in Ukraine.

Special presentations were made by representatives of Ukrainian summer camps. Jennifer Lynchuk presented Caritas Ukraine with a package of prayer bracelets made by campers of St. Volodymyr Camp. The bracelets are to be given to children in orphanages in Ukraine. Laurissa Fedusiak presented "Project Liubov" friendship bracelets made by the children of Green Grove Camp, also for orphans in Ukraine.

Ms. Klopoushak described a project completed this summer by the Ukrainian Cultural and Language Immersion Program at Mohyla Institute. The students used the proceeds from several of their concerts to purchase a stereo music system for an orphanage in Ukraine.

Sister Theodosia SSJ was the guest speaker. Born and raised in Edmonton, she is currently the administrator of St. Joseph's home in Saskatoon. In her dynamic presentation she described the desperate plight of the poor in Ukraine, especially the very young and the very old. Sister Theodosia described the poorest children who are no longer in the orphanages but in the streets. These are children who are abandoned by their parents and have nowhere to go; they are now the neediest in Ukraine, she underscored.

The program ended with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

A total of $3,500 in proceeds and donations was divided between "Project Liubov" and Caritas Ukraine to aid children in Ukraine.

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