(08/24/03)

VOX POPULI: Ukrainians throughout North America reflect on 12th anniversary of Ukraine's independence

The 12th anniversary of Ukraine's independence is upon us and The Ukrainian Weekly wanted to know what people throughout the United States and Canada will be doing to celebrate the occasion. Recent statistics have shown that diaspora Ukrainians are slowly moving out of traditional Ukrainian neighborhoods, such as those found in Toronto, Chicago and New York. More and more, they are opting instead to live in states such as California, Oregon, Georgia, North and South Carolina, to name a few.

With this in mind The Ukrainian Weekly contacted Ukrainians living throughout the United States and Canada to ask: How are you and the people in your community celebrating this anniversary? Is this year different in any way from past Independence Day celebrations? What is the most significant aspect of either independence or Independence Day celebrations?

Ukrainians living throughout the United States and Canada responded to our questions with an interesting array of answers. Below is a sampling of what people had to say about Ukraine's 12th anniversary and how their communities would be celebrating the milestone. The responses were compiled by Roxolana Woloszyn, Peter Steciuk and Andrew Nynka.

Eugene Kuchta, 46, Houston, chemical engineer:

The Ukrainian American Cultural Club has asked me to be master of ceremonies for this year's Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations. There will be a program at the parish hall of the Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church. Usually, two keynote speeches are delivered by members of the Houston community, one in Ukrainian and one in English. In the past, Ukrainians, along with professors and non-Ukrainians with an interest in Ukraine, have given these speeches. Proclamations from the mayor or the governor will also be read. A community meal will follow the ceremonies.

I remember the fifth anniversary being crucial because people wondered if Ukraine could maintain its independence. Then the 10th anniversary came along and people saw that Ukraine was surviving as an entity in and of itself. A lot needs to be done, but every year that the country remains independent means it is making progress.

Orest Lechnowsky, 36, Omaha, engineer:

Our active Ukrainian community in Omaha, Neb., which is composed of some 50 people, celebrated Ukraine's independence with a dinner on August 17. There were no speeches or musical performances, just a dinner together to commemorate the 12th independence. In past years we have had programs with speeches, musical performances and films.

Independence was something that Ukrainians hoped for and people strived for for so long. It almost seems unreal for many people now that it has come. Things still aren't as they should be, but there's a lot of hope - and, at the same time, a lot of pessimism.

Orest Baranyk, 58, Chicago, architect:

Chicago will have a threefold ceremony celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day. On August 21, at a reception for Ukrainian Americans at the Chicago Cultural Center, Mayor Rich Daly will present a resolution marking Ukrainian Independence Day. Awards for various accomplishments are also given at the reception.

On August 22, a flag measuring 30 by 20 feet will be raised during a ceremony at Daly Plaza, which is in what you would call the center of town. A short program with dancing and singing will follow the ceremony. On August 23-24 a Ukrainian Fest will be happening. At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday the festival will begin with a formal program, at which Pat Quinn and other Chicago officials will make speeches, some in English and some in Ukrainian.

After the euphoria of the first few Independence Day celebrations things were not quite as they should be. There were no Ukrainian patriots in the government, just people after their own interests. I was disappointed but optimistic. Hopefully, the right people are in the government now and are setting Ukraine on the right road to democracy.

Oleg Pynda, 40, Kent, Wash., executive director of the Ukrainian Community Center in Washington:

The Ukrainian community in the Seattle area will celebrate Ukraine's independence with a festival on Saturday night, August 23. There will be various performances, signers and music. We're expecting between 3,000 and 4,000 people to attend.

This year's celebrations will be a little different from what was done last year because a year ago we did a celebration during the day and we also had food. This year we're not planning on having food there.

The mayor of Kent will give a speech and we believe the mayor of Seattle will also come to give a speech, although the mayor has not confirmed yet.

Lubomyr Hewko, 74, Detroit, retired from General Motors Research Laboratories:

Ukrainian Independence Day is sponsored by the Ukrainian community. There is a picnic at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Josaphat. I had been waiting for Ukrainian Independence Day most of my life. I was very excited when Ukraine became independent.

Independence Day is memorable because I am active in the Rotary Club. I was involved in the Rotary Club when it appeared for the first time in Kyiv in 1992. Now there are 36 all over Ukraine, with three in Kyiv and in Lviv. We have a good relationship with the Rotary in Ukraine. We send greetings to each other and visit each other regularly. We also furnish medical supplies for the Rotaries in Ukraine. The 10th anniversary of the Rotary Club was last year, and there was a big celebration.

Stephen Hallick, 58, Duluth, Ga., retired from the military:

I just got back from Ukraine. I don't appreciate swastikas and graffiti on the walls in Lviv. "USA equals Nazis" was also written all over Lviv. I had no water in my room for 21 days. It was really worse in Ukraine compared to the nine other years I've been there. The streets in Lviv are filthy. There's a lot more coldness, a lot more frustration.

I don't celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24, I celebrate on January 22.

Albert Kachkowski, 62, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, UNA Director for Canada:

I am celebrating mainly through my strong involvement in Summer Fest, which takes place outdoors on the beautiful riverbank, which is good for the community. Summer Fest is a one-day event celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day, which traditionally takes place on the Saturday closest to August 24. The Ukrainian community is using the publicity gained through Tourism Saskatoon and its publications.

Saskatoon is a fairly established community, but not everybody feels close to Ukraine because some people are first, second, third or even fourth generation. However, the 10th anniversary seemed to be a springboard [for popularizing Ukrainian Independence Day]. I take great pleasure in helping to organize the [annual] event.

Chrystia Losianovich, 21, Salt Lake City, student at the University of Utah:

There are no Ukrainians here in Salt Lake City - none that I know of at least. So we've never really celebrated Ukraine's independence. When my mom moved here several years ago she actually opened up the phone book and started looking for Ukrainian names. But there weren't any.

I think it's important that Ukraine has gained its independence, but there's still so much that needs to be done. I go to Ukraine often, and Lviv only gets water during certain parts of the day. Even then, the water's cold. We actually have to bottle as much as we can when the water comes on so that we have some for later. It's really very sad.

Yeah, it's nice that the country is independent but there is such a dramatic difference between the people who have money - they're rich - and the people who don't - they're unbelievably poor.

Michael Ewanchuk, 95, Winnipeg, retired educator, author:

I plan to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day by taking a friend out to dinner. I'm glad to see that Ukraine is independent. 1990 was the last and only time I was in Ukraine, although I enjoyed the country very much. I'm still in contact with my Ukrainian relatives. We write to each other.

Michael Celuch, 48, North Haledon, N.J., CEO of Self Reliance (N.J.) Federal Credit Union:

Basically, our community - Passaic and Clifton - is having a presentation in front of Clifton City Hall on Monday, August 25. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America is coordinating it. Usually, the mayor, councilmen and state representatives attend the ceremony. The mayor says a few words, there are proclamations made by local politicians and there are singing groups. Also, the Ukrainian flag is raised in front of city hall, where it flies for the day.

This year, however, I will be in Wildwood, N.J., for Independence Day. There is always a large gathering of Ukrainians in Wildwood, and there is typically some sort of public acknowledgment of independence.

This Ukrainian Independence Day is different in that Ukraine is coming up to a presidential election. It is important that people note that Ukraine is independent. They have the right to vote and to pick the right leadership for the country. Independence Day serves as a reminder of those rights.

Luba Keske, 50s, Woodland Hills, Calif., executive with MGM Studios:

Every year in Los Angeles there is a big program at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. There are dancers, music groups and singers, including both local and imported talent. There are also speakers and choirs. The event is very uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable. Before the program we go to church where the priest usually speaks about independence and we sing "Mnohaya Lita." We usually go from there to the Ukrainian Cultural Center.

On a community level, the celebration has gotten bigger. There are more people participating. Also, new émigrés are participating, which is good for the community. On a personal level, we have family in Ukraine and love Ukraine. It's wonderful that it has been 12 years and Ukraine is still going strong. We pray that it will continue. It has been a long and hard road, but America wasn't built overnight either. We have lots of hope.

Mark Howansky, 31, Union City, N.J., engineer:

On Sunday, I will be going to an exhibition soccer game between my Yonkers Krylati sports club and the Philadelphia sports club Tryzub at their festival. There will also be a cultural program, including food and bands.

For me, it's a reminder that Ukraine has made progress but still has more to do. Ukraine needs to take further steps toward inclusion into the Western community. It has to follow in the footsteps of other Eastern European countries that have taken big strides. Ukraine is still a long way off from true democracy and capitalism.

Anna Chopek, 91, Los Alamos, N.M., retired judge:

I'm not celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day [in any special way]. There are only a handful of Ukrainians, maybe six or seven, in the New Mexico community. I remember when Ukrainian gained its independence. It's nice to see that it is still independent - I have been signing "Ukraine has not yet perished" (Shche ne Vmerla Ukraina) for so long.

Ihor Chyzowych, 69, Rydal, Pa., CEO of Self Reliance Federal Credit Union:

I and a large part of the Philadelphia Ukrainian American community will spend time celebrating in the following form. On August 23 there will be a large program at the Ukrainian Cultural Center at 7 p.m. There will be speakers, music groups, soloists and a male choir. On August 24 there will be a program outdoors at the Tryzub Ukrainian sports center in Horsham, Pa. It will start at noon, with singers, dance groups such as Yunist, bands such as Karpaty and even the Ukrainian Baptist Male Choir. At 4 p.m. there will be an exhibition soccer game between Tryzub and Krylati (of the Ukrainian American Youth Association). Food will be available and the bar will be open. I will be celebrating there with my family.

The significance of this Independence Day is twofold. First, it reminds Ukraine of the diaspora. It shows them that there are Ukrainians outside of the borders of Ukraine. It reminds the Ukrainian government and people that we support an independent Ukraine.

Second, it shows our children and grandchildren that this needs to be done. People worked very hard to bring about this freedom. It is a legacy that needs to be continued.

| Home Page |