Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Calgary September 19, 2012

Music Mission Kyiv is committed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to and through Ukrainian musicians to the world.  So says the website at www.musicmissionkiev.org.  They are announcing this fall's arrival of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to the United States and Canada this fall.  Calgary will host the KSOC on September 19, 2012 at First Baptist Church, at 7 pm.  (Edmonton's Beulah Alliance Church on the 20th at 7pm)

What a delightful opportunity! 

More information about their tour - an article from the Yakima area news  http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2012/09/14/kiev-symphony-and-chorus-bringing-its-uplifting-music-to-yakima

Calgary Ukrainian Festival 2012 Photo Tour

Art by Larisa

Congratulations to Calgary Ukrainian Festival 2012 on a lovely celebration!  I arrived early Saturday to see a flurry of busyness - upwards of 200 volunteers showed up to make this great event happen - and wow did it happen!  The venue was set up theatre style, with vendors and exhibits lining three sides of the hall.  Artfully displayed, entertaining exhibits, and stores to shop in made for a great walk-about.  I really appreciated the way the organizing committee accomodated a variety of interests, price points, age groups, and entertainment styles. 

Calgary's Europa Express

Local Ukrainian vendors, some from across the prairies, and as far away as Quebec brought excellent Ukrainian themed items for purchase. 

Dolls by Sandra

Berehynya Art and Adornment by Luba Bilash

Edmonton's Ukrainian Book Store

Items from Yevshan.com

Baba's Records

The performers included everyone from Euphoria Band from Edmonton, to little 4 year old dancers who held the stage quite admirably.  Dancing groups included Tryzub, Barvinok, Suzirya and perhaps a few I didn't catch. 

Ukrainian Voice - Holos Newspaper

A singing duo from Winnipeg, a display from the Ukrainian Voice Paper - Ukrainskiy Holos (100 years of service in Canada) and the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (Calgary Collection) brought up the historical connection,

Ukrainian Museum of Canada - Calgary Collection

while the newer arrivals from Ukraine including singer Andrij Yevtushenko and many others came dressed in contemporary adaptations with Ukrainian traditional designs. 

Beautiful contemporary adaptations of Ukrainian traditional clothing

ACUA - Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts displayed a wide variety of art works, watercolors, mixed media, oils, and acrylic paintings, textile art by Elizabeth Holinaty, as well as jewellery items, and interesting hand woven samplers as gift cards.  Impressive art works by Ukrainian Albertan's certainly caught many by surprise - many paintings went home in the hands of happy purchasers!!

St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Sadochok (Preschool) in Calgary

Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation

A variety of important Ukrainian Canadian services took part in the Festival - and promoted programs as widely different as Calgary's only Ukrainian Bilingual Preschool, Canada's Shevchenko Foundation, Medical Mercy Canada which annually helps small towns and villages in Ukraine with medical care, the Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation helping the Ukrainian Catholic University. 

A flower hair clip made with the help of one of the Festival volunteers. 

                
                 There was a volunteer run kids center, for crafts and coloring, and a breather.  Little children had the opportunity to make crafts to wear, and if you were hungry there were a variety of traditional foods available for a meal. 

Ollie's Homestyle Catering

On top of the non stop action on stage, I was told that a very special guest arrived at the Festival late Sunday afternoon.  After the Ukrainian Catholic Patriarchal visit with Calgary's Ukrainian Catholic community, Patriarch Sviatoslav came to see the Festival - sat in the front row and enjoyed the entertainment. 

An impressive, successful 3rd Festival for Calgarians to enjoy - Perhaps next year you should join in?

Calgary's 3rd Annual Ukrainian Festival

Well today is the day!  The Ukrainian Festival in Calgary is a spectacular and unexpected treat I hope you get a chance to experience!  With dancers, singers, performances of all kinds, vendors, food, entertainment of a social kind, a zabava and plenty of opportunities to visit and get reacquainted with your Ukrainian community, it's time to get out and celebrate.

In a city where about 80,000 people claim Ukrainian descent, this is a long overdue celebration of our rich heritage! It’s time to say “Vitaemo!” (Welcome!) to all, and show Calgary true Ukrainian hospitality!

The organizing committee has done such a fabulous job of accomodating the needs of all those involved - make sure you let them know they are appreciated.  Well, I hope to see you Saturday and Sunday at Acadia Recreation Complex - 240-90 Avenue SE.  or check www. calgaryukrainianfestival.ca

Oi, zabava, zabava azh do rannia, Oi, zabava, zabava tseeloo neech!

The Ancient Slavonic Question - “kamo griadeshi, Ukraino?"

For a lot of Ukrainian Calgarians there has always been a desire to know what the politial situation is in Ukraine after the enthusiasm and expectations of Independence some 20 years ago.  The Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Calgary regularly has guest speakers at their monthly meetings, and this week Oleh Havrylyshyn is speaking.  "Quo Vadis Ucraina? (Kamo Griadeshi, Ukraino?)"  will be discussed this Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the Danish Canadian Club, Valhalla Ballroom    at  727 - 11th Avenue SW  Calgary. 

what positive results has Ukraine achieved economically, politically, historically?
why has it fallen behind other post-communist countries, especially in Central Europe?
what harm has oligarch dominance done, and can Ukraine overcome this ?
what are the key reforms /changes needed to correct its wayward path?
for the future, in answer to the ancient Slavonic question, “kamo griadeshi, Ukraino?" -- is the path towards the EU, a new Russian sphere, or a third unknown scenario?

Dr. Oleh Havrylyshyn has had a long and distinguished academic career as a Professor of Economics in leading universities in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and has been a consultant to various governments, the World Bank, and other international agencies.

You can contact UCPBA of  Calgary at www.ucpbacalgary.ca

1988 Celebrations

Way back in 1988, there was a grand and wonderful celebration here in Canada to mark the thousand years since the Christian Baptism of Ukraine in 988.  Back then, the Great Kniaz Volodymyr of Kievan Rus', took his countrymen on a great journey into the Christian world - as an official and Princely decision for his people.  Having studied the great religions of the time, Volodymyr chose for his people.  He commanded all his loyal followers to walk into the waters of the Dnipro River where the people were immersed in the water and received Holy Baptism - which was a game changer for the entire nation.  Taking on a Christian mission proved extremely beneficial for the Rus' society of the time, literacy rose, education flourished, their economic ties with the world flourished, societal norms rose, and the world's royalty sought familial ties with Volodymyr's dynasty.  History is an interesting thing, so much changes over time, but in Canada, in 1988, there were grand celebrations of this historic event a thousand years previous.  Time to take a look back - enjoy!

from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Volodymyr, formerly in Vegreville, but now at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton (Alberta Provincial)

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL35574CA4D1672C0F

Language Classes

If you haven't planned for the summer yet, St. John’s Institute in Edmonton is pleased to offer Osvita, their Ukrainian language summer immersion program again this year. It's a unique way to make friends and through their accredited program, kids ages 14-17 can get UKR 10, 20 or 30 credits while also enjoying cultural programming and educational excursions.

An on-line application for students and parents is available at www.stjohnsinstitute.com for the convenience of those who are interested.