Shevchenko's Hromada in Calgary

Taras Shevchenko monument on the Dnipro River near Kaniv
amk2013

My fond recollection of singing, performing, reciting Taras Shevchenko's amazing writing spans my entire lifetime. Ukrainian school was a place to form some of my strongest life-time friendships. Today, a Canadian public school student by law may study a variety of languages, and some very fortunate ones in a bilingual Ukrainian and English setting. Studying the great literature of the world, one such Saskatoon young person has also learned to love the powerful, moving works of Taras Shevchenko, the bard of Ukraine. She writes : "When all of the awful events happened there, almost leading to war, I was honestly broken, and it made me think a lot about how Shevchenko fought for the freedom of our people. One night I woke up in the middle of my dream and started writing, it was like I was under a spell, wasn’t sure what I was doing in other words. I wrote a poem called “It’s been 200 years” it both talks to the people of Ukraine and about the 200 anniversary of T. Shevchenko."

Kateryna by Taras Shevchenko 1842

Уже 200 років
Там де калина хиталася з вітром,
трава колихалася скрізь.
Тарас Шевченко, наш милий,
писав нам добрий заповіт.
"Любіть, ви діти Україну,
не загубіть коріння все своє,
також любіть ви матір свою милу,
не забувайте слово ви моє.,,

Не бійтесь люди ви свободи,
скажіть ви ворогам своїм.
Шевченко мав таку уже нагоду,
тепер черга і наша розказати всім.
Пройшло вже 200 років,
але пам'ятати будемо завжди,
Героя, Кобзара, Надію,
напротягом як можна,
по землі свобідно йти!
Написала Оля Пільченко                                       

Canada's remarkable diversity, pluralism, tolerance and opportunity is in stark contrast with the events currently pressing on Ukraine, especially Crimea.  In response, many groups in the international diaspora are spontaneously organizing vigils, prayer groups and other activities in support of Ukraine's right to choose their future - their government - their national priorities, and their neighborhood friends. Heros with a cause, indeed!
Calgary's Ukrainian community is gathering to honor Taras Shevchenko on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall 704-6 STreet NE at 3 PM.  Following the event, the Ukrainian community invites Calgarians of good will to meet for prayer and fellowship in front of old City Hall, where the City of Calgary will be flying the beautiful blue and yellow flag of Ukraine in solidarity with freedom loving people everywhere, especially Ukraine.  Thanks to Canada for its principled stance on the emerging crisis in Ukraine! 

Rising Opportunity for Ukrainian Publishing House

Ukrainian Calgary is home to many fascinating people including authors, painters, pedagogs of every sort who rub shoulders at local social events, with little fanfare or attention.  Some of these have been pioneers in the Ukrainian publishing craft.  One of these is Lesia Savedchuk, who, while in Winnipeg, wrote a series of Ukrainian children's books that were the staple in my home for a long time!  With her success, and others including Nina Mudryk-Mrits in South America - and Halyna Koszarycz of Edmonton, and painter illustrator Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, and teacher-writer Lena Gulytsan - well the list goes on.  These pioneers helped to promote an approach to Ukrainian childhood, special Ukrainian children's literature here in the diaspora.  In Ukraine, of course things have been different.

Every year for the past 50, a growing group of publishers of children's literature (literature for children) have gathered at an international trade fair to promote their wares, and gain access to international readership.  This year's event at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, a very special entry from the Ukrainian pubishing world participated - for the first time.  What a positive sign that «Грані-Т» and «Видавництво Старого Лева» were there as the first ever representatives of the entire Ukrainian language readership.  From March 25th to 28th, 2013 publishers, writers, illustrators, translators and purchasers from 1200 companies, and 75 different linguistic groups came to promote their work on an international stage. 

Chief Editorial staff members Marian Savka, and Olena Movchan were clear to describe their company as a personal initiative with personal investment.  The company is open for business on the world's market, publishing authentic product, interesting literature for children of the world, not only for Ukraine, and not only for the Ukrainian cultural and linguistic diaspora.  What a breath of fresh air - and a sign of great successes to come!  As the two say - If you want it done well, you have to do it yourself!

Purchase from the featured company at http://www.grani-t.com.ua/books.

Lesia's books can be purchased at http://www.kootaooma.com/catalogue/easy-to-read-books/ or http://mpue.ca/Dzvin/website/products_page3.htm. 

Sweets, Ukrainian Culture and Poetry

So many exciting projects taking shape in Alberta's Ukrainian world! Time for you to meet Myroslava Uniat - whom I have it on good account is a poet, and a very interesting, enthusiastic person! She is inviting students, teachers and those interested in Ukrainian culture and poetry to the Carrot Art Cafe at 9351-118 Avenue (http://artsontheave.org/thecarrot/) in Edmonton to see her video poetry, hear her poetry read, and be part of an exciting, sweet and inspiring arts experience!

Come for coffee and sweets (special things with Ukrainian flavour) on Sunday, February 24 from 3-5 PM for an event that is part of the Spoken Word Centre "Siajvo" community. You may also take part in some of her fun exercises for writing too!

"Siajvo" is also planning a similar event for March 17 at 6 PM about Ukrainian songs, inviting musicians and songwriter to attend. More information to come!

Myroslava has already had an impact on a young generation of Ukrainian Canadians, including Edmonton videographer Cassian Soltykevych and Calgary musician Daria Storoschuk. Stimulating creative juices - check this out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP5WZfKN8dg.