Sovereignty, Money and Power

The University of Alberta Nickle
Gallery is hosting an exhibit of Sovereignty, Money and Power: The Paper Currency of Revolutionary Ukraine, 1917-1920 over the next few months here in Calgary. the exhibit is curated by Dr. Bohdan Kordan and organized by the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage as St. Thomas More College in association with the Ukrainian Museum of Canada.

The exhibit will be open to the public from January 15, to April 4, 2015. An opening reception will be held January 22, 2015 from 5-8 pm, the curator's talk will begin at 6pm. On Marh 26, from 12-1 Dr. Mykola Soroka will speak about Revolution and War in Contemporary Ukraine: A Civilization Conflict Unleashed.

This exhibit is a display of paper currency of revolutionary Ukraine during 1917-1920. The exhibit examines how national sovereignty was portrayed on currency by use of various symbolic imagery and design elements derived from various ideologies in the context of revolution, war and social. It will be held at the University of Calgary's Nickle Galleries located in the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL), from January 15 to April 4, 2015.

Flat Head Screws

If you are ever in New York City, as I was recently, you undoubtedly paid a visit to the amazing Metropolitan Museum of Art embraced by the beauty of Central Park. However, you may not have known to pop into another treasure find just kitty corner away. 

The Ukrainian Institute of America is housed in a turn of the last century mansion across the street from Central Park.  Thanks to a Ukrainian industrialist, inventor and philanthropist, this beautiful mansion with its prestigious address and unique architectural style has become a hub for seminars, symposia and conferences about news, political events and policy in Ukrainian organizations both here in the diaspora and in Ukraine. 

An anecdote retold by a friend enticed me to enter this fabulous building - this impressive Institute was made possible through the generosity of a person whose claim to fame involved the invention of a very needed flat head screw, designed especially for airplane construction.  It says something special about the Ukrainian dream in the diaspora that such an institution should be doing its work, quietly and effectively, nestled as it is in the most wonderful location on museum trail in New York City.  http://www.ukrainianinstitute.org/about.php# 

The grandeur of its architectural style is in stark contrast to the amazing modern art treasure we found inside on its gallery walls.  Twenty eight three-dimensional geometrically shaped, constructed relief sculptures were in the exhibition that welcomed us. And when we looked closer, it was the very interesting, contemporary art-works of professor of Fine Art at the University of Calgary, Ron Kostyniuk.

Ron Kostyniuk is a Canadian artist of Ukrainian descent whose work has been widely exhibited. His sculptures are included in many private and museum collections in Canada. We were glad to have the opportunity to view his exhibition, Art as Nature Analogue, and have another special place to visit the next time in New York - the Ukrainian Institute of America.  

 

 

The Dishes of Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper

Young and old enjoy the special Ukrainian Christmas traditions on the Canadian prairies.  Probably the most universally loved celebratory moments comes with the end of the lenten fast, and the family joining for the Ukrainian Christmas eve supper - Sviata Vecherya by the old calendar.
Andrew Boykow of the University of Calgary Ukrainian Student's Society explains the traditions of Ukrainian Christmas Eve celebrations, honoring his mother Eileen's culinary preparations. Here is a  great clip from CityTV's Breakfast Television, aired January 4, 2013.
Greeting everyone enjoying the Ukrainian Christmas meal - Andrew says Veselikh Sviat!  Happy Holidays!
http://video.citytv.com/video/detail/2073012736001.000000/ukranian-christmas--jan-4th/

Calgary and the First Ukrainian Canadian Member of Parliament

Did you know that the first Canadian Member of Parliament of Ukrainian Descent attended the University of Calgary?  Did you know he also attended Normal School here - essentially teachers' college.  And did you know his name?

Perhaps it would be interesting to consider how many Canadians have served in municipal, provincial and federal politics as servants of the people over this past - say just over a hundred years?  Well, I haven't compiled the list yet.  But, I do know that Calgary's education system can be very proud for contributing to the formation of Mr. Michael Luchkovich.

Michael Luchkovich's father emigrated to find work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and that is where Luchkovich spent the first years of his life.  The family moved to Winnipeg, but after high school graduation, Luchkovich headed west to the University of Calgary where he received his political science degree, and then later attended Calgary Normal School in order to become an Alberta Certified teacher.

He was a teacher, author and obviously a social activist - and with his fabulous education launched a ten year career in Canadian federal politics.  True to many prairie Canadians, he ran as a United Farmers of Alberta candidate and in 1926 was elected to the Canadian House of Commons representing the Vegreville constituency.  He was the first person of Ukrainian descent to be elected to the Federal Parliament - and the University of Calgary was an important stepping stone in his professional formation.  Thanks, Calgary! 

http://www.uccab.ca/HetmanBanquet/Luchkovich%20Award.asp

University of Calgary Ukrainian Students' Society

The Ukrainian Student's Society, at the University of Calgary, has a new President!  Kathryn Owad is a third year science student, majoring
in Biology! Besides that she is a PLAST member, and youth leader/counsellor on Saturdays, and has willingly given up her summers to be a camp counsellor/leader too!  And she has been dancing with Barvinok Ukrainian Dancers, for 16 years. 

The Ukrainian Student's Society at the Univeristy of Calgary has been a welcoming place since Kathryn's first year of studies.  Since many PLAST friends were actively involved, she instantly felt at home, and extended an arm to welcome others.  She served on various executive positions, but was made President just recently!  Congratulations, Kathryn!

President Kathryn (and Former President Andrij Butynets - who were both recently counsellors at PLAST's summer camp for novaky - at Camp Bar-V-Nok, Pigeon Lake) recently told me of their first Ukrainian Student's Society event for the 2012-13 season - it was a Perogie dinner and perogie eating contest! Their first social gathering, it was basically a meet and greet to involve our old and new members.  And the winner of the perogie eating contest (which involved THIRTEEN competitors) got a bottle of Ukrainian vodka followed by continued socializing at the University bar "The Den".

The Ukrainian Student's Society welcomes all students to their next event,  "Music Bingo Night" which will be on October 9 at "The Den".  They will feature three categories of music (Classic rock, top 40's, and Ukrainian").  Prizes will be awarded to those who recognize the songs!

Their third event is the "Ukraine vs. Poland's annual soccer match," which will be held
October 19th and is pretty much just a big cultural competition between
the USS and the Polish club! Kathryn says they are still sorting out main details but
it's always a fun time, and Ukraine almost always wins!

Their future events include: Holodomor awareness at St. Vlads with a small presentation by the club. EURO CUP 2013 which is a soccer tournament against different clubs, some of which include: Polish, British, French, German, and Spanish clubs, and is mainly organized by their USS executive! (who, it seems, won the tournament last year!!).
The club also hosts a pysanka painting workshop, a dance workshop, and a Ukrainian cuisine night/garlic eating contest, coming up in the new year!!!
Kathryn shared another interesting bit about the group.  She says that the USS executive likes to do is play "Mario Cart" in our clubs office (which is graciously provided by the U of C! The Ukrainian Student's Society club room is a gathering place where there is always gaming going on and it has become a club tradition to play on study breaks!

Come and visit at MSC 279-I. The office is located in the Macewan Clubs area in the corner of Macewan Hall by 'Stor'.
So, if you are aware of Ukrainian students needing a Ukrainian welcome at the U of C, please pass this information along! 

ps - Congrats to the club for their generous and enthusiastic welcome!  Good luck with your events!!  Sounds like fun!

Their contact info is:
Email - uss@ucalgary.ca
office - MSC 279I (Mac hall)
Phone # - 403-220-7012
Website - www.usscalgary.org
Facebook page: University of Calgary Ukrainian Students' Society

http://susk.ca/media/publication/