Viter - the Wind Sings a Malanka Melody 2014

My family used to sing all the time,  it seemed the minute we got into the car there was a melody in the air.  I especially miss my dad's singing.  His voice was so lovely, and when mom sang along it was like a choir in the car.  Of course I had to join in.

Thank heavens the tradition is continuing, because my brother carries this fine tradition in his genetic make-up.  So, for him, singing in Viter Ukrainian Choir and Dance Ensemble of Edmonton is a gift to himself, his family and friends.

Viter's  achievements are to numerous to mention! They have developed a real following with their regular performances here in Alberta, but also across the prairies too! Their tours to international places have taken our prized Alberta Ukrainian folk tradition back to the ancestral places in Ukraine, but also to far flung locales to new appreciative audiences! I heard they have plans to tour in Europe again this 2014 season. 

For an opportunity to join their fun, and bring in the Ukrainian New Year in a Malanka way, check out the links on their poster! Not sure you will see my brother dance, but he sure has a way with a melody!

Check out their promotional video at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6G9pvZuhXA

Tuesday Ukrainian Jam Session

amk2013

Well after hearing about this great group of guys from Ukraine arriving to play at the Vegreville Ukrainian Festival this year,  I finally met them!  Today at Calgary's commemoration event for the Enemy Aliens Exhibit in Banff (sorry,  it was impossible to get there due to the rain), the gentlemen musicians played for the reception program.  Great fun and entertainment!

If you are in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 25 - or you can get there for the evening - you could be part of Edmonton's largest Ukrainian jam session!



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Bring your favorite instrument - large or small, make sure your voice is well....hydrated.  Song books will be provided for all, so you don't have to feel self conscious about forgetting the words.  Join in this huge sing-a-long, it will be like you never left summer camp!  You can purchase drinks and munchies there. 

This is an evening performance of Ukraine's Darmohrai group from Vinnytsia Ukraine, and Edmonton's largest Ukrainian jam session!  Come for the entertainment, come for the fun, and remember you are helping Darmohrai continue its tour to big and small places across the Canadian prairies - little places needing that Ukrainian uplift! 

See you Tuesday - Tickets are available at the door! 

Ukrainian Community Convention 2013

Back before the Soviet adventure in Ukraine, two generations of Ukrainian immigrants had already settled into the Canadian rhythms of life.  These people were here to build a life in this land of political freedom, relishing economic opportunity. By 1918 Canada was home to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, registered under Canadian law and thankful of its abiding security.  So that meant a церква українського народу existed under Canadian Charter.  War struck, and Canadians of Ukrainian ancestry were themselves often awestruck at their fierce pride and attachment for their new homeland.  Many were detained in Canada's first War internment operations, it is true, however a huge contingent of them voluntarily enlisted in Canada's wartime services!  According to statistics 10,000 newly minted Canadians of Ukrainian descent served in the Canadian Armed Forces in WWI.

The times were very Canadian, but also truly, and resiliently Ukrainian. Momentum grew in a "self reliance movement" here.  Independent of governmental decree, religious oppression, and fear of political reprisals, Canadians of Ukrainian descent agreed their children's interests were not best served when forced into assimilation.  Rather, they felt cultural, linguistic and religious impoverishment.  With thousands of years in the making, Ukrainian culture was a way of life, but in Canada the living culture was "other".

The problem was, how to live in one world of economic freedom and democracy, yet convey ancestral wisdom to future generations who would not be able to visit the homeland for....til the end of Sovet times? It was a really avant-garde thinking to be "of two cultures", to be equally faithful to both at the same time.

Supercharged with purpose, the unique structures of The Ukrainian Self Reliance League of Canada gathered steam, and the Ukrainian diaspora changed forever.  No longer "renamed", no longer ache-ing for sights, sounds and smells of home, it is now easy to find a -chuk, -ski, or an -enko, in Canadian institutions of power and influence.  Many of them got their starts in public service through the example of groups like The Ukrainian Self Reliance League of Canada, who are inviting participants to their 87th Anniversary 2013 Summer Convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on August 21 to 25, 2013 for "Embracing Change". 

For complete information contact http://www.usrl-cyc.org/2013convention.htm

Calgary Shevchenko Event 2013

The Bard of Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko left a legacy of art, poetry and stories of regular people, elevated through literature, and remembered for their humanity.  Their hopes, dreams and aspirations continue to speak over nearly two centuries since his birth. In similar vein, the Ukrainian diaspora is collectively concerned about identity, freedom, Ukrainian language use, and its place in the Ukrainian idea.  A pantheon of great thinkers have been of similar thought. Nurtured on Shevchenko's words, his countrymen are a great nation with many gifts to share with the world.  But this is also a challenge, because he reminds that it is collective memory, the language, culture and traditions that bear the stories of history, perspective for understanding the present, and an image of what could be possible in the future! The Annual  Taras Shevchenko Concert is an opportunity to express just these types of ideas - to flesh them out for the contemporary age.

The Calgary Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is of such a mindset.  The 2013 Annual Taras Shevchenko Concert held on March 10, at 3 PM at the Assumption Church Hall on 7th Avenue and 6th Street NE, Calgary is dedicated to the idea - our language, our freedom.



for info call- 403-276-1835 or halyawilson@shaw.ca

калґарський відділ КОНҐРЕСУ УКРАЇНЦІВ КАНАДИ запрошує
Bac з родиною на КОНЦЕРТ ТАРАСА ШЕВЧЕНКА

10-ого БЕРЕЗНЯ 2013 в 3ті годині пополудні

в церковні залі Успення 704 Sixth Street N. E.

за дальші інформації - halyawilson@shaw.ca  403-276-1835

National Congress of Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada 2013

The fabric of the  Ukrainian Canadian community is a tapestry of many, many special  individuals who generously volunteer their time, talents and treasure in meritorious organizations that benefit all Canadians. One such group is the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada, whose open arms welcome all newcomers!

With a commitment to the Church, nurturing cultural heritage, and providing resources for living an authentic Christian life, the UCWLC does good work.

They will be holding their 2013 National Convention  in Saskatoon this spring on June 27-30, 2013.   For more information contact your local Ukrainian Catholic church.