OTTAWA FAREWELL FOR UKRAINE’S AMBASSADOR IHOR OSTASH

By Vicki Karpiak

 
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and its member organizations in Ottawa invited the entire Ukrainian Canadian community to attend the farewell party held on July 23, 2011 for the “Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary” Ambassador of Ukraine in Canada, our truly exceptional Dr. Ihor Ostash, with his wife, Dr. Maryna Hrymych and son Danylo present.

Financial contributors to the event included UCC Ottawa, Ukrainian National Federation Ottawa Branch, Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Ottawa, Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada - Ottawa Branch, Shevchenko Scientific Society of Canada, Canadian Friends of Ukraine, Plast, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.

The UCC organizing committee consisted of Nykolai Bilaniuk, Olenka Galadza, Vicki Karpiak, Natalka Kocan, Stepan Korbutiak, Peter and Joan Semeniuk, Lesia Spolsky, Borys and Marika Sirskyj, Gloria Winn, Vera Yuzyk, and Taras Zalusky. Markian Kozy presented flowers to Maryna Hrymych.

A bountiful afternoon reception at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine drew a group of about 150 well-wishers, many of whom knew first-hand about the tireless efforts of Dr. Ostash for the good of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora.

Many presentations were made to the outgoing Ambassador by the various organizations.  From the UCC and its member organizations, Vicki Karpiak presented a book of paintings of Ukrainian   prairie life in Canada’s West, autographed by Ukrainian Canadian artist Peter Shostak.  The Ukrainian Orthodox Church requested that Michael Reshitnyk present a print of the historic Rideau Canal and Parliament Buildings painted by well-known artist Ihor Andriyiv.  Orest Dubas presented a picture of the Taras Shevchenko Monument comprised of multiple statues by internationally renowned sculptor Leo Mol which was unveiled in Ottawa this year on June 26^th.  Dr. Ostash and the Ukrainian Embassy Staff held many meetings in preparation for the monument’s unveiling, engaging the Ukrainian community across Canada, senators, members of parliament and government ministers, deputies of Ukraine’s Parliament – Verkhovna Rada, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kaniv, and other deputy mayors in Ukraine along with performing artists from Canada and Ukraine.  The unveiling drew in over 1000 participants.

Topping his four and one-half year term, Ambassador Ostash positively motivated the Ukrainian community coast to coast with the Great Historic Train Ride of the Ukrainian Pioneers, which started at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax with stops in Montreal, Ottawa (including the Shevchenko monument unveiling), Toronto, Winnipeg and Saskatoon, and ended in Edmonton.  This special project commemorated the 120^th Anniversary of Ukrainian Settlement in Canada.  During the train’s stopover in Saskatoon, Dr. Ostash enthusiastically made a side trip to Hafford, Saskatchewan, to the church where the late Senator Paul Yuzyk and Mary Bahniuk were married.  He whimsically referred to Hafford as “Piv-ford”.

Ambassador Ostash raised Ukraine-Canada bilateral relations and was instrumental in the current free trade negotiations between the two countries.  Due to changed visa provisions last April, now students under 35 years of age from Canada and Ukraine are allowed to travel, work or study freely in Canada or Ukraine. The Embassy always wholeheartedly welcomed guests - dignitaries, politicians and children alike, artists, book writers, and Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Interns - students from Ukraine. The Embassy also embraced the community and shared important celebrations like the Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, Ukrainian Constitution Day and Flag Day.  An enthusiastic participant of many Canadian events, Ambassador Ostash was welcomed with great pleasure by the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism at each of the Annual Paul Yuzyk Awards for Multiculturalism held in Toronto and Ottawa.  Dr. Ostash spoke highly of his Canadian experience and stated in a recent interview that “We should study the Canadian experience of Multiculturalism”.  Canada is a showpiece in this respect.

PHOTOS

Vicki Karpiak presenting Ambassador Ihor Ostash one of many community parting gifts. Borys Sirskyj in background.

L. to R. Ihor Ostash, his wife Maryna Hrymych and their son Danylo cutting celebratory “Farewell Cake”.