CUF President Keynote Speaker at UCC Montreal Independence Banquet

L. to R.: Mariko Putko, banquet committee chairperson; Prof. Roman Serbyn, banquet M.C.; Madwa-Nika Cadet, representative of the Quebec Liberal Party; Rev. Deacon Volodymyr Kouchnir; Bohdan Onyschuk, Keynote Speaker; Zorianna Hrycenko-Luhova, UCC Montreal President; Rev. Mitrat Oleh Korecky; Dobrodijka Anna Korecka; Bohdanna Klecor-Hawryluk, banquet committee co-chairUCC Montreal: The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), Montreal Branch, held its Annual Banquet at the Ukrainian Youth Centre on Thursday, August 30 marking the 21st year of Ukraine’s Independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union and long-fought struggle for renewed national freedoms.

The Keynote Speaker was Bohdan Onyschuk, Q.C., President of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF). In his presentation, he gave an overview of the current situation in Ukraine under the Yanukovych government, giving many examples how the current regime is backsliding to increasing authoritative rule and implementing increasing Russianization policies. He explained the work of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, emphasizing the importance of supporting long and short-term election observers from Canada for the upcoming October 28 parliamentary elections in Ukraine. He emphasized that the October elections are probably the most important in Ukraine’s history, determining whether Ukraine will continue on its road to democratization.

Head table guests included Evhen Czolij, President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), with his wife Anna Czolij, Arunas Staskevicius, Honorary Consul of Lithuania in Montreal, Rev. Mitrat Oleh Korecky, representative of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Montreal and Pani Dobrodijka Anna Korecka, Rev. Deacon Volodymyr Kouchnir of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Montreal, Madwa-Nika Cadet, representative of the Provincial Liberal Party of Quebec and Liberal candidate for the Rosemont area, and Marta Tkaczyszyn from the UCC National Office in Ottawa. Mr. Czolij gave greetings on behalf of UWC and a brief presentation, as did the Honorary Consul Staskevicius. The evening’s M.C. was Prof. Roman Serbyn.

The banquet was formally opened by UCC Montreal President Zorianna Hrycenko-Luhova who stated: “Under the current government with its anti-Ukrainian policies and language laws, Ukraine is now faced with the reality of losing its hard-earned freedom and independence…We must believe in the resiliency of our people and take the necessary actions in ensuring Ukraine’s Independence“.

Following the formal dinner-program, the evening concluded with a vocal performance by mezzo-soprano Halyna Wawerchak, a poetry-recitation by Martusia Reketchuk, and dance numbers by the Troyanda Dance Ensemble under the direction of Bohdan Klymchuk.

The Banquet Committee was headed by Marika Putko and Bohdanna Klecor-Hawryluk, with many volunteers assisting. An interview with speaker Bohdan Onyschuk was conducted by Simon Kouklewsky for Montreal’s “Ukrainian Time” radio program. The evening was videotaped by Dima Lemeshko and will be posted on the UCC web site: uccmontreal.org

That evening, contributions to the Election Observer Mission in Ukraine organized by CUF was encouraged and donation cards were made available. Montreal was one of many cities across Canada and around the world in which the Ukrainian community celebrated Ukraine’s Independence.



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L. to R.: Mariko Putko, banquet committee chairperson; Prof. Roman Serbyn, banquet M.C.; Madwa-Nika Cadet, representative of the Quebec Liberal Party; Rev. Deacon Volodymyr Kouchnir; Bohdan Onyschuk, Keynote Speaker; Zorianna Hrycenko-Luhova, UCC Montreal President; Rev. Mitrat Oleh Korecky; Dobrodijka Anna Korecka; Bohdanna Klecor-Hawryluk, banquet committee co-chair