Vol. 8 Issue 1

Christmas 1998

Serving the Ukrainian community in British Columbia since 1991

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Keep in touch with the Ukrainian community in British Columbia with CONTACT! Here's a sampling from the Christmas 1998 issue.

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A tale of two Christmases
Two perspectives on keeping the traditions of Ukrainian Christmas today: one written by an American-born third-generation Ukrainian Canadian on a "non-traditional" traditional Ukrainian Christmas ; the other by a new Canadian who left Ukraine two years ago, on remembering our ancient Christmas traditions.

* Myrna's Mission
Burnaby travel agent set to travel to Ukraine with Canadian Prime Minister in hopes of eliminating existing barriers to travel between the two countries

* Nanaimo man wants help for threatened clinic in Ukraine
Operators of clinic in Shostka that treats Chornobyl victims (mostly children) claim mayor wants to close them down

* Flooding wreaks havoc in Transcarpathia
First-hand account by a US Peace Corps worker

* The Wild Steppes of the Internet
Debut column by InfoUkes co-founder Dr. Andrij Ukrainec outlines the advantages of the internet to the Ukrainian community  

* Geneaology seminar on Nov. 7th conducted by Muryl Geary of the Ukrainain Village Registry shares tricks of the trade on doing a family tree

* Changes in the air for Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Summary of the XIX Congress of Ukrainian Canadians by UCC-BC president Robert Herchak

* Canada-Ukraine Youth Exchange
Twenty-two young women - eleven from Ukraine and eleven from Canada  - work and learn together in each other's country

* Community activist receives Taras Shevchenko medal
Julia Stashuk is acknowledged for years of community work in Vancouver

* Pleasant surprises for travellers to Ukraine
Some superb sites to visit in Ukraine

* Ambassador angers Ukrainian leaders
Ukrainian historian disputes comments by Canada's ambassador to Ukraine, a native of BC, on Canadian internment of Ukrainians in WWI "

* Book Review:
Finding your Ukrainian Ancestors by Vancouver genealogist Muryl Andrejciw Geary.

Also ... community events, Ukrainian language instruction at Simon Fraser University, The Art of Ukrainian Cuisine where to get a good perogy supper, video specials ... and much  more! community events, Ukrainian language instruction at Simon Fraser University, The Art of Ukrainian Cuisine where to get a good perogy supper, video specials ... and much  more!

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A "non-traditional" traditional Ukrainian Christmas
by Trish Bugera

    I love Christmas parties. Whenever I get an invitation, I never pass up the opportunity to don my fuzzy antlers and make merry.
     Stringing popcorn around the evergreen, singing the tunes of the season, drinking nog and eating shortbread are all components of your average Yuletide celebration.
     But it's after the red and green of the "English" Christmas has subsided - when the turkey is a memory and a few Tupperwares of soup - that's when my husband, Anthony, and I have our "non-traditional traditional" Christmas party ­ for Ukrainian Christmas Eve!
     There are no more Christmas pageants to attend. No other parties are vying for our time. With the fruitcakes (fortunately) no longer lurking at Safeway, we can concentrate on providing a welcome dinner for friends usually in shock after getting their Christmas Visa bills.
     We started this tradition about ten years ago, while still in university. Thanks to our very generous parents, we managed to stick to the traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dishes. They always supplied us with home-made borsch, kolach, holubsti, and pyrohy to put in our freezer until the big day (our mothers lovingly put together the care packages for us to bring back to Vancouver after our Christmas visit to Kamloops).
     As much as possible, we attempt to follow the traditional elements of Ukrainian Christmas Eve. With living in a major metropolis in the 1990s, though, some things tend to fall by the wayside. Because of work schedules, celebrating on January 6 every year can present a challenge. Also, we do not engage in the old tradition of throwing kutia to the ceiling, although this would probably be quite entertaining for our dog, Ivan.
     The tradition of twelve dishes for Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner is strictly upheld; however, the menu is modified from year to year. Pyrohy and holubsti are the consistent courses, along with fish. (When we were still students, it was usually sole or cod. Recent times have allowed for Anthony to perfect his stuffed salmon.)
     Because many of our friends don't have a relationship with Ukrainian food beyond "perogies," some dishes, (like kutia) are met with a timid "that's interesting." This is okay with me ­ I've gone to "those" Christmas parties where I've sniffed a suspicious-looking cheese ball before running the other way. Some of our friends contribute by bringing a dish, even if it's not Ukrainian. One year we had sushi sharing a plate with a cabbage roll (how Canadian, eh?).
     We do set out an empty place setting to remember the deceased. However there are too many of us to sit at the table, so the place setting graces the living room, with the rest of us.
     We usually have no fewer than fifteen people in our one-bedroom basement apartment. It's crowded, but fun! And on a cold, wet January night, it's warm. At this time of year, the buying frenzy of "English" Christmas is over, and we're all relaxed and happy to be in the company of people we enjoy.
     Our annual Ukrainian Christmas party has become so popular that by mid-December our friends are hinting for an invitation. Only once did we not celebrate ­ last January. Being nine months pregnant and bed-ridden with a terrible flu, I was at my most "unfestive", although my red nose and green face would have been perfect for English Christmas.
     This January, however, will see not only my husband and me, but our son, Vladimyr, wearing fuzzy antlers and welcoming friends to our "untraditional" traditional dinner.
          Merry Christmas! Khrystos Rodyvsia!

Trish Bugera is our most recent columnist. She was born in Chicago and moved to Kamloops at the tender age of five. With a Ukrainian mother and Baba next door, she grew up steeped in Ukrainian tradition. Then she moved to Vancouver, married a guy who loves to dance, eat, and speak Ukrainian, and together they are passing the Ukrainian torch to a new generation.

Remembering our ancient Christmas traditions
by Vladimir Dubisskiy

     Since independence in 1991, Ukrainians have become real citizens of the world. Now we tend to celebrate all the holidays we can!
     At Christmastime, the average family can easily switch from the "Catholic" Christmas and New Year, to the "Orthodox" (according to the old Julian calendar).
     Whichever calendar you use for celebrating Christmas, the traditions are always the same. For centuries, the Holy Supper has expressed the idea of a common meal for all generations of the Ukrainian family.
     Even dead and lost relatives should join in the meal. We put kutia and uzvar onto the window sills for them to taste, leave cooked beans in the corners and the supper dishes unwashed (so spirits can nourish themselves by licking the dishes).
     Before the meal, the host invites all spirits to join the Holy Supper. He takes the kutia, places it on a piece of linen, lights a candle and sticks it to the bowl. Taking it with both hands, he walks three times around a table (graced with rushnyk-draped icons and a didukh) from East to West. Then he puts the bowl on the table and kneels before the icons. His wife and children join him, and they recite prayers for the dead.
     He takes the kutia back to the dinner table, and begins the meal. First, tradition dictates that everyone must taste the kutia. Then enjoying the rest of the Lenten meal of borsch, different varieties of cabbage rolls and varynyky, fish, vegetables, and uzvar. If a stranger comes at that time, he must be invited to supper; according to ancestral beliefs, a guest for Holy Supper brings luck to the house.
     The atmosphere is reverent and conversation should be minimal. Every detail during the meal is prophetic. For example, if a shadow on the wall looks like a large haystack, expect a high-yield season; if it looks like a haycock (small haystack), it will bring a lot of hay.
     Kids in Ukraine traditionally bring supper to their grandparents, aunts and uncles, and godparents. This tends to unite the living relatives in a "joint" Holy Supper. Then the children go to sleep, but father and mother remain at the table and together in the flickering candlelight sing quietly the age old favourite carol - "Boh Predvichnij, narodyvsia …"
Vladimir Dubisskiy has a masters degree in languages from Kyiv State University. He works as a translator and interpreter, and teaches at the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School.

Nanaimo man wants help for threatened clinic in Ukraine

     Alex Kravchenko of Nanaimo recently returned from Ukraine, determined to keep a promise he made there.
     Now that he's found relatives in Ukraine, Alex visits as often as he can. On his most recent trip, he toured a small clinic used to cure young children and sometimes adults affected by the Chornobyl disaster.
     But he was appalled when the head doctor told him the local mayor, a staunch communist, wants to shut them down.
     While visiting his cousin in Shostka (l59 kilometres north east of Kyiv) earlier this year, Alex was approached by a man who asked him to visit the Branch Medical Improve Complex OLVI.
     The man claimed to be an ex police chief and body guard to Dr. Alexandra Tychovska and husband Vladimir E. Tychovsky, who run the facility.
     The two storey building houses all the necessities for about 20 patients, mostly children, who were subjected to radiation from Chornobyl. Tthe amenities came close to Canadian standards, except for the toilet.
     After the tour, including the barokamera, which houses an expensive apparatus used in curing certain forms of leukemia, the doctor and her husband begged Alex to share the story of their struggle with the mayor and elicit support from the west for this clinic.
     Alex was incensed by what he sees as obstruction to a procedure that benefits people, particularly children, who were innocent victims of the Chornobyl disaster. It is apparently not known why the mayor is opposed to the project.
    The clinic is funded by agencies outside Ukraine. If you would like to lend your moral or finacial support, please contact Vladimir Tychovsky (OLVI), General Post Office, a/s 77 Shostka, Sumy Reg.

     The Wild Steppes of the Internet
by Dr. Andrij Ukrainec

The Internet is the latest addition to the media family. Although "the Net" has elements similar to print media, broadcast and radio, it’s not really any of these things. It has important characteristics of its own which the Ukrainian community needs to understand, pay attention to, and take advantage of.
     Our mission is to help the Ukrainian community get a foothold in this revolutionary form of communications.
     Currently the Internet is akin to the open steppe - no one controls the flow of information (although there are already signs that government and business are trying to change this).
     That means the Internet has made it possible to bypass the traditional media, and allows us to set our agenda and tell our story - our way.
     Here’s an example. We recently set up a section on "World War II in Ukraine" and then announced its availability to several sites and search engines.
     This site has already received several Internet awards and is now linked by History Television (US), The History Channel (Canada), The Mining Co, and others.
     Other web pages such as the "Internment of Ukrainians in Canada" and "The Artificial Famine in Ukraine" have also had a significant impact. Recent CBC television coverage of the unveiling of an Internment plaque showed a shot of our web page on television.
    The site is constantly visited by the mainstream media, governments, and educators looking for information that they can't find elsewhere. You just can’t buy that kind of exposure.
     A good place to get started is with a mailing list – it’s a great way to exchange information – and, if desired, opinions!
     InfoUkes currently has 18 mailing lists on various topics, including news, politics, sports and arts. Members are required to maintain a civilized mode of discussion. Although that can be hard for Ukrainians to do when someone tramples on a sensitive area, the Listmaster, or "otaman" (that’s me) will get heavy with violators.
     The interactivity of the mailing lists give a sense of a "virtual selo", with interested individuals sharing their thoughts. These lists are open to everyone, so you'll also see perspectives from members outside or on the periphery of the Ukrainian community.
     So, put on your sharavary, saddle up, and come ride with us into the Net!
Dr. Andrij Ukrainec is president of InfoUkes. He and cohort Gerry (Slavko) Kokodyniak now contribute regularly to this column. You can reach them at webmaster@InfoUkes.com  or through their website at www.InfoUkes.com 

Changes in the air for Ukrainian Canadian Congress
by Robert Herchak

      The XIX Congress of Ukrainian Canadians held in Winnipeg October 9 -12, 1998 signalled a new direction for Canada's Ukrainian community over the next three years. Congress delegates approved a thoroughly revised and updated Constitution, which reflected input from organizations at the national, provincial, and local level.
     The newly-elected president is Evhen Czolij of Montreal, a successful practising lawyer in Montreal. At age 38, he is the youngest UCC-National president ever elected.
     A new feature introduced at this Congress was the presentation of a Ukrainian Canadian Youth Leadership Award of Excellence, established to recognize the significant volunteer contribution of young Ukrainian Canadians aged 16 to 25.
     The three worthy young Ukrainian Canadians selected were Stefan Holowka of Montreal, Orest Pilipowicz and Rose Skavinski, both of Winnipeg.
     UCC's highest honour is the Taras Shevchenko medal, awarded at the triennial Congress. This year it was bestowed on 29 individuals and two Ukrainian youth organizations for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments in the Ukrainian Canadian community on a national level. Recipients from BC were Julia Stashuk and Isidore Goresky of Vancouver.
     Another first was the presentation of Taras Shevchenko Certificates of Merit to worthy individuals who had made a significant contribution to the Ukrainian community at a provincial or local level.
     Recipients from BC included Wm. Andriaszyn (deceased, accepted by wife Anna) of Vancouver, Rev. Petro Blazuk of Vernon, Petro Kindrachuk of Vernon, John Melnyk of Kelowna, Mykola Petrikiw of Vernon, Dr. Nadia Popil of Kelowna, and Michael Swenarchuk of Kelowna.
     A special highlight during the Congress took place on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature, next to the Taras Shevchenko monument. Congratulations to UCC-Manitoba for organizing the unveiling and public commemoration of a plaque honouring Ukrainian Canadians unjustly interned as "enemy aliens" in a concentration camp in Winnipeg during WWI.
     As president of UCC-BC, I have been a member of the national UCC Presidium for the past four years. I am confident the Ukrainian Canadian Congress will continue to effectively fulfill its mandate in representing the interests of the Ukrainian Canadian community before the various levels of government, and in the broader multi-cultural fabric of Canadian society.

Taras Shevchenko medal awarded to outstanding community activist
by Paulette MacQuarrie

At the triennial Ukrainian Canadian Congress this past October in Winnipeg, the Taras Shevchenko medal for outstanding community service was awarded to twenty nine-Canadians.
     One of those was Julia Stashuk of Vancouver.
     Currently Secretary and acting Treasurer for UCC-BC, Julia has been a fixture in Vancouver's Ukrainian community since she moved here as a young bride in 1946 with her husband, John.
    Over the years, the community has benefitted from her hard work, devotion, and sheer tenacity. Yet she never thought it would come to this.
     "I never dreamed in a million years that I would become this active in the Ukrainian community," she said. "I thought playing the piano for dance groups and singing would be it!"
     With four children to raise, Julia's early years in the community revolved around family and church life. She and John were devoted parishioners and avid choir members. In 1947, Julia became the first secretary of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, and stayed with them over 45 years. Being an accomplished pianist, she was often found at concerts and dance rehearsals "while John babysat".
     In 1969, St. Mary's Ukrainian school needed a music teacher. By then her children were in school, so she agreed, and taught Ukrainian school until 1992.
     Julia was instrumental in establishing Ukrainian language instruction in the Vancouver area at the University of British Columbia.
     Because she was a successful fundraiser and had a reputation for reliable accounting of the public's funds, Julia found herself at the head of the new Ukrainian Heritage Language Foundation in 1986 (now called the Ukrainian Studies Foundation of BC).
     Her tireless efforts resulted in ten years of Ukrainian language instruction at UBC, and the new Self-Instructional Language Program currently being used as a test model at Simon Fraser University. (The UBC course was taught by Alexandra Slobogean, who also designed the SFU program.)
     Although John's death in 1993 was a great blow to Julia, as well as to the entire community, she put aside her personal grief and continued her community work without missing a beat.
     In January 1997, Julia was delighted to see her efforts to have a Ukrainian history course at UBC come to fruition. The first course was conducted by visiting professor Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk of the Royal Military College in Kingston.
     And this year, the Foundation has introduced a scholarship for excellence in Ukrainian studies.
     Another area of accomplishment is in television production. At the urging of fellow teachers in the 1980s, she co-ordinated the first television specials which evolved in the series Echoes of Ukraine, and aired on Rogers Community Channel until this past September. (It will reappear at a later date on the multicultural channel.)
     She won the William and Mary Kostash Award for Best Video three times: in 1988 (Art of Embroidery), 1992 (Centennial Album) and 1994 (New World).
     While she is instrumental in the production of the series, she doesn't claim much of the credit.
     "Nothing is a one-person operation," she said. "I was lucky to have all this wonderful talent all these years. So whenever I did anything, it was always with consultation."
     But the Taras Shevchenko medal she received was hers alone. After so many years of community service, she was delighted with the honour.
     "I was so thrilled," she said. "It was wonderful to be acknowledged."
     Julia's main focus remains on education and television, as well as the Ukrainian festival being planned at the Plaza of Nations for the year 2000, which will be similar to the Centennial Days festival in 1991.
     She's very excited about this new project, and intends to throw herself into it full force.
     "We have to get our culture out in the public – so people can see how beautiful it is."

Ambassador angers Ukrainian leaders
by Paulette MacQuarrie

     Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine, the Honourable Derek R. T. Fraser, may be fond of saying that he comes from "Canada's Transcarpathia: British Columbia". Yet he seems to know very little about the Canadians of Ukrainian descent residing here.
     In a recent interview with the Day newspaper in Kyiv (published Nov. 24, 1998) Fraser dismissed the issue of Ukrainians interned in concentration camps during WWI as "ancient history".
     This has angered the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which has spearheaded a campaign to install commemorative plaques at the sites of those camps across Canada.
     "His excellency is not being very diplomatic," said Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, Director of Research at UCCLA.
     "It's not ancient history; there are still survivors," said Luciuk. "If the Ambassador doesn't know that, he should – or he should say nothing."
     One of the survivors, Fred Kohse, travelled from Vancouver to Vernon on June 7 just last year to unveil a commemorative plaque at the site of the Vernon Internment Camp. On May 24, 1997, just two weeks earlier, BC’s first commemorative plaque was unveiled in Nanaimo.
     There were eight internment camps in British Columbia, the most of any province in Canada. The UCCLA intends to put up plaques at the other six, and has done all possible to inform the government and the public of their main goal – to get acknowledgement, an apology, and restitution of confiscated wealth in the form of funding for an educational campaign to inform all Canadians of this chapter in their history.
     But it’s a chapter our government clearly would rather forget.
     The Ambassador was asked his opinion on the matter while answering questions about the forthcoming state visit of Prime Minister Jean Cretien to Poland and Ukraine.
     He said "there were no camps for Ukrainians as such in Canada … [the] camps were for enemy aliens, including Austrians".
     He also belittled claims for restitution of confiscated wealth, saying the redress campaign had emerged only after the Japanese received redress for their WWII internment.
     Dr. Luciuk, a history professor who wrote his master's thesis on the Ukrainian internment issue, says the Ukrainians raised the issue first.
     The UCCLA, as well as the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, wants an explanation of the Ambassador's comments from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Axworthy, and an apology.
     At press time, neither the Ambassador's office nor BC's sole MP of Ukrainian heritage, the Hon. Lou Sekora, would clarify or comment to Contact on the Ambassador’s comments.
     The UCCLA encourages all Canadians to voice their concerns to The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6.

*The Art of Ukrainian Cuisine
This issue features quick and easy Ukrainian recipes for the holiday season.

* Christmas Eve Borsch
* Beans in Mushroom Sauce
* Nachynka (Cornmeal Casserole)

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