Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2024
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
OUR LIFE MONTHLY, published by Ukrainian iatioual Women’s League of America Vol. XXXIII APRIL 1976 No. 4 Editor Marta Baczynsky EDITORIAL During the course of our lives, year in and year out, we pass through the cycle of holidays brought by the successive seasons. Each year we cclebrate the birth of Christ, His death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Interwoven with these religious holidays are various rituals and customs based on the national tradition which sprang from ancient, even pagan, elements. We cherish and continue these traditions, sometimes even renewing those which were not strictly observed in Ukraine. For there, the very earth we walked on and the air we breathed served to affirm and establish our nationalidentity. Here, however, we practice the old traditions for the purpose of strenghening our own identity and establishing that precious bond between our children and Ukraine. But this is not a phenomenon exclusive to us. Leonid Pliushch talks about the fact that, when the nationalistic rebirth began in Ukraine in the sixties, it manifested itself not only in poetry and literature but also in the revival of national tradition. While the government- inspired "stage folklore" did already exist, the re-awakening o f national customs among the people was persecuted by that self-same"mentor" of national culture. A case in point — when students in Kiew began to organize a celebration of the festival of Kupalo on the eve of the Feast of St. John, they found they were under the surveillance of the government. At that time, some questioned the validity and importance of the cultural rebirth in comparison to the political movement. They did not realize that the renewal of culture was a form of rebellion. After the apathy of spirit caused by 50 years of fear, hardship, and persecution of national awareness the return of custom PUBLIC RELATIONS HIGHLIGHTS: On Wednesday, February 25th, Mrs. Ella Prociuk Public Relations Chairperson of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations, Mrs. Halya Hirniak (Ukrainian Congress Committee of America) and I were the guests of Mrs. Augusta Goldhirsch during her class on the United Nations in Queens College (N.Y.). We met Mrs. Goldhirsch in Mexico City during the International Tribune on Women, where she, as former president of the United Nations Association, represented the Queens Chapter. Mrs. Goldhirsch's class is aimed primarily at public school teachers and persons who are interested in human rights. She is fortunate to have had many interesting speakers, many of whom are working for the United Nations and are thus in a position to explain the functioning of the UN and its committees. Wednesday evening's speaker was Ms. Pelar Santander Downing, Laison Officer of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. She presented a paper on the workings of the Committee and after her presentation, the class was asked to split into groups to discuss relevant issues with guests participating. One of the issues was the recent resolution of the General Assembly condemning Zionism as racist, Mrs. Downing explained the illegality of this resolution since it contra dicts the procedural form that is necessary and explained that it was brought before the General Assemply as a matter of politics, due to the pressure of certain countries who were more concerned about condemning apartheid. However, they needed the support of countries who are opposed to Israel. She declared that it was a question of politics rather than ethics. Other questions that were raised by the group chair persons, included the status of Ukraine and the deten tion and imprisonment of Ukrainian intellectuals. Mrs. Downing explained that although the UN had declared that it accepted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a member country is not compelled to implement this declaration under the ruling that each county is sovereign and is under no obligation to follow the dictates of other member countries. Interestingly, another issue that was focused on was ethnic education in local schools. Many of the teachers were concerned that an emphasis on bi-lingual educa tion and ethnic studies may result in a prejudical back lash. We were glad to be present and to explain the need for a program of ethnic studies and to persuade them otherwise. It was a interesting afternoon and we thank Mrs. Goldhirsh for her invitation and wish her much success in her unique presentation of the United Nations programs. Camille Smorodsky НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ, КВІТЕНЬ, 1976 21 and ritual indeed constituted defiance. Considering its circumstances, the regeneration of tradition was a sign of tenacity of spirt — a beautiful flower — a breakstone. Practicing our traditions here, in the environment of liberty and well-being, we tend to focus on the external observance rather than on essence and content. Even the most devout among us perform their religious responsibilities automatically from year to year. Yet in our religious and national customs there is deep content and serious substance. It sometimes happens that the meaning of Christ's words dissapear beneath the accumulation of habits. Intoning memorized words or singing church hymns, we are beneath the spell of their sound and melody. But are we aware of their content? Do we ponder and absorb their essence or even realize that great love for others, love for humanity, for which Christ died and rose?!
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
