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THE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY MARIA SAVCHAK, PRESIDENT OF UNWLA, AT THE BANQUET OF THE ORGANIZATIONS XXII CON VENTION ON MAY 27, 1990 Our generation was fated to live through a turbulent cycle of events, beginning with the destruction caused by war, followed by relocation, then the displaced per sons camps, finally struggling to create a new life in new lands, up to our present circumstances. We deve loped out organization, raised our children and with trepidation kept an eye on our homeland. We were aware of the terrible years of physical and moral geno cide there, of the russificaiton, and at times we won dered if we, in diaspora, would be the only ones left with any kind of national awareness. However, this cycle of 50 years was dramatically changed. We have been priviledged to witness a turbulent rebirth — one that most of us have not even dreamed of. In a few short months we saw how Ukraine changed from a state of terrified sub-existance to one where the country proudly raised its head. Now we are faced with new responsibilities, new perspectives. Now we have to rethink as to who we are and where we are going at the closing of this frightening and simultaneously remarka ble century. For decades we lived isolated from one another, with the immigration forging its own life, Ukraine on the other hand, living its own. The years of terror, suspi cion, bickering and most prevalent fear yielded its own order. Today, these stereotypes are beginning to crack. Are we not witnessing weekly concerts, artistic appear ances, and hearing lectures delivered by people from Ukraine? In Ukraine Plast was reactivated, as was the Shevchenko Scientific Society. New political parties were PRE-CONVENTION “KICK-OFF” SESSION. On Fri day evening, May 24, a stimulating pre-convention roundtable discussion set the tone for the proceedings of the days that followed. A distinguished panel of experts and activists examined ’’Community Activism — East and West (USSR and USA) and its effect on cur rent events, in terms of both society and government. The main speaker, Mr. Paul Goble — former Special Assistant for Soviet Nationalities in the State Depart ment and current Director of the Research Division of Radio Liberty in Munich, Germany, acknowledged: ’’For the first time, in a very long time, we can discuss Ukraine not in the customery tragic terms, but in very hopeful terms. I believe that we are very near to the res toration of an independent Ukrainian state that will suc ceed in removing Communist power and recovering the historic rights of the Ukrainian people.” He then pro vided a comprehensive overview of Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies and their consequences, with particular empha sis on events in Ukraine. Participants in the roundtable discussion included: Sonia Sluzar, Executive Editor of ’’Problems of Commu nism”, U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C.; Dr. Roman Szporluk, Professor of History and Director of the Center for East European and Russia Studies at the University of Michigan; Helen Slywynsky-Petrauskas, Vice-President of Environmental and Safety Engineer ing for Ford Motor Company; and Marie Podgorska- Zarycky, Director of Pharmacy at North Detroit General Hospital, Ukrainian community and human rights activist. Moderator Martha Bohachevsky-Chomiak, Professor of History and Program Officer at the National Endown- ment for Humanities, synthesized the discussion with characteristic wit and candor. In her closing remarks, she pointed out that the concept of Ukrainian national ism today is, in fact, an outgrowth of community acti vism and presents a desirable and viable alternative to the Soviet system which, obviously, has not worked and is undergoing a complete collapse. OPENING CEREMONIES. The ceremonies were stately and moving. There was a procession of our national flags from each region, there was singing of the anthems and opening prayers. Very moving was the lighting of the “Tree of Life” candles of Regional Presi dents. The audience was made up of several hundred women from the East Coast, the Midwest, and the dis tant West Coast states, as well as Florida. Majority of women wore resplendent embroidered blouses. For the first time, included in their number were guests from Ukraine. In the light of the ongoing events in our home land, the words of the UNWLA hymn took on particular meaning: "Sisters, daughters of Ukraine, let us lift our eyes and spirit, and united together, let us greet a better future.” UNWLA President Mrs. Maria Savchak opened the sessions with an overview of ongoing projects, emphas izing charitable and relief works. She spoke movingly about the departure of the second shipment of medical and other supplies to Chornobyl, recalling the words of People’s Deputy Volodymyr Yavorivsky who compared Ukraine to an ill child whose survival depends on imme diate medical help. Only the Ukrainian diaspora can meet that need, Mrs. Savchak pointed out. She also spoke about the revival of Ukrainian National Women’s League in Western Ukraine and con veyed greetings to the Convention from the newly- founded W o m e n ’s H ro m a d a o fR u k h in Kiev. To be continued. ’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЖОВТЕНЬ 1990 21
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