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CELEBRATING OUR UKRAINIAN HERITAGE Logo created by Mary Swonder What’s ‘varenyky’? ... Oh! My grandma used to make them — when I was a kid ... she called them pyrohy.... Such comments were heard repeatedly on Sunday, June 14th, when over 1200 people gathered on the grounds of Mercyhurst Preparatory School to celebrate Ukrainian Heritage Day. This was the second festival organized by Erie’s UNWLA branch 116 and directed by festival chairperson Marge Corapi. Proceeds from this event were alloted to UNWLA’s Relief for the Children of Chornobyl Fund. Traveling from over a 100-mile radius surrounding Erie PA, people came to sample Ukrainian food, buy Ukrainian goods and souvenirs, see exhibits, enjoy Ukrainian music and dancing, and meet some Ukrainians. Many were interested in Ukraine because of their East European ancestry; others came simply be cause they have Ukrainian friends. The information/education area of the festival was a busy place: many stopped to share their stories and ask questions. Some looked at maps to see where their ancestors were born, others inquired about various pla ces in Ukraine and discussed recent political and eco nomic developments. One young woman just returned from a business conference in Mykolajiw; another young non-Ukrainian mother just adopted a baby from Kolo- myia and sought advice on how to raise the child in touch with her heritage. Visitors learned about our Ukrainian organizations and about the tragedy of Chor nobyl. The arts and crafts area also attracted many vis itors. A large exhibit of our best Ukrainian embroidery, woodcarving, ceramics, leather and beadwork was quite awesome. Master craftsmen demonstrated the arts of nyz embroidery, printmaking, and pysanky writing. Graphic artist Vitaly Lytvyn attracted many potential buyers to his display. Shirts with the Heritage Day logo, embroidered clothing, tapes, books, pysanky supplies and handmade craft items were available for sale. Continuous entertainment was provided both in doors and outdoors by the Kashtan Junior Dance Ensemble (Cleveland OH), the Hutzul Orchestra (Buf falo NY), Ukrainian Dancers “Zolote Kolossya” (Erie PA), the Erie UNWLA Duet, accordionist Alexander Kosenko, and bayan player Joseph Sharan. Erie’s Mayor Joyce Savocchio honored the Ukrainian community of Erie by signing a special proclamation and visiting the festival. Since Branch 116 of Erie PA has only 21 members, the success of Ukrainian Heritage Day depended on the support and help of many family members and friends. Almost every member took responsibility for some aspect of the festival and many worked for months on planning and preparation. An intense advertising campaign in the press and media (daily during the last week) contrib uted to the great attendance. The generous donation of time and talent by many people produced a very suc cessful Celebration. This was truly a monumental task for us because our branch 116 is actually the only active Ukrainian organization in Erie, PA, or rather in northwest Pennsyl vania. We are the Ukrainian community! There is no Ukrainian church, no Ukrainian center. There are many people who claim Ukrainian ancestry and this Festival fulfilled a need for them to get in touch with their herit age. There are no other Slavic festivals in this area. The fact that we were raising funds for the children of Chor- nobil made friends as well as strangers come out and help us. Daria McKay President UNWLA Branch 116, Erie PA 2 2 ’’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЖОВТЕНЬ 1992 Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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