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“We help Ukraine find a voice in the rest of the world.” But, she cautioned, “We have to approach the role of being that bridge with modesty.” Returning to the question of why she and others like her are choosing to raise their diaspora children as Ukrainians, Freeland presented a four- point rationale. Citing Shevchenko’s “Learn, my brothers, think, read,” she pointed out that know ledge about Ukraine helps give diaspora Ukrainians a secure identity and roots. The diaspora experience also provides a sense of community, something that is very valuable in this transient world. Moreover, in the future, this ethnic angle will be an asset to those who possess it, especially with changes in the global economy. The melting pot, according to Freeland, is over. Today, children benefit from two languages, two cultures. And it is this bilingual, bicultural experi ence that Freeland is giving her own children. They watch Ukrainian cartoons, they attend Ukrainian school, they sing Ukrainian songs. It is a pheno menon, she explains, that recently sparked envy among her Bielorussian contacts who noted “Oh, you are so lucky to have a Ukrainian diaspora.” The presentation ended with Freeland’s daughter Natalka reciting a short poem honoring Taras Shevchenko (Poklin’ Tobi, Tarase) and Freeland’s response to a question posed by Marianna Zajac about how the UNWLA can help Ukraine now: “aid to Ukrainian students, especially those who are studying math, engineering, science . . . these are the young people starting to represent the Ukrainian professional class. They can also benefit from exposure to America.” As the program concluded, the UNWLA’s Education Committee Chair, Christine Shwed, pre sented Ms. Freeland with a 1st grade Ukrainian language workbook she had created with Member- at-Large Vera Bej. During the reception that followed, there were animated discussions on the topics Ms. Freeland had touched upon. S a tu r d a y , M a y 24 Opening Ceremonies As with previous UNWLA conventions, the XXVIII Convention opened with the traditional ceremonial processional into the large hall where the first plenary session would be held. With delegates and guests already seated, members of the UNWLA Ex ecutive Committee and National Board, all dressed in colorful Ukrainian embroidered blouses, entered the hall as they were introduced by Convention Committee Chair Anna Macielinski. Leading the processional were flagbearers carrying the flags of the UNWLA’s Regional Councils: Detroit, Phila delphia, New York, Northern New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Chicago, New England, and Central New York. The Liaison for Branches-at-Large and Regional Council presidents or their designated alternates followed, each carrying an embroidered rushnyk representing a region in Ukraine and symbolizing the convention’s theme of unity. At the front of the hall, the rushnyky were turned over to members of Detroit’s Branch 115 and artistically displayed at the right of the podium and head table as representatives from the Regional Councils flanked the Tree of Life. Next to enter the hall were members of the UNWLA National Board and the Executive Committee, followed by Honorary Presi dent Anna Krawczuk and President Iryna Kuro wyckyj who were greeted with bread and salt and bouquets of flowers. The traditional candle lighting ceremony at the Tree of Life followed, with the first candle lit by President Iryna Kurowyckyj on behalf of the entire UNWLA membership and the second candle lit by Honorary President Anna Krawczuk on behalf of all Honorary Members. After each Regional Council president (or her alternate) and the Liaison for Branches at Large lit their candles, President Iryna Kurowyckyj invited two special guests to light the remaining candles: Maria Szkambara, president of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Or ganizations, and Larysa Darmochval, representing Soyuz Ukrainok of Ukraine. Ms. Macielinski then requested Vice President Oxana Farion to lead those assembled in the UNWLA prayer. Led by Marusia Nazarenko and Olga Solovey, attendees then sang the Ukrainian and American national anthems, and UNWLA members sang the UNWLA hymn. Con vention Committee Chair Anna Macielinski wel comed everyone to the convention, and President Iryna Kurowyckyj officially opened the convention proceedings. The opening ceremonies culminated with a solemn observance of the Great Famine. Lights were dimmed as famine survivor Olena Liskiwskyi entered the hall with the Holodomor Torch. Con vention committee members lit candles from the 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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