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22 WWW. UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, КВІТЕНЬ 2014 ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ ОКРУГ І ВІДДІЛІВ СУА UNWLA BRANCH 3 WELCOMES SYZOKRYLI UKRAINIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA At this time it is very hard to write about the many special events which have taken place in the Ukrainian-American community of Phoenix, Arizona, because all the time and most of our e n- ergy goes to thinking about Ukraine. Our hearts and minds are focused only on what is happening in Ukraine. Words cannot describe our feelings right now, but the proud spirit of Ukrainians — whether they live in Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Argentina, or another country — will not be crushed. This conviction is what gives us strength and generates belief that by remembe r- ing and expressing Ukrainian culture, we can be indomitable. Before the dancers of Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble came to Phoenix for a perfo r- mance on February 22nd, our intention had been to greet them with the 2014 Wild West Ukie Fest on February 21 st. However, because of the tragic events in Ukraine, a candlelight vigil and a joint panakhyda by the Catholic and Orthodox Ukrai n- ian communities was held instead at the Ukrain i- an Cultural Center. About 200 people attended the dance pe r- formance the following day. Posters of protesters on the Maidan were displayed in the lobby, and shirts with the Tryzub emblem were for sale. One could see some new faces in the audience, inclu d- ing a professor from Arizona State University and his student, as well as a few international folk dancers. Of course, the majority of those in a t- tendance were Ukrainian by birth or heritage. I felt a surge of triumphant spirit as the speakers on stage led the audience in singing the Ukrainian National Anthem, after first playing the music of the American anthem . At that moment , all of us, I think, felt pride for the brave protesters on the Maidan and hope that they would succeed in their struggle . The dancers of Syzokryli fueled those feelings still more as they leaped and twirled with effortless precision, entertaining the audience with what I think was the best ever performance of Ukrainian dance! The Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble was invited by Chrystia Boyko, President of UNWLA Branch 3 and member of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. The dancers in Syzokryli are all Ukrainian by heritage while the ir very talented director, Orlando V. Pagan, is orig i- nally from Puerto Rico. He became interested in Barvinok Children’s Dance Group of Phoenix, Arizona . Ukrainian dance and had danced solo parts with Syzokryli for thirteen years under the direction of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. Most of the Syzokryli dancers are in their twenties and have been dan c- ing from a very young age, some from as young as three! Their exquisite, colorful costumes only added to the magic of their performance. In terspersed in the program were two pe rformances by Roman Ritachka, a professional bandurist who came all the way from California. His melodic deep baritone/bass voice and dexte r- ous fingering on the bandura were of exceptional quality. He has performed gr atis for Ukrainian youth groups and traveled far north into Canada where few musicians have performed. Roman Ritachka donated the earnings he would have r e- ceived for his performance in Phoenix to the UNWLA humanitarian aid fund for the Maidan. In addition, we were proud to have our own baritone, Yuri Pawlenko, included in the program. He sang two numbers, “Pidmanula , p idvela” and “Don’t sleep, my native land.” Mr. Pawlenko has performed at many an event at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Phoenix. Finally, the local Ukrainian-American chi l- dren who call their dance group “Barvinok” added still more spirit and sparkle to the day’s perfo r- mances. Their enthusiasm for Ukrainian dance was apparent and their teacher’s talent evident. Dance performances continued at the dinner and Zabava that followed , keeping the 120 people who attended enthralled with still more dancing by Syzokryli . The attendees also enjoyed
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