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
Calendar
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
32 WWW.UNWLA.ORG “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2015 Through Art Mid-Hudson’s (AMH) folk- lorist and friend, Dr. Polly Adema, we are often asked to participate in local cultural events such as this one, and we truly enjoy doing it. The Ukrainian Children’s Day was part of a series of Cultural Children’s Day programs coordinated by Arts Mid-Hudson Folk Arts Program, in collabo- ration with the Mid-Hudson Library System. It was made possible in part thanks to funding from the Robert R. Chapman Fund for the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, secured by AMH’s Folk Art Program. It was rewarding to know that we had opened up the world a little more for these chil- dren as they discovered Ukrainian customs, cul- ture, and language. I have my branch sisters to thank for their support that day and, of course, Arts Mid Hudson and the Town of Ulster Library for giving us the opportunity. We all agree that another such event would be fun to do again! Marianna Szczawinsky Crans, Branch 95 _________________________________________________ REPEAT PERFORMANCE BY BRANCH 95 Last year, because of an introduction by a longtime friend, Art Mid-Hudson’s folklorist, Dr. Polly Adema, Branch 95 was asked to represent the Ukrainian community in a local event cele- brating cultural and ethnic diversity through mu- sic, dance, food, and activities. We did, and found it to be a very enjoyable experience. Having re- ceived an enthusiastic reception the first time, we agreed to participate again this year. This year the event was the 3rd Annual Kingston Community Block Party—a multicultur- al festival sponsored by the Reher Center for Im- migrant Culture and History. Geoff and Harriet Miller, who own the Reher Center, advertized this one-day celebration as being focused on “building community through celebrating diversity,” and it lived up to its billing. There were international foods, folk dances, music, national attire, cultural displays, and children’s activities—all put on by the various local ethnic organizations. The event took place at T.R. Gallo Park, a beautiful water- front park in downtown Kingston, New York. The park is located in what used to be the industrial section of the city—the place where ports on the Hudson River and the rail tracks met and where commerce boomed from the 1700s through the late 1900s. Today the Reher Center is working to record the history of this area and to preserve the cultural heritage of its diverse immigrant popula- tions. This year’s celebration took place on a wonderfully comfortable day with a light breeze. We had a tent under the trees with some of the many illustrative displays our Branch has become known for: “Who We Are,” “Our Community,” a display on the upcoming Ukrainian Cultural Fes- tival at Soyuzivka in Kerhonkson, and a new dis- play on Ukrainian regional dances. We also had examples of Ukrainian cultural art forms, such as embroideries, tapestries, pysanky , dolls, and wooden crafts. Having chosen Ukrainian Dance as our theme this year, we created a Hopak Mural, at which the children thoroughly enjoyed being pho- tographed. We also sold cold water and apricot platsok . We were extremely fortunate to have the Tsvitka Dance Troupe from Sloatsburg, NY, come up and perform for us at the event. This truly re- markable dance troupe is directed by Andrij Cybyk, a former professional dancer and student of the late Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky. The troupe members are extremely dedicated to what they do: many of them have to travel long distances to attend the weekly rehearsals. All of their costumes are handmade in Ukraine, and their pristine ap- pearance testifies to the love and care with which they are handled by the dancers. The troupe’s per- formance was amazing—professional, colorful, precise, and EXCITING! We also had the pleasure of having Korinya Ukrainian Folk Band come to sing and play beautiful Ukrainian folk songs during Tsvit- ka’s costume changes. The band members are part of a family of extremely talented musicians who share their love for their cultural heritage through their music. We were so fortunate to have them both! Their performances were exceptional and the crowd loved them! Our plans are to entice the two collectives to come back and perform again next year. The Block Party had non-stop interna- tional music and dance throughout the day— Native American, Latino, Jewish, Mexican, Scot- tish, Ukrainian, Celtic, Asian Indian, and Gospel. A range of cultural children’s activities, like learn- ing how to do Japanese origami or learning how your name is written in Ukrainian, were available as well. There was also face-painting, various col- oring stations, and other activities. Not all of my Branch sisters were able to
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 
