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24 OUR LIFE • January-February 2023 For years, when I was still living with my parents, in - variably our dinner conversations centered around the historical struggles of Ukraine. My parents would lament Ukraine’s misfortunes, and I would counter with the positives such as the rich culture, traditions, the topographical beauty of the land, the good na - ture of the people. I would romanticize the musical - ity, the dance, the melodious language. Most of all, the nation’s resiliency and courage. Ukrainians have withstood centuries of invasions and attempts at as - similation by greedy neighbors. Today, however, my perspective is more aligned with that of my parents and their generation. As a result of russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I have come to under - stand their reality more intimately. I’m certainly not walking in their shoes, but even from afar, the cur - rent war in Ukraine is palpable to me via social media, thereby allowing me to experience virtually a fraction of their wartime reality. My mother often commu - nicated with clarity her escape just kilometers from the approaching Bolshevik front. My father spoke through the lens of a freedom fighter in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during World War II. Their war was 80 years ago. But can it be relevant now? I contend that it can, and it is! As we all know, Ukraine is in the midst of a savage war, one that no one expected to endure this long. I believe there is a reason why Ukraine is so indomitable and possibly resilient to its enemy. It is because of her his - tory, which is wrought with tragedy and struggle. Fundamentally, today the Ukrainian people are be - ing forced to continue the fierce struggle started by the UPA against the same enslaver – the russian re - gime. In 1942 the people of Ukraine created the UPA to fight its numerous enemies. It was a guerrilla war, supported by the population. Without the valiant lib - eration efforts of the OUN-UPA, it is safe to say there would be no Ukraine to fight for today. This past October 2022, to honor the freedom fight - ers of the UPA, their children and direct descendants commemorated the 80th anniversary of their fight for freedom with a series of memorial concerts in Whippany, NJ; Philadelphia (Jenkintown), PA; and Chicago, IL. The programs were varied but with a common con - text and resonance. Connections were made and tribute was paid equally to the freedom fighters of the UPA and the ZSU (Armed Forces of Ukraine). All the concerts were honored by the presence of Volo- dymyr Viatrovych and Mykola Posivnych, both Ukrain - ian historians, civic activists, and politicians. These notable keynote speakers travelled from Ukraine spe - cifically to participate in our events. All the concert programs included performances by both young and established singers, choirs, and dance ensembles. Audiences had the opportunity to For Honor, for Glory, for the People! From UPA to ZSU The Solaway Band and Iskra Dancers at the UPA 80th Anniversary Commemorative Concert in Whippany, NJ. Zenia Kowalczyn Brozyna , Branch 88, Philadelphia, PA
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