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Friday, March 31, 2006

Ukrainian journalist arrested ... live on the air

Ukrainian journalist Hanna Horzhenko, in Minsk, Belarus to cover the lead-up to that country's presidential 'election,' was arrested, along with her camerman, by authorities -- while doing a live on-air report!

Have a listen here.

Unbelievable.

It was posted at this blog for Canadian journalists on March 13. Not much disccussion on the site. There seems to be very little outrage in western journalist circles over this violation of freedom of the press in the last communist bastion in Europe.

Shed a tear for the networks

Ahem. What did I say in my last post?

According to an article in the Globe & Mail...

Broadcasters want Ottawa to address several issues that are affecting their sector, including the rise of Internet television. The networks [such as CTV Inc., CanWest Global Communications Corp.'s Global and CHUM Ltd.] are concerned about the threat downloadable programs pose to their businesses ...

At the very least, the broadcasters want to know what the rules will be for Internet TV, and how those revenues will be divided. The push for a TV review comes at a time when the CRTC is already juggling a similar crucial review of the radio sector, which is also worried about splintering audiences as iPods and other new technology such as satellite radio erode its audience share.

Is that sound of an empire imploding?

CanCon on TV -- quantity over quality?

The cancellation of the 2004/05 National Hockey League season ... significantly reduced Canadian content viewing. ... On conventional Canadian television stations, Canadian content dropped to 54.1% in 2004 from 56.5% in 2003. On Canadian pay and specialty channels, Canadian programs accounted for only 36.8% of viewing, down from 44% in 2003.

Gee, maybe they should redefine "Canadian content" then? It's a pretty thin line as it is. What about when two American NHL teams play? Does that fact that some of the players are Canadian make it "Canadian content"? In which case, what if none were?

I dunno. Maybe they should just scrap "CanCon" altogether. Those who actually produce good Canadian programming, music, etc. are on their own anyway. The govt would rather support big media conglomerates, and generally does.

Entire article here.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

ukemonde now blogging!

Please visit the newest Ukrainian Canadian blog!

The blog host is also webmaster of Ukemonde, a great website with lots of useful links to things Ukrainian.

Make sure to add this blog to your blogroll and/or feed reader!

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Another great site for Ukrainian music on the radio and online

I just exchanged links with Robert J. Tomkins , who hosts the Zabava Radio Program in Edmonton. It airs on 790 every Sunday from 7-9 P.M. (MST). That's every Monday from 02:00-04:00 GMT!

If you're confused by time zone conversions, or just want to listen at a time that's convenient for you, it's available here for download anytime.

Great, foot-stomping music that makes it hard to sit still...

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Ukraine election de-briefing video clip

Mr. Pavlo Grod gave an interview yesterday on the Ukrainian television station 5 Kanal for their English language news section. It can be viewed here. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will have to download the video by clicking on the little TV camera.)

The clip will be put up on the Ukrainian Canadian Congress website soon under "UCC in the news."

Thanks to Ostap Skrypnyk, Executive Director Ukrainian Canadian Congress, for circulating this email message.

Ukrainians and Russians, an article and a new book

This post has nothing to do with Ukrainian music, but much to do with Ukrainian history. It is also a piece of shameless self-promotion.

I just read an interesting article on E-Poshta, entitled: "PERSPECTIVES: St. Petersburg's anniversary." Penned by columnist Andrew Fedynsky, it first appeared in the Ukrainian Weekly (05/25/03). Among other things, it's rich with historical context explaining the roots of Ukrainian-Russian animosity:

Although it's more than 600 miles north of Kyiv, St. Petersburg looms large in Ukrainian history and culture. Ukrainians first arrived there in substantial numbers in 1709, after Hetman Ivan Mazepa's defeat at the Battle of Poltava where he fought to free Ukraine from Russian rule. To punish what he saw as disloyalty, [Russian Czar] Peter condemned tens of thousands of Kozaks to build canals and drain marshes, clear forests, drag stones to pave the streets, cut, hew and haul lumber to the banks of the Neva and drive piles, build docks. The slaves lived in crowded, filthy huts in the midst of swamps and squalor. Many died from malaria, scurvy and dysentery. In the wintertime, they froze. According to estimates from Peter's time, at least 100,000 people died building his city.

One hundred twenty years later, another slave arrived there: Taras Shevchenko. Soon, he met fellow Ukrainians, notably, the painter Ivan Soshenko and writer Yevhen Hrebinka who convinced some influential Russian friends to arrange for Shevchenko's emancipation. The rest is history. Once free, Shevchenko applied his genius to the 'Kobzar,' the poetry collection that tapped into the ancient songs he'd heard as a boy. The wandering minstrels who sang them helped Ukraine's peasant-serfs maintain their national consciousness more than two generations after the last Kozak stronghold, the Sich, had been destroyed. Published in 1840 in St. Petersburg, the 'Kobzar' is easily the most important book in Ukrainian history. As for the orphan whose poetry mobilized a defeated nation and changed the course of history, his story has been elevated to mythological levels. "

Now for the self-aggrandizement. My first published work of fiction, a short story about a young Canadian who goes to Ukraine to experience the Orange Revolution, will appear in a book that takes its inspiration from Shevchenko and his book "Kobzar" and hopes to continue his work. The book is a collection of 12 short stories (fiction and non-fiction) spanning 100 years.

The Kobzar's Children: A Century of Untold Ukrainian Stories is scheduled for release in June and of course I'll keep you posted! You can also check the progress on Marsha Skrypuch's blog.

Incidentally, the book is slated for release in the United States in the near future. Stay tuned!

Ruslana takes part in Ukrainian elections

The Ukrainian pop star Ruslana, winner of the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, threw her support firmly behind Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine's recent parliamentary elections.

She's been receiving some criticism for it, as this blog post indicates, but she's really just doing the same as American entertainment celebrities who pubicly supported John Kerry in the last American election.

I think it just shows she is far more "progressive" than most of the folks who like to wear that label.

New trend in talk radio?

The primary focus on Nash Holos is Ukrainian music ... there is so much of it being produced and so little time to share it!

However, I just wanted to share some (what I hope is encouraging) news in the mainstream media that may foreshadow a new trend in the big moneymaker world of talk radio.

A new talk radio program will premiere this week in Washington, DC. called ChickChat Radio. It is billed as "a fun, contemporary, relevant, stylish, unique, non-political, not-for-women-only radio show, with hosts who are never at a loss for words or opinions."

Should be interesting!

Also, a recent survey showed that 70% of the listeners of the highest-profile US shock jock, Howard Stern, did not follow him to satellite radio as he and his new boss hoped, but stayed with FM radio and are enjoying his replacements.

Too bad, so sad. Them's the breaks in the radio biz.

Let hope these news items are an indication that the novelty of trash-talk is wearing off, and that a new trend is developing towards more civil and intelligent conversation on the airwaves.

Of course, you'll find lots of that on the Ukrainian radio programs listed on this blog ... along with GREAT Ukrainian music!

Monday, March 27, 2006

Ukraine blogs on

For those interested in political developments in Ukraine, here's the Guardian's lineup of Ukrainian blogs.

Hat tip to Roman Golash of Ukemonde.

All I will say about the elections in Ukraine is that I fervently hope whoever ends up running the country will firmly support the Ukrainian music industry.

Nash Holos archives updated for 032606

Yesterday's broadcast of Nash Holos is now uploaded.

On Ukrainian Food Flair, Sylvia Pidraziuk Molnar will keep you heart-healthy with a delicious recipe, and shares some fascinating facts and an amusing anecdote about fish.

On Travel Tips for Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Myrna Arychuk of Solaway Travel has a reminder about her fall tour to Greece.

There's also the usual Proverb of the Week, and items of interest to the Ukrainian community in the Lower Mainland ... and beyond. And of course, plenty of Great Ukrainian Music!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Podcasting defined ... and explained

A lot of new words popping up these days thanks to cyber-technology.

The word "podcast" is a concatenation of the words iPod and broadcast. The underlying technology used for podcasts, called RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is capable of containing any type of media including audio, video, graphics, and more.

Here's a link to some Frequently Asked Questions about podcasting.

Incidentally, that (RSS) is exactly the same underlying technology blogs use. It is a fabulous content management system in these days of "information overload." (You gotta know someone as lazy as I wouldn't be manually surfing the 'Net for articles to post here...)

Almond Rocks is the RSS feed I use to scan headlines and blogs. It's a handy, dandy little aggregator and so incredibly easy to use. Highly recommended.

250 Canadian artists to commemorate 20th anniversary of Chornobyl nuclear disaster

Some 250 Canadian artists will take to the stage to commemorate 20th anniversary of Chornobyl nuclear disaster in Toronto.

The memorial fundraising concert, presented by the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, will take place on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 7 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe Street) in Toronto.

Details here.

CBC foreign election coverage

What to make of this?

THE NATIONAL will broadcast live from Jerusalem, Israel from Monday, March 27 to Wednesday, March 29. Chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge and the CBC team will provide in-depth coverage of the March 28 Israeli Election.

It would be nice if our taxpayer-funded national broadcaster similarly covered the Ukrainian elections from March 24-26, since they're going across the ocean anyway. Not that the CBC has ever been interested in anything Ukrainian. I'd be surprised if they even have a single reporter in Ukraine, let alone Mansbridge and his whole entourage.

At least we have Simon and Valentyna from Montreal's Ukrainian Time there right now, and they'll do a better job of reporting on the Ukrainian election than CBC would anyway. Brilliant broacasting team we have in Montreal. Let's hope cyberspace will soon present an opportunity for more of us to enjoy their skills and talent.

Winnipeg's CKJS multicultural station sold

Newcap Inc., (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newfoundland Capital Corporation) announced today that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has approved the purchase of CKJS Limited which holds the CKJS-AM radio broadcast licence in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

CKJS-AM is a multicultural and multilingual station that serves the needs of a diverse cultural population in Winnipeg.


Full story here.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

You are my Sunshine - Mystery solved!

Finally, found the answer to a question Irena Bell, host of Ottawa's Ukrainian radio program had put out in cyberspace.

She wondered if "You Are My Sunshine" was a Ukrainian song, since there are several Ukrainian versions floating around.

The answer is here!

It's not... according to this site, it's the official state song of Louisiana. But it sure is a favourite with Ukrainians everywhere!

You can catch it on Nash Holos every now and again...

Blog Power!

Still not convinced about the power of blogging? This may change your mind:

In December of 2004, [Former Colorado Congressman Bob Schaffer] was in Ukraine helping monitor the Presidential Election. Ballot fraud was so rampant that a genuine revolution erupted in the streets of Kyiv.

It was history in the making. Armed with my BlackBerry, I began tapping messages to friends back in the States. Somehow, my hourly updates made it to
DenverPost.com, and instantly people around the world were following the Orange Revolution through the site in an impromptu blog that day.

The blog had an immediate and powerful impact. Even now, I still get calls and emails, mainly from journalists and history students, about that pivotal election of 2004.

I called about this year's Parliamentary mission and to gauge DenverPost.com's interest in setting up another Ukrainian election blog. The answer is now obvious. Welcome to our "Democracy in Ukraine"
blog."

If blogging brought the Orange Revolution to the world's attention, imagine what it can do for Ukrainian music!

'Nuff said!

Hat tip to Roman Golash.

Ukraine still cherishes orange sounds

According to BBC News , Ukrainians in Ukraine still love the music of the Orange Revolution.

The Ukrainian music industry is struggling, and conditions in the overall business climate are much harsher than in Europe, according to one Ukrainian music producer.

... here we have 80% piracy and in Europe it's 20%.

The pricing makes it even more difficult.

... in Europe a music CD costs on average 12-13 dollars, while here it's four. So it's easy to see how hard it is to do business here.

Ironically, Ukrainian musicians in the Diaspora face the same challenges. It's understandable in Ukraine, where there is still so much poverty. Ever $4 for a CD would be a lot of money for Ukrainian citizens.

But it's chump change for most diaspora Ukrainians, so there is no excuse for distributing pirated CDs. It's illegal (copyright violation) and it harms the Ukrainian music industry everywhere.

Ukrainian CDs are not expensive. They make great gifts. They are easy to purchase online and in many retail locations. So give the gift of (Ukrainian) music. Svih do svoho - buy Ukrainian!

If we all do our part, we will prove that 'razom nas bahato." And isn't that hope what the Orange Revolution symbolizes?

First of RCI series on British Columbia now uploaded

Got an email from Roman Golash telling me that he and Valentyna returned safe and sound back to Montreal, and that Valentyna is off to Ukraine for the parliamentary elections next Sunday.

The first in Valentyna's RCI series on BC has aired. You can listen to it here . When you get there, click on [Слухайте] and enjoy! If you have problems, just go through the main page. Click on Ykpainckoyu movoyu then on ЛИСТіВКИ З КАНАДИ (lystivky z Kanady).

This segment is dedicated to Nanaimo ... the community, the Ukrainian cultural life and history, and includes a visit to the WWI era internment camp where Ukrainians and other East Europeans were (unjustly) imprisoned.

For full detailsof the broadcast, check out Roman's comment posted here.

And don't forget to check out his awesome website ukemonde! I see he's set up a Blogger account so hopefully the blogging bug has bit him too! ;-)

Let's hope he's just fiddling around...

According to The Daily News, Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac intends to run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Given his artistic endeavors (as described in the article), maybe he should stick to music. That at least isn't too bad, although being on the east coast, he doesn't seem to be aware of Canada's great Ukrainian fiddlers found in groups such as The Kubasonics and The Ukrainian Old Timers.

As this online essay describes, the late great Al Cherney could play the fiddle behind his back and then under one leg while he balanced on the other. Maybe Ashley could pull that off, but betcha he can't do it with as big a smile on his face!

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Vancouver's radio archives updated for 031906

Audio files for Nash Holos March 19 broadcast have been uploaded on the website.

Here are the details.

Good question

In the Edmonton Sun on 031906:

Off to Ukraine next week, his third electoral supervision visit in 16 months, is Edmonton East MP Peter Goldring.

Since witnessing the Orange Revolution in 2004, Goldring has become fascinated by Ukraine, ... Besides, Peter's wife Lorraine (maiden name Taschuk) is of Ukrainian descent.

Is there a person in Western Canada without some Ukrainian connection?

Friday, March 17, 2006

On Nash Holos this Sunday ...

Tune into to Nash Holos this Sunday at 6 p.m. on 1320AM CHMB (97.5 FM (Cable))

On Ukrainian Food Flair, Sylvia Pidraziuk Molnar has some interesting info about caraway seeds in Ukrainian cookery, and a unique recipe for pork roast using them.

On Travel Tips for Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Myrna Arychuk of Solaway Travel has fascinating facts about Bukovyna and as usual, great advice for travellers to Ukraine.

As usual there will be a Proverb of the Week and items of interest to the Ukrainian community in the Lower Mainland ... and beyond.

And of course, plenty of Great Ukrainian Music! Our CD of the Week is Outlaw Angel: Bandura Favourites by Roman Bociurkiw. Roman was a well-known and well-loved busker on the streets of Vancouver before his untimely death in 2002. This CD was produced by his sister in his memory.

Don't forget to tune in to Chetverta Khvylia too, at 1:30 p.m. on 90.1FM CJSF and enjoy Pavlo's dulcet tones... it's live streaming at www.cjsf.ca, for those outside the Vancouver listening area.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Maintaining the status quo

CBC radio guru Tod Maffin gives a Reader's Digest version of a recent request by private broadcasters for the CRTC to reduce CanCon requirements. (The original article is here .)

Apparently the private broadcasters are saying that airing a minimum of 35% Canadian content makes it too tough for them to compete against the new technology.

Oh dear. Those poor big corporations just can't compete with creative and innovative upstarts who love broadcasting more than beancounting. Doesn't that just break your heart?

Part of their proposal also calls for the "creation of a reporting template that radio stations can use to annually assess their progress in advancing cultural diversity."

Great. Lip service in writing... How innovative.

My lunch with Valentyna and Roman

I just got back from having lunch with the most delightful couple.

The lovely Valentyna Golash hosts Ukrainian Time, the Ukrainian program in Montreal. Her charming husband, Roman Golash, is the webmaster of the interesting and highly informative Ukemonde website.

Valentyna was commissioned to produce a feature on BC by Radio Canada International, where she also does Ukrainian programming. Roman decided to take some holidays and come along for the ride, and they've been doing a whirlwind tour of the west coast.

Roman and I had met in cyberspace several years ago, when the internet was still new. I'd also corresponded occasionally with Valentyna on radio business and of course heard her on her program. It was wonderful to finally meet in person.

They've been staying in downtown Vancouver and came to my neck of the woods via Skytrain, Vancouver's vaunted elevated rapid transit system. We lunched at the White Spot restaurant, where Roman had one of their famous (and fabulous) burgers, and Valentyna (who is doing a strict lenten fast ... crazy girl! ... she's off to Ukraine next week!) had the veggie garden burger. (I had eggs benny, if anyone's interested.) They gave me a gorgeous RCI shirt and I gave them my typical and boring "gift" of CDs of my and Pavlo's programs.

It was like lunching with old friends and two hours was not nearly enough time! We promised each other we'd meet again soon. Meanwhile, keep an eye out at RCI's website and check out Valentyna's impression of BC!

Ukrainian internet TV

Well, in Canada you can at least get Ukrainian TV on the Internet, thanks to UkrainaTV.

It's fairly interactive, and quite inexpensive. The website has just been revamped and spiffed up. They even have Ukrainian music there, both CDs and MP3s.

Well worth checking out.

Time to switch from cable to satellite

I'd sure love to get the new Ukrainian TV channel being broadcast to the diaspora.

... the channel's mission would not be to bring ethnic Ukrainians back to their homeland, but to give them a feel for what's going on in Ukraine. ...

Serhiy Demyanchuk, Channel 1+1’s marketing director, said that the new channel’s revenues will come from subscription fees ... the channel would extensively be using the archive programming by Channel 1+1 and Ukrainian films that are in public domain...


Hmm ... wonder if there will English subtitles?

Demyancuk said he expected the number of subscribers to reach 10,000 by fall.

Subtitles might just boost subcriber numbers. While they're at it, how about piping in Ukrainian music too?

Er, forget that. No point putting myself out of business.

Good for Yushchenko -- values Ukrainian language

According to the Kyiv Post, Yushchenko urges youth to study Ukrainian...

'To freely speak Ukrainian, and also Russian, English, Germany and French - that's a sign of a modern, educated young person,' Yushchenko said.

This is what Ukrainians have been saying for ages ... over 100 years ago they brought that attitude with them to Canada, where it wasn't appreciated, either. As a result, most of the 1m+ Ukrainian Canadians lost the language under intense pressure to assimilate ... and survive.

What is it about the Ukrainian language and culture that makes the world try to annihilate it?

Good thing Ukrainians know how to survive when pushed into the ground .... kinda like crab-grass. ;-)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Nash Holos blog updates

Just to let you know that I've added a few more links on the right-hand column of this blog.

Also, there are a few new links on the Resources page at the Nash Holos website. One of these days I'll have to do "spring cleaning" and check all the links there to make sure they are still live.

It's a toss-up which will come first in my spring cleaning ... the website or my house. I know which one needs it more. (Hint: I allow more visitors to my website than to my house!)

Anyway, in both cases I'll be listening to Ukrainian music to lessen the tedium. I'll let you know when the job is done. A note of warning, though. I hate housework, so don't hold your breath. ;-)

In the meantime, check out the new links. Some very useful and interesting sites.

Philadelphia's Ukrainian radio program

I just had to share my excitement at coming across this incredible website of the Ukrainian community in Philadelphia, PA! What a vibrant bunch ... Molodetz!

Among all their activities, they produce a Ukrainian radio program too! So if you weren't aware of it, here's another source for Ukrainian music, as well as news and views locally and internationally. You can listen live Saturday mornings and it's also archived so you can listen anytime.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Pysanka workshops

For those in the Greater Vancouver area looking for pysanka workshops, there are several coming up. If you missed the ones in Surrey in February or want more, there are a couple coming up at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic parish in Vancouver. Also, Joan Brander of Baba's Beeswax will be giving a number of workshops around the Lower Mainland between now and Easter.

Details at the Nash Holos website.

Not sure if there will be Ukrainian music at any of them, but you will get to enjoy the smell of melting beeswax!

Monday, March 13, 2006

Vancouver's radio archives updated for 031206

Vancouver's Ukrainian radio website has been updated with the March 12 broadcast for your immediate listening pleasure, and/or to download onto your hard drives, iPods or mp3 players.

On Nash Holos, check out Ukrainian Food Flair for an interesting .. and, as usual, tasty ... recipe for breakfast pancakes by Sylvia Pidraziuk Molnar. On Travel Tips for Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Myrna Arychuk of Solaway Travel has some great advice for travellers on gift-giving for relatives in Ukraine. And of course, as usual there's plenty of GREAT Ukrainian music!

Chetverta Khvylia is also updated. As usual Pavlo brings you the latest news from Ukraine, in Ukrainian ... along with some fabulous contemporary Ukrainian music.

Montreal radio program archives updated for 031106

Ukrainian Time (1280 AM Radio CFMB) is a mostly Ukrainian-language radio programme serving the Montreal community since 1963. Hosted by Valentyna Golash.

Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 6 PM:

1. News from Ukraine - Read by Rostyslav Nyemtsev and Valentyna Golash.

2. Ukrainian Government Delegation visits Canada. This delegation negotiated the inclusion of Ukraine in the World Trade Organization. (Radio Canada International)

3. Report on March 26 voting points in Canada. Prepared by Lina Gavrilova. (Radio Canada International)

4. Recitation of Taras Shevchenko poetry by special guest from Ukraine, Rev. Petro Boyko.

5. Blahovisnyk (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada). Fr Ihor Kutash presents the first Sunday of Great Lent - Sunday of Orthodoxy.

Musical artists: Anytchka, Pikkardiyska Tersia and Boris Hmyria.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

1648 Ukrainian war re-enactment in Texas

Special Press Release:

1648 Ukrainian War of liberation Fought Again!

Tyler, Texas - Re-enactors from across America are converging on the Four Winds Renaissance faire on April 8th and 9th to fight out a battle from the 1648 Ukrainian War of Liberation complete with cannons, winged hussars, and Cossacks!

In what may be the largest recreation of this period in America, living history groups and re-enactors from California to Virginia have been planning this event for over a year. Up to six cannon, fifty fighting men and women, period firearms and more will bring back to life the struggle that gave birth to the Ukrainian State.

The sabre fighting will be of the kind known as live blade. That means that these highly trained combatants will be actually fighting with real steel weapons not fencing or stage fakes! They really fight in un-choreographed duels that strike home with a surprising force.

Great care has gone into all the details to ensure that the re-enactment will be as accurate as possible down to smallest items such as three pronged forks to the matchlock musquets used in the battle.

Apart from the twice daily battles there will also be living history presentations and even a Cossack wargame demonstration, something for everyone!

For more information regarding the battle or the groups involved please contact: Adam Roberts at maks_zobi@msn.com.

For more information regarding Four Winds Renaissance faire please see: http://www.fourwindsfaire.com

- 30 -

Hmmm ... wonder if they will have Ukrainian music from that period, too? Too bad Vancouver is so far from Texas!

British group The Ukrainians release CD in Ukraine

British ethno-punk band The Ukrainians presented their latest (4th) album Respublika in Ukraine on March 3.

This group, a favourite on Nash Holos, is known for taking Ukrainian music mainstream. Their self-titled first album was released in 1991 and the song Oy Divchyno made it to the top of the British pop charts. They travelled to Ukraine in 1993 and performed at Maidan Nezalezhnosti.

The new album consists of Ukrainian folk songs remastered by the band, as well as some lively covers of Sex Pistols tracks. Ukrainian music lovers can purchase it at www.umka.com.ua and select retail outlets in Kyiv and elsewhere.

More here in the Kyiv Post.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Kozak branch sich in NY state

Sounds like a fun group:

The United Brotherhood of Khmelnychenky is a fraternal organization affiliated with Plast - Ukrainian Youth Association. ... The goal of the Xmelnyckenky is to carry on the observance of honor, valor and brotherhood in a Ukrainian setting and Kozak Tradition.

... As in times of old when Kozaks would assemble to make decisions in matters of mutual interest, the Xmeli assemble twice a year to review previous activity, renew old ties, and make plans for the future.

The Plast Command has called upon the Xmeli time and time again to run their annual and world jamborees, most recently the 50th anniversary of the Plast campsite in East Chatham, NY. The Xmeli have always responded in true Kozak style, and carried out their duties serving God and country.

We are the Xmeli. Join the Kozak brotherhood.


Bet there's some great Ukrainian music happening at that branch sich!

Media deregulation - good or bad?

I'm not sure about this movement stateside:

... critics who blamed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 for creating consolidation in the broadcast industry say certain forces are back again, quietly calling on the FCC to provide additional deregulation.

On the one hand, it's true that big companies could tie up the marketplace and exert control over the media, and we've certainly seen that. On the other hand, deregulation allows smaller media companies to emerge in the wake of the inevitable implosion of the big ones, and end up providing more choice for consumers.

Granted, implosions take a long time, and a lot of damage can be done in the interim by oligopoly types.

But still ... can attempts to prevent such damage also be harmful, and end up merely creating competing cartels? (In my experience as an ethnic broadcaster since 1990, it sure seems like that has been the case so far.)

Monday, March 06, 2006

Live feed now available to Edmonton's Ukrainian program

Roman Brytan, producer and host of the Ukrainian program in Edmonton, reports that his station's website now has live streaming audio, so you can catch his program live.

So, Mondays 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays thru Fridays 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time, just go to worldfm.ca , click on "listen live" then sit back and enjoy!

Vancouver's radio archives updated for 030506

Vancouver's Ukrainian radio website has been updated with yesterday's broadcasts for your immediate listening pleasure, and/or to download onto your hard drives, iPods or mp3 players.

On Nash Holos, get the scoop on eggplant and a great recipe for mock caviar with Sylvia Pidraziuk Molnar on Ukrainian Food Flair. Find out all about Lviv and an upcoming tour that includes this beautiful city with Myrna Arychuk of Solaway Travel, on our Travel Tips segment. And as usual, there's plenty of GREAT Ukrainian music!

Chetverta Khvylia is also updated. As usual Pavlo brings you the latest news from Ukraine, in Ukrainian ... along with some fabulous contemporary Ukrainian music.

Montreal radio program archives updated for 030406

Ukrainian Time (1280 AM Radio CFMB) is a mostly Ukrainian-language radio programme serving the Montreal community since 1963. Hosted by Valentyna Golash.

Highlights:
1. News from Ukraine ... Prepared by Rostyslav Nyemtsev.

2. Interview with Vira Ulianchenko ... member of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) talks about the political situation in Ukraine.

3. Ukrainian Catholic Programme (in Ukrainian)

♪ Ukrainian music artists: Pryvit, Scriabin and Mandry.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

TV ... coming soon to a computer near you!

Maybe now we'll finally get some real choice.

This month some lucky folks will be the first to get TV channels on their computers.

Offering consumers 75 channels of 'On Demand' content delivered to their television screens via any DSL or broadband connection ... EWAN believes it is the first company with the ability to deliver Internet TV with the clarity of high definition to its subscribers' TV sets.

It's being offered on a global basis, in 36 languages including Ukrainian. And in HD yet!

Read about it here.

And now for something completely different

And this certainly is different!

... the signature sound of legendary alternative rock band, Depeche Mode has been translated to The Sims native Simlish language for the first time ever. ... The Sims development team created the unique Simlish language by experimenting with fractured Ukrainian and Tagalog, the language of the Philippines. Inspired by the code talkers of WWII, Sims creator Will Wright also suggested experimenting with Navajo.

Guess it's an illlustration of how language evolves?

Orysia's garden

This has nothing to do with Ukrainian music, really... but just had to offer kudos to a fellow writer/broadcaster for a(nother) publishing credit.

Orysia Tracz, translator of three publications from Ukrainian into English, provides two articles on Ukrainian folklore and folk medicine.

The book is the 2006 Prairie Garden and is available now.

Congratulations, Orysia! Molodetz!

Now off I go to order my copy! (Svih do svoho, eh?)

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Volyn coming to North America

Just got word from Leo Oleksiuk of Ablaze Productions that the Ukrainian folk and dance ensemble Volyn will be on a North American tour this summer.

Dates, times and venues still being worked out ...

In the meantime, you can get CDs and videos of Ukrainian music and dance, by such groups as Volyn, from Ablaze Productions here.

Stay tuned for details of the tour! If you haven't heard Volyn yet, check the Nash Holos audio archives ... they get a fair bit of airplay there.

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Giving Tuesday - Worthy Ukrainian (and other) causes to support

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