Ukrainian radio shows in Canada

These programs broadcast on a wide variety of stations, ranging from commercial to community and campus radio. Many are bilingual, and accessible to the "Ukrainian-impaired." 

Some programs (like mine) have been on the air for decades. Others are more recent. With few exceptions, they are produced and hosted by underpaid if not unpaid broadcasters who pump out their programs week after week as a “labour of love” on behalf of the community.

In decades past, Ukrainian Canadian radio programs had limited distribution, for a variety of reasons. Some smaller stations had low-power transmission towers with weak signals. Also, since most programs are produced and hosted by volunteers or self-funded individuals, there are insufficient resources to promote the programs. Conventional wisdom holds that Ukrainian programs are not able to generate sufficient revenues for the radio stations that air them to justify the expense of promoting them.

Today, however, listeners can tune in to radio stations around the world on computers and mobile devices, to access any program they want broadcasting from anywhere in the world.

Listeners looking for “something different” from the mainstream are increasingly finding our programs online. Those who do are discovering the joy of Ukrainian music and folklore, and learning about Ukraine and its history in the process.

If you’re looking for Ukrainian shows to listen to, check out the list below.

Ukrainian Radio Programs across Canada

Quebec:

Montreal

Program: Ukrainian Time

Producer: Simon Kouklewsky.

Content: Variety show featuring local and international news, politics, Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox religious broadcasts, interviews, and Ukrainian music.

Details: Saturdays at 6-7 pm EST on AM1280 CFMB Montreal

Live stream & station information: www.cfmb.ca

Podcast/program information: www.ukrainiantime.com 

Ontario:

Ottawa

Program: Ukrainian Hour

Producer & Host: Irena Bell

Content: Variety program featuring contemporary and traditional music, news, interviews, reports, cultural curiosities, and more.

Details: Sundays 6-7pm EST on CJLL 97.9FM CHIN Radio Ottawa

Live stream & station/program information: www.chinradioottawa.com

Podcast link:http://chinradioottawa.com/index.php/podcast/ukrainian

Toronto:

Program: Radio Meest

Host: Yuri Kus and guest hosts

Content: Live variety program featuring music, local and international news, interviews and community events.

Details: Daily 9-10 pm EST on CIRV 88.9FM  

Live stream & station/program information: www.cirvfm.com 

*****

Program: Prometheus

Host: Roman Halushchak 

Content: Live info-political program with news from Ukraine, Canada and around the world, as well as weekly segments about health and music.

Details: Sundays 4-5 pm EST on AM1540 Chin Radio Toronto

Live stream & station/program information: www.chinradio.com

Windsor

Program: Sounds of Ukraine

Host: Karen Momotiuk

Content: Variety music program featuring Ukrainian folk classics and dance music

Details: Saturdays 11am - 12pm EST on 99.1FM CJAM University of Windsor campus radio

Live stream & station/program information: www.cjam.ca

London

Program: Nasha Kasha

Host: Stefan Andrusiak

Content: Talk show featuring interesting guests from the local Ukrainian community.

Details: Sunday 5:30-6pm EST on CHRW-FM Western University campus radio.

Live stream & station/program information: http://www.radiowestern.ca

Manitoba:

Portage La Prairie, MB

Program: Saturday Night Polka Party

Host: Ryan Simpson

Content: Zabava-type program featuring polkas and old-tyme fiddle and dance music by artists from around Canada and the United States, as well as young local up-and-coming polka bands.

Details: Saturdays 7-10pm CST on CFRY Radio 920 AM / 93.1 FM

Live stream & station/program information: www.cfryradio.ca

Winnipeg

Program: Ukrainian Radio Program

Hosts: Ivas Zulyniak (Mon & Tue), Marta Skrypnyk (Wed) Ness Michaels (Fri & Sat)

Content: An eclectic mix of the newest pop and rock music from Ukraine, dance favourites, folk classics, Zabava music and more.

Details: Monday-Friday 7-8pm CST Saturdays 5-6pm on CKJS AM810

Live stream & station information: http://www.ckjs.com/

Saskatchewan:

Regina

Program: Muzyka Ukraine

Hosts: Yars Lozowchuk and Ginger Merk

Content: Musical variety show featuring contemporary music from Ukraine

Details: Wednesdays 3-4pm CST on CJTR 91.3FM community radio Regina

Live stream & station information: www.cjtr.ca

Alberta:

Canmore

Program: Zabava Program

Host: Steven Chwok

Content: A mix of traditional country-style Ukrainian Canadian dance music from the prairies and more contemporary fare.

Details: Sundays 7-9pm MST on AM840 CFCW Edmonton

Live stream & station information: www.cfcw.com

*****

Program: BUC Program [Brotherhood of Ukrainian Catholics, Edmonton Eparchy]

Host: Roman Kravec

Content: Ukrainian Catholic perspective featuring news on "Our Church"  from Ukraine, Canada, and local as well as music and interviews primarily (but not exclusively) religious in nature.

Details: Sunday 6 -6:30 pm MST on 101.7FM World FM

Live stream & station information: www.worldfm.ca

*****

Program: Vechirnia Hodyna

Host: Father Gabriel Haber OSBM (Order of Saint Basil the Great in Canada)

Content: Gospel reading for the day, with commentary by Father Gabriel, and Ukrainian religious (primarily classical choral) music.

Details: Sunday 6:30-7 pm MST 101.7FM World FM

Live stream & station information: www.worldfm.ca

*****

Program: Sounds Ukrainian

Hosts: Orest and Lada

Content: An eclectic mix of the newest in Ukrainian music: rock, pop, alternative, hip hop, club, classical, experimental, folk, blues, jazz and more.

Details: Fridays 7-8:30 pm MST FM88 CJSR Radio  University of Alberta campus radio

Live stream & station information: www.cjsr.com

British Columbia:

Nanaimo

Program: Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

Hosts: Paulette “Pawlina” Demchuk MacQuarrie, Oksana Poberezhnyk

Content: Variety show featuring Ukrainian music, interviews, Ukrainian Food Flair, Ukraine Jewish Heritage, cultural curiosities, and more. First hour with Pawlina in English, second hour with Oksana in Ukrainian.

Details: Wednesdays 11am-1 pm, Radio Malaspina 101.7FM.
Live stream & station information: www.chly.ca

Podcast/archives/program information: www.nashholos.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NashHolos
Twitter: @NashHolos 

Vancouver

Program: Четверта Хвиля (Chetverta Khvilya)

Host: Pavlo Manugevych

Content: Variety show featuring Ukrainian music, interviews, and more.

Details: Saturdays 11am -12pm CJSF 90.1fm

Live stream & station information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UkrainianCanada/:

Program: Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio

Host: Paulette “Pawlina” Demchuk MacQuarrie

Content: Variety show featuring Ukrainian music, interviews, Ukrainian Food Flair, Ukraine News Outlook, cultural curiosities, and more.

Details: Vancouver broadcast: Sundays 5-6 pm PST on AM1320 CHMB Vancouver.

Live stream & station information: www.am1320.com

Podcast/archives/program information: www.nashholos.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NashHolos
Twitter: @NashHolos

 

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New director chosen for the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies

Dr. Volodymyr Kravchenko
New CIUS director.

Volodymyr Kravchenko, a well-known specialist in Ukrainian historiography and a professor of history at the V. N. Karazin National University of Kharkiv, Ukraine, is the new director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta.

Professor Kravchenko has taught history at universities in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, the US and Canada. He is the current president of the International Association for the Humanities and the author of about 150 publications, including five monographs.

Professor Kravchenko is also known as a promoter of Ukrainian studies. He is a founder and chair of the Department of Ukrainian Studies at the Kharkiv University, a founder and editor-in-chief of the journal Skhid-Zakhid (East-West), a member of the National Committee of Historians of Ukraine, and director of the Kowalsky Eastern Ukrainian Institute.

Professor Kravchenko was appointed CIUS director after an international search, and replaces Dr. Zenon Kohut, who has semi-retired. (Listen to conversation with Dr. Kohut here.) 

The new director intends to promote modernization of Ukrainian studies in the world, as well as to teach history and historiography of Eastern Europe at the University of Alberta.

The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies is a leading centre of Ukrainian studies outside Ukraine that conducts research and scholarship in Ukrainian and Ukrainian-Canadian studies. More information about the institute is available at the CIUS website.

************

Canadians of European heritage commemorate Black Ribbon Day acros Canada today

August 23 marks the date of signing the Molotov-Ribbentropp Pact, and it has become the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of communism and Nazism.

In Canada, a movement called Black Ribbon Day is starting to gain momentum as an annual commemoration. Our federal government acknowledges it, and today issued this statement:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today to mark Black Ribbon Day, the national day of remembrance for the victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe: 

“Today, we take the time to offer our sympathy and support to those who have been victims of Communism and Nazi totalitarianism, and to remember those persecuted who are no longer with us.  

“Canada has long been a beacon of hope for those looking to flee the heavy hand of dictatorships and oppressive regimes. 

“The marking of Black Ribbon Day in Canada shows that our country condemns crimes against humanity, and that we will forever and always be a stalwart champion for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, also issued a statement of support for this commemoration.

Hopefully future prime ministers and governments will continue to issue such statements and show their support every year on this date.

The Molotov-Ribbentrop Act is not as well known in North America as it should be. Which is unfortunate. Much can be learned from it by those who seek to prevent and end war. Provided, of course, that they can see past their own ideology to the patterns that human nature has created over the millenia.

According to Wikipedia:

The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact is also known as the Nazi–Soviet Pact, Hitler–Stalin Pact, German–Soviet Non-aggression Pact and sometimes the Nazi–Soviet Alliance.

At the beginning of the 1930s, the Nazi Party's rise to power increased tensions between Germany, the Soviet Union and other countries with ethnic Slavs, which were considered "Untermenschen" according to Nazi racial ideology.

Moreover, the anti-Semitic Nazis associated ethnic Jews with both communism and financial capitalism, both of which they opposed.

In 1934, Hitler himself had spoken of an inescapable battle against both Pan-Slavism and Neo-Slavism, the victory in which would lead to "permanent mastery of the world", though he stated that they would "walk part of the road with the Russians, if that will help us."

Well politics does make strange bedfellows. And, obviously, fickle ones.

But as these 20th century totalitarians played their parlour games, millions died horrible deaths.

The thing is, though, that the totalitarians didn't do it on their own. They couldn't possibly. They had to employ useful idiots, many of whom by the time they got to the killing fields, realized too late that they had been duped and conned.

Others (like those today) remained in denial, in blind adherence to their ideologies.

At 7pm tonight Vancouver's Central and Eastern European communities will gather at St. Peter's Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church on 6520 Oak St. (SE corner of Oak and 49th) to remember the victims of Nazism and Communism.

Many members of Vancouver's Ukrainian community have first-hand experience of the horrific consequences of this diabolical pact. Somehow they managed to survive the useful idiots in the employ of both of these evil totalitarian regimes.

One can only hope that Black Ribbon Day and the presence of survivors at the gatherings will help to ensure that history will not soon repeat itself.

*******

 

March 9th is Ukrainian Literature Day!

Officially launched in March 2009 by the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) with a postcard campaign, Ukrainian Literature Day is being marked this year by the Ukrainian Canadian students’ organization SUSK and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC).

March 9 is the birth date of Taras Shevchenko, a persecuted yet still prolific Ukrainian poet and artist who is widely regarded as Ukraine’s literary father. He is also renowned and revered for his impact on the development of the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian culture and the strengthening of the Ukrainian identity.

So it is fitting that this date was chosen as Ukrainian Literature Day across Canada.

Canada to shine spotlight on issues in contemporary Ukraine

An international forum and conference  will take place on March 7th and 8th, 2012 at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario.

The one and a half day conference, entitled “Ukraine at the Crossroads” is a landmark event

Ukrainian Canadian Congress opens national office in Ottawa

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) will inaugurate its National office and hold its board meeting in Ottawa on February 25-26, 2012.

The National Office will be led

Happy New Year & Merry Christmas!

To some such a greeting on Jan. 6 may seem late and backwards, but Ukrainians will "get" it.

After all, on the Julian calendar this is Christmas Eve, and many Ukrainian Canadians are just beginning their second round of Christmas celebrations... after celebrating it on the Gregorian calendar with the rest of the non-Ukrainian and non-Eastern Orthodox/Christian world.

That is certainly the case for me. My DH (a.k.a. Dear Husband) and I celebrated Christmas with my extended family in Winnipeg last month ... parents, siblings, in-laws, nephews, nieces, and beautiful, charming, delightful, brand-new great-niece. And a good friend or two.

Now I'm ready for Christmas, Round 2, with west-coast cousins, and cousin-by-marriage Sandy Kosolowsky.

Sandy owns and operates Sandy's Ukrainian Kitchen here in Nanaimo and puts on a Ukrainian Christmas dinner in

Canada honours memory of Ukrainians murdered by Stalin's famine

The week of November 21-27 is the fourth annual National Holodomor Awareness Week, which was first launched by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

The goal is to annually unite the Ukrainian community and all Canadians in remembering the victims and raising awareness of this genocide the 1932-33 Ukrainian famine genocide known as Holodomor (translation: death by hunger).

This year, International Holodomor Memorial Day will be observed on

Canada's Prime Minister acknowledges 78th anniversary of the Holodomor

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued this statement today:
“On Saturday, November 26, I join Canadians in remembering and honouring the millions of men, women and children who suffered horribly and perished during the Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932-1933. Moreover, I encourage all Canadians to participate in the many Holodomor commemoration ceremonies taking place this weekend across the country to learn about this terrible episode in human history.

“The Ukrainian famine, under the oppressive Soviet communist regime of Josef Stalin, remains one of the most atrocious crimes against humanity ever perpetrated. It also reminds us of

Nominations officially opened for Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism

Jason Kenney, Canada's Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, calls on Canadians to submit nominations for the 4th annual Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism.

The award pays tribute to people in Canada who have contributed to multiculturalism and the integration of new Canadians. It commemorates the legacy of the late Senator Paul Yuzyk, who worked to establish multiculturalism as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian identity.

Here's the public service announcement in both official languages. (Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be in Ukrainian. It's still not an official language here in Canada. LOL)





While a single winner of the award is chosen each year, their selection is from one of two categories: Outstanding Achievement or Lifetime Achievement.

The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes

Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Vancouver

Mir Huculak in a playful pose with cultural artifacts
at the Ukraine Pavilion during Fusion Fest 2011 in
Surrey. The giant pysanka egg he's holding is the
creation of Marcia Moroz, a Richmond artist.
Photo credit: Marcia Moroz.

Mir Huculak is a very well-known personality in the BC Ukrainian community to which he has devoted himself for decades.

Less well-known perhaps are the details and scope of his work and accomplishments over the years, in particular the past 3 or 4 years as Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Vancouver.

In my 20+ years here on the west coast of Canada, I have noticed that at any festival where there is Ukrainian presence, it’s impossible to not bump into Mir!

However, quite frankly I had no idea really what exactly it is that a Consul (or for that matter a Consolate) does.

At one festival this past summer I had the good fortune to chat with Mir for a few minutes. He graciously agreed to come on the show to tell Nash Holos listeners a bit about his role as Honorary Consul of Ukraine in British Columbia, what function a consulate serves and some of projects he is currently working on at the consulate.

Our interview aired on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio in Vancouver on AM1320 on October 23, 2011, and on the PCJ Radio Network the following weekend. You can hear the full interview here.

The consulate of Ukraine for British Columbia is located at #807-938 Howe Street, Vancouver. If you’d like to meet with Mir, you can book an appointment by phone at (604) 331-2505 or by email.

Transcript of Prime Minister Harper's speech upon accepting the Shevchenko medal from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress

Greetings to the Most Reverend Bishop Chmilar, and Your Grace Bishop Andriy.

Thank you Paul for those kind words.

I am honoured to receive this award and such a warm welcome from the Ukrainian-Canadian community.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress does tremendous work to promote the Ukrainian cause in Canada. So let’s

Ukrainian-Canadian community honours Prime Minister Stephen Harper

In Toronto today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper accepted the Shevchenko Medal Award, for his and the Canadian Government’s many contributions to the Ukrainian-Canadian community and the people of Ukraine.

The Shevchenko Medal Award is the highest form of recognition given out by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. It recognizes individuals for their outstanding national contribution towards the development of the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper recives Taras Shevchenko medal
from Ukrainian Canadian Congress president Paul Grod.

"I am honoured to receive this prestigious award that recognizes the significant efforts our Government has made to address the needs and interests of our vibrant Ukrainian-Canadian community and to strengthen our ties with Ukraine," said Prime Minister Harper. "Our Government will continue to acknowledge and embrace the contributions of Ukrainians, their struggles for independence and their contributions to Canadian society."

The Harper government has taken

Spectacular violinist coming to Canadian stages starting in Vancouver

One of the performers traveling across Canada this month with The Talents of Ukraine 2011 show tour is contemporary violinist Innesa Tymochko. Now a New Yorker, Innesa originally hails from Lviv, Ukraine where she studied music and launched a musical career that had her performing on stages throughout Europe.

In a recent interview on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio, she revealed that she was a child prodigy at age 6. While she studied classical violin, she was also enthralled by the beauty and power of traditional Ukrainian folk music. In fact she was so drawn to it that she developed her own "fusion" style of contemporary Ukrainian folk music.

With charming candour, she admits to an abiding love of Ukrainian folk music, the stage, and pleasing audiences with her music. This woman's joy of performing shines through the minute she first pulls the bow across the strings. She'll then take you on a musical journey that is guaranteed to pluck the heartstrings of any Ukrainian folk music lover.

This will be Innesa's first trip to Canada and she is very excited to be part of this tour. It starts out in Vancouver on Tuesday, October 11 at the Vancouver Center for the Performing Arts. After that it's on to Vernon for a Wednesday evening performance, then to other points east, wrapping up in Montréal on October 25.

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, don't wait a minute longer! This will be a show you don't want to miss.

Along with Innesa, you'll be delighted with the performances of two outstanding singers from Ukraine as well as the spectacular Donbas Song and Dance Company of Ukraine. Tickets for the performances in Western Canada can be purchased from Ticketmaster, and elsewhere from the venues where the show is being held. Details at the Boen Arts website and in earlier posts (here and here). 

Innesa has her own website which is www.innesa.com and you can read more about her and order her CDs there.

Meanwhile, I found a few YouTube videos of Innesa performing. They’ll give you an idea of her onstage charisma. But there’s nothing like the real thing! So I hope you'll join me in seeing her perform live on stage in Vancouver... or at a venue close to you.

This is Vivaldi's Storm, which opened the show we chatted on:



This is her performing Podolianka at her own wedding.



...and someone else's wedding (where she puts me in mind of the late Al Czerny):



For those earlybirds amongst us, here she is doing a medley of Ukrainian Christmas tunes:



And one more medley of Ukrainian folk tunes:

See you at the show!

Congrats to 16 UofM students for achievement awards!

The Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies at my alma mater, the University of Manitoba, recognized 16 students for high achievement in course work for the 2010-11 academic year.

The students were honoured at

Two of Canada's senior cabinet ministers congratulate Ukraine on 20 years of independence

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Canada's Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, issued the following statement recognizing today’s celebration of Ukraine Independence Day:

Canada's Prime Minister on the 20th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence

Today Prime Minister Stephen Harper said:

“Twenty years ago, on August 24th, 1991, Ukraine seceded from the USSR and asserted itself as a sovereign state. 

“Canada was the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine’s independence and we continue to be a strong proponent of Ukraine’s democratization, given that Canadians and Ukrainians share a steadfast respect for

Canadian MP Peggy Nash on the Yulia Tymoshenko arrest and trial

The Ukrainian community in Toronto has been holding demonstrations to protest the arrest and show trial of Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's former Prime Minister and now Leader of the Opposition.

Many speakers have come forward in support of Tymoshenko — as well as democracy and the rule of law. Both of which appear to be in short supply in Ukraine's officialdom.

A particularly eloquent speech was delivered (in English) by Canadian MP Peggy Nash. As a member of the Official Opposition here in Canada, she has

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the opening of Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin, Manitoba, from July 29 to 31:

Updated info on Talents of Ukraine tour

The itinerary and other details of the Honored Academic Song and Dance Company of Ukraine "Donbas" 2011 Canadian tour are now available at the Boen Performing Arts website.

You can find an overview of the group and a video in