Thoughts on doing live radio in Nanaimo

It was incredible!

It's been a long time since I felt that nervous, though. I've reached a point where I've learned to take life in stride, so not much rattles me anymore. Or so I thought!

In this day and age of social media which allows everyone their 15 minutes or seconds (or hours for that matter) of fame, you may be scratching your head over why I'm making such a big deal out of this. Especially since the conventional wisdom of the day seems to be that traditional radio has become irrelevant and is all but dead save for a few niche broadcasters keeping the medium on life support.

On that I beg to differ.

When I first took Nash Holos online I saw a lot of potential for niche broadcasters. I also saw that the window of opportunity would not stay open for long, because it would only be a matter of time before the "big guys" in the broadcasting industry would jump on the cyber-bandwagon and elbow the "little guys" (and gals) back out of the way. And at that point, I reckoned, we'd all be back to the same-old same-old as far as promoting Ukrainian culture to mainstream audiences.

Well, it looks like we've reached that point. Or OTOH, maybe there was no point to be reached. Maybe I'm the crazy one and didn't get anywhere except tired from spinning my wheels? I've often wondered about that, especially of late.

Taking Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio on live radio in Nanaimo, however, has put such thoughts right out of my mind.

Sure, the old technology of radio may be on its deathbed. The day of pushing physical buttons and levers on a mixing board may be going the way of reel-to-reel and vinyl.

Yet, speaking of the latter, vinyl has now acquired the equivalent of a cult following along with a level of cachet and status that it never had, nor could have had, when vinyl LPs were ubiquitous. There was a time when we valued them so little that we left them in the sun to warp or melt, and put coins atop needles to keep them from skipping. Those were the days!

Today technology is changing at break-neck speed, and it's forcing the entertainment and communications industries to change their delivery methods as well.

Meanwhile, it's easier than ever now to confuse the medium with the message, especially if you're on the receiving end. But it can be confusing for those of us on the sending end as well.

The messengers who can avoid the confusion will prevail, however, regardless of the medium. So to my mind, there is still opportunity in the radio biz. It may be a different window that's opening now, but it's wide open.

As for the technology, change is ineveitable of course, and I'm trying to keep up with it. But meanwhile, I consider myself veryfortunate to have this opportunity to enjoy the "good old days" of radio broadcasting technology for a little longer.

I'm not expecting my learning curve to last very long, so I hope you'll join me live in Nanaimo Wednesdays at 12 noon11am on CHLY 101.7fm ... and the new co-hosts I'll be introducing soon. If you're not in range of the signal, you can listen online or catch the podcast.

And if you don't already, please make sure to tune in to the long-standing program prepared in advance (with love!) airing Sundays Saturdays on AM1320 CHMB Vancouver (in its new time slot of 5 6pm PST).

If you do, I'd like to thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for being a loyal listener of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio ... and in the process supporting and sharing Ukrainian culture with the world.

Podcast links for all three versions of the show are at the Nash Holos website.

–30–

 

Original Publish Date: June 7, 2012. Outdated information removed and/or noted with strikeouts. This (enjoyable for me) trip down memory lane is from 12 years ago, and foreshadows more changes coming soon.) 

Updated On: September 21, 2024

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.

*******

 

Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio goes live in Nanaimo

From now on every Wednesday at 12 noon, Radio Malaspina will air Nash Holos live on CHLY 101.7fm!

This is a new experience for me, as the show has always been pre-recorded. It harkens back to the days prior to going digital in 2002, when the show was done "live to tape."

It was almost like doing the show live, but the tape could be stopped to edit on the fly and re-record a section if desired.

Can't do that with live radio, tho! So it's a new adventure.

On my debut show I didn't do a lot of talking, mostly I was getting used to the rhythm of all the controls with the mixing board, computer and CD player. I sat in the day before on Fresh Cutz, hosted by Dylan Perry. Typical of all pros, he made it look deceptively easy!

I am grateful to the lovely Ashta, who took the time to give me a wonderful introduction at the start of the show, and some help with the controls. The rest of the show was back to back music, with Ukrainian Food Flair (potato cabbage roll filling) and Ukraine News Outlook with a feature on feminism in Ukraine.

Ashta went back to her duties shortly after the intro, and then Dylan took over supervision of this nervous and confused live radio rookie. About 10 minutes or so later, a call came in from a listener excited to hear the show because it reminded her of her baba, who was a loyal listener of Nash Holos.

It's a small world. The caller happened to be Kerilie McDowall, host of the Monday afternoon jazz show Rhythm'a'ning!

All the folks I've met at CHLY are absolutely wonderful. They've been helpful and supportive and have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. Another reason to love this great little city!

In addition to Dylan's show, Ashta has invited me to sit in on the show she co-hosts, People First Radio. On Saturday I'll be sitting in on a bit of The LoveCast hosted by Dave O'Rama, and rest assured I will be angling for an invite to sit in on Kerilie's show and BobbieBeCool's as well. And who knows what else. (If I'm not careful, I'll end up spending most of my time there!)

Podcasts of these shows, and most others on CHLY, can be found on the podcast listings (here) on the station's website.

To provide the podcasts, the station works with a Victoria company called Daily Splice. Dylan helped me to get myself setup there, and a podcast of the live Nanaimo edition of Nash Holos can be accessed directly (here) or via iTunes (here).

For the second live show, I'll be taking the plunge behind the mic as well. So, stay tuned!

To those tuning in to the live broadcast, thanks for your patience and your support. It means more than you can ever know. :-)

This is an exciting development at Nash Holos, to have the show now syndicated nationally in Canada. The flagship show continues to air, as it has since 2000, on AM1320 CHMB Vancouver on Sundays at 5pm PST (new time effective June 3, 2012). The international syndication on the Taiwan-based PCJ Radio network also continues on AM, FM and shortwave radio aournd the world in 20+ countries, with the latest expansion being on Malta University Broadcasting 103.7fm  Saturdays at 9 pm following the BBC News Hour, effective June 9, 2012.

Talk to you next Wednesday, live from Nanaimo!

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.

Ukrainian Heritage Program for kids offered in New Westminster

Live in the Lower Mainland and looking for Ukrainian activities for your kids?

Two perogy suppers in Vancouver this Friday June 24

If you're in the Greater Vancouver area and craving some good old-fashioned stick-to-your-ribs Ukrainian food tonight, you're in luck!

There are two venues to satisfy your cravings:

Shumka Ukrainian Dancers to kick off 50th anniversary celebration in Kelowna

The Toronto Star calls them a National Treasure – Canada’s professional Ukrainian Dance Company celebrates 50 years of dance tradition in a whirlwind of colour, power and grace.

Missing BC's annual Ukrainian cultural festival

There's something for everyone at the annual BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival ... non-stop dance competitions by dancers from all over British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, fabulous Ukrainian cuisine (usually provided by Judy Hrynenko of Prairie Cottage Perogies), live music by roving musicians, and all kinds of Ukrainian arts, crafts, and cultural displays.

Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox church services for Easter 2011

Below you will find a list of services in Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox churches in BC leading up to and including Easter Sunday.

I compiled this list as a courtesy for anyone who is not a member of a Ukrainian Catholic church or a Ukrainian Orthodox Church in BC, for whatever reason, but would like to attend Easter services nonetheless.

Several years ago, as a long– time lapsed Ukrainian Catholic, I felt a strong urge one Good Friday morning to return to church. That was in the days before churches had websites, and I couldn’t reach anyone on the phone to find out the times. So I ended up going to a nearby Protestant church. Which was fine but, it just wasn’t mine.

So I appreciate that it can be a challenge to find a church with a service when you need it, because sometimes the call can come like a hammer on the head, and you need to go *now.* (At least that’s how it was for me.)

Today, with the internet, it’s easier to find information, of course. Still, it can sometimes be like trying to find a needle in a haystack!

Hence this list (extensive but by no means comprehensive) of Ukrainian Catholic church and Ukrainian Orthodox church Easter services in BC. (I have also included the schedule for St Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Montreal, which is served by Father Ihor Kutash, host of the Ukrainian Christian Heritage feature on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio program.)

The schedule timeline covers the Paschal Triduum (also called the Holy Triduum or Easter Triduum) which commemorates the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Paschal Triduum starts on the evening of Holy Thursday (the last day of Lent) and ends the evening of Easter Sunday.

Happily, this year Easter falls on the same day on the liturgical calendars of both churches … making the task of compiling this list considerably easier! I hope it will come in handy if you're needing a quick guide to Easter services at a Ukrainian Catholic or Ukrainian Orthodox church in your area. 

Schedule of Ukrainian church services in BC this Easter season:

Grindrod, BC

St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church
Carlin St. & 3rd Ave.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
4:30 pm – Matins & Passion Gospels
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
2 pm – Exposition of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
5 pm – Easter Service – procession, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter baskets


Kamloops, BC

The Most Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church
109 Tranquille Rd.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Matins of the Passion/Strasti
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers of Holy Friday / Plashchanytsia
4:30 pm – Confession, Church open for prayer
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9 pm – Matins of Holy Saturday/Jerusalem Matins
10:30 am – 11:30 am – Confession,
11:30 am – 6 pm– Church open for prayer
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
9:30 am – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets

Kelowna, BC

Dormition of the Mother of God, Ukrainian Catholic Parish
1091 Coronation Ave.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
1:30 pm – Vesper of Holy Friday (Plashchanycia)
7 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
11 am – 12 pm – Confessions, prayers
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7:30 am – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, myrovania, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Nanaimo, BC
St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church
4017 Victoria Avenue

Good Friday, April 22, 2011
10 am – Vespers
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
4 pm – Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


New Westminster, BC

Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral 
501 – 4th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
10 am – Vespers with Divine Liturgy
6pm – Passion Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
12 pm – Vespers with procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
6 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vespers with Divine Liturgy
5 pm – Service at the Tomb, blessing of Easter baskets
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy & blessing of Easter baskets

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Sts Peter & Paul (KP)
304 8th Street (Tel: 604–291–2001)

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – Passion Gospels readings
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
6 pm – Burial of Christ commemorative service
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Traditional Easter Morning Service
9 am – Divine Easter Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets, traditional breakfast with music by two Australian musicians (bandura )


Parksville, BC

St Mary The Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church
594 Karls Way

Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
6 am - Divine Liturgy, Easter Matins, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Penticton, BC

Holy Resurrection Ukrainian Catholic Church
361 Wade Avenue

Good Friday, April 22, 2011
5 pm – Vesper of Holy Friday
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
5 pm – Paschal Procession, Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Easter Baskets

Prince George, BC

St.George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
2414 Vanier Drive

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
9 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Matins; Confessions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
10 am – Vespers, Exposition of the Holy Shroud, Confessions
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9 am – Divine Liturgy, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7:30 am – Resurrection Matins and Divine Liturgy, Anointing with Holy Oil ( Myrovania) and Blessing of Easter baskets


Richmond, BC

The Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church
8700 Railway Road

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6:30 pm – Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
12 pm – Exposition of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanycia) Service
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10am – Divine Liturgy, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Matins and Divine Liturgy
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Surrey, BC

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church
13753 – 108th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – Passion Matins
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
2 pm – Confessions
3 pm – Vespers with the Burial Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Easter Matins, Divine Liturgy, blessing of Easter baskets

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Mary
10765—135A Street.

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6:30 pm – Reading of 12 Passion Gospels (Strasti)
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Veneration of the Holy Shroud (Plaschanytsia)
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vesperal Liturgy
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7am – Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Vancouver, BC

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church
154 East 10th Street

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Reading of the Twelve Gospels
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
7 pm – Vespers and procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsya)
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
7 pm – Acts of the Apostles
8 pm – Polunoshnytsia (nocturnal prayer).
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Procession to the entrance of the church; Paschal Matins
8 am – Paschal Divine Liturgy. Blessing of Paschal baskets following the divine liturgy.

St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church
550 West 14th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
8:30 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Passion Matins, Confessions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
11 am – Vespers with placement of the Holy Shroud, Confessions
12– 7 pm – Vigil and Adoration
7 pm – Jerusalem Matins, Confessions
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
2 pm – Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
7 pm – Sepulcher Service, Blessing of Easter baskets, Confessions
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
7 am – Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy
10:30 am – Divine Liturgy, Holy Oil Anointing


Vernon, BC

St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church
2210 – 40th Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
10 am– Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
5 pm Exposition of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Easter procession, Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter baskets


Victoria, BC

St Nicholas the Wonderworker
1112 Caledonia Avenue

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
7 pm – Vespers & Divine Liturgy
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers of the Entombment
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Jerusalem Matins
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
8 am – Paschal Matins , Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets

St George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church
1100 Colville (Esquimalt)

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
6 pm – The Passions
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
4 pm – Vespers, Veneration of the Holy Shroud
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
10 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Easter Baskets


Ukrainian Easter services in Montreal

St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church
2246 Boul. Rosemont
Montréal, Québec

Holy Thursday, April 21, 2011
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
7 pm – Matins of the Lord’s Passion (Strasti)
Good Friday, April 22, 2011
3 pm – Vespers with Procession of the Holy Shroud (Plashchanytsia)
5:30 pm – Jerusalem Matins
Holy Saturday, April 23, 2011
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
5 pm – Blessing of Baskets
11 pm – Vigil
Easter Sunday April 24 – Holy Pascha
12 am – (Midnight) – Paschal Matins
1 am – Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Baskets, Paschal Breakfast
9 am – Second Paschal Matins
5 pm – Paschal Vespers

The Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Dr. Ihor G. Kutash
Listen to Fr Ihor's Easter message on Nash Holos

You're invited to the Grand Opening of the Ivan Franko Library in Richmond

Greater Vancouver has many hidden treasures known only to its immediate environs.

One such treasure is the Ivan Franko Lending Library housed on the mezzanine of the Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko in Richmond, BC. And the Society is thrilled to invite the community at large to the library's Grand Opening Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 2 pm.

Located at 5311 Francis Road, the Society was founded in 1937 in the middle of what was then a thriving farming community on Lulu Island. It adopted the name Prosvita (which in Ukrainian means "enlightenment") and modelled itself on the reading societies that sprang up in 19th century Ukraine.

These societies promoted education and literacy amongst Ukrainians newly emancipated from serfdom in the Hapsburg Empire in 1848-9 and the Russian Empire in 1861. Some of the activities included readings from books and newspapers to educate the illiterate and keep them apprised of current events.

For nearly 75 years, Richmond's Ivan Franko society has been a popular gathering place for Ukrainian immigrants and their children. Over the years, many members would donate precious books to the Society's library for posterity and future generations.

During this past year, volunteers have been working to modernize the Society's library and its holdings. Now the small but impressive collection of books on Ukrainian literature, culture, and history (in Ukrainian and English) is electronically catalogued, shelved and ready for circulation.

At the Grand Opening you can enjoy great cameraderie as well as refreshments and door prizes. As well as an opportunity to browse through the library's collection, Coquitlam author Mirko Petriw will be on hand to sign copies of his recently released novel, a political thriller called Yaroslaw's Treasure.

Make sure to treat yourself to one of Greater Vancouver's delilghtful treasures. Just please RSVP to Theresa at 604-295-0693 before November 14, 2010.

Vintage Bridal Gown Fashion Show and High Tea at St. Mary's

The Vancouver branch of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League invites you to their Vintage Bridal Gown Fashion Show and High Tea on Sunday September 26, 2010. It takes place at 2:30 pm at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Centre, 3150 Ash Street in Vancouver.

This unique event will feature bridal gowns going back to the early 20th century and continuing up to today. Young women in the local Ukrainian community will model several vintage gowns.

Other gowns will be on display along with traditional Ukrainian wedding artifacts and photos. As well, there will be a “Guess Who the Bride Is?” contest.

To wrap up the show, Svitanok Chorus will sing pre wedding songs and feature a reenactment by a soloist “bride to be” from their musical Vinkopletennia, a traditional Ukrainian bridal shower.

The High Tea following the fashion show will feature delicious home-made delicacies by the ladies of the parish.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Please book in advance and help the ladies prepare enough food.

Tickets are available from Sophia at 604 568-2034, Nadia at 604 432-7144  or Ann (Kvitka) at 604 925-2581.

Mad Heads - Toronto Ukrainian Festival headliner act

My first exposure to this fabulous video and song was in Crystal Lake, Saskatchewan, at the Adult Ukrainian Language Immersion Camp my sister and I attended a few years back.

Presumably Mad Heads will be performing it at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival this coming weekend.

If you can't make it to the festival to see Mad Heads perform live, or you just love hearing the song and watching the video, here you go.

Enjoy!

Ukrainian Day celebrations in Langley, BC

Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations will take place this year Sat. Aug. 28-29 during the Langley International Festival.

The opening ceremony starts at 11 am and will end with a flag raising/flag presentation followed by the singing of the Ukrainian National Anthem, Shche ne Vmerla Ukraina.

The MC of the event is MP Mark Warawa. Performances by musicians and dancers will be scheduled throughout the 2-day event. Food may be purchased on-site. The Ukrainian kitchen is by Prairie Cottage Perogies (Judy Hrynenko). The basic menu is pyrohy & kovbasa.

Free admission!

This outdoor event takes place at Willoughby Park, next to the new Langley Events Center. It's located at 7888 200 St. in Langley ... at the SE corner of 200 St. and 80 Ave. (enter off 80 Ave.) exactly 1.6km (or 4th traffic light south from Hwy 1).

The Festival location will have a beer and wine garden, a Main Stage, Seniors’ Chalet, Children’s’ Chalet, Marketplace, and plenty of parking! Adjacent is a Children’s Playground and Spray Park.

Other activities include a soccer tournament all day, and a performance of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at 7PM. Check the website for complete information.

Here's a map of the venue and driving instructions to get to the park.









Here's an instrumental version of the Ukrainian National Anthem with a lovely slideshow.

Kubasonics in concert with Haydamaky in Edmonton

Ukraine’s famous Carpathian Ska band and EastBlok Music recording artists, Haydamaky, return to Edmonton July 27, 2010 for a one-night concert engagement at Edmonton Events Centre.

Fusing the sounds of reggae, ska, punk and traditional Ukrainian music – Haydamaky have cleared the path for a new wave of Ukrainian music dubbed “Kozak Rock.”

Opening for Haydamaky is Edmonton's own Kubasonics who take Ukrainian music down a number of interesting different paths.

Showtime is 8pm-11:30pm.

Tickets are available at the Ukrainian Bookstore in Edmonton (10215-97th street northwest) or by TicketWeb (1-888-222-6608).

For more information contact Nadine Samycia nadine@bottomlinepro.com or call 780-988-8914.

H/T - UCC-APC

91 year-old Ukrainian Canadian appointed for Olympics 2010 Torch Relay

Olga Kotelko, at age 91 known as the oldest long jump competitor in the world, was nominated as one of the 12,000 XXI Winter Olympic Games Torch Bearers.

Holding history in her hands, she carried the Olympic flame in the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay on Wednesday, February 10 at 7:45 p.m., on Marine Drive in West Vancouver between 15th and 17th Street.

“I am so very happy and so overwhelmed to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said an emotional Kotelko before the event. “Carrying the Torch represents inspiration, dedication, hope, perseverance and community spirit. To me, this Flame is a shining symbol saluting good health and well being.”

This diminutive and personable former teacher from Burnaby, BC is a role model for youngsters, masters and seniors. Since 1997, at the age of 77, Olga Kotelko has been running, jumping and throwing – and breaking Canadian and World records in the W80, W85 and W90 age categories.

Starting with the World championships in Gateshead in 1999, she has competed internationally, indoors as well as out, winning hundreds of gold medals.

Her W85 record for the high jump, set in the 2004 B.C. Masters athletics championships in Penticton, earned her an age-graded ranking of 92.64%. In May at the 2009 B.C. Masters athletics championships in Nanaimo, she set 8 World Records, plus two national marks for a total of 10 Canadian records. She competed in the women shot put 90-94 years and broke the world record during the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games at Sydney Olympic Park on October 11, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.

"Through sport and exercise, I try to promote the importance of maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit," Olga explained.

In total, Olga Kotelko has 5 bronze, 12 silver and 600 gold medals scored in hammer throw, shot put, javelin, discus and weight throw, as well as long jump, discus, shot put, high jump, triple jump and 100m, 200m and 400m.

Olga Kotelko's achievements have not gone unnoticed.

Besides having been named BC’s Masters Athlete of the Year, she has also won the Vancouver YWCA’s Women of Distinction in Sports award. In her West Vancouver community, she is sought after as a motivational speaker for seniors, and is well known in her local elementary school where she coaches the shot put. Olga Kotelko is also included in the Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame.

“I am enjoying the benefits of doing what I started at the age of 77… track and field” she stated. “As the Chinese expression says: “It is not how old we are, it is how we get old!”

Ukraine House in Vancouver during 2010 Olympics

Ukraine House invites one and all to come celebrate the Olympics.

• Listen and dance to music by entertainers from Ukraine and across Canada
• Indulge in homemade Ukrainian dishes such as pyrohy (perogies), holubtsi (cabbage rolls), and kovbassa (garlic sausage) at reasonable prices throughout the day
• Enjoy Ukrainian pyvo (beer), horilka (vodka), and other beverages while watching events on large screen TV
• Participate in an auction of sports memorabilia, including running shoes belonging to Ukrainian Olympic gold medal pole-vaulter Sergei Bubka (Sunday February 21st)
• Meet new friends and mingle with Ukrainian athletes
• Purchase souvenirs and Team Ukraine clothing
• For an elegant evening, take in the Olympic Ball Feb. 20th. See website for details, and/or contact Myrna for tickets.
• On-site parking

Ukraine House will officially open on February 11, 2010 and will be open to the public during the period of February 12-28, with the exception of Sun. Feb 14 - Tue. Feb 16, Tue. Feb 23, and Sat. Feb. 27, as well as the evenings of Sat. Feb. 13 and Sat. Feb 20.

Ukraine House is located at the Ukrainian Catholic Centre 3150 Ash Street (near Cambie and 16th) in Vancouver, BC. General Admission is FREE!

Vancouver's Ukrainian community greets Ukraine's Olympic athletes

A group of about 20 members of the local Ukrainian community descended on Vancouver International airport on Thursday Feb. 04 to greet athletes from Ukraine arriving to compete in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

The entourage was coordinated by Myrna Arychuk of Solaway Travel in Burnaby. More details here.

(Video courtesy the Richmond Review.)

Ukraine House at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Ukraine House will be the place to spend your time during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver!

Why's that? Because you can:

• Meet new friends from all around the world
• Mingle with Ukrainian athletes and celebrities
• Catch coverage of Olympic events on large screen TV
• Take in stage performances by entertainers from Ukraine and Canada
• Enjoy Ukrainian food and alcoholic beverages
• Participate in an an auction of sports memorabilia - including the runners worn by pole-vaulter, Sergei Bubka, when he set the world record
• Purchase souvenirs as well as Team Ukraine athletic clothing
• Kick up your heels at the Youth Dance (Zabava)
• Strut your stuff at the Ukrainian Olympic Ball
• Create memories of a lifetime at this world-class fun event

Ukraine House, under the patronage of the Embassy of Ukraine, the Canadian Ukrainian Congress and Canadian Friends of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, will be officially opened on February 11, 2010. It will be located at the Ukrainian Catholic Centre, 3150 Ash Street in Vancouver. (Enter from W 16th Ave, 1 block west of Cambie.)
Ukraine House will be open to the public every day during the Olympics (except for three days that are reserved for private functions: Thursday February 11, Sunday February 14 and Monday February 15, 2010). There's plenty of parking and ready access by public transit.

Organizers are looking for volunteers to help staff Ukraine House. No experience required. The workload and time commitment will be much less than for official VANOC events ... and you'll still be in the centre of the fun and excitement of the Olympics!

To sign up as a volunteer, or if you have a room available to billet an out-of-towner helping with the Olympics, please contact Mirko Petriw by email.

Stay tuned for more information about Ukraine House at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics!

Holodomor bill introduced in British Columbia

BC is joining Quebec on the path to official recognition of the famine genocide in Ukraine of 1932-33 (Holodomor). Bills introducing legislation to do so passed first reading in both provinces yesterday.

News of the Quebec reading were reported yesterday and details of the bill can be found here.

Meanwhile, here in British Columbia, a delegation of 14 people watched as New Democrat MLA for Surrey-Whalley, Bruce Ralston, introduced Bill M207 in the legislature. The delegation included survivors, local community members, and a retired officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently visiting BC.

Many thanks to MLA Bruce Ralston for his relentless support and efforts to have BC officially recognize and commemorate the Holodomor. He has been at it for some time, as this excerpt from Hansard demonstrates.

The legislation proposes that the fourth Saturday in November every year be commemorated as Holodomor Memorial Day in B.C. It also recognizes the survivors of Holodomor who moved to British Columbia and made a positive contribution to the province. (A draft transcript of Bill M207 can be found here.)

As mentioned in an earlier post, the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario have enacted legislation recognizing the Holodomor and honouring the survivors of this crime against humanity, as has the federal government.

Pictured here are representatives of BC's Ukrainian community present at the reading in support of Mr. Ralston in his efforts to promote Holodomor recognition and awareness, along with other MLAs.

L-R:Valentyna Kaspryk (survivor), Alexandra Ciacka (wife of survivor), Ludmilla Weaver, Robert Herchak, Myroslav Petriw (Secretary-Treasurer UCC-BC), MLA for Surrey-Whalley Bruce Ralston, Rev. Edward Kwiatkowski, MLA for West Kootenay Katrine Conroy, Roman Brunwald, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers Sue Hammel, MLA far Vancouver-Kensington Mable Elmore (not pictured - Ihor Stanley Osobik and Maria Pomircha) L-R: Mariika Pilip, Bohdan Fedorko, Ludmilla Weaver, Olga Zakhariw (survivor), Peter Zakhariw, Alexander Teliszewsky (visiting officer of Ukrainian Armed Forces ret.)

Photos courtesy Mirko Petriw.

Many thanks to the politicians in both provinces for introducing and supporting these bills. It is inspiring and encouraging to see them put aside their political rivalries from time to time and do the decent human thing together.

Thanks also to the local Canwest folks out east for reporting the story in Quebec, and to the Montreal Gazette for carrying it. Not surprisingly, our local BC media did not see fit to report on the reading here. Likewise it escaped the notice of the national media that two provinces introduced more or less identical legislation on the same day. I guess they do not consider it newsworthy when events and issues bring people together, as opposed to dividing them ... especially in the arena of partisan politics. Which is fine. Gives us citizen journalists an opportunity to hone our skills.

National Holodomor Awareness Week continues through November 29. You can find a list of commemorative events across the country here or visit the UCC website.

Ukraine Remembers – the World Acknowledges
Україна пам'ятає - Світ визнає

Holodomor bill being introduced in two provinces today

In BC's legislature, the MLA for Surrey-Whalley Bruce Ralston (NDP) is introducing legislation today that would recognize the “Holodomor,” the famine and genocide that killed millions of Ukrainians in 1932-33.

His press release states that the Holodomor occurred during the period of forced collectivization in the Soviet Union, which is true. However, it is still not widely known that by 1932 collectivization was almost complete. So, like drought was cited used at the excuse for genocide before it was debunked, now collectivization has become it is a very handy red herring being used by die-hard deniers to downplay the genocidal nature of the Holodomor.

Nonetheless, this initiative is very welcome, and it is to be hoped that partisan politics do not get in the way of it passing.

The legislation proposes the fourth Saturday in November of each year as Holodomor Memorial Day in British Columbia to memorialize those who perished. The legislation also recognizes the survivors of Holodomor who moved to British Columbia and made a positive contribution to the province.

Meanwhile, in Quebec, Madam Louise Beaudoin, the MNA for Rosemount (PQ) is introducing a similar bill today as well. There, too, it is hoped that partisan politics will take a back seat to human compassion and decency while this bill is passed.

It is a matter of both pride and gratitude to note that Canada's federal government and four provincial governments (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario) have already passed Holodomor memorial bills.

I hope that BC and Quebec will join their ranks today.