Ukrainian heroines honored at dinner

      The North Port Chapter 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, UNWLA, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok,” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, held a dinner with a special program honoring women- heroines of Ukraine with a special emphasis on the “Women of Maidan.” The affair, attended by more than 120 members and guests, organized by a committee headed by the chapter’s Cultural Affairs Chair Ulana Rondiak, was held last Saturday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (“Oseredok”) in North Port. The proceeds from the dinner were designated for humanitarian aid to the protesters at the Maidan, the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, who have been demonstrating there since November 2013, against the corrupt, criminal, pro-Russian regime of President Yanukovych.

    The program, with Larissa Shpon of Warm Mineral Springs as mistress of ceremonies, consisted of a prayer and three songs by the chapter’s choir (the only UNWLA choir in the United States) under the direction of Lubow Ingram of Venice, the song “Chuzhyna” (foreign land), a duet by husband and wife Wolodymyr and Neoninilia Lechman, recitation “Heroyiniyam UPA” (to heroines of UPA) by Lesya Popel, and the screening of two videos, “Mothers of Maidan” and “Ode to Women of Maidan,” courtesy of Viktor Lisnyczyj.

    The keynote address by Lidia Bilous, chapter vice president and member of UNWLA National Board, covered the history of Maidan and the role of women of various ethnic groups of Ukraine. A large segment of her address dealt with the activities and personal involvement at the Maidan and on behalf of Maidan of the world-renowned composer, performer and singer Ruslana. The program was designed and printed by Lidia Bilous included on the last page the as yet unofficial, proposed new national anthem of Ukraine.

    Upcoming meetings, other affairs

    The regular monthly membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida will be held at 6 p.m., on Feb. 26, at the “Oseredok.” Scholarship Committee Chair Viktor Lisnyczyj reminds all potential applicants for scholarships that the deadline for submission of complete applications is Friday, March 14.

    Monthly membership meeting of “Soyuz Ukrayinok” Chapter 56 will take place at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 4. The place of the meeting will be communicated to the members via email and/ or telephone in advance of the meeting.

    The March monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 7 at the Military Heritage Museum at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Commander Tomashosky suggested that members who would like to share a ride should meet at 2 p.m. at the “Oseredok.”

Taras Shevchenko Bicentennial

    The festive assembly to commemorate the 200th birthday of Taras Shevchenko (March 9, 1814 – March 10, 1861), Ukraine’s poet, prophet, artist and revolutionary, whose monuments are located in over 1,200 towns and cities worldwide, including one in Washington, D.C., will be held Sunday, March 9. It is being sponsored by the Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Clubs and Organizations of North Port and vicinity, headed by Romana Guran of Venice.

    More details, including time and place, in next week’s column.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol. com. 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn