Ukrainian holiday events abound

    At 3 p.m. Friday, the North Port Cpl. Roman Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian Veterans will hold its monthly membership meeting at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as the “Oseredok.” This will be the first meeting chaired by newly elected Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), who was formally installed, together with all other elected and re-elected officers, by National Commander Ihor W. Hron at the Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon Nov. 13 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club.
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    The Executive Board of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, held its meeting Monday at St. Andrew’s to discuss, among other topics, the traditional Christmas dinner set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Oseredok. Party Committee Chair Anna Mariani reported that the program will include a very special and interesting guest from Ukraine. Klara Szpiczka reported that there are no more tickets for the dinner and that all arrangements for food were completed. There will be hors d’oeuvres, main course items (mostly homemade by members), homebaked pastries for dessert, and coffee or tea.

    Board members also discussed the club’s participation in the International Coalition Night at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, in response to an invitation by the Ukrainian Army officers who serve as a liaison with the Headquarters U.S. Central Command at MacDill; “Kolyada” (visiting homes of local Ukrainian Americans, wishing them happy holidays and new year, and singing carols), which will begin on Dec. 26; and the Jan. 28 meeting program.
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    A week from today, at 4 p.m. Dec. 10, here will be an outstanding cultural event of the season at the Oseredok — a concert featuring world-renowned singer, composer, lyricist and pianist Sofiya Fedyna of L’viv, Ukraine. Ms. Fedyna defended her Ph.D. dissertation on the subject of international peace at the National L’viv University, where she now teaches. She remembers fondly her music teachers Iryna Akheian, Lesia Salistra and Maria Baiko, national artist of Ukraine and professor of the National L’viv Music Academy. Ms. Fedyna, in cooperation with Professor Baiko, published her first two albums in 2005 and 2007, and in 2008, her third album.

    Ms. Fedyna was an active participant in the “Revolution of Dignity” from November 2013 through February 2014 at Kyiv’s Maidan, which resulted in ousting pro-Kremlin former president Yanukovych. Since that time, she performs at charity concerts to support the Ukrainian Army fighting the terrorists and Russian Army invaders in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

    On Sept. 24, she performed at the L’viv Philharmonic Society Charity Concert to support the 44th artillery brigade; on Oct. 12, a charity concert to support the Ukrainian Army in Drohobych; on Oct. 15, to support the AZOV Battalion of the Ukrainian Army in L’viv; and on Nov. 8, a charity concert to support the Ukrainian Army in L’viv. She is also the president of the worldwide Lemko organizations.
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    St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, at North Biscayne Drive and Price Boulevard, will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 12. There will be Ukrainian food with meals served all day; breads and pastries; artwork, crafts and gifts available for purchase; raffles and 50/50 chances; and a white elephant table. All are invited. Pre-orders accepted; call 941-423-2427.

    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