Shevchenko’s bicentennial commemorated

    The commemorative assembly honoring the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ukrainian artist, poet, revolutionary and national prophet Taras Shevchenko (March 9, 1814-March 10, 1861), sponsored by the Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American organizations in North Port and vicinity, headed by Romana Guran of Venice, took place last Sunday at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center in North Port. The Jubilee Committee, responsible for the organization and production of this very successful affair, consisting of singing and recitations of Shevchenko’s poems, was headed by Halya Lisnyczyj of North Port.

    The festive commemoration began with the United Choir conducted by Lubow Ingram singing “The Zapovit” (“My Testament”), followed by welcoming and introductory remarks by Neonillia Lechman, mistress of ceremonies. As is the custom, attendees stood during the singing of this very personal Shevchenko poem, which was translated into more than 50 languages (including English), which Ukrainians regard as one of their most sacred national treasures. Two very young piano players, sisters Ariana and Mia Allen, wearing beautiful national Ukrainian costumes, played “Dumy Moyi” (“My Meditations”) to the delight of the more than 150 attendees.

    Two songs by the choir of the local branch of “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), also directed by Lubow Ingram, sang two Shevchenko poems, followed by a group recitation of a lengthy poem, “Nevolnyk” (“Captive”) by Lieda Boyko, Julia Danylovych, Olya Hron, Bohdan Lechman, Halya Lisnyczyj, Ostap Macilynsky and Lesya Popel.

    The United Choir’s song “Dumy Moyi” was followed by the recitation by Bohdan Bodnaruk and Halya Lisnyczyj of “Rozryta Mohyla” (“The Plundered Grave”). The final item was a song by the United Choir about the river Dnipro, followed by the Ukrainian national anthem, sung by all.

    The stage was tastefully decorated by Klara and Vladimier Szpiczka. The success of the affair was the result, to a large degree, of Daria Tomashosky’s advertising posters and leaflets. Lidia Bilous designed the artwork and printed the evening’s program.

    Attendees were able to view a display of a large selection of publications of Shevchenko’s works, including some archival pieces.

    It should be noted that Shevchenko’s bicentennial is being commemorated worldwide, including at the United Nations, and in some countries on the national level. In the West Ukrainian city of Lviv last Sunday, some 2,500 students had formed a human chain from the “Ukrainian Bookstore” to the Shevchenko monument at the Prospect of Freedom. From the stage at the monument the students then read a selection of popular poems, then read Shevchenko’s “Zapovit” in 16 languages, including Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish, in addition to Ukrainian.

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    The Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Eugene A. Tomashosky held its March monthly membership meeting last Friday at the Military Heritage Museum at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, which included viewing the exhibits and socializing with the museum’s staff and volunteers.

    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