The Ukrainian Cultural Garden was very busy on One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. The Ukrainian Garden participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
After the Parade of Flags they welcomed visitors to their Garden.
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio hosted a parade on Saturday August 24, 2024 to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The Parade marched through Ukrainian Village in Parma, Ohio.
Athletes from Ukraine at Pan-American Masters Games
The Pan-American Masters Games are a multisport event for Masters Athletes over the age of 35. The 2024 Pan-American Masters Games were held in Cleveland Ohio USA and featured athletes from 6 continents, 48 states and more than 70 countries including Ukraine.
The Ukrainian community was well-represented at the 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland. The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio and Ukrainian Cultural Arts Association of Greater Cleveland - Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance both marched.
Rallies and Vigils for Ukraine - February 24, 2024 - 2 years after the invasion
Members of the Ukrainian community and supporters held vigils in Cleveland and throughout the world to show support for Ukraine against the aggressive invasion by Putin.
Local Ukrainian leaders Andy Fedynsky and Dr. George Jaskiw travelled to Washington DC to attend that vigil. George met up with his son Michael who's an attorney in DC.
Andy Fedynsky and family members Michael, Alexa and Chris at the Washington DC rally
Washington DC rally for Ukraine
Andy Fedynsky, Director of the Ukrainian Museum Archives. speech
There was an event to commemorate the 1918 reestablishment of Lithuania's Independence at the Lithuanian Club in Cleveland Ohio on February 18, 2024. The keynote speaker was Andy Fedynsky, Ukrainian activist and Director of the Ukrainian Museum Archives in Cleveland. Andy told about the parallels between Lithuania and Ukraine and their communities over the last 100 years and beyond. He spoke about the Captive Nations, Cleveland Cultural Gardens, the Baltic Chain and the importance of the ethnic communities.
Here are some of his remarks.
Andy Fedynsky speaking
Bandura Performance
Dr. Taras Mahlay, teacher at Hryhory Kytasty Cleveland School of Bandura, and two of his students, Vasik Kmiotek and Makar Lopata, performed on the bandura at the Lithuanian Independence Day celebration. Dr. Mahlay said that the bandura is a Ukrainian plucked-string folk-instrument usually with 55 strings.
Dr. Taras Mahlay
This first song is called Brothers in Arms.
The second song was a solo by Vasik Kmiotek (middle in photo) performed this song which translates to the Flower.
The finale was all three performing this last song, Echo of the Steps, written by their school's founder.
2023
Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova and US Senator Rob Portman in Cleveland
On Friday, November 17, 2023 several events were held in Cleveland to discuss the Holodomor 90 Years later and the current War in Ukraine. Her Excellency Oksana Markarova and former United States Republican Senator from Ohio, Rob Portman, came to Cleveland to discuss the Holodomor, the Soviet Union's deliberate genocide through starvation of the people of Ukraine in 1932 and 1933 as well as the current Russian campaign of war and ethnic cleansing.
Marcy Kaptur introduces Ambassador Markarova and Senator Portman
The Ukrainian Cultural Garden was very busy on One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023. The Ukrainian Garden participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
After the Parade of Flags they welcomed visitors to their Garden.
32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence celebrated in Parma
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio hosted a parade and ceremony on Saturday August 26, 2023 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. After the Parade there was a ceremony followed by a festival at St. Josaphat Church.
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio hosted a parade on Saturday August 26, 2023 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine's independence. The Parade marched through Ukrainian Village in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland with a very large Ukrainian population.
The annual festival on the beautiful grounds of the Pokrova Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish was held August 4-6, 2023. There was food and drink, live entertainment, a Ukrainian Bazaar, sports contests, a Kid's Corner and more.
On October 14, Ukrainians celebrate the Feast of the Protection (Ukrainian "Pokrova") of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos. Pokrova Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. On August 3, 1973, the parish of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was incorporated in the state of Ohio. They purchased a 35 acre homestead at 6812 Broadview Rd Parma, OH.
Cleveland Rotary honors United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio
The Rotary Club of Cleveland held its annual International Fellowship Day on Thursday February 23, 2023, one day before the 1 year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They honored the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
Some members of United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio
Rudy was an immigrant from Hungary who started his store in 1948 at 48th and Storer. It was known for strudel and penny candy. He had two daughters who are still good friends of the current owner, Lidia Trempe.
Lidia's father immigrated from Ukraine and her mother from Poland. When Rudy died in 1979 her mother bought Rudy's and brought in some of her secret old-world recipes for Eastern European favorites such as strudel, kolaczki, potica and others and, of course, paczki.
Rudy's is located in the heart of Parma's Polish Village at 5580 Ridge Road in Parma, OH 44129. Rudy's Strudel & Bakery is now 75 years old but pierogi was not on the original menu. Owner Lidia Trempe said it began when a bakery customer saw them cooking pierogi for the family dinner and ordered some. The rest is history.
The pierogis have become so popular that when we asked our website visitors to let us know where their favorite pierogis come from the clear winner was Rudy's.
So we were happy to award the Cleveland 101 Favorite Pierogi 2023 honor to the legendary Rudy's and presented it to Lidia.
Lidia Trempe with Favorite Pierogi award for Rudy's
How this Ukrainian Song became a Christmas Carol you know and love
The well-known Christmas carol, "Carol of the Bells," originated more than a century ago in Ukraine during a time of turmoil so reminiscent of today. This year, "Carol of the Bells" is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its premiere in the United States. When it debuted, it was not a Christmas carol yet - that would come a few years later. Its first performance came on Oct. 5, 1922, at New York's Carnegie Hall to a sold-out house.
At that 1922 debut it had its original Ukrainian title - "Shchedryk" - meaning "generous evening." It was really a festive New Year's song taken from Ukrainian folk tradition. But the musical foundation was there for its transformation into the popular Christmas carol in 1936.
The song was composed in 1914 by one of Ukraine's major composers, Mykola Leontovych. He based the melody on traditional folk songs. It was originally commissioned for the Ukrainian Republic Choir by its choir director for a Christmas concert. It was an immediate hit in Ukraine.
Then, just as Ukraine was getting its feet on the ground after World War I, the year 1917 saw the overthrow of the Russian tsar in the Bolshevik revolution. The Soviets refused to recognize Ukraine as a country and invaded, occupying Kharkiv in early 1919. To familiarize the world with the Ukrainians' plight through international appearances, the same choir director who commissioned "Shchedryk" formed the new Ukrainian National Chorus to tour Europe, the United States and several other countries. In the United States alone the choir appeared in 115 cities across more than 35 states. The chorus also made the first recording of "Shchedryk." No matter where the choir sang, "Shchedryk" was an outstanding hit. Concertgoers everywhere called for it to be sung for an encore.
A Ukrainian painting, from an iconostasis, showing the Adoration of the Shepherds
With lyrics inspired by an ancient Ukrainian folk traditions, the song is about a swallow flying into the house to tell the family about the bountiful year coming up for them. For those politically uncertain and harsh times, that message was uplifting in Ukraine. But the meaning did not matter for audiences around the world, who did not know what the Ukrainian lyrics meant, but were completely enthralled by the music and singing.
Then came 1936 and the birth of "Carol of the Bells." In New York, well-known choral director Peter Wilhousky, who was born in New Jersey of Ukrainian ancestry, did the choral arrangements for the popular radio broadcasts of Arturo Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra. Needing another piece to fill out a program, Wilhousky turned to a piece of music familiar to him. Naturally, it was Leontovych's "Shchedryk." But he knew the choir couldn't sing it in Ukrainian.
He had an idea. Since the melody reminded him of bells ringing, Wilhousky sat down and wrote lyrics about bells and Christmas for the song. The carol begins, "Hark! how the bells …" Naturally, it also includes "Christmas is here … Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas." It was an instant hit with the public once they heard it on the national airwaves.
Requests for the sheet music came pouring in. Wilhousky had it published for distribution. Soon it was being performed on radio and being recorded by choirs like the Robert Shaw Chorale and the Tabernacle Choir. Dozens of adaptations have been made to the carol, from recordings featuring a single instrument to a children's choir to a huge youth orchestra to a singalong.
Then and now, this carol has contained a message of joy and hope, even in the sad circumstances of its composition in Ukraine. Joy should spark hope - something that was necessary with the situation both in Ukraine and the world when the carol was written, then on through the Depression years when it became popular as a new Christmas carol, and now in our time. The carol reminds us of the joy of the season and suggests the hope that comes with it.
For its 100th anniversary celebration in the United States, "Carol of the Bells" will return to Carnegie Hall, where it was heard for the first time in this country. Naturally, a Ukrainian choir will be performing it and other works. Surely it will bring the house down. But more importantly, whenever you hear "Carol of the Bells" this year, say a prayer for Ukraine that hope will abound and that peace and joy will return to that country - and to the world - with the celebration of the birth of the King of Peace.
From the National Catholic Register
Watch a video of the song sung in Ukrainian
Stars of Summer Annual International Piano and Vocal Competition
The Stars of Summer annual international piano and vocal competition took place in the summer of 2022 and winners of the competition performed at a gala concert. It began with a performance by students of the School of Cleveland Ballet who performed Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky. They performed outside on the stage of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza.
Cleveland Ballet School students
Each of the Stars of Summer then performed for the audience. The participants were backed by the Cleveland Stars Orchestra led by conductor Lisa Goldman.
One of the highlights of the event was the Cleveland premiere of the Ukrainian Concerto # 2 by composer Alexander Peskanov by the winners of the Piano Concerto Prize.
The Cleveland Ukrainian community demonstrated their heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 40,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2022. The Ukrainian community participated in the Parade of Flags and hosted visitors in their Garden.
Ukrainian song at Cleveland Cultural Garden Benefit
The Ukrainian National Women's League of America Ohio Chapter presented the band Harmonia in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Dozia Krislaty from the UNWLA told about the Ukrainian Cultural Garden and the benefit that evening. She then introduced Jaroslav Rudyy the musical director of New Life Ukrainian Baptist Church in Parma Ohio who sang a spiritual song about supporting the people of Ukraine called I Pray For Ukraine.
Dancing to Harmonia at Ukraine Benefit in Cleveland Cultural Gardens
The band Harmonia performed in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens as a benefit for Ukraine sponsored by the Ukrainian National Women's League of America Ohio Chapter. Harmonia presents the traditional folk music of Eastern Europe, ranging from the Danube to the Carpathians. Its repertoire reflects the cultures of this region: Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Croatian and Gypsy. The performers that evening were: Walt Mahovlich - accordion, Steven Greenman - violin, Alexander Fedoriouk - cimbalom, Branislav Brinarsky - bass and Beata Begeniova - vocals. In this finale number members of the audience came out and danced to a lively Ukrainian song. The music of Harmonia is much better than this recording and that sound system but you will get an idea.
Taras Szmagala inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
US Senator Rob Portman speaks to Ohio Nationality Leaders about Ukraine
US Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) is without a doubt the most knowledgeable and active US politician regarding Ukraine, Russia, the Baltics and the rest of Eastern Europe. He is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. He has made several trips to the region, well before and since the Putin invasion. His weekly reports on the Senate floor has helped keep the dire situation in the news.
He recently returned from a Congressional Delegation trip to Europe where he visited England, Germany, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.
The Senator held a call on Friday June 3 with various Nationalities communities and discussed his recent trip and his continued efforts to provide assistance to Ukraine to aid their fight to defeat Russian aggression.
Senator Rob Portman at the Ukraine border
Callers included Marta Kelleher, president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, who worried taht "It's not on the front page anymore."
A call came in from Andrew Futey, Honorary Consul of Ukraine for Ohio and Kentucky and appointed by the Foreign Minister of Ukraine. Andy called in from Kiev Ukraine. He told of the Russian missile strikes taking place forcing them to seek cover. He said there is a long way to go with no end in sight.
There will be a fundraiser for Ukraine in Cleveland at Severance Hall on June 25 and Senator Portman will be there. More details to come.
There have been numerous rallies and prayer services in Cleveland to support the people of Ukraine.
Here are a few photos from the downtown rally last weekend.
Rally for Ukraine at Cleveland Freestamp
So many of you want to know how to help the people of Ukraine. Dr. Boris Vinogradsky (from the Russian Cultural Garden) writes “A friend of mine, a Ukrainian surgeon in Connecticut organized a plane of supplies to Ukraine. Very simple things like wound dressings, tape, Ibuprofen etc. Nothing fancy. WE MUST HELP AND SAVE UKRAINA, OTHERWISE WE WILL ALL PERISH. We have Cleveland Clinic and UH. I will call both tonight and tomorrow. Putin is evil. Thank you. Boris
A subscriber wrote, “I am in contact with an Etsy seller from whom I bought a Christmas gift. She is from Ukraine. How can I help her individually? They are going to the US consulate tomorrow in Slovakia, where they arrived from Irpin, in an attempt to get a VISA for their baby?” Can you assist?
Margaret W. Wong and her immigration law firm have lots of news about the situation. For example she posted “On March 3, 2022, President Biden announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is granted for citizens whose home country is affected by war, disaster or other extreme conditions, making it unsafe to return. The new designation will allow Ukrainians, who lack permanent status and were physically in the U.S. as of March 1, 2022, to temporarily live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. The designation will last for 18 months, after which the TPS status may expire or be extended, depending on the situation in Ukraine. The Biden administration also announced that all deportation flights to Ukraine, Russia and seven other European countries have been suspended.
The best advice I can give is to work with a reputable organization and be wary of scammers. Here are a few items we received.
The Ukrainian Museum-Archives (UMA Mission: To Preserve and Share Ukrainian Culture and the Immigrant Experience) sent us this St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Request. The team at St. Jude is organizing the evacuation of pediatric cancer patients from Ukraine to the US. They are looking for two categories of helpers:
Volunteers with a biomedical background (science or medical, not necessarily MD) who are fluent in English and can read Cyrillic (Russian, Ukrainian, etc.) and who can cover 1 to 2 6-hour shifts per week to enter new patient data into the patient registry and help facilitate communications with the center command and support teams.
Physicians who speak Ukrainian and English and can support translation of Ukrainian medical records into English (on a flexible schedule, no specific shifts).
Here are some ways that have been sent to us to help the Ukrainian people. Again, please be careful that you are donating to legitimate organizations that will really help those in need.
CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund, which aims to provide food, water, hygiene kits, and more to Ukrainians, especially women and girls.
International Medical Corps, which will deploy mobile medical teams to provide emergency and primary health services, including psychosocial services, to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities.
Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian group whose Humanitarian Response Fund is sending emergency cash and supplies to people throughout Ukraine.
Founded on charity, unity and fraternity in 1882, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council recently promised to match every dollar donated to their Ukraine Solidarity Fund up to $500,000; and 100% of donations they collect will go to immediately providing essential items, like food, medical supplies, communications and religious supplies, to displaced people in Ukraine.
Americares, which has deployed an emergency response team to Poland with medical support for Ukrainian refugees.
Catholic Relief Services whose partner Caritas Poland assists Ukrainians crossing into Poland for safety.
World Central Kitchen, which is working to serve fresh meals to Ukrainian refugees, as well as Ukrainians remaining in the country.
Kyiv School of Economics, which is raising money to provide first-aid kits, bulletproof vests, and helmets to Ukrainians on the ground.
Again, these were recommended to us and seem legitimate but please do your own homework before donating.
Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine)
Rally for Ukraine - St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
Parma Ohio is a suburb of Cleveland that has a large and strong Ukrainian community including an area known as Ukrainian Village. With the atrocities of the criminal invasion of sovereign Ukraine by the madman Putin, the Ukrainian community, friends and supporters gathered to show support on Sunday February 27, 2022. Crowds filled St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to capacity and the standing room only crowd spilled outside.
Speakers included US Senator Rob Portman and US Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur among others.
We had always planned on doing a Fun with Maps episode about Ukraine but due to the tragic current situation we moved it up in order. People are understandably very curious to know more about the country of Ukraine. And yes it is a country. It is not THE Ukraine; it is the country of Ukraine. Using the term THE Ukraine makes it sound like a region of another country as opposed to a sovereign nation.
Ukraine is the second-largest country by area in Europe after Russia, which it borders to the east and north-east. Ukraine also shares borders with Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; Romania and Moldova to the south; and has a coastline along the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. It spans an area of 233,062 sq. miles with a population of 43.6 million. That makes it the eighth-most populous country in Europe.
We briefly talk about the history of Ukraine including the tragedy at Chernobyl and the Holodomor. We also touch on the great writer Lesya Ukrainka and pysanky Easter eggs.
Statement from the Ukrainian Museum-Archives Cleveland - Feb 24, 2022
Today is the day that we in Ukraine and the diaspora hoped would not happen. Our beloved Ukraine is under attack as we watch helplessly.
Well, we are NOT helpless. Here is what all of us can do:
Call the White House comment line at (202) 456-1111 and leave a respectful message that you support the USA standing up to Putin's aggression. Call or email (or better yet, both) your senators and congressional representative and tell them the same thing. Remember to tell them that you VOTE.
Donate to help the humanitarian organizations at UUARC.org, UCCA.org, and RazomForUkraine.org. Much help will be needed!
Educate your friends. Educate the customer waiting behind you in the line at the grocery store. Educate anyone who asks you what is happening.
EVERY VOICE WILL BE HEARD. #StandWithUkraine
Pray for Ukraine
Statement from the Ukrainian Museum-Archives Cleveland: Supporting Ukraine
We in the Ukrainian diaspora uneasily watch the events occurring in and around our beloved Ukraine. The Director of the UMA, Andrew Fedynsky, has been interviewed by the local television stations; here are the links to the interviews on Cleveland channels 5 and Ch. 19 , and a link to a Ch 3 interview with UZO Cleveland's Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher.
We must do all we can to support Ukraine. Educate those around you who do not understand why Ukraine's independence is important and who may be forming their opinions watching non-literal commentary on various television networks and social media. Here is a link to an article on the U.S. Department of State website which provides factual information on the Russian disinformation.
We urge all of you to call your U.S. senators and representatives. Tell them you are their constituent, and urge them to support Ukraine in its fight to remain an independent, democratic and peace-loving nation. Encourage them to support legislation that deters Russian aggression against Ukraine. Find your representatives' contact information by visiting https://whoismyrepresentative.com. Enter your zip code and click the submit button, then contact them to express your opinion. This is more important than you may think, as your representative and senators want your vote at election time. Again, we all need to work together to support Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!
2021
Holodomor Commemoration at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
Every November, The Cleveland and Parma Ukrainian communities, along with Ukrainian communities and allies around the world, commemorate the victims of the Ukrainian-Famine Genocide of 1932-1933.
Holodomor Memorial at St. Vladimir Orthodox Cathedral
The United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, led by President Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher and George Jaskiw, M.D., held a remembrance ceremony on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Holodomor Memorial at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma Ohio.
The program included presentations from youth groups and a service (panakhyda) for the repose of the souls of the deceased led by Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of St. Josaphat and Fr. John Nakonachny, Pastor St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma Ohio is located in Ukrainian Village, a vibrant Ukrainian community in Parma Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
Besides the Church itself, there is a monument of the Ukrainian-Famine Genocide of 1932-1933 and a Cultural Center which teaches Ukrainian language and history.
Cleveland's Ukrainian community was well-represented at the 75th One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on August 29, 2021. They marched in the Parade of Flags, celebrated the 30th anniversary of their independence and hosted visitors in their beautiful Ukrainian Cultural Garden.
Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
Lesya Ukrainka statue in Ukrainian Cultural Garden on One World Day
Welcome Andrew Fedynsky as ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador
Ambassadors to ClevelandPeople.Com are individuals who are outstanding representatives of their culture and heritage. They have demonstrated great dedication to the advancement of their own community and to the greater good of honoring and celebrating other ethnic groups and communities to make our city and region more vibrant.
We are proud to announce that Andrew Fedynsky has become our Ukrainian Ambassador.
Andrew Fedynsky
Here is a brief bio. Andy was born to Ukrainian refugee parents in Innsbruck, Austria soon after World War II. His family came to America in 1948 when he was eight months old. They moved to Cleveland in 1954 where he attended public schools, graduating in 1965 from James Ford Rhodes H.S. He attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate, including a year at the University of Innsbruck in the city of his birth.
Following graduation, he became an English teacher and track coach at West Junior H.S. in Cleveland (now Joseph Gallagher). He also became active in the defense of Soviet bloc political prisoners, translating Ukrainian dissident literature, lecturing at universities and civic events, working with Baltic, Jewish, Polish and other human rights groups and as Vice President of Smoloskyp Publishing, editing a human rights magazine.
During summer breaks from his teaching job, his activities included clandestine work with dissidents behind the Iron Curtain smuggling books, manuscripts and printing materials. While attending the first Helsinki Follow-up Conference in Belgrade in 1977, Yugoslav police arrested him for trying to stage a press conference about the arrests of Helsinki Monitors in Soviet Ukraine. That incident was widely covered in the press.
A year later, Senator Bob Dole invited him to join his staff as his Soviet specialist. He left his office in 1978 to attend John Carroll University where he earned a Masters Degree in History in 1980.
In 1981, he joined the staff of Cleveland Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar eventually becoming her Chief of Staff.
He is now volunteer Director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, runs a government consulting business and write a monthly column for the New Jersey-based Ukrainian Weekly. His wife Chris and he have been married for over thirty years and have a son and daughter.
Note: Andy shared this story from the Washington Post in 1977. Andy is the "struggling man" in the article. He said, "I wasn't going to go without protest."
Congratulations and welcome aboard Andy!
2020
2020 Ukrainian Museum-Archives Christmas Video Greeting
Dick Russ family Ukrainian Holiday Traditions and Message
Cleveland International Hall of Fame inductee Dick Russ is part Ukrainian and part Slovenian. Dick says, "On the Ukrainian side, my wife, Chris Sywyj-Hlabše, maintains in our home the centuries old tradition of Christmas Eve dinner with 12 meatless dishes. In the U.S., it was passed to her by her parents ("Baba" still presides as Matriarch of the family at age 90), and their parents before them, and on and on. As many family members as are able gather, and at the sight of the first star (your best estimate when it's cloudy!) the celebration of Sviat' Vechir (Holy Evening) begins.
Christmas hymns (Koliadky) are sung, God is thanked, and those gathered dine on borsch (mushroom stuffed dumplings optional), pyrohy (mushroom, cheese, and/or potato), holubtsi (stuffed with rice or buckwheat), fish, kapusta (cabbage), pickled herring with onions, generous helpings of garlic, and more. After dinner, gifts are exchanged, and then it's off to church.
My wife's mother (Baba) has lived with us for more than 3 years, and thanks be to God her health is pretty much OK, and she is still very sharp. She spent several years in a Nazi forced labor camp like many of the "Ukes" here in Cleveland did - and has been giving us many details of her life under Stalin and then Hitler, and then the DP camps, and finally to the U.S. (where she was first sent to Mississippi to pick cotton on a plantation!)
The Slovenians as you know lived in those camps as well, and tragically so many were murdered by the Communists even after the war. Mass graves such as Ko?evski Rog were revealed in the early 90's and I reported on many of these things back then when I was on TV. I did a fairly long piece with the only known 3 survivors of a slaughter that saw more than 10,000 Slovenians killed and dumped in a pit.
Sorry to bring a downer toward the end of the note - but the point is that the resiliency of the people like the Ukrainians and Slovenians is testament first to their Christian faith, which carried them through, along with the strength of their family life and their love of liberty. (God, family, homeland). Those are the characteristics which now allow us, who were born in the U.S., to carry on their traditions, and celebrate great feasts like Christmas, together with our families."
The Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Cleveland was in bloom when we visited on April 28, 2020. The beautiful flowering trees framed the statue of Lesya Ukrainka.
Lesya Ukrainka statue in Ukrainian Cultural Garden
Ukrainian agricultural professors visit Ukrainian Museum-Archives and Cleveland
Ohio State University and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur brought Ukrainian agricultural professors to Cleveland to see the sights and visit the Ukrainian Museum-Archives.
Ukrainian agriculture professors visit the Ukrainian Museum-Archives- 1202 Kenilworth Avenue
Ukrainian Community at International Cleveland Community Day
International Cleveland Community Day at the Cleveland Museum of Art is a celebration of the rich diversity of our region’s multiethnic communities, featuring traditional music and dance performances, cultural displays, and ingallery experiences. During this vibrant afternoon, visitors enjoyed presentations from more than 50 community groups expressing the continued vitality of the global cultures and arts that enliven our city.
The Ukrainian community was well represented with a banner, information table and musical performances.
Ukraine Banner at Cleveland Museum of Art
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio table
United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio performer
Ukrainian Cultural Garden on One World Day 2018
The Cleveland Ukrainian community was out at the 73rd annual One World Day on the site of the Ukrainian Cultural Garden. Members of the community marched in the annual Parade of Flags and later there was more fun as members of the Ukrainian community shared their culture with thousands of visitors on One World Day.
US Senator Rob Portman Receives Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, received the Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko during his visit to Ukraine. The Order of Merit is given to individuals for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres of activity. It was first established by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma in 1996. Those who are awarded the Order of Merit have the official title Chevalier of the Order of Merit.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Senator Rob Portman
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Order of Merit from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev. America stands with the Ukrainian people in their struggle to secure a democratic, prosperous, and independent future for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression,” said Portman. “As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus and author of several provisions authorizing expanded U.S. military assistance — including lethal aid — and establishing the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, I will continue to do everything I can to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russian aggression.”
NOTE: Portman, who received the Ukrainian-American community’s highest honor in 2016, the Shevchenko Freedom Award, has long led the effort to provide Ukraine the kind of assistance necessary to ward off Russian aggression and maintain its territorial integrity. The co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, Portman has visited Ukraine several times, including leading a congressional election observation mission with Senator Ben Cardin during Ukraine's presidential election in 2014. For the past three years, Portman has successfully introduced amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act that expanded U.S. military aid to Ukraine. These provisions helped build the primary statutory framework for U.S. security assistance to Ukraine, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. In addition, he has repeatedly written letters, delivered multiple floor speeches, and pressed senior administration officials on the importance of providing meaningful assistance to help Ukraine stand up to Russia's military aggression.
2017
Tracing Your Family's Path from a Displaced Persons Camp
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., has created a searchable database of information on the Displaced Persons Camps and the people who passed through them. Earlier this year, the Holocaust Museum partnered with the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland to digitize the UMA's extensive collection of DP Camp periodicals produced by Ukrainian refugees from 1945-51. Working with Kyiv-based Archival Data Systems, researchers have scanned more than 75,000 documents archived at the Tremont museum, creating a resource that scholars and others will now be able to access.
Officials from the Holocaust Museum unveiled the new resource and its search tools at a special presentation in Cleveland, a city that resettled thousands of displaced persons. "Solving the Mystery: Tracing Your Family's Path from a Displaced Persons Camp," was presented at the Slovenian National Home.
Over 25,000 people attended the 72nd annual One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on Sunday August 27, 2017. The Ukrainian Cultural Garden looked beautiful and members of the Ukrainian community marched in the Parade of Flags.
Ukrainian Cultural Garden members marching in the Parade of Flag on One World Day
In this short video Uliana explained the beautiful dresses and other items from Ukraine at the Ukrainian Festival at Pokrova Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in Parma.
Senator Rob Portman meets with Eastern European ethnic leaders
United States Senator Rob Portman has become a leading expert on the situation in Ukraine, the Baltics, Eastern Europe and Russia. He met with a few dozen leaders of Cleveland's Eastern European ethnic communities at Café 55 on East 55th to discuss US policy and answer their questions about Crimea, Ukraine, Russia, NATO, the Baltics and so on.
Thanks to Andrew J. Futey, President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, for setting this up.
Judge Ralph Perk Jr., Irene Morrow, Senator Rob Portman, Andrew Futey and Marta Liscynesky Kelleher
Ethnic leaders with Senator Rob Portman
2016
Senator Portman Receives Ukrainian Community’s Highest Honor
On Wednesday October 19, 2016 U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) received the Shevchenko Freedom Award, the highest accolade awarded by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the nation’s largest representation of Ukrainians in America.
The award, named after Ukraine's poet-laureate and national hero Taras Shevchenko, is awarded to individuals who have displayed a remarkable understanding and given substantial assistance to the Ukrainian American community and the Ukrainian people. Portman, a co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, has long been a leading voice in the United States’ efforts to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and has pursued steadfast relations with Ukraine in recognition of its vital importance to Trans-Atlantic peace and security while persistently advocating for the United States to play a more active role in helping Ukraine stave off Russian aggression.
He released the following statement:
“I am honored to receive the Ukrainian community’s highest honor from the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America for my work to support Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and friends of Ukraine across the globe. I am proud of my long-established record of support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian-American community, as well as for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. I have twice visited Ukraine, met with Ukraine President Poroshenko and other senior Ukrainian officials, and remain engaged with ongoing political, economic, and military developments. But more work remains. Twenty-five years after Ukraine gained their independence from the Soviet Union, a familiar foe is once again challenging Ukrainian sovereignty.
The United States must do more to give the Ukrainian people the tools they need to defend themselves, and I will continue to urge the Obama administration to provide these pivotal measures. I look forward to continuing to work with the Ukrainian-American community in support of Ukraine.”
Senator Rob Portman honored by Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
Ukrainian Cultural Garden at One World Day 2016
The Ukrainian Cultural Garden and Ukrainian community participated in the 71st One World Day on August 28, 2016. They began with the Parade of Flags.
Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
Throughout the day members of the Ukrainian community of Cleveland hosted hundreds of visitors in the Ukrainian Cultural Garden and shared Ukrainian culture.
Living Traditions Folk Ensemble performed dances from Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine at the 71st One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on August 28, 2016.
During the Parade of Flags at the 71st annual One World Day in the Centennial Year of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens on MLK Blvd. members of the Ukrainian Cultural Garden chanted "Putin, get out of Ukraine" as they marched.
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Group visits Ukrainian Museum
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington sent four of its researchers and scholars to Cleveland on May 19-20, 2016 to see the WW II and post-war Displaced Persons Camp collections at the Ukrainian Museum-Archives. The Holocaust Museum will be signing an agreement with Ukrainian archival institutions.
Henry Mayer from the US Holocaust Museum
presents a book to UMA's Andy Fedynsky
A highlight of the 6th annual Holiday Celebration of Cleveland's Diversity held in the atrium of the Global Center for Health Innovation in the Cleveland Convention Center by the International Community Council-Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) was the multicultural fashion show.
Senator Portman Meets with Cleveland Eastern European Communities
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) traveled to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, as well as other government officials. Portman has repeatedly called for increased U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as they continue to face Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US Senator Rob Portman
On Friday, April 17, 2015 Senator Portman, co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, met with members of Eastern European communities in Cleveland to discuss his recent visit to Ukraine and Latvia.
The week following PASCHA (Easter) is called "Bright Week" in the Eastern (Orthodox) Christian Church. During Bright Week there are many different ways to enjoy this "Feast of Feasts" - including the "Sprinkling Days"!
On Monday within some of the various nationalities who are Orthodox, the boys seek out the girls of their parishes to "sprinkle" them - usually with scented water - and on Tuesdays, the girls seek out the boys to do the same "sprinkling"
On this Tuesday Ukrainian Dozia Krislaty and Rusyn Laurel Tombazzi sprinkled Ken Kovach. Then Vietnamese Gia Hoa Ryan sprinkled him as well
2014
"We need to take sides. We need to be with the Ukrainian people." Senator Rob Portman
The 53rd annual Captive Nations Dinner of the American Nationalities Movement was held in Wal-Tam's Grand Ballroom in Garfield Heights on July 17, 2014. Over 250 people attended the event to see the Freedom Awards be presented and a keynote address by US Senator Rob Portman.
Senator Portman has emerged as one of Ukraine's most vocal champions in Washington and has sponsored a Senate resolution backing Ukraine in its fight against pro-Russian militants and supported the president's calls for stiffer sanctions.
"He's been wonderful for us. He's been making our argument in Washington," said Marta Liscynesky-Kelleher, president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio.
Portman said the U.S. should back up sanctions with military hardware, including anti-tank weapons. "We need to give them (Ukrainians) the opportunity to defend themselves," he said.
The crowd was very glad to see the Kashtan Ukrainian Dance Ensemble at the Cleveland Kurentovanje Parade on March 1, 2014. Especially in these troubled times.
The annual Ukrainian Festival and Parade was held August 24, 2013. Roman Fedkiw served as MC and told of the record 55 organizations in the 2013 parade.
Irene Zawadiwsky from Ariel International played the Ukrainian bandura at the 4th annual Worldwide Intercultural Network (WIN) holiday celebration of global diversity at the Ariel International Center in Cleveland Ohio.
The Cleveland Ukrainian community was represented at the 2013 Culture Shock event which was put on by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) West and the Parma City School District. Besides a table display, there was a dance performance.
Opening of Ames Family Atrium in Cleveland Museum of Art October 28, 2012. The band Harmonia played at the grand opening of the Ames Family Atrium in the Cleveland Museum of Art on Sunday October 28, 2012.
Harmonia at Cleveland Art Museum Ames Atrium opening
Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio State Representative Tim DeGeeter, Ihor Diaczyn and Roman Fedkiw assisted Parma Mayor Dean DePiero in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Ukrainian Heritage Park in Parma
Hundreds enjoyed the beautifully refurbished Garden and the rededication of the statue of Lesya Ukrainka.
Click on the links below to see numerous photos and videos from the special day. Congratulations to Dozia Krislaty, Committee Chair and President of Branch 8 of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and her team for a wonderful job.
Organizations and Resources for Ukrainians in Cleveland
Ukrainian Cultural Garden in Cleveland Including statues of Lesya Ukrainka, Ivan Franko, Taras H. Shevchenko and Volodymyr the Great aka Saint Vladimir Svyatoslavich
Lesya Ukrainka statue in Ukrainian Cultural Garden
Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles.
Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died.
In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties.
A peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor Yushchenko. Subsequent internal squabbles in the Yushchenko camp allowed his rival Viktor Yanukovych to stage a comeback in parliamentary elections and become prime minister in August of 2006.
An early legislative election, brought on by a political crisis in the spring of 2007, saw Yuliya Tymoshenko, as head of an "Orange" coalition, installed as a new prime minister in December 2007.
