Monthly Archives: August 2008

news, usa

‘So you think you can dance’ labels the Hopak as Russian

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From UNIAN:

Last night, the very popular FOX TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” (watched by millions and millions of viewers) featured two of this year`s top male dancers wearing Ukrainian folk costumes and dancing a hopak while presenting it as a Russian dance “trepak.” The lame excuse that such a dance was used by Tchaikovsky in his ballet “The Nutcracker” does not justify such a glaring misinformation on the part of the producers and, in particular, a Russian choreographer who prepared this dance!

The League of Ukrainian Canadians have provided a petition to sign and are encouraging viewers to write to FOX tonight to have them acknowledge the error before tonight’s finale. Already available is a clip from last night’s dance.

Continue reading ‘So you think you can dance’ labels the Hopak as Russian →

canada, event

Ukrainian pavilion at Winnipeg’s Folklorama

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From the Winnipeg Sun:

Non-stop Ukrainian food and entertainment is available at the Ukraine-Kyiv pavilion at Maples Collegiate all week.

The pavilion has been around since the beginning of Folklorama but keeps every year fresh as the show features new dancers and live bands each night.

The entertainment from the show extends to a display room which features “a Ukrainian musical journey,” said Labay.

Popular Ukrainian instruments like the trembita are gathered in the room with volunteers who are keen on the music’s history.

On the main stage, performances led up to a finale from one of the many young and talented Ukrainian dance groups.

Folklorama goes from August 3 – 18. You can also watch video from the event. Click ‘continue reading’ for showtimes and directions.

Continue reading Ukrainian pavilion at Winnipeg’s Folklorama →

canada, news

Ukrainian Auschwitz survivor honoured

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From the Richmond Review:

Stefan Petelycky wears a symbol of his luck on his arm, a tattoo emblazoned with the numbers 154922. The number was branded on him when he was taken to Auschwitz when he was only 20 years old.

Since his harrowing days as a German prisoner, Petelycky has passed some of his luck onto other people through his humanitarian efforts. The former aircraft mechanic to the Canadian army retired 20 years ago and has spent much of his time since then sending medical supplies and children’s clothing back to his home country, Ukraine.

From the The Province:

Between 1991 and 2003, Petelycky helped fill and ship 19 containers of goods, including used wheelchairs and hospital beds, from the B.C. chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services charity to Ukraine.

During that time he travelled 47 times to Ukraine to help supervise their unloading and the distribution of goods to orphanages and hospitals.

Charity treasurer John Tymchuk said the amount of goods sent was valued at $1.5 million and shipping costs amounted to $200,000.

Petelycky was awarded a medal of honour for all his work by Ukrainian ambassador to Canada Ihor Ostash on July 30 at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Richmond, BC.

Continue reading Ukrainian Auschwitz survivor honoured →

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Ukrainian news round-up for August 4th, 2008

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event, ukraine

Donate to Ukrainian flood victims

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From Ukrainian Canadian Social Services in Canada:

FLOOD DISASTER APPEAL:

Western Ukraine has been hit by storms and non-stop rain from July 23 – 25, 2008 causing the banks of rivers and tributaries to overflow and to flood villages throughout the regions of Vynnycka, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpatia, Lviw, Ternopil and Chernivsti. 22 lives have been lost already. Buildings are roofless; roads, overpasses and bridges have been washed out; crops are destroyed. Local medical resources are stretched. Residents moving to higher ground watch as their homes and livelihood lay in ruin. And still the rain comes…

The volunteers and donors to Pomich Ukraini at Ukrainian Canadian Social Services are aware of the great need for humanitarian relief in western Ukraine as a result of this disaster. Please help us to bring this appeal to the attention of those of good will in our Churches, organizations and governments.

1. Your monetary donation can be conveniently made on-line: Click Donate Now throughCanadaHelps.org (also a French link)

2. Or, please feel free to send your cheque to Pomich Ukraini – Flood Relief. Send your cheque directly to the local branch of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (addresses located on the home page for each UCSS branch) or to national headquarters at:

Ukrainian Canadian Social Services
2445 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M6S 1P7
204 942 4627

Thank you for your generosity at this time of great need!

From United Ukrainian American Relief Committee in the US:

Help your Brothers and Sisters in Western Ukraine, who are suffering from a natural disaster that befell them: heavy rains, landslides and floods.
Tens of thousands Ukrainians are without a roof over their heads and have no means of subsistence.

22 people have perished and the number of victims is increasing daily.

Emergency relief requested

Bedding: sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases, sleeping bags
Items of personal hygiene
Rubber footwear

Financial aid is needed for purchase of food and other needed items in Ukraine, and to defray the cost of shipment of the above-mentioned articles.

Location of collection site:

UUARC Home Office
UNITED UKRAINIAN AMERICAN RELIEF COMMITTEE, INC.
1206 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
215-728-1630

HELP OUR UKRAINIAN BRETHREN IN NEED!
All donations are tax-deductible
For more information see: www.uuarc.org