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KERHONKSON, N.Y. – Amid the traditional pageantry and celebration, a central goal of the Ukrainian National Foundation’s (UNF) 2022 Cultural Festival, held on July 15-18 at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y., was to raise funds and support for Ukraine, which has for five months been defending itself in a full-scale war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24.

Beginning with the Fundraising Gala on the evening of July 15, and continuing with all of the guest artists and speakers over the weekend, visitors grew to understand the importance of providing humanitarian aid for refugees from Ukraine, as well as wounded civilians and soldiers in the country. This year’s festival highlighted the critical need to supply specific emergency medical equipment to Ukraine.

Indeed, the entire weekend was dedicated to raising money for the life-saving medical devices that are needed throughout the combat zones in Ukraine.

Soyuzivka’s new manager, Stephen Barankewicz, told Gala attendees that $150 of their $210 ticket price would go to medical relief for Ukrainian soldiers and hospitals.

“This Gala is all about our brothers and sisters in need,” he said, referring to people in Ukraine.

In addition, half of all Festival gate proceeds were earmarked for the same cause.

The Very Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak delivered an opening benediction for the packed Fundraising Gala. The emcee for the event, Bogdan Tabaka, introduced UNF President Wasyl Sheremeta. 

“At this moment, there is no higher cause than helping Ukraine fight the virus of war that Putin has let loose on the world,” Mr. Sheremeta said. He told guests that Ukraine most urgently needs two medical items: wound vacuum kits and external fixators for shattered bones (For more on the topic, see the related sidebar).

Readers who would like to donate money for the purchase of these medical supplies can send a check addressed to “Ukrainian National Foundation,” with the note “medical equipment for Ukraine army.” Checks can be mailed to the following address: Ukrainian National Associat-ion, 2200 Route 10, Parsippany, N.J. All money received by the end of July will go toward the purchase of deeply discounted supplies that will be delivered for free to Ukraine.

Members of the Board of Directors of the UNF in the audience were recognized, among them Roman Hirniak, Bohdanna Puzyk, Taras Sochan and Valentyna Tabaka.

Mr. Hirniak, who was recently elected president of the Ukrainian National Association (UNA), greeted attendees.

“All the funds and donations are going towards the good cause. …At critical moments like this, Ukrainians always lend a helping hand,” Mr. Hirniak said.

Petro Maha, who also spoke during the event, was one example of Ukrainians doing their part to help.

Mr. Maha, an actor, poet and well-known television personality in Ukraine, has since February served in the trenches near Kyiv as a commander with the 135th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko had to be contacted to release Mr. Maha from his army duties to help with the fundraising effort here.

Mr. Maha found time to work for an hour daily to compose his book of poetry, “Poems from the trenches” (the cover photo shows him in military gear with a rifle in a ditch). Readings of his poems are very popular on YouTube. Several such videos were screened for the audience, including one about the atrocities in Bucha.

The father of two daughters, Mr. Maha poignantly asked, “How could this happen here? How could such a tragedy occur in a country where people salute each other with “Slava Isusu Khrystu” [Praise be to Jesus Christ]?” 

Valentyna Tabaka, who was instrumental in organizing the festival, also facilitated all of the complicated arrangements for purchasing the above-mentioned medical supplies. She said, in reference to the most recent missile attacks by Russia on various Ukrainian targets, that gathering money for medical supplies was critical.

“Your contributions toward these medical instruments are now even more important than weapons,” she said.

During the course of the Gala, auctions were held and the audience was entertained by singer Jessica Kravchenko from San Francisco and artists from Ukraine who have been busy raising funds for Ukrainian troops. Those artists included Pavlo Zibrov, who many guests knew from “Dancing with the Stars Ukraine,” and the ever-popular Oksana Bilozir.

A new look for Soyuzivka

On the sunny Saturday, July 16, festival guests browsed long rows of vendors that stretched from the Main House to the Veselka Pavilion. Those vendors offered for sale books, CDs, embroideries, paintings, Petrykivka designs, carvings, jewelry and, unsurprisingly, a new generation of war-themed T-shirts.

The musical group Troyisty Muzyky strolled around the tents, entertaining the audience with authentic folk music on a fiddle, sopilka and accordion. Despite all of the aromatic barbecues and food on offer around the center, contestants and their fans still took part in a varenyky eating contest presided over by Alex Gutmacher.

Many people at the gala applauded the new look at Soyuzivka. Guests shared with this reporter their enthusiasm at seeing workers and guests from the past, now energized by Mr. Barankewicz to pitch in to help on various projects. Ms. Tabaka said the new manager was good to work with, and praised the variety of foods, desserts and bar items at the gala. 

The band Brattia Prykarpattia entertained guests at the preliminary concert, which also featured singers and dancers who would later reappear on the Main Stage later that evening.

Every seat was filled for the Main Concert, with the overflow audience settling over the wide lawn, and lining the stairs as far back as the Veselka ledge over the swimming pool. Members of the Ukrainian American Veterans opened the evening concert by presenting the colors for the singing of the American and Ukrainian national anthems. Emcees Lydia Kulbida and Andrij Dobriansky urged everyone to continue to help with donations for the war wounded and hospitals. 

Mr. Hirniak stepped forward to introduce several new UNA officers and board members. Mr. Sheremeta explained the importance of providing medical assistance to Ukraine and urged everyone to provide more support. Throughout the concert, the emcees periodically announced the most recent donations.

The concert also featured a new sound and light show, and a florid stage backboard was replaced with a simple black screen embedded with tiny lights.

The program began with Mr. Maha, who thanked the diaspora for all its support for the wounded, civilian and military in Ukraine. He recited an evocative poem, titled “302 Minutes,” about a sleepless mother waiting for a call from her son fighting along the front.

The Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Dance Workshop and the Syzokryli Dance Company were warmly received by the audience. They presented varied regional dances, and premiered an evocative dance, “Reminiscences,” choreographed by Stefan Calka. Meticulous attention to costumes from different Ukrainian regions, and elegant and spirited execution are what guests have come to expect from the ensembles. This year, the Workshop gathered 55 dancers from as far away as California for their intense 12-day festival preparation.

Renowned artists from Ukraine included the duet “Yaroslavna,” comprised of Natalia and Yaroslav Dub, who first appeared at Soyuzivka more than 20 years ago. Known for her many songs on YouTube, Iryna Lonchyna also contributed her talents. Singer Alyosha prefaced her songs by saying that she was raising funds to benefit the battalion in which her husband is now fighting.

Singers Pavlo Zibrov, Ivo Bobul and Lyubomyr “The Ukrainian Cowboy” Chert-mak took time from their busy schedules to add their individual vocal styles to the festival. 

And some wonderful homegrown talent was also on display. 14-year-old Jessica Kravchenko electrified the crowd with her energy and catchy tunes. After telling the audience how much she wants to see Ukraine, she clapped her hands together and said, “Let’s do this!” Her song “San Francisco – Kyiv” was a big hit with the audience.

Christina Yavdoshniak appeared at last year’s festival. Since then, she has already raised more than $100,000 for humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Wearing a beautiful embroidered dress, Ms. Yavdoshniak displayed the expressive vocalism of a mature artist. Songs by Malvy, Okean Elzy and Volodymyr Ivasyuk showcased her lyric voice.

The final concert demonstrated the unity of the entire cultural festival. All the artists showed commitment to preserve their culture and heritage. They pulled together, and did what had to be done in this time of need. Guests were treated to an outstanding display of Ukrainian talent and responded generously. In the words of Ms. Tabaka, the festival was “a fitting celebration, affirming the undying spirit of Ukraine and all Ukrainians.” 

The Ukrainian Weekly was founded in 1933 to serve the Ukrainian American community and to function as a vehicle for communication of that community’s concerns to the general public in the United States. It is the official English-language publication of the Ukrainian National Association.

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