Tarnawecky Lectures Features Art-Literature Duo
The University of Manitoba’s
Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies recently hosted artist Natalka Husar and
writer Janice Kulyk-Keefer who presented the Centre’s bi-annual Professors
Michael and Iraida Tarnawecky Distinguished Lecture for 2009. Divided into two
parts, the event featured a major media presentation and book launch Blood
in the Borshch by Janice Kulyk-Keefer and Natalka Husar on November 12th.
A second book presentation, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Ukrainian
by Janice Kulyk-Keefer, followed on November 13th.
Both events were held in
the Great Hall of St. Andrew’s College and focused on the duo collaborative
two-year research project funded by Canada’s Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council. In this project, word and image joined together to
offer insights into the life of Post Orange Revolution Ukraine. At the end of
their presentation, the two presenters officially unveiled the book Aptechka,
that constituted the product of their joint work. “Aptechka”, a Ukrainian
word meaning something akin to a portable pharmacy or first-aid kit was used as
a literary metaphor for Post Orange Revolution Ukraine.
This is an art book like
no other. The cover’s title belies the serious and provocative nature of the
material inside. This may irk those who prefer and expect rosy views on today’s
Ukraine.
Without doubt, the presentation and the book challenged those in attendance
while, at the same time, provided a response based on the experience of two
artists in Ukraine.
All serious book collectors will want to get a copy of this book before it is
sold out.
The second presentation
by Janice Kulyk-Keefer explored the diasporic condition as it inflects the
experience of Ukrainian Canadians and other “hyphenated” Canadians. She
utilized numerous personal episodes to provide the background for her
arguments. The presentation was well accepted with numerous questions and
remarks.
Our kudos are extended to
those who worked to make this event happen, and we doff our hats to both the
artist and the poet for bringing their perspectives to our attention in such a
unique and compelling way! Ukrainian Canadians need more presentations such as
those by Kulyk-Keefer and Husar to continuously challenge and affirm our
multi-cultural experiences.
Dr. Robert B. Klymasz
Zurawecki Research Fellow
Centre for Ukrainian Canadian
StudiesUniversity of Manitoba