Summer Festival Ivana Kupalo

By Chrystyna Kowal

A bright and hot summer sun shone over Ukrainian National Federation - UNO Camp Sokil in Hawkestone, Ont. on July 6^th, 2008, where a multitude of people gathered to celebrate the annual Ivana Kupalo Festival. 

 The day began with UNF Toronto Branch President Slawko Borys enlisting the aid of his brother Arian and best friend, Alex Maslej, to build the traditional Kupalo vatra bonfire.  Toiling in the hot sun, they brought the wood from the forest and built a vatra reaching over 8 feet.

After a beautiful day of relaxation on the shores of Lake Simcoe, the guests gathered around the beach pavilion at 7 pm. for the Evening Concert and Zabava.

Master of Ceremonies Mychailo Kowalchyk welcomed everyone to the Camp and then introduced Slawko Borys to officially open the festivities.  Borys welcomed everyone to the concert and spoke briefly of the changes that have been made and are in the plans for “Oselia” Sokil.

The concert began with a performance by Volodymyr Verminsky, a famous popular singer from Ukraine. It was truly fortuitous that Verminsky was in the Toronto Area at the time and was eager to perform during the concert. He entertained the audience with his rousing energetic style. Verminsky’s CD’s were available for sale and the singer gracefully autographed the purchases.

Following Verminsky’s performance, the audience was treated to a fabulous repertoire performed on the many-stringed bandura by the Canadian Kapelia Bandurystiv (under Victor Mishalov).  The bandurysty filled the evening air with the lyrical sounds of traditional Ukrainian music.

Closing the programme, we were treated to a stunning display of strength and dexterity by the youth of the UNF Shotokan-Do Karate Club (under Mykola Shishko).  Their high kicks set to vigorous music thrilled young and old.

It was then time to light the fire of the traditional Kupalo Vatra.  Leading members of the Ukrainian Women’s Organization - OUK Toronto  Branch were honoured to perform this task:  UWO Branch President Stacey Seussmuth, Anne Fedun and former UNF of Canada President Mary Pidkowich encircled the vatra with long torches and ceremoniously lit the fire.

Several young ladies adhered to tradition and made wreaths of daisies and other wildflowers which are plentiful around the oselia at this time of year.  Many of the young ladies wore the woven vinky to the evening’s Zabava, the music for which was provided by Zbruch. 

Young and old danced the night away to the sounds of Zbruch, while the moon shone a silver path on the lake.  When room was short on the pavilion dance floor, people spread out onto the surrounding grass and continue dancing there. 

It was a beautiful and successful Ivana Kupalo weekend at UNF Camp Sokil, and the beginning of what proved to be another wonderful  kick-off to the summer camping season at the UNO oselia.