An Edmonton Celebration

By Walter Kish

I had the pleasure this past weekend of attending the 75^th Anniversary of the UNF Branch in Edmonton where I had been invited to be the guest speaker.  I can say without any exaggeration that it was one of the best organized and enjoyable Ukrainian events I have been to in a long while. 

The festivities started Friday Evening, October 26,  with an exhibit of photographs and other archival materials that covered the entire span of the Branch’s existence.  The exhibit display panels that lined both sides of the hall were done with commendable professionalism and artistic flair. 

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the evening was an address by Andrew Gregorovich, son of Oleksandr Gregorovich, one of the original founders of not only the Edmonton Branch but the UNF organization as a whole and its first National President.  During his prolific and productive life, he was responsible for the organization of some fifty branches of the UNF and is remembered as one of the great figures in Ukrainian Canadian history.  Andrew’s moving address touched on many of the interesting individuals and events that were fundamental to the growth and success of the UNF.  The evening concluded with performances by a number of talented artistic groups that call the UNF Hall home, including the Volya and Vohon dance ensembles and the Dzherelo and Suzirya drama groups.

Saturday Evening, October 27, the gala banquet saw a sold out crowd filling the Chateau Louis Conference Centre.  Following all the usual ceremonies and greetings by local dignitaries and official guests from throughout Canada, I had the pleasure of giving the keynote address, wherein I provided an informal overview of life in Ukraine today, with a special focus on the political situation surrounding the recent elections. 

This was followed by an entertainment program that featured some of the world renowned “end products” of the UNF Edmonton Branch’s cultural activities over the decades – the Cheremosh and Shumka dance ensembles, and the Dnipro Choir.  The Shumka dancers in particular, demonstrated convincingly that they are not only one of the best Ukrainian dance troupes in Canada but one of the best in the world.

Rounding out the program was an eclectic little band by the name of the Kubasonics, who, despite the strange name, displayed a remarkable virtuosity with old traditional instruments that included the tsymbaly, kobza, duda, Hutsul bagpipes and even a “Jew’s harp”.

The following day, after a sumptuous buffet brunch, UNF Edmonton Branch members gathered for an informal open forum discussion with representatives of the UNF of Canada Board of Directors from Toronto as well as special guests, where ideas and opinions on the present and future of the organization were exchanged in a constructive and friendly dialogue.

Throughout the weekend, I was especially impressed with the diversity and cohesiveness of the Edmonton Branch members.  There is a good mixture of second and third generation Ukrainian Canadians as well as recent immigrants that have come in the past decade or two.  They are amongst the most active of all the UNF branches in Canada, with frequent events that show the remarkable range of talent and creativity of the membership.

It would behoove other UNF branches to take a look and emulate the operations, programming and practices of the UNF Edmonton Branch.  They certainly have their act together and can serve as an effective role model for the rest of the organization.

In the meantime, I am reluctantly leaving Edmonton with the firm hope that I will soon find good cause to return in the near future.