Living Treasures – Part II

By Volodymyr Kish

Several months ago, I wrote a column on the theme of Living National Treasures.  This is a wonderful practice that the Japanese have wherein they designate outstanding living contributors to their arts and culture as “Living National Treasures”.  I tried to extend the concept to similar contributions that various Ukrainian Canadians have made towards keeping the Ukrainian arts, culture and identity alive and thriving here in Canada.  That column received much feedback, mostly of a positive kind, though a number of readers took me to task for having omitted individuals they felt worthy of mention in this respect.

One major omission, as justifiably pointed out by Myroslava Huziak of Toronto, was Halya Kuchmij, the prolific producer-director of numerous Canadian documentary films, many of them on Ukrainian themes. She has worked for the National Film Board, the CBC, and also as an independent producer, garnering numerous film industry awards including the Genie, Gemini, Gabriel and Chris, not to mention various medals from international film festivals.  Among her memorable works are The Fullness of Time (a fascinating picture of early Ukrainian immigrants in the Prairies), The Strongest Man in the World (about Manitoban strong man Mike Swystun who toured the world with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus), and Laughter in my Soul (biographical portrait of Winnipeger Jacob Maydanyk, Ukrainian cartoonist and humorist).  Her latest project, Passion of Kurelek, is a 90-minute docudrama based on the famous painter’s life.  Without a doubt, Halya is more than worthy of consideration as one of our Living Treasures.

While I am on the subject of film makers, I would also be remiss if I did not mention several other noted Ukrainian Canadian practitioners of that art.  Like Kuchmij, John Paskievich has made a number of superb documentary films including My Mother’s Village and the Genie Award winning Ted Baryluk’s Grocery.

Also worthy of mention is Yurij Luhovy, producer of such well-known films as Harvest of Despair and the recent Holodomor documentary titled Okradena Zemlya.  Lastly, there is the incomparable Walter Wasyk, who was one of the first Ukrainian feature film makers in Canada (and likely the last) based out of his own constructed studios just outside of Oshawa, Ont.  Who can ever forget seeing Nikole ne Zabudu (I Shall Never Forget)?

Another name that I can’t figure out how I could have missed in the original column is Vasyl Popadiuk.  His talents as a musician were spotted early on when he was accepted to the Mykola Lysenko Secondary Special Music School of Kyiv for gifted children at the tender age of 7. He completed his studies at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music of Ukraine (Kyiv Conservatory) and toured extensively throughout the then Soviet Union as a violin virtuoso.  Following Ukraine’s independence, Vasyl eventually settled down in Toronto and has become widely known throughout North America as the “Duke of the Gypsy Violin”.  He has performed at numerous festivals and events, as well as being featured on American network television.  Anyone who has ever seen him play will attest to the fact that the man is indeed a prodigy, and I have no doubts that Paganini himself would have been impressed.  Although better known as a soloist, he has recently formed a band called Papa Duke that specializes in what he calls “World Gypsy Fusion” music.

I am guilty in omitting a number of other well-known Ukrainian musicians in my “treasures” column that are undoubtedly worthy.  One of the most successful musical performers of the past decades of Ukrainian origin is Randy Bachman.  Randy is truly a Rock and Roll legend, making his name in the 70s and 80s as a member of Bachman Turner Overdrive.  Randy was born and raised in Winnipeg of undoubted and influential Ukrainian roots, as evidenced by the fact that when he was recently awarded the Order of Canada, he was dressed for the occasion in an embroidered Ukrainian shirt.

On a more classical note, we need to acknowledge the Toronto-born and educated composer and conductor Roman Hurko.  He has established himself internationally as an opera director, having worked with the Canadian Opera Company, The Royal Opera at Covent Garden and the Opra de Monte-Carlo.  He is also well known for his compositions of sacred choral music.

Another prominent contemporary performer of Ukrainian origins is Chantal Kreviazuk, whose father is Ukrainian and her mother is part Ukrainian, part Scottish and part First Nations – as representatively Canadian as you can get. Chantal is undoubtedly one of the most successful female rock stars around today.

This list could go on and on, as the amount of talent within the Ukrainian community in Canada runs very deep.  We can be justifiably proud of what we have contributed to the Canadian