The Evening of Love at UNF

By Taras Babyuk

It was extremely rewarding to overhear people talk about the UNYF (Toronto) Valentine’s Party at the Ukrainian National Federation building a week after the event took place. But given how successful the event was, it is not surprising that it left many lasting memories.

To begin with, the UNF Banquet Hall on the evening of February 11 could have been decorated by Debbie Travis herself or Martha Stewart for that matter. The myriad red balloons, hearts, ribbons, and angels with their arrows conveyed an unmistakable, omnipresent atmosphere of love and romance. By 10:30 p.m., the party was springing to life as the hall began filling up with youth who came out to celebrate this once-in-a-year day of love. The ladies looked unsurpassable in their gorgeous dresses and the gentlemen were just as sharp in their suits. At the event’s peak, the banquet hall was host to more than 250 people, and seething with energy.

The dance floor was never empty with DJ Light (Sergiy Marchak) at the helm. The music ranged from Ukrainian polka to various kinds of techno and trance and, of course, a fair share of slow dances for the enamoured couples. The music, combined with the multi-coloured and multi-shaped light effects that continuously flashed and pulsated throughout the hall, was indeed a wonder to experience.

One of the many memorable features of this Valentine’s evening was the contests. In one, the crowd cheered while the gentlemen competed to see who would be the quickest to tie tape around their ladies while holding it in their teeth. In another, the girls attempted to identify their man by feeling their legs and footwear while blindfolded. The winning couples received prizes and warm applause when they were presented by the evening’s hosts, Diana Morokhovets and Orest Kostiv.

The evening would hardly have been so successful had it not been for the dedication and hard work of many of our UNYF members. In particular, many thanks go to Lyubava Fartushenko, Oleksiy Yakovyshenko, Kateryna Opanasyuk, Andriy Drozdyuk, Diana Morokhovets, and Oleksandr Mykhayletskyy for their effort. Our gratitude is also extended to the UNF and affiliated organizations for their financial and moral support, specifically, to the former President of UNF Toronto Yaroslaw Kowal, the President of Ukrainian Women’s Organization National Executive Natalya Bundza-Iwanytzkyj and the President of UWO Toronto Genya Hunchak. Thanks also go out to UNF hall manager Philip Leshchuk for his help. 

UNYF Toronto continues to be active and is hoping to continue to bring together Ukrainian youth. On the horizon, we have a Dyskoteka coming up next month, so look out for the advertisements in your local Ukrainian papers!

The Ukrainian National Youth Federation (Y) is an organization geared to youths aged 14 to 30. It was revived at the 34th annual UNF convention in 2004 and has as its principal aim the unification of Ukrainian youth across Canada. The federation organizes dances, movie nights, sports and outdoor activities, camps, and many other events. Those interested in becoming a member can pick up a registration form at the UNF office at 145 Evans Avenue, Toronto, or call (416) 925-2770.