Ollia Rohatyn

On November 8-9 citizens of Sudbury were privileged to greet the internationally famous artist and sculptor Leo Mol. On November 1 the Ukrainian Seniors Centre presented the video Leo Mol in Light and Shadow. The video proved to be very informative and showed the trials and tribulations in the long life of Leo Mol.

On November 8, in the presence of many Ukrainians and others, a rededication and unveiling of the sculpture of Ignatius of Loyola took place at the University of Sudbury. The Universitys emblem is based on the arms of Ignatius Loyola at the time that Leo Mol was a student. It represents courage, dedication, generosity, and sacrifice. The fleur-de-lys and the trillium recall the Universitys French origin in Ontario; the maple leaves and laurel branch, the ideal of academic excellence in Canada. The motto means: A flame of glowing radiance. Rt Reverend Monsignor Theodore Pryjma, of St Marys Ukrainian Catholic Church blessed the newly installed sculpture. After the rededication a wine and cheese reception was held in the Jesuit Lounge of the University of Sudbury, where the people who were present had the opportunity to speak with Mr Mol.

That same evening at the Convocation in the Sainte-Anne des Pins Parish Church Leo Mol was presented with an honourary doctorate degree by the University of Sudbury. Dr Helena Moroz made a very interesting presentation speaking in English, Ukrainian and French. In her speech Dr Moroz spoke about the life and art of Leo Mol.

The renowned artist and sculptor Leo Mol was born Leonid Molodozhanin in 1915, in Ukraine. He studied at the Leningrad Academy of Arts from 1936 to 1941 and then in Berlin and in the Netherlands. In 1948 Mr Mol and his wife, Margareth, emigrated to Canada and made their home in Winnipeg. Mr Mol was commissioned to cast bronze statues of such great historical figures as Winston Churchill, Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, Dwight D Eisenhower and Taras Shevchenko. In recognition of his artistic contribution, a park dedicated to Leo Mol was established in Assiniboine Park in the city of Winnipeg. The park opened in 1992, featuring 200 bronze sculptures, a gift from the sculptor himself. Mr Mol has received many prestigious international awards, the Caritas Award from the Catholic Foundation of Manitoba, several honorary degrees and the Order of Canada.

On Saturday, November 9, the Ukrainian Seniors Centre hosted Mr Mol at the Centre where through the efforts of Mary and John Stefura the Ukrainian Community was able to meet Mr Mol. During the morning Mr Mol related to the people present much of his lifes story. We marvel at the energy and memory of this famous eighty-something artist. We wish him much health and many years of artistic work in his chosen field of sculpture.