(UWO) As dusk fell over the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) Resort “Sokil” on the shores of Lake Simcoe near Hawkestone, Ontario, the ancient Ukrainian pre-christian holiday Ivana Kupala was celebrated July 6 with a wonderful concert. Some say there were 300, while some put the figure at 500. Whatever the number, it was an audience of young people, older people, children, babies and even a few dogs. Everyone enjoyed the very talented performers so much that each number was thunderously applauded and there is no doubt that the performers merited the applause. The poet and actor Petro Hrynchyshyn was Master of Ceremonies and as always, lent humour to the evening. The performers included the “Ukraina” Dance Ensemble under the direction of Valery and Lesia Movchan, the UNF Toronto Karate Group under the direction of Mykola Shyshko, Viktor Mishalow’s Bandurist and Choral Group, violinist Yaroslav Popadiuk (brother of VasyI Popadiuk) and the Shelest Quartet. The towering Ivana Kupala bonfire was lit by Myroslaw Adamowich, Vice-President of the Toronto UNF, Genya Hunchak, President, Toronto Ukrainian Women’s Organization (UWO) and Volodymyr Suchnacky, President of West Toronto UNF. The ritual bonfire leaped and sparked into the sky lighting the way for everyone to join the orchestra on the stage. The evening delighted everyone’s palate.

St John the Baptist (Ivana Chrestytelya) Chapel’s Morning Mass on Sunday July 7, 2002, was a very special one. The combined choirs of Boyan and St Demetrius Ukrainian Caholic Church (Toronto), under the direction of Myron Maksymiw, sang the mass while Father Bohdan Slipyj officiated. The voices of the choir were like the heavens opening up and pure sunshine streaming into the chapel. At the end of the Mass, new vestments for the Chapel priest (that had been selected by the Committee headed by Anne Fedun, with Ann Rebryk and Stephanie Kolyn), were blessed by Father Slypyj. The many Toronto UWO members present participated in the blessing by each member holding a part of the vestments. The beautiful blue on white embroidered vestments were made in Ukraine and purchased for the chapel by a generous donation from the Estate of Sophia Babiak. The late Mrs Babiak was a member of the UWO Toronto Branch.