January 25 – With less and less Ukrainian stuff happening in the downtown core of Toronto, it was exhilerating to drop by and witness the goings on at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre (UCC) found at 83 Christie St. Here, (above) Mykhajlo Chulkov-Kravchenko directs a rehearsal of the Prolisok Youth Ensemble, a vocal group that forms part of the Academy of Arts founded by Chulkov at the UCC. Now seven years in Canada, conductor Chulkov was a professsor at the Drahomanov Pedagogical University in Kyiv. Missing from this photograph is musical accompanist, Nadia Verbenko, who emigrated from Kyiv 8 years ago. Another portion (see right) of the school was inaugurated today with Brampton iconographer and UNF member Pavlo Lopata joining to lead lessons with children in the visual arts. Three young artists signed up for the first day: (left to right) Valeria Korbut, 11, Sofia Sahajdak, 10, and Boris Kotanskyj, 8. Other guest instructors are signing up to help out, and virtuoso violinist Vasyl Popadiuk is expected to start next month. To find out more about the school call: 416-621-4119

– Report by Petro Lopata