The Mystery of the Photograph: Koshetz Family, Vasyl Benevsky, or Fr. Petro Medynsky?

The Mystery of the Photograph: Koshetz Family, Vasyl Benevsky, or Fr. Petro Medynsky?

While working on articles dedicated to the memory of the renowned Maestro Koshetz, I repeatedly drew on his  Memoirs; the three-volume diary With Song, Around the World; and the book  Ukrainian Song Abroad…, published by Koshetz himself in Paris in 1928. I also examined articles and critical responses to the worldwide triumph of the Ukrainian Republican Capella (Ukrainian National Choir) written by prominent European and American critics in century-old periodicals, among other sources, over more than seven years of research.

With trembling hands, I carefully turned the pages of Koshetz’s diary, gazing with admiration at his photographs, personal belongings, and letters, which his wife, Tetiana Gorgievska-Koshetz, entrusted to the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center in Winnipeg after his passing. Exploring his archives left a unique and unforgettable impression. Some of Alexander Koshetz’s archival documents and photographs are published here for the first time. 

THE UNTOLD STRUGGLES OF KOSHETZ: AN IMMIGRANT’S FATE

By Halyna Kravtchouk, Winnipeg, Canada

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Maestro’s passing 

«The song saved me... It finally became the one thing I serve and worship, like my own sanctuary» (A. Koshetz).

An ancient legend speaks of a song and the Ukrainians. According to the version of this legend recounted by Winnipegger Stephania Zenewych, on the day when God was bestowing talents upon the nations of the world, the Ukrainian arrived late. Undeterred, he approached God, who, upon hearing his request, replied, «I have already given out all the talents. There is only a song left, so I will give you a song». Since then, the French have been renowned for their fashion designers and elegance, the Germans for their order and discipline, the Hungarians for their love of commerce and equestrian parades, and so forth. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are celebrated worldwide for their songs and their creators, with the people often saying, «That talent is a gift from God himself!».

One of those to whom these words fully apply is the world-renowned conductor, composer, ethnographer, promoter of Ukrainian folk songs and church music, and a true Ukrainian patriot, Alexander Koshetz (1875–1944). Over a century ago, while traveling with the Ukrainian Republican Capelle (later known as the Ukrainian National Choir), he introduced Europeans to his native songs, masterfully elevating them to new heights of beauty and spiritual depth. His work as a choir conductor and arranger received high praise from some of the most prominent music critics of the old world. Koshetz’s dream of showcasing the soul and musical creativity of the Ukrainian people to Europe came true.

On September 25, 1922, the Ukrainian National Choir made its historic arrival on the American mainland aboard the steamship Caronia, which had narrowly escaped disaster after colliding with an iceberg. For the first time, the triumphant march of Ukrainian song captivated audiences across the Americas. The choir’s success is underscored by «thousands of reviews written in twelve languages». Reflecting on his journey, Koshetz wrote to his friend Vasyl Benevsky in the Caucasus that he «had traveled 170,000 miles across North and South America and given over 400 concerts in just a year and a half» (О. Кошиць. Листи до друга. 1998. – P. 38-39).

SINGING SENSATION IN WINNIPEG IN 1926

       By Halyna Kravtchouk, Winnipeg, Canada

  «Koshetz’s Ukrainians are more wonderful than ever», Winnipeg Free Press 

The Ukrainian National Choir, under the direction of the world-renowned Ukrainian choral conductor Alexander Koshetz, ceased to exist in 1924. In Maestro’s own words, the troubles began in Havana (when the singers attempted to strike over ten days of unpaid work. Additional reasons for the choir’s dissolution included misunderstandings and clashes among the choristers, indecent behavior by some singers, constant conflicts with their impresario Max Rabinow, and falsified, humiliating, and provocative information in the press. These negative reports were influenced by russophiles and moscow agents and targeted the choir, the conductor, and the choristers. Some singers, lured by promises of well-paying jobs, wished to continue independently and become famous without Rabinow and Koshetz. As a result, everyone, including the conductor, was left jobless and penniless.

After a year of unemployment, Alexander Koshetz signed a new contract with Max Rabinow, the founder and director of the American Institute of Operatic Art in Stony Point, New York. Rabinow appointed Maestro as the principal conductor of the American Choir (The Stony Point Ensemble). Koshetz had to prepare the newly formed choir for a North American tour scheduled for August 1925, during which they planned to give 100 concerts over a 15-week period.

CENTURY AGO: MAESTRO KOSHETZ LED UKRAINIAN NATIONAL CHOIR’S SENSATIONAL TRIUMPH IN WINNIPEG

«…I was overwhelmed by the thought that I had the honor of showing to the world the soul of our people...» – Alexander Koshetz

The Ukrainian folk song, masterfully performed by the Ukrainian Republican Capelle under the direction of Alexander Koshetz, became a powerful weapon in the struggle for independence of his ancestral land on the international arena. Established in 1919 on the initiative of Symon Petliura, Head of the Directory of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, with the intent to promote in European countries international recognition of Ukraine’s independence, and «...to showcase the soul and musical creativity of the Ukrainian people to Europe». As a state institution, the choir possessed its own state seal, official letterhead, and all choristers and the administrative staff of the organization received certificates of civil servants.  

                           

An official Letterhead with the name of the Ukrainian Republican Capelle in Ukrainian, French, and German

Archival documents, including an official letterhead, from the Central State Archive of the Highest Bodies of Power and Administration of Ukraine (ЦДАВО України) related to the Capelle are available for access through this link: ПУБЛІКАЦІЯ АРХІВНИХ ДОКУМЕНТІВ. УТВОРЕННЯ ТА ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ РЕСПУБЛІКАНСЬКОЇ КАПЕЛИ (1919–1921 рр.) В АРХІВНИХ ДОКУМЕНТАХ: https://doc-0c-08-apps-viewer.googleusercontent.com/viewer/ secure/pdf/

Those documents highlight the Capelle’s history, its performances abroad, and characterize the work of Alexander Koshetz as a composer, conductor and leader of the choir.

Holodomor: EU Parliament recognises Soviet starvation of Ukrainians as genocide

Holodomor: Parliament recognises Soviet starvation of Ukrainians as genocide

Press Releases

 

PLENARY SESSION 

 

AFET 

 

15-12-2022 - 12:44 

• Current Russian crimes in Ukraine reminiscent of the past
• Call on all countries and organisations to also recognise the Holodomor as genocide
• Russian regime manipulates historical memory for the purpose of its own survival

MEPs deplore that 90 years after the Holodomor, Russia is again committing horrific crimes in Ukraine.

 In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament recognises the famine inflicted by the Soviet regime on Ukraine in 1932-1933 - known as the Holodomor - as genocide. MEPs strongly condemn these acts, which resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians, and call on all countries and organisations that have not yet done so to follow suit and recognise it as genocide.

Ukraine in the XX century inter World War period. A History Lesson by Askold S. Lozynskyj

A HISTORY LESSON

The territory of today's Ukraine in the XX century inter World War period was split essentially between a repressive Polish dictatorship and a savage and genocidal Soviet Russian regime. Small portions were under Czechoslovakian and Romanian control. In the case of the Soviets, some 7-10 million Ukrainians were starved to death in the 1932-33 years alone. The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact between Berlin and Moscow of September 1939 changed the political map but did not mitigate the dire conditions governing the indigenous Ukrainian population. When Poland was ousted, its repression was replaced by Soviet savagery.

 

In 1939 the Soviets brought their genocidal policies into Western Ukraine, populated primarily by Ukrainians in the villages and Poles and Jews in the cities. The Ukrainians and Poles were fiercely persecuted. Jews in great numbers served their new masters. When the Germans reneged on their Soviet pact in June 1941, the Soviets chose to retreat employing a scorched earth policy. Many Ukrainians and Poles were simply slaughtered. 

Negotiations launched for Canada - Ukraine bilateral security commitments

From: Global Affairs Canada

Readout

August 28, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Last Friday, Government of Canada officials met with their Ukrainian counterparts to discuss long-term security commitments between our two countries. During the meeting, Canadian officials reiterated Canada’s commitment to using all tools at our disposal to support Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Animal welfare at risk as war in Ukraine continues

Animal welfare at risk as war in Ukraine continues

July 13, 2023

(Lviv, 13 July 2023) – Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers in Ukraine have become overwhelmed with rescue requests as a result of the ongoing war in the country. With the influx of wild animals in need and the continued destruction of facilities and lack of resources, it has become increasingly difficult for rescue and rehabilitation centers to apply the necessary welfare standards and practices.

IFAW is helping the facilities introduce better welfare standards for wild animals in captivity through a two-day conference in Lviv. IFAW is co-organizing the event with ICF Save Wild, the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center and BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr on July 13 and 14.

Ihor Cap: Commentary on the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine Request for Weapons and the Battle of Kasham (aka Conoco Fields)

Ihor Cap: Commentary on the Russia-Ukraine War

When Ukraine asked for tanks and weapons back in September 2022, the Russians only started to build their fortifications. Ukraine got its tanks six months later, but by January 25, 2023, the well-armed and well-supplied Russians had hundreds of miles of well-built fortifications and minefields, not to mention even more mobilized troops. It is little wonder why the Ukrainians are slower in their counterattack. The relatively quick Ukrainian successes in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions did not face well-entrenched Russian troops. Casualties were still high on both sides.

 

Now that Ukraine is asking for air support, air defence systems, and more tanks in addition to longer-range artillery weapons, the West is still befuddled and slow to respond, at the cost of more Ukrainian lives. After all, it’s not their lives at stake here.  

The weapons to mitigate Ukrainian suffering are assuaged by a long list of lamentable regrets. These may include: we can’t give you these weapons; we don’t have enough artillery; we cannot produce them fast enough; let’s not escalate matters; or you can’t use these weapons in certain situations while the morally deficient Russians continue to bomb civilian populations, food storage facilities,  infrastructure, and revel in their genocidal acts.  You wonder if the NATO countries were even ready to fight Russia after 80 years of preparation.

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and GAN Global Join Forces to Promote Apprenticeships Worldwide

The Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA). Committed to providing a forum for exchange of  ideas, information, and resources, CAF-FCA brings together businesses, labour organizations, education providers, and government representatives to support apprenticeship training and skilled trades in Canada. As a country partner of GAN Global, CAF will have access to a worldwide network to share best practices and engage in dialogue with other organizations committed to promoting work-based learning (WBL).

GAN Global is an international network bringing together businesses, organizations, and governments to promote and support the expansion of quality apprenticeships worldwide as a means of equipping individuals with the skills needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing economy. In partnership with GAN Global, CAF-FCA seeks to better understand the application of other WBL and apprenticeship models in various countries. Exploring international examples and practices will encourage and inspire the Canadian apprenticeship community to push beyond current systems, processes, and politics to find new and better approaches to apprenticeship training.

“We are proud to partner with GAN and look forward to this unique collaboration to promotework-based learning. This important step will allow CAF-FCA to share and learn from international apprenticeship best practices to address skills gaps and ensure a robust pipeline of skilled trades talent for Canada.” France Daviault, CEO – Canadian Apprenticeship Forum

Eurobarometer: Trust in the EU on the rise, amid strong support for the EU's response to Russia invasion of Ukraine and energy policies

Press release 6 September 2022 Brussels

The summer 2022 Standard Eurobarometer survey shows increased trust of citizens in the EU, and continued strong support for the EU's response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. An overwhelming majority of EU citizens support investments in renewable energy and action to reduce the EU's dependency on Russian energy sources. The approval rate of the euro has reached its highest level ever.

However, Europeans are increasingly concerned about the economic situation in the EU and in their own country.

 

 General perception of the EU

An Army Of Creative Industry Experts Create A Hub To Support Volunteer Projects In Ukraine

An army of designers is implementing volunteer projects to support Ukraine 

People around the world realize that the strength of Ukrainians consists in unity and the extraordinary ability to cooperate in times of crisis. According to Forbes 48% of Ukrainian companies continued working during the war. Another 12% plan to reopen shortly. 6% of surveyed entrepreneurs have already changed the focus of their business. Another 19% of them plan to retrain according to the wartime requirements. 

Creative industry experts also did not shy away from actively joining the struggle on the front. As such, the Happy design agency team, along with the domestic digital community, and with the support of the partner platforms Projector and CASES created the UDDU hub of designers, the goals of which are: 

• support volunteer projects through design, which facilitates their work and external communication;

• employ designers and creatives who have lost their work because of war;

• provide Ukrainians with the possibility to work with foreign customers (even for those who don’t speak English);

• support the Ukrainian economy by paying taxes and attracting foreign clients to the country;

• transfer 20% of the profits of all projects to volunteer organizations and the Ukrainian Army.

In three months, the UDDU created branding and websites for the following volunteer projects: 

Photographs of Russian Atrocities in Ukraine by City or Town

Photographs of Russian Atrocities in Ukraine by City or Town

The following link leads you to a subset of folders depicting various war crimes committed by retreating Russian armies against innocent civilians in cities, towns and villages across Ukraine. These images are for a mature audience of 18+. 

Permission to publish these photos was acquired from the League of Ukrainian  Canadians who in turn acquired permission to share these photographs with the public at large. Authorship is an ongoing process of being validated.

Orest Stetsiv

League of Ukrainian Canadians

LINK to Russian Atrocities in Ukraine as documented in various cities and towns 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-3_RECcAKk5LftVIvGoD6Z8-_9dLJYCa 

Шановні:

 

Це прислали з України. Фото Бучі, Ірпеня, Мотижина. Дають право на публікацію. Просять поширити.

 

Фото для іноземців з Бучі, Ірпеня, Мотижина і Житомирської траси

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-3_RECcAKk5LftVIvGoD6Z8-_9dLJYCa

 

Орест Стеців

Ліґа Українців Канади

acadooghostwriter.com

Christmas Time and New Year Celebrations

Ukrainian St. Nicholas
(Svyatyj Mykolai)

Everyone knows what time of year it is when they hear the ever popular song, by American crooner Andy Williams, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Of course it is. It's Christmas time! It's a joyous occasion. This is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ. Families attend church services, and enjoy Christmas supper. It's also a time for singing Christmas carols, attending holiday concerts, shopping, get-togethers, baking and merry-making. Best of all, perhaps, it's the season for receiving or giving gifts. So, if you were nice, Santa Claus will be sure to bring you a present. If you were naughty, then you might not get anything at all!
This tradition dates back to the 4th century when Saint Nicholas of Myra or Nicholas the Wonderworker who showed his love by passing out secret gifts to children and helping the needy. In North America, St. Nick is better known as Santa Claus from the Dutch word Sinterklaas  or Sint-Nicolaas. He may also be known as Sankt Nikolaus or Nikolaus in German, Saint Nicolas in French, and Sviatyij Mykolai (meaning Saint Nicholas) in Ukrainian, but it is he that gave rise to the North American persona Santa Claus. However, there are folks that still prefer to give gifts on Dec 6 (Gregorian calendar) or Dec 19 (Julian calendar) St. Nicholas Day so as not to take away from the real meaning of Christmas and that is the birth of Christ, and love and peace on earth.

UCCLA to feds: Locate unmarked graves at federal internment sites

UCCLA Media Release: Ottawa (4 June 2021 - For Immediate Release)

 A significant fund was set aside by the federal government this week, providing for indigenous groups to engage in research leading to the location and hallowing of the remains of children who died while at Canada’s residential schools. This is long overdue for our indigenous brothers and sisters. UCCLA applauds the federal government for starting to atone for the forced relocation and suspension of liberties our First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples suffered via that system.

It is a precedent.

Between 1914 and 1920, thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans were branded "enemy aliens," forced to labour for the profit of their jailers, disenfranchised, and subjected to other state-sanctioned censures.

They were victims not only of wartime xenophobia but of pre-war racist prejudices that would persist long after the end of Canada’s first national internment operations. There were 24 camps across Canada where internees were held, including women and children, the latter at Vernon, B.C., and Spirit Lake, Que. (known today as La Ferme, near Amos). 

A cemetery established at Spirit Lake by the federal government holds the remains of 19 internees, including children; the whereabouts of at least one child, Nellie Manko, remain uncertain. Despite repeated requests from the Ukrainian Canadian community for government assistance in securing, restoring, and properly marking this unique historical site, no action has been taken, preferring this cemetery remain forgotten. The site is rapidly deteriorating, and will soon vanish into the Abitibi. This is unacceptable.

Now that a $27-million federal fund is established for our fellow indigenous Canadians to locate, restore, and properly commemorate those places where innocents were buried, the UCCLA is asking federal Heritage Minister, the Hon. Steven Guilbeault, to redress the situation at the Spirit Lake internee cemetery, as well as the situation at other unmarked graves elsewhere. 

The precedent of the June 3 announcement makes federal intervention appropriate, necessary, and urgent.

Commenting, UCCLA’s chairman, Roman Zakaluzny, said:

“We applaud our indigenous brothers and sisters for finally being able to move forward with locating and hallowing their deceased children, victims of the federal government’s residential school system. We hope that Ukrainians Canadians, victims of a federal government forced relocation and internment program, can also do the same.

“On Sunday, June 20 – Father’s Day – Canada will mark the 101^st anniversary of the conclusion of the internment operations of Ukrainian and other Europeans that began during the First World War and continued for two years after. Let us not forget the men, but also women and children like Nellie Manko, who to this day remain in unmarked graves at various former federal internment camps across Canada.”

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For more information about UCCLA, please email media@uccla.ca, or visit:

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The Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (L'Association ukrainienne-canadienne des droits civils) is a non-partisan, voluntary, non-profit research and educational organization committed to the articulation and promotion of the Ukrainian Canadian community's interests and to the defence of the civil liberties and human rights of Ukrainians in Canada and elsewhere.