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Ukrainian-Americans Celebrate 30th Independence Day

Published September 14. 2021 10:45AM
by DENNIS GLEW Special to the Bethlehem Press

Ukrainian-Americans of the Lehigh Valley joined millions around the world Aug. 24 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the state of Ukraine. Home to an ancient culture and bread basket of Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine was dominated and exploited for centuries by its far larger and more powerful neighbor, Russia.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, the Ukrainian people seized the opportunity to declare their independence at last. But Russian interference was not over. In 2014, the Ukrainian region of Crimea was annexed, and the Russian military has continued to threaten eastern Ukraine. The existence of an independent, democratic nation of Ukraine hangs in the balance of this struggle.

The Bethlehem branch of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America sponsored the celebration outside Bethlehem’s City Hall. Convened by Oksana Koziak, the chapter’s president, the 90-minute ceremony highlighted elements of Ukrainian culture, particularly music, dance and religion.

Four priests were in attendance, representing both the Orthodox and the Catholic sides of Ukrainian faith; several offered prayers. Members of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Organization, which was founded after World War II, served as an honor guard.

A group of dancers wearing traditional Ukrainian garb entertained with folk dances. At a moment corresponding to 6 p.m. in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital, everyone stood and sang an ancient hymn in Ukrainian. As they did so, they were joining groups of Ukrainians and people of Ukrainian descent everywhere in a prayer for peace and prosperity, a hope still not completely fulfilled in their ancient homeland.

PRESS PHOTOS BY DENNIS GLEW Ukrainian-Americans from the Lehigh Valley are joined by guests to mark an important anniversary of their ancestral homeland.
An honor guard from the Ukrainian-American Veterans Organization salutes as the American flag is raised, followed by the flag of Ukraine.
On behalf of the government of Pennsylvania, Steve Samuelson, representative of the 135th legislative district, presents an official recognition of the contributions that Pennsylvanians of Ukrainian descent have made to the Commonwealth. Receiving the document is Oksana Koziak, president of UNWLA Branch 91 (Bethlehem), joined by Oksana Kipa, Education and Culture chair of the organization.
Keynote speaker, Jerry Kindrachuk, who for years represented American companies in Moscow, discusses the challenges currently facing Ukraine.
The three-member team of Kazka Folk Dance entertain the crowd with dances that combine grace and athleticism.
A powerhouse dance ends with the male dancer respectfully leading his partner off the floor.
In addition to founding and serving in the Ukrainian-American Veterans Organization, Matthew Koziak is a past president of the Organization's national leadership. Ukrainian-Americans are strikingly patriotic.
Peter and Christina Krywczuk of Northampton spent several weeks traveling in Ukraine during 2018, where they have relatives. Their opinion: “Beautiful!”