Month: July 23, 2021 2:34 am

Two exciting diaspora singers especially wowed Festival audiences: Christina Yavdoshnyak and Anna Kosachevich. It was indeed gratifying to witness such mature performances by both polished vocalists who are still in their teens.

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. – The Barron Arts Center presents “Textiles: Reimagining New Jersey,” a multi-faceted arts series that explores the “common threads” of the cultural landscape of the United States of America.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Ukrainian Sports Club of N.Y. (known by its Ukrainian acronym YCK) is excited to announce that they have officially relocated to the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Ukraine’s performances in the previous three Summer Olympic Games have been on a downward trend: 22 medals (seven gold) in Beijing (2008) with 243 participating athletes, 19 medals (five gold) in London (2012) among 238 athletes, and 11 medals (two gold) in Rio de Janeiro (2016) with 203 Ukrainian Olympians. Hopes of reversing the above trend will be quite challenging in Tokyo with Ukraine sending 155 athletes to compete in 22 sports.

Relationship of ‘paramount importance’
The current U.S. administration is eager to deepen and strengthen ties with Ukraine, as the two countries’ military relationship is of “paramount importance” for Kyiv’s goal of establishing a closer relationship with NATO, a senior State Department official has told RFE/RL.

KYIV – Arsen Avakov, one of the most powerful and independent-minded government officials, tendered his resignation as internal affairs minister on July 13.
As the nation’s longest-serving top cop overseeing personnel in various agencies numbering more than 300,000 people, Mr. Avakov, 57, is one of the last officials not perceived as part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner-circle.

KYIV – Eleven days after Russian President Vladimir Putin held his yearly “direct line” call-in show with ordinary citizens during which he promised to publish an article on Ukraine, he delivered on the pledge and caused a stir on July 12 by calling the two nations “one people.”

KYIV – Nathan’s Famous, New York’s legendary hotdog vendor, made its way to Ukraine’s capital on July 14 with much fanfare.
In typical U.S. style complete with loud American music, muscle cars, beer and, of course, sausage links served in a bun with six topping choices, the once Coney Island nickel stand held a grand opening with U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires George Kent, American Chamber of Commerce President Andy Hunder and the company’s Senior Vice President for Restaurants James Walker among those in attendance.

During the final month before Ukraine will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its independence, the country is facing heightened anxiety and uncertainty in the external sphere.

CANNES, France – After a break in 2020, the 74th Cannes International Film Festival took place in France’s Cote d’Azur on July 6-17 with two Ukrainian films – “Olga” and “Babi Yar. Context” – premiering at the festival. Additionally, the State Agency of Ukraine for Cinema opened for the 15th time its pavilion that included the blue-and-yellow national flag and the hashtag #UkraineIsYourDestination in the heart of the festival’s International Village.

KYIV – In a move to protect the Ukrainian ethnic minority in Russia, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) was compelled to suspend membership of all Ukrainian organizations and UWC leaders in Russia. The move comes after Vladimir Putin enacted draconian laws that impose criminal sanctions on Russian citizens for associating with “undesirable” organizations, including the Ukrainian World Congress.

WINNIPEG – Metropolitan Yurij (Kali­stchuk), primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC), announced on July 10 via Facebook (www.facebook.com/UOCCanada) his retirement from his episcopal responsibilities.