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Ukrainian Institute of America awards "Man of the Year" to the Mayor of Kyiv
Designates 2003 as "The Year of the Renaissance of Kyiv"
More then 1,500 years after it was founded and following decades of decline under Soviet rule, Kyiv is once again thriving. Since becoming the capital of an independent Ukraine eleven years ago, Kyiv is fast establishing itself as one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Crumbling historical and religious monuments are being restored while others that were completely destroyed are being resurrected. Banks, apartment buildings and shopping centers are being built at an unprecedented pace. With much of the country’s political, religious and business elite centered in Kyiv, the city is once again becoming a regional seat of power.
The time is appropriate to publicize the tremendous changes taking place in Kyiv in order to develop greater recognition within the Ukrainian-American and Ukrainian-Canadian communities and even more important within the non-Ukrainian public.
To celebrate and recognize the positive changes in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Institute of America has designated 2003 as “The Year of the Renaissance of Kyiv." The Institute plans to hold a series of exciting, standout cultural and artistic events throughout the entire year as part of this celebration.
The first event will begin Friday, December 6, at the Institute and will feature a multi-media exhibition showing the changes and beauty of the “new” Kyiv. This inaugural exhibition will run through January 31, 2003. Additional programs will follow at approximately two-month intervals on architecture, art, music, and fashion designers of Kyiv.
The inaugural multi-media exhibit will also be shown in major cities through out the United States and Canada, including Washington, Philadelphia and others.
On December 9 The Ukrainian Institute of America will honor the Mayor of Kyiv, Oleksander Omelchenko as “Man of the Year 2002,” in cooperation with the Ukrainian World Congress, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, Ukrainian National Association, Ukrainian Fraternal Association, Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Self-Reliance Organizations, Freedom House and other leading organizations. Mayor Omelchenko is being honored for his great effort and achievements as the principal contributor credited with the Renaissance of Kyiv. Mr. Omelchenko will officially dedicate the multi-media exhibit on December 10.
We are especially pleased to announce that Vitaly and Volodymyr Klitchko, world-renowned athletes, will join us on December 9 to honor their close friend and supporter Mayor Omelchenko.
The Man of the Year presentation will take place at a gala banquet at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on December 9 at 7 p.m. The Ukrainian community at large is invited to participate in this event with his Honor Mayor Omelchenko and his entourage from Kyiv, community and political leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as special guests from Ukraine, businessmen and the media.
In addition to the banquet dinner the Institute will issue a commemorative journal to mark the occasion, which will be distributed widely throughout Ukraine, Canada and the United States. The journal will be in color and contain photographs of the “new” Kyiv, brief histories of Ukraine and Kyiv, a biography of Mayor Omelchenko and greetings and salutations from various businesses, organizations and individuals from both North America and Ukraine.
We have already received substantial subscriptions from numerous companies in Ukraine, which strongly support our efforts to recognize Mayor Omelchenko and to promote “The Renaissance of Kyiv.” These companies include Aval Bank, the largest Ukrainian-owned bank, and Obolon, the leading producer of beer in Ukraine.
We urge everyone to join our Ukrainian friends to support this major effort by coming to the banquet and taking out advertisements or sending your greetings to be published in the commemorative journal. Your contributions for such advertisements or greetings are tax deductible.
We look forward to your participation and thank you in advance for your help.
Best personal regards,
Walter Nazarewicz
President
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