BRAMA, May 14, 2003, 1:00 am ET
Press Release
Miss Universe Welcomed at the Ukrainian Center in Philadelphia
Ukrainian AIDS Awareness Weekend - May 3-4, 2003
— by Orysia L. Hewka
Philadelphia, PA — The weekend of May 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2003 was billed in Philadelphia as the the first AIDS in Ukraine - Awareness Weekend. The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) hosted the three day event, which included a Gala Charity Banquet and Ball in Philadelphia featuring celebrity guest Ms. Justine Pasek, the reigning Miss Universe (2002), who was born in Ukraine.
Ms. Pasek's visit not only brought beauty and charm to Philadelphia, but also presented a challenge to the Diaspora to face the hard facts an incurable infection threatening our homeland. Proceeds from the weekend's events will benefit orphans with AIDS in Ukraine and educational programs targeting high risk groups youth, orphans, and street kids.
The weekend began with a special English language radio program which aired on WNWR 1540 AM on Friday evening detailing the events for the following two days. The thrust of the program was HIV/AIDS, its escalation in and impact on Ukraine, as well as the consequences of inaction on the part of the Diaspora. On Friday evening the "Philadelphia Crown Lights" atop the Philadelphia Electric building in center city heralded Miss Universe's arrival with the message: "Philadelphia Welcomes Miss Universe to the Ukrainian AIDS Awareness Weekend."
A national Open Forum / Conference on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine which took place Saturday morning was co-sponsored by the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) and the Ukrainian Medical Association of PA, headed by Dr. Wasyl Salak. The conference, which brought together a panel of medical experts from across the country and social service groups involved in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, was ceremoniously opened by two young children in Ukrainian dress, Alexandra Chuma (7 yrs) and Borys Chabursky (8 yrs). They placed a flower and lit a candle in memory of sick children in Ukraine and those who have passed away from AIDS.
Dr. Roxolana Horbowy, Conference Chairperson opened the conference, followed by panelists Dr. Tim Clary from USAID, Dr. Larissa Kyj, President United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Alexander Kuzma, Exec. Director of Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, Dr. Joseph Amon, USUHS from Bethesda, MD, Dr. Maria Hrycelak, Chicago, Dr. Kate Schecter, American Health Alliance, and Joseph Sywenkyj presented slides of children suffering with AIDS in Ukraine. Display tables and exhibits by
humanitarian organizations working with orphans and children in Ukraine were also on hand in the conference hall: The Ukrainian Gift of Life Organization, Children of Chornobyl, United Ukrainian American Relief Association, Ukrainian Medical Association of N.A. and an information table of the UECC.
Miss Universe arrived at 3:00 pm in a white limousine to a royal welcome by a crowd of children and neighbors and youth in costumes. Above the street in front of the UECC, a large banner welcomed the special guest with an open invitation to the community: "Come Meet Miss Universe, May 3rd at Ukrainian Center." Dressed in traditional Ukrainian costumes Natalia Antoniak and Erik Rizanow escorted Ms. Pasek from the limo and presented her with a bouquet. Borys Zacharczuk, President of the UECC welcomed her at the door with a traditional presentation of bread and salt. The crowd cheered as Miss Universe, Justine Pasek entered the Gallery of the UECC for the afternoon ceremonies. Miss Universe who was born in Ukraine represented Panama in the Miss Universe Pageant and is a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS.
The unveiling of a unique creative community endeavor "Rushnyk Nadiyi" (Ritual Cloth of Hope) was a stirring moment for the public. The "Rushnyk" is a colorful montage over twelve feet in length and over 2 feet in width of 100 hand-embroidered squares made by children as young as 5 to the eldest contributor of 94 years of age, from all over the United States in a joint symbol of hope to the HIV/AIDS infected suffering children of Ukraine. Committee member Motrya Bojko-Watters, along with a group of talented volunteers masterfully joined the embroideries into a work of art, which will be displayed at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center. "Rushnyk Nadiyi" will be going on tour to the Ukrainian Embassy, Ukrainian Consulates and other institutions. The very next day after the banquet, on "Providna Nedilya," the "Rushnyk" was displayed at the Ukrainian Museum in Bound Brook, N.J. by Archbishop Antony, Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States.
In addition to the unveiling of the "Rushnyk," Miss Universe presided over a special presentation of forty-three hand-made quilts that were donated by the "Quilts for Kids" organization run by Linda Ayre. The quilts were made available through the efforts of committee member Stefanie Hnatiw and will be delivered to children with AIDS in Odessa, Ukraine.
The evening black-tie Benefit Banquet and Ball in honor of Miss Universe was held in the banquet hall of the UECC. Among the honored guests was the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Stefan Soroka, Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Panamanian Consul Gloria Athanopulos. The banquet was opened with tenor Bohdan Chaplynsky offering the American, Ukrainian, and Panamanian anthems, to the accompaniment of Roksolana Harasymovych.
Sharing the stage in the concert program of the banquet were the "Voloshky" Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Taras Lewyckyj, artistic director; the "Prometheus" Male Choir, under the direction of Nestor Kyzymyshyn, accompaniment by Halya Mazurok-Reh; the International Ballet Theatre, Volodymyr Shoumeiken, choreographer; and Yuriy Melnychyk, a teen pop star from Ukraine, who was specially invited to Philadelphia for this event. After the banquet there was dancing late into the night to the music of "The Fourth Wave" Orchestra.
The Gala Banquet was preceded by a cocktail reception in the Gallery and the opening of a weeklong photo exhibit of Ukrainian orphans, entitled "Starving for Color." These forty photographs are the inspired works of Dr. R. Tymiak-Lonchyna of Chicago and made a visible impact on the viewers. Congressman Joseph Hoeffel (D), and former Congressman Jon Fox (R) took part with warm remarks. State Representative Ellen Bard issued a welcome citation for Miss Universe. A spontaneous pledge from Olha Bochna of $1,000 inspired others to show support for the AIDS benefit with more donations. Church leaders Metropolitan Soroka and Archbishop Antony each pledged one thousand dollars, followed by Dr. Gregory Geba and an anonymous donor at $1,000. Many others declared pledges in varying amounts. As of this writing, the total amount raised for the AIDS fund has not yet been determined.
On Sunday, May 4, a press conference and luncheon was held at the new Independence Visitors Center across from the Liberty Bell at 6th and Market in Philadelphia. The Press Conference was moderated by Dr. Andrij Chuma. A City of Philadelphia official, Mjemsi Traylor, presented a replica of the Liberty Bell to Miss Universe. Dr. Serhiy Korsunsky, Counselor from the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, gave an overview of the concerns of the Ukrainian Government for the welfare of the population and the epidemic growth rate of HIV/AIDS especially among youths. "Thank you all, thank you for all your efforts. They are highly appreciated in Ukraine. The clinics and cities in Ukraine know what is being done for them (in North America), they know how much you are helping. The children who are saved by your efforts will remember you," he stated. Dr. Korsunsky sparked applause from the audience by announcing that Ukraine will soon open an embassy in Panama. He said jokingly, that when the Ukrainian Government learned that Miss Universe had been born in Ukraine, they decided immediately to open an embassy in Panama. The Panamanian Consul offered remarks and words of support. Afterwards the AIDS Awareness Planning Committee invited Miss Universe across the street to the Liberty Bell for a picture-taking session.
Special reports were broadcast about the weekend events into Ukraine via Voice of America and Radio Liberty.
The Planning Committee also recognized the need to appeal to our U.S. legislators for funding to be granted to Ukraine to help combat HIV/AIDS. A petition was drafted to President Bush, Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Arlen Spector and Senator Rick Santorum, as well as to Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman, House Foreign Relations Committee and Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman US Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging that the U.S. Global AIDS Initiative be expanded to include direct financial, as well as medical, assistance to Ukraine in order to help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The general community is encouraged to help in the petition drive and draft similar petitions to Senators from each particular state.
The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian institution serving the Philadelphia and surrounding community for 23 years for cultural enrichment and a better understanding of Ukrainian heritage. The UECC hosted these events to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine. It is estimated that 300,000 to 400,000 Ukrainians are infected with HIV, making Ukraine the country with the highest infection rate in Europe and sixth in the world.
Orysia L. Hewka, Executive Director of the UECC served as Chairperson of the events with a dedicated and energetic Planning Committee: members included Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj, Dr. Wasyl Salak, Dr. Andrij Tershakovec, Dr. Natalia Pazuniak, Dr. Andrij Chuma, Tekla Andruchiw, Oksana Antoniak, Irena Bereziak, Lesia Chmelko, Tamara Chomiak, Sue Cohen, Marusia Cyhan, Natalka Firko, Stephanie Hnatiw, Tonia Katruk, Elizabeth Kolomyec, Sofia Koropecky, Hanna Kricka, Yaropolk Kulchyckyj, Kristine Rizanow, Lee Rudakewych, Mary Rudakewych, Maria Schwed, Steve Vetterlein, and Motrja Bojko-Watters.
For updated information on these events, visit the UECC website at www.ukrainiancenterphila.org or e-mail: contact@ukrainiancenterphila.org.
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