BRAMA, Dec. 5, 1999, 4:00pm EST

Diplomatic relations with CYM, Plast and ODUM:
an evening at the Consulate of Ukraine

l-r: Consul General Yuriy Bohaievsky, Olya Shevchenko (ODUM), Ihor Sochan (Plast), Lidia Mykytyn (CYM), Xenia Piaseckyj (Plast). The Consul General presented a set of Ukrainian reference books to each of the youth groups and a traditional carved wooden plate to I. Sochan.

Y.Bohaievsky poses with representatives of ODUM.

Group picture with mostly CYM members. Standing second from right is Vice-Consul Hanna Kushniryk.

Plast members include The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in chief, Roma Hadzewycz (front row, blue jacket).

NEW YORK - A most commendable precedent is being set by Yuriy Bohaievsky, Consul General of Ukraine in New York. Thanks to the efforts of this emissary from Ukraine, courtesy and outreach, which have been part of the policy of independent Ukraine towards its citizens abroad, is also being extended to the Ukrainian-American public.

Since his appointment as Consul General in December, 1998, Y.Bohaievsky has been consistently working to build a solid relationship with Ukrainians-Americans living in this area. He has actively sought opportunities to acquaint himself with the "diasporan" community. Bohaievsky has also been aggressive in pursuing initiatives that, figuratively speaking, bring Ukraine closer to these shores, thus finding new ways to bridge the gap between Ukrainians here and Ukrainians "over there." In his words, [those born outside of Ukraine] "may not be citizens of Ukraine, but they have, after all, a Ukrainian soul."

It is the "Ukrainian soul" that is being nurtured and celebrated in gatherings organized by the Consul General and his staff. At a recent invitation-only event held at everyone’s favorite mansion, the Ukrainian Institute building on Fifth Avenue, guests of the Consulate, among them diplomatic representatives of other countries as well as many from the Ukrainian-American "hromada", were regaled with a stellar evening of classical and traditional Ukrainian music. Performers included stars of Ukrainian theater and stage Volodymyr Vynnytsky (pianist), John Stetch (jazz pianist, Canada), Oleh Chmyr (baritone), Roman Tsymbala (tenor), Lesya Hrabova (soprano), Alla Kutsevych (bandura), Liudmyla Hrabovska (soloist), and last but not least, Roman Hrynkiw, a bandura-virtuoso on tour from Ukraine.

At the Consulate on East 49^th Street, last Thursday evening was devoted to the Ukrainian-American youth from the New York and New Jersey area (view the images included on this page). With organizational assistance provided by Ihor Sochan (Plast), the Consul General hosted representatives of three local youth groups: ODUM (Association of American Youth of Ukrainian Descent), Plast, and CYM (Ukrainian American Youth Association). Guests were entertained with a video about Ukraine and treated to a sumptuous light supper buffet prepared by the talented kitchen staff. C.G. Bohaievsky presented a set of Ukrainian reference books to each of the youth groups as a token of his desire to share information about Ukraine with the younger generation in the hopes that the books will serve as an important link to their Ukrainian heritage.

Each Ukrainian-American in her/his own way is an emissary of Ukraine in the USA. It is gratifying to know that Ukraine, in the person of the Consul General, recognizes and appreciates the contributions to Ukraine's recent past made by earlier generations of emigrants and their descendants, and to Ukraine's future by the Ukrainian-American youth of today.

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