Dr. Patricia Ann Burak
Dr. Patricia Ann Burak is a a Professor in the Languages, Literature, and Linguistics Department at Syracuse University. She is a third-generation Ukrainian-American.
From Taras Shevchenko to Serhii Zhadan… I present to you UKRAINE In literature (since we are in a library!), through cultural manifestations such as music, art, dance and film. Oh, that we had an entire evening for this discussion!! But in a short lecture and an opportunity for questions at the end, I hope that you will become more familiar with and appreciative of the culture of Ukraine, the homeland of my family.
Ukraine is the land of my family. My maternal grandparents immigrated here in 1916 as World War I began. Approximately 350,000 Ukrainians emigrated to the United States between 1870 and 1914. During those same years, an estimated 100,000 Ukrainians emigrated to Canada, 45,000 to Brazil, and 10,000 to Argentina. The men in the area of Western Ukraine, known as “Halychyna” (Western Galicia) were going to be drafted by Franz Josef of Austria, and my grandfather’s family decided that he, at age 19, should leave. He came to Ellis Island, and according to family folklore was welcomed with a ring of kielbasy and a silver dollar! Through a friend he learned about job opportunities in CNY in the steel industry, and he and a fellow Ukrainian immigrant moved to Syracuse. When his friend’s younger sister arrived a few months later, the two were “fixed up” with each other and married in the Syracuse Ukrainian Catholic Church which had been established just a few years prior. Tatiana, age 16, and Lukyn, stayed happily married and built a family of 5 children who all were active in the Ukrainian Catholic church, the community as Ukrainian dancers and the men all served in the U.S. military with pride and distinction. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and now great-great grandchildren, hold their Ukrainian heritage deep in their hearts, and to this day actively engage in cultural and religious activities. I only mention this as a prelude to broaden my remarks for you. My intention today is to provide a cultural, historical, religious, and real backdrop to the political and life-destroying framework of what is happening in Ukraine as we speak.
Taras Shevchenko was born in 1814 - he was orphaned at a young age and lived as a serf in the estate of a rich man who encouraged his artistic talents. The poetry in one of his earliest works, Kobzar, 1840, was centered on the theme of the struggle of the Ukrainian people against their foreign overlords. He introduced new themes and ideas into his poetry, truthfully describing the onerous life of the peasants and voicing freedom-loving thoughts and aspirations of the people. He hated all oppressors and to this day Shevchenko's name has become the incarnation of the continuity of the Ukrainian cause (in the words of Bohdan Rubchako and another writer, Hugh Seton Watson) in a 1967 publication through Oxford stated that 'the whole subsequent development of Ukrainian nationalism derives from Shevchenko's poetry."
I invite you to read along with me his most famous poem, "testament:"
When I die, let me rest,….
Shevchenko's "Testament", (Zapovit, 1845), has been translated into more than 150 languages
Як умру, то поховайте
Мене на могилі,
The music of ukraine is another extremely strong unifer of its people – quoting from such a distinguished source as Wikipedia: “Ukraine is also the rarely acknowledged musical heartland of the famous song heard during the christmas holiday, known in the west as ‘carol of the bells.’ It is, in fact, a Ukrainian classic, ‘shchedryk.” with music by Ukrainian composer mykola leontovych in 1914 based upon Ukrainian folk chant performed in 1922 at carnegie hall by the Ukrainian national chorus. Interestingly, the Ukrainian version has nothing to do with bells or christmas! The lyrics tell of a swallow summoning the master of the house to look at his livestock and bounty the coming spring will bring! The world came to know this song after the fall of the romanov dynasty in March 1917 and an independent Ukrainian state – the Ukrainian people’s republic – was declared in 1918. Ukrainian Americans celebrate this date in august every year, here in Syracuse in front of city hall at noon on August 24.
Simon Petlura, a politician and journalist/president, saw the value of promoting Ukrainian culture around the world to gain support for this newly established state.
The place of music in Ukrainian life was also demonstrated in the 2014 ‘revolution of dignity’ with the contemporary popular female artist, Ruslana, winner of the 2014 eurovision song contest world music award.
I recommend watching one of the most famous Ukrainian films ‘shadows of forgotten ancestors’ – kind of a Ukrainian ‘gone with the wind.’ An amazing, heart wrenching film that teaches more than reading a dozen books could teach you about ukrainian culture.
To include one more perspective from contemporary Ukrainian literature,let me quote from a new novel by Kalani Pickhart, I WILL DIE IN A FOREIGN LAND:
Ukrainian culture in CNY is strong and active. At least four churches, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Luke’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church,the First Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, and the Slavic Baptist Church of Syracuse all have active congregations which welcome newcomers and promote Ukrainian culture in CNY. A large two day festival Is sponsored by St. John’s church community every July and the neighborhood resounds with crowds of people eating, dancing and singing, keeping the culture alive and vibrant. Independence Day in August is celebrated every year in August in front of City Hall, with local dignitaries recognizing the importance of freedom to the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian Flag is raised, the crowd proudly sings the National Anthem, and the young, well trained Ukrainian dancers perform with great pride in front of their families, friends, and neighbors. The Mayor of Syracuse welcomes and pays tribute to the Ukrainian population (“Hromada”) and it is a wonderful experience.
Our efforts today are to give you a glimpse into the culture of and pride we have of our Ukrainian heritage. I’ll teach you a phrase commonly heard throughout Ukrainian speaking populations world-wide: “Slava Ukraina! Geryoem Slava!” It translates: “Glory to Ukraine! To the Heroes, Glory!”