A message from the HOU President
House of Ukraine plays an important role in the HPR group and the Ukrainian community in San Diego.
As part of the House of Pacific Relations, the only multi-cultural organization of its kind in the United States, we are offered a wonderful opportunity to reach thousands of visitors each year, providing information about Ukrainian history, culture and traditions and, giving San Diego’s Ukrainian community a meeting and gathering place.
Last year, in February, the House of Ukraine organized and presented a Pysanka Celebration, held in the Hall of Nations, introducing the art of pysanka to many visitors. This was a successful event, with exhibitors, vendors, delicious pastries, a screening of “Pysanka” by Slavko Novitski and offering demonstrations of the various types of pysanka making.
Children were entertained at a children’s corner where all could complete a pysanka themed craft.
The House of Ukraine had a Pysanka exhibit during February, March and April providing a museum quality exhibit of pysanky from various regions of Ukraine,
In March, our annual Shevchenko concert was held in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in La Mesa. Poetry was recited, songs performed in honor of the Poet Laureate of Ukraine, our beloved Taras Shevchenko.
April presented an opportunity to share Ukrainian culture at San Diego State University at their “Sustain Your Roots” event. House of Ukraine volunteers manned a booth and provided students with information about the history, culture and traditions of Ukraine.
In May, the House of Ukraine participated in the annual Food Faire, a two day event this year, beginning with a Parade of Nations celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the House of Pacific Relations. Our delegation of members and flag bearer proudly represented House of Ukraine.
Hard working volunteers had prepared varenyky, kovbasa and pastries, which sold quickly to the hungry crowds.
The Peace Corps celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a conference at the park. The House of Ukraine opened to welcome volunteers and others interested in the Peace Corps experience.
School children visited our House, learned a little about Ukraine and were treated to Ukrainian candies.
The annual lawn program and festival took place in September with participation of all entertainers hailing from California. The bonfire “vatra” at Crown Pointe, concert at the Kroc Theatre, lawn program and food sales at the park and the dinner and zabava were all successful, even in these hard economic times.
Our Holodomor commemoration took place in October, with a Panakhyda at St. John the Baptizer Ukrainian Catholic Church and a program including quotes from the Holodomor Memorial Museum in Kyiv, poetry and a slide show.
As always, the year wraps up with the December Nights event in which House of Ukraine will participate with food and beverage sales. Volunteers will be needed to ensure a successful event.
Nadia Haywas, 2012 HOU President