 San Francisco welcomes Ukrainian diplomats By Nadiya KRAVETS |
When the new Consulate General of Ukraine opened in the heart of San Francisco on January 1, many stopped by to inquire whose flag was flying next to the French consulate's tricolor. Later on August 24, our Ukrainian flag was hoisted over San Francisco's magnificent city hall to commemorate the 13th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
The celebrations began early in the morning when the mayor's protocol officer, Mailliard Shults, announced that August 24 was Ukrainian Heritage Day. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed the proclamation. Many guests were welcomed to a formal reception at the consulate general afterward.
In his opening speech, Consul General Dr. Valery Hrebenuik spoke of Ukraine's past, present and future. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections for Ukraine's path toward becoming a western-style democracy and a more prosperous society. He encouraged Ukrainians residing in the area to come cast their vote on October 31. He also indicated his support for an initiative to create a Ukrainian Studies program within Stanford University's Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies. Similar programs already exist at Harvard University and Columbia University.
Ukrainians attending the reception didn't come empty handed. Gifts and congratulations came from the Ukrainian Heritage Club of Northern California, the Ukrainian Greek- Catholic Church, and a number of Ukrainian government officials, including the Border Guard Service, represented by Maj. Gen. Justice V. Chumak, and Maj. Gen. Balashov, deputy head of research at the service's national academy.
Also in attendance were Col. M. Honcha-ruk of the Information and Analytical department, Lt. Col. Y. Sambor of Bortnychi Mobile Border Guard Team, and their American counterparts with the international affairs office of the California National Guard. The military representation was not accidental.
Under the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program, California and Ukraine are cooperation, training and information-sharing partners. Created after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, the partnership pairs the National Guard with a former Soviet state to help these emerging democracies deal with the new tasks of
a civilian-controlled military. Under the program, California National Guard teams are deployed to Ukraine and also receive Ukrainians in California.
Through the partnership, Ukraine's armed forces acquire expertise in modernizing and restructuring their forces without undermining democratic standards and the functioning of the free market economy. Ukraine is gaining knowledge of social, political, economic and military issues like border security, emergency response, interagency cooperation, civil-military relations and security cooperation. The United States is reinforcing its foreign policy goals by stabilizing the region and increasing Ukraine's interest in becoming a NATO member.
Ukrainian independence festivities carried on into the weekend. On August 28, the Ukrainian community in Sacramento, California's capital, gathered at the Howe Community Center to mark Independence Day with an exhibition of national dances, music and Ukrainian folk art. On Aug. 29, Ukrainians and Diaspora in the San Francisco Bay area convened to celebrate Ukrainian Day at Golden Gate Park, where the Golden Gate Park Brass Band performed the national anthems of Ukraine and the United States.
Canada's Barvinok dance ensemble dazzled the audience, as did soloist Ivanna Taratula, formerly of the L'viv Opera.
While the festivities raised feelings of pride, there was sadness as well, as many of the Ukrainians gathered there were reminded of the homeland they had left in search of better lives for themselves and their children.
Nadiya Kravets is a fellow at the California-based Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy.
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Read also previous issue' articles:
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Immigrating to America
Ukrainian Children Write to God
The Promise of the New Year?
Teaching English in Ukraine
Castle Party 2003. Goths Raid Central Europe
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