Varenyky, sharavary and pysanky: festival time

	Contributed photo “Pryvit” or the welcome dance performed by Verkhovyna Dance Workshop at the 2002 festival. (Click for larger image)

By DONNA LUKIW

GLEN SPEY, NY — Ukrainian folk dancers wearing colorfully embroidered shirts paint the Verkhovyna Mountainview Resort with their vibrant costumes as thousands of Ukrainians from the U.S., Canada and Ukraine gather every July for the largest Ukrainian festival in the United States.

They gather to immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture, dance and song. Animated colors from the dance costumes and handmade Ukrainian Easter eggs overflow the resort as guests observe the awe-inspiring performances by various ethnic dancers from all over North America.

Roma Prima Bohachevsky’s Dance Workshop, a mixed Ukrainian dance ensemble training to dance internationally, has been performing at the festival for more than 20 years under the supervision of this legendary talented and respected ballet and folk dancer. Throughout the year, the group rehearses for festivals and performances with intensive rehearsals held at the resort two weeks prior to the festival. Men dressed in “sharyvary” or traditional blue baggy trousers and embroidered shirts, and women garbed in multicolored aprons, shirts, skirts and head wreaths provide a whirlwind of colors, courage, and spirit as they execute fast, rhythmic steps with harmony that conquers the stage.

	Contributed photo Sonyashnyk dancers captivate the audience with their graceful moves and adorned costumes. (Click for larger image)

What began in 1976 quickly evolved and emerged into an annual tradition attracting people from faraway lands and bringing in additional performers.

The history of the festival dates back to 1975 where the first Vice President of Verkhovyna, Stephen Wichar, held a Youth Conference to discuss the potential plans and the practicability to possibly hold a Ukrainian summer festival in 1976. The Youth Leadership Conference had decided on a goal to make this festival successful, “to plan and implement a gigantic Bicentennial Youth Festival on the Verkhovyna grounds during the summer of 1976 and to study and recommend actions that could be applied to a long term program,” wrote Wichar in “The Festival Story.”

“The second festival in 1977 had an eminent and towering success. An estimated 15,000 people flocked to the Verkhovyna estate. Again it was truly ‘Ukraine’ in the Catskills for the people who attended,” wrote Wichar.

Since then, the festival has been a success and has continued for years, supporting Ukrainian traditions and customs.

Renowned Ukrainian tenor, Volodymyr Hryshko; Irchyk, a female singer from Ukraine; soprano and tenor duet, Anna Bachynska and Roman Tsymbala; and Fata Morgana, a famous pop/rock Ukrainian band have also performed and will again be dominating the festival this year.

Mouths water as the residents of the area prepare delicious Ukrainian cuisine like varenyky (pierogies), holubchi (stuffed cabbages with meat) and kovbasy (sausages) with love, commitment and dedication.

	Contributed photo The Dance Workshop perform while dressed as Kozaks and wearing traditional Ukrainian costumes. (Click for larger image)

During a Ukrainian festival, arms are opened to the general public to share the rich culture, traditions and smiles with the Ukrainian community.

After the performances and a taste of the Ukrainian food, guests gather in the main hall and prepare themselves for a night of dancing, drinking and socializing with long lost-friends, while four live bands perform both nights, at the same time, one in the main hall and one outside under a tent.

Beginning on Friday, July 11 at 7:15 p.m., this weekend-long event will once again feature dancers, singers and vendors, with a carnival for kids starting July 9 on the premises of the resort. With a swimming pool for cooling off after baking in the hot sun, a lake for relaxing, fishing and camping, a carnival for the kids and delicious Ukrainian and American food, there is never a dull moment.