A visit from President Yushchenko

President Yushchenko at the podium (left) and (right) with sculptor Igor Grechanyk, Museum director Maria Shust, and Museum president Professor Jaroslaw Leshko.

On Tuesday, September 22, the Museum was honored with a visit from Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and his wife, Kateryna. President Yushchenko was in New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly and took the opportunity to spend a few hours with approximately 150 members of the Ukrainian American community. His visit was organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C., and the Ukrainian Consulate in New York City.

Kateryna Yushchenko tours Dreams of Ukraine accompanied by sculptor Igor Grechanyk (left).

During his visit, in addition to speaking at length about Ukraine's history, culture, progress since independence, current challenges, and prospects for the future, the president toured an exhibition of sculptures by Kyivan artist Igor Grechanyk. Dreams of Ukraine was organized specifically to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. It has been shown at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington and was displayed at the Museum during the week of the president's visit (through Friday, September 25).

President Yushchenko concluded his visit by bestowing awards on a number of community leaders, also on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and in recognition of their efforts on behalf of Ukraine and the Ukrainian American community. The award recipients were:

· Natalia Danylenko, permanent member of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)
· Andrew Fedynsky, director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland, Ohio (Order of Merit, Third Degree)
· Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj, vice president of the World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Associations (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)
· Myron Kuropas, community activist (Order of Merit, Third Degree)
· Nadia Matkivsky, cofounder of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)
· Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)
· Sonya Soutus, community activist (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)
· Evhen Stakhiv, community activist (Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Fourth Degree)
· Helen Woskob, president of the Ivan Bahrian Foundation (Order of Princess Olga, Third Degree)

VIDEO by Damyan Kolodiy

SLIDESHOW

About the Museum
The Ukrainian Museum was founded in 1976 by the Ukrainian National Women's League of America as a showcase for Ukrainian culture. Over the past 32 years, the Museum has amassed extensive collections of folk art, fine art, and archival material. It mounts several exhibitions annually; publishes accompanying bilingual catalogues; organizes courses, workshops, and other educational programs; and hosts a variety of public events. In April 2005 the Museum moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility in New York's East Village, funded entirely by the Ukrainian American community.