I haven’t been writing many diaries this winter. I still follow DKOS. The reporting on Ukraine has been outstanding, from many writers. Usually in the USA news cycle, even major event gets only a few weeks (or months if they are lucky) to be on the headlines before a new disaster reveals itself. You can see it in today’s news. For supporters of US involvement to repel the invasion of Ukraine, this is worrisome. The invaders do not seem to have stopped promoting their actions, and they are active in media with their own propaganda. For me, I have been worried that support might erode, and when I hear some GOP congressperson spewing pro-Kremlin talking points I can’t help but wonder how much Putin is paying them. It would be a disaster if the USA and EU countries cut off support.
May 21st Charity Concert in Portland, Maine
In January I described how I was working with the Maine Balkan Choir to rehearse a program of Ukrainian folk music for a benefit concert to be held in spring. We have been diligently plugging away at this goal, and the concert will take place in Portland Maine Sunday May 21st at 3 PM. We have about fifty singers including many Ukrainians now sojourning in Maine. Here is a quick video recorded at a rehearsal. I will write more about this in a separate diary. The American singers have particularly enjoyed working with the Ukrainian singers, and they have provided a lot of guidance on pronunciation. Music is a window into culture, and this has morphed into a cultural exchange that has been a bulwark against feelings of helplessness that well up when you learn the day’s news. I should note that all proceeds of the event will be donated to Save The Children International, Ukraine project.
Vyshyvanka, you say?
Vyshyvanka is the name for a type of embroidery used on clothes.
Vyshyvanka Day?
Though Vyshyvanka has been around since at least 500 B.C.E., the idea of celebrating it with a holiday was devised only in 2006. It was popular and spread throughout the country.
Here is a video that explains last year’s celebration. I learned that people refer to Vyshyvanka as “spiritual armor.”
I confess I had not thought about Vyshyvanka Day until recently. I did not know there was such an event. Not on my radar screen. It is specifically scheduled for the third Thursday of May, a work day, to reinforce the idea that Vyshyvanka is everyday wear. (similarly to the way that in Hawaii, wearing an Aloha shirt to work is Not To Be Questioned). In Maine, the Ukrainian community is widely dispersed. We realized nobody else was promoting it, so we decided we would incorporate it into the May 21st concert event. Many Immigrants, Refugees and Parolees have told us they miss this since it is a touchstone of home. There are also some who told us they don’t have a vyshyvanka shirt here because they had to leave in a hurry.
Anyway, now is the time to prepare for Vyshyvanka Day in USA. Ten days to go!