The celebration of Shevchenko Days in Sacramento began in 1999 with the founding of the Ukrainian Heritage Preservation Society. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the tradition. The event, held at St. Andrew the First-Called Ukrainian Church, was titled “Shevchenko and Ukrainian Song.”

The program opened with a recital of Shevchenko’s poem “My Thoughts” (1840) performed by Anastasia Bandurystka. Lidiya Heletsiuk then delivered an opening address, followed by Lubya Yurchiv, Chair of the Ukrainian Heritage Preservation Society, who welcomed guests in English. Children performed the song “Our Thought, Our Song” (1840), while both adults and children joined in a choral rendition arranged by Vira Zinkevych.

The cultural program included a variety of performances: excerpts from Shevchenko’s poems and numerous musical pieces. Highlights featured “The Kozak’s Grave” recited by student Ruslana from Berezhany, and later sung to music by Lysenko by Anastasia Bekh. Duets and ensembles of young bandurists performed traditional arrangements, while the vocal ensemble Kolyada under the direction of A. Ortynska presented folk songs inspired by Shevchenko’s works.

The evening concluded with performances by opera singer Oksana Neboha, who sang “Oy Liuli, Liuli” set to music by V. Runchak, and another round of Shevchenko-inspired songs by the Kolyada ensemble.

The event closed with warm thanks from the organizers to all participants, honoring both the enduring power of Shevchenko’s words and the dedication of the Ukrainian community in Sacramento to preserving cultural traditions.