Surely, such a question – where am I? – arose for everyone who crossed the threshold of the newly consecrated Ukrainian Community Center. Looking back from the threshold – Palatine, an American town with all its architectural features. Looking forward from the same threshold – Hutsulshchyna: mountains, authentic clothing on people, crafts by folk artisans, blankets and gunis, the music of mountain streams, the food and drinks of the highlanders, and also – the atmosphere, the one that is felt only where the proud Hoverla supports the sky, and the rapid Cheremosh sings an eternal song and gives its silvery strings to someone for a violin, and to someone for a cymbal...

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“A wonder!” – you might say. Indeed, a wonder. But it happened, this transformation over distance. Because this time the tireless activists of the Ukrainian community in Palatine, who have many years of experience organizing the "Chervona Ruta" festival, organized the festival in a somewhat unusual format.

One thing remained unchanged: for two days, a special atmosphere of warmth, music, a sense of family, and pride in one's national roots prevailed here.

On the first day, Saturday, a genuine Hutsul party took place in the community center, which became a colorful celebration of the Ukrainian soul, culture, and unity, offering guests a vibrant palette of Ukrainian traditions. Even the host of the event, Myroslava Bakhur, sincerely advised those present: “Tune your hearts to the Hutsul rhythm!”

And they did tune. And they were helped in this by extraordinarily talented people who took the stage and gifted the incomparable magic of Ukrainian art, showcasing the unique world of Carpathian culture.

The celebration was opened by a true virtuoso of the bayan, Tetiana Hrytsai. Then the baton was passed to the bandura players of the trio "Alvia." Talented vocalists Khrystyna Hrytsenko and Vita Kotyk delighted with their enchanting voices and fiery songs. The energetic and charismatic DJ Verni Muba demonstrated a wonderful combination of modern melodies with traditional Ukrainian music. And soloists Bohdan Savchuk and Yuriy Yaremchuk with their performances testified: we are almost from Hutsulshchyna, from Prykarpattia; everyone there is so musical!

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And then the trembitas sounded. Real ones. Hutsul ones. Which carry the mighty power of ancestors, which unite generations, which are the living voice of the Carpathians themselves. Which are a means of communication between those who live tens of kilometers apart, in the spruce mountains. Which carry messages over ridges, pastures, and trails about the birth of new life, the union of loving hearts (a wedding – to be!), or the departure of someone's soul to Eternity.

For us, the trembitas (in the hands of Mykhailo Boychuk and Taras Halka) announced good news: now on stage will be an unstoppable explosion of energy; now here the Black and White Cheremosh will embrace, the spruces will rustle, Hoverla will peek out from the clouds, kissed by the Prut in love with it... The list of emotions and imaginations can continue, and they all mean one thing: for us sings a special guest – a true Hutsulka Fiinka. With her performance, she led us there, to the Carpathians, where there is so much truth and purity, where the soul becomes closer to God, and the feeling of unity with the native land has a special dimension.

Now you understand what that first day of the festival was like? But for all this, the organizers and volunteers from the Ukrainian Youth Association of Palatine, all the caring people of the parish community, deserve special words of admiration. Thanks to their tireless work, sincere smiles, and dedication to the Ukrainian cause, this artistic ethnographic meeting became a sincere family celebration.

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For many days they worked from morning till late at night: welcoming guests, assisting event participants, taking care of every detail of the event.

Their work often remains behind the scenes, but it is what creates that special atmosphere of hospitality and warmth that every visitor felt. A bright Hutsul photo zone, filled with the spirit of the Carpathians, was created by the tireless participants of the "Ethnos" and "Fitnesshopak" ensembles... under the guidance of the incredible Natalia Figel. Traditional Hutsul attributes, authentic decorations, and masterfully recreated Ukrainian color attracted dozens of people who gladly took photos as a keepsake. Here you could not only admire but also purchase blankets or gunis made in distant Kosivshchyna, in the heart of Ukrainian Hutsulshchyna: their popularization in the Chicago area is undertaken by Tatiana Drozhzhina, who is passionate about Ukrainian authentic heritage.

And what Ukrainian festival would be complete without delicious national cuisine? The aromas of freshly prepared dishes gathered those eager to savor varenyky, chebureks, pancakes, shashlik, homemade pastries, and other traditional dishes. So how: are you in Palatine or Hutsulia? You decide the answer yourself.

As for me, I will say that the charge of positivity and the invisible but palpable power of the Carpathians, received on Saturday, was still felt the next day. Because on Sunday, the celebration continued with the celebration of Youth Day, which was blessed with a sincere prayer and good parting words by Father Yaroslav Mendyk, the pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Believe me: the mood here was such that even those who are a bit over... felt as if they had shed a good ten or two years from their shoulders.

And all because the stage was filled with the energy of the young generation – the energy of true drive and unforgettable emotions. They were radiated by the little SUMenyata, the older pupils of the Ukrainian Youth Association, the church choir named after Bohdan Plishka under the direction of Ihor Shumsky, the children's choral groups "Vodohrai" and "Angelik" (led by Maria Kyrychenko), the students of the "Smart Minds" studio, as well as talented performers Vadym Oksenchuk, Maksym Pashchuk, Anastasia Pronyuk, Angelina Sovych, Diana Kutytska, Andriana Zam, Bozhena Sholom. The incomparable ensemble "Ethnos" lit up the stage together with the animated Hutsul-Bear. The vocal studio "Elegia" (led by Svitlana Polyak) touched every heart with their songs. The vocal studio "Barvystok" (led by Tetiana Baryliak) presented the premiere of the song "Sun of Ukraine." Soloists Vira Boychuk and Vita Kotyk, with the power and language of song, transported the audience's thoughts to their native land. As always, our famous dance groups – "Iskra" (led by Kalyna Vasyunets), the younger groups "Vyshyvanky" (led by Pavlo and Oksana Fedkiv), "Gromovytsia" (led by Roxana Dyka-Pylypchuk) – performed impressively. A special and extremely touching chord of the festival was the performance of the honored artist of the pop art of Ukraine, Tetiana Baryliak (singer BARVA). It so happened that due to technical issues, she sang her new song "Here I Was Born" a cappella, and the hall froze in admiration: that's what a live voice means! The audience picked up the melody and, together with the artist, performed the song to their own loud applause.

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Thus, all together, our talented artists created an atmosphere of unity and inspiration that captivated everyone present. Therefore, the somewhat unusual but extremely original format of the "Chervona Ruta" festival once again convinced: wherever Ukrainians find themselves, their culture, song, and traditions continue to live, inspire, and unite generations. Therefore, undoubtedly, the two days of artistic events left warm memories in our hearts and the anticipation of new meetings, even on American soil, but under the blue and yellow flag of our Motherland.

I can't help but express the hope that next time there will be more of us at such festivals. Because even this year, the organizers were ready to welcome guests again and again. I feel sorry for those who didn't know that something like this would happen in Palatine. And those who knew but for some reason did not come. You missed a lot. A whole lot.

So, if you hear next time that, without crossing the ocean, you can find yourself again in Hutsulshchyna or Boykivshchyna, in Pokuttia or Podillia, in the Tavrian steppes or among the blue-eyed lakes of Volyn, that you can fully experience the beauty and national wealth of a particular ethnic region of Ukraine or all of Ukraine in general, don't say it's impossible. Just come to Palatine. There are people here who know where to find the red rue and who will always find a way to pleasantly surprise you. Don't doubt it!

 

Photos by Petro Kovtun
and Tetiana Drozhzhina