"UKETOBERFEST" united everyone with faith, love, and Ukraine

I did not accidentally use the word "communed" in the title, because in a figurative sense, to commune means to become involved, to join, to touch something great, beautiful, or important; it means to feel the beauty of the environment or art; it means to be a participant or part of some important idea or event... Agree, each of these words fully characterizes our famous festival "UKETOBERFEST," which took place last weekend in Chicago at the parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed.

You were there, reader, right? You couldn't have missed it. Because thousands attend every year. They gather. They come from other cities and states. And if I heard that someone even flew in from other countries (or even continents) specifically, I would readily believe it. Because the festival is worth visiting. To immerse yourself in its colors, sounds, aromas, in its incredible spiritual atmosphere. To be inspired by the depth of the clear sky, to which the domes of the church crowned with golden crosses reach, and to feel: just now, an invisible hand touched your forehead and blessed you by the Lord Himself. To, upon entering the churchyard, almost immediately see the amazingly beautiful mosaic icon of the Mother of God, look into the eyes of the Virgin Mary and recognize in them the gaze of a dear mother — loving and gentle. To accidentally brush against the luxurious marigolds nearby on the flowerbed and with their intoxicating fragrance feel as if you are near your distant Ukrainian home...

However, this church is also a home for everyone who seeks spiritual renewal, who comes here with gratitude for what they have received and with pleas for the Lord's protection, who finds a new family in the parish community. It was built for this purpose, once deciding to erect a church for the glory of God and for future generations.

So, this year the church of St. Joseph the Betrothed celebrates the 70th anniversary of its parish. Therefore, the festival celebration was built around this beautiful anniversary date. The festival itself also reached an interesting milestone: it became of age by Ukrainian standards, as it was held for the 18th time. And not once did it betray its main idea: to commune, to fill its guests with prayer, faith, hope, love, and Ukraine.

 How important this is today when our native land suffers terrible injustice from a fierce enemy! How important it is to keep a finger on the pulse of Ukrainian life and help Ukraine and its defenders in the battle for Truth. And the Ukrainians of Chicago do this. And, in particular, the parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed, led by Father Mykola Buryadnyk, is extraordinarily sacrificial, a strong rear that works for the front, supports the treatment of our wounded soldiers in America, and cares for disadvantaged families and orphans in Ukraine... Because here even the festival means not only song, word, embroidery, cuisine: everything is underpinned or placed above by prayer and spiritual meaning. And this, believe me, was felt, very much felt during the two festival days.

And how many days did the preparation last? Only they know — the parish priests, the festival organizing committee, the parish council, the brotherhood and sisterhood, the church communities and organizations, a large group of volunteers... But they prefer not to talk about those busy and laborious beautiful preparation weekdays (plus two wonderfully crazy festival days — I think their hands and feet still don't feel), which brought them all even closer together. They simply say: "We wanted to give you a holiday." And they did. Incredible. Inspired. Sincere. Beautiful. Embroidered. Melodic. Tasty...

It would seem, the scenario is familiar: a stage for performances, a souvenir and embroidery fair, Ukrainian cuisine. It seems so, but... But everything was filled with some special meaning, enriched with unique nuances, meetings, and sincere communication, so that you only had time to visit everywhere, see everything, so as not to miss something important.

The spiritual and creative program was truly fantastic. Moreover, on three stage platforms. The main, Great, stage was in the largest tent. Here, on Sunday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, led by Bishop Benedict. Here the official solemn opening of the festival took place — with the presentation of the flags of Ukraine and America, with the performance of the main national songs (the singing of the church choir accompanied by a brass band — it was something unusually special). Here sponsors were greeted, without whose support such a large-scale festival event would have been impossible. The most honored guests of the festival — Ukrainian defenders, who are in America for treatment and prosthetics through the efforts of the charitable foundations PROTEZ FOUNDATION and REVIVED SOLDIERS UKRAINE, came to the main stage. Here lotteries were drawn, thanks were given, video greetings for the parish and the festival from Ukraine were heard — from popular performers who were guests of "UKETOBERFEST" in different years. Here, over two days, talented individual performers and groups (those working at the church of St. Joseph the Betrothed, and creative guests from other parishes and art schools), who over the years of their activity have already become favorites of the Chicago (and not only) audience, replaced each other. The variety of genres (but mostly — with Ukrainian content and folk motifs) of songs, the diversity of costumes, the unstoppable rhythms of dance... And the star guests?! The stormy reception of Jamala was worth it! It seemed the stage would not withstand such tension of passions and emotions. But no, it did. Because these were emotions of love.

They were not lacking on the second festival stage — smaller in size, which, despite this, was called the Majestic. Part of the program here consisted of performances by performers who have not long embarked on the artistic path, but appearing on the Majestic stage is like a ticket to a good creative life. And these young or very young girls and boys must know that with diligence and serious work, success can be achieved and they can become as professional artists as those with whom they share the Majestic stage today. Already known soloists, duets, and bands in the Ukrainian community also visited here.

And around — a fair. Someone is selling, someone is buying, someone is trying on, someone is looking... I hear a man with surprise say to his companion (probably his wife): "So how many embroidered shirts have you just bought for yourself?" To which she (definitely the wife) immediately replies: "I don't count your fishing rods..." And gives him a peck on the cheek! Because it's impossible to quarrel at the festival. Because here the spirit is — of love, goodwill, meetings with friends or family, whom you only see at holidays due to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And where there are joyful meetings, there are also small feasts. Especially since there are plenty of delicacies at the festival to choose from: banosh, shashlik, bograch, deruny, chebureks, corn, borscht, mushroom soup, cabbage rolls, nalysnyky, varenyky, cabbage with sausage... You can't remember everything. And children pull their parents to ice cream, to burgers and hot dogs (oh, this American fascination with fast food!), to cotton candy, and to children's playgrounds.

Yes, here at the festival, there are indeed so many locations, so many opportunities to fulfill your whims, that to say something is missing would truly be a sin.

I am hurrying to the third festival stage. This is a novelty of this year's festival. It is one of those initiated moments that make "UKETOBERFEST" a highly spiritual holiday. And this stage is not even a stage in the usual sense: today it became two steps of elevation in front of the iconostasis in the church premises. It was here that the "Quiet Program in the Temple" took place. Truly quiet. For the soul, for reflection, for a special feeling of God's love. Here prayers were heard. Here high poetry of famous poets and poetic confessions of local authors were heard. Here spiritual songs were heard. Here life lessons from Bishop Benedict and the testimony of a Ukrainian soldier with the call sign "Soloveyko" about how he felt God at war, how he now walks with God through life, and how important it is to have God in your soul. Yes, this guy knows what he's talking about, because he was there, where the line between life and death is so thin that here you are, and here, at the distance of one breath or one cry, you are not. But when you survive, when life will test you more than once with bigger or smaller challenges, your inner world must be built on a foundation, which is God and only God. And only He knows where and until when we are more needed — on earth or in the afterlife. "Therefore now," says warrior Andriy, "I am with you. I lost a hand, I lost an eye, the sight in the other eye has been partially restored almost completely lost. But I see you... And I feel Him... The main thing is to believe..."

And nearby are portraits of fallen defenders. Another iconostasis under the dome of the church. Those who fulfilled their mission. Those who have departed. And on the festival stage — the "Canvas of Memory," also a new initiative of the festival organizers. A black board. It was installed almost at the entrance. And it was clean. Now it is interwoven with uneven lines of letters: anyone could come up to write the name of someone they knew, who is no longer here, with a white marker: a relative, a neighbor, a friend... And this board is on the stage. Next to it is a guard of warrior-defenders. And the beats of a metronome. A minute of silence. And a prayer. For those who now hold the sky. And our help in donation boxes. Because we are inseparable from Ukraine even at a distance. With our thoughts. With our chosen way of helping. With our work. With our creativity. With our festivals, an important component of which is charity.

And nearby — the church. The one that was built for the glory of God and for future generations. A wonderful video about the construction of the church, into the wall of which a stone from the banks of the Dnipro and a piece of coal from Donbas were embedded at the beginning of construction, about the activities of the church parish over 70 years, was shown on a large screen. Here, on the stage, a presentation of a painting about the parish's family tree, specially painted for the festival by artist Oksana Krytsak, took place. This painting became the basis for a huge banner, near which everyone willingly took photos. As well as in wonderful photo zones on a hay cart, near a well, near a flowered wall with the "UKETOВERFEST" logo.

 And simply among the luxurious flowers. Among dances and songs. Among good humor and touching confessions. Among prayers and sincere communication. Because all this filled the festival courtyard.

So bright and joyful that on Sunday at noon even a thunderstorm decided to visit here. And what a one! The rain poured down — not jokingly: in the hollows on the festival grounds, the water immediately became ankle-deep. The electricity went out, and therefore the light and sound. The greatest concern was for the safety of people and equipment. But the guys from the "ZVYK" company are used to all sorts of extremes (later the parish brothers will give each of them T-shirts with the inscription "What would you do without me" — that's true!). So, while they were saving and fixing everything, the people chased away the thunderstorm... with a song: the irrepressible "Svaški" and the brass band went on stage without microphones and led the festival people to the crossing, the one from the neighbor to us; and then to that mountain, where two oaks leaned together; and when they sang about the red rue — the amazing charm-herb that has great power of love, the rain began to retreat. What do you say? Exactly!

And the festival surged with new strength, with new energy. It couldn't have been otherwise. "We prepared this festival not with hands, but with hearts," said Father Mykola Buryadnyk, the pastor of the parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed, on Radio UA Chicago the day before. Thank you, Father, to you and everyone involved in this extraordinary event, for your hearts.

"We did it!" — the day after the festival, someone from its organizers posted a photo with such a caption on social media. Yes, you did it. And you did it incredibly beautifully. You succeeded in everything. Because one wise Ukrainian proverb can be applied to your parish: "The community is a great man." It means the power of unity. It emphasizes that the community is capable of doing powerful things with a good and important result. And that is what "UKETOBERFEST" became — our favorite festival, which possesses true magic: just as this year's ended, we are already looking forward to the next...

You probably noticed, reader, that in our report on the festival event there are almost no names and surnames of its participants. Simply, there were so many of them (it was heard that over 500 children were involved in stage performances alone), that in such a large-scale project there is always a danger of mistakenly not mentioning someone. And that would be wrong. Therefore, our gratitude is to everyone. You shared love and goodness. May it be returned to you a hundredfold for the glory of God, for the joy of the present and future generations, for the peaceful fate of Ukraine.

Photos by Maksym Prokopiv

and the newspaper's editorial staff.