I am still delighted that this was one of those times when the weather forecasts did not come true. Although all interested parties were closely monitoring and anxiously reading on relevant websites that on Saturday and Sunday (referring to the past August 15 and 16) there would be heavy, almost continuous rains with thunderstorms in Chicago. Oh, how unnecessary they were on those days! After all, the parish of Saints Volodymyr and Olha was in full swing preparing for the annual traditional Ukrainian Village Fest, and bad weather is not suitable for a festival. The parishioners of the church, together with their spiritual leaders, sent prayers to heaven asking for the Lord's blessing on their charitable festivity, for God's mercy for good weather. Believe it or not, but... But what came of it was seen by everyone who chose to participate in the festival over all the other weekend attractions. And I hope (no, I'm convinced!) that no one regretted it.

The festival in the Ukrainian neighborhood of Chicago, adorned by the beautiful cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha, can be called special without exaggeration. Primarily because since the beginning of our independence, festival events have taken place right here, in the neighborhood, and only later, over time, did they start organizing them in other parish families of the many Ukrainian churches in Chicago and the surrounding towns. Therefore, coming here feels like returning to the origins. Like coming to the doorstep of a parental home, where you are always awaited, where you are always welcome, where the Ukrainian, homely, blessed spirit hovers. And priests from other parishes eagerly come to this celebration because many of them, after arriving from Ukraine, began their priestly activities right in this church. So they feel at home here too.

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All this greatly pleases Father Volodymyr Kushnir, who was appointed rector of the cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha just a few months ago. Thus, this year's festival was the first for Father Volodymyr at the new parish. Did this add extra anxiety? In a comment to the newspaper "Surma," Father Volodymyr said:

– Probably, yes. But I know this church, I know many people. I know how they love their parish, how everyone works for the glory of God, how gladly they welcome guests at their celebrations. When I began my service, the organizational preparation for the festival was already underway. The extremely active parish council, brotherhood, sisterhood, church organizations (and later volunteers) – I am sincerely grateful to all together and each individually for ideas, suggestions, hints, and work. We wanted our festival to become a celebration of the unity of the Ukrainian community, for all of us to be convinced of how important it is to be together, to feel each other's support, and to jointly support our native Ukraine in its difficult current time. We wanted our festival to delight all guests with the strength and beauty of Ukrainian culture, to warm with embroidered shirts, to please with delicious dishes. We prepared. We worked. We prayed. And not least – for good weather, so that rains and thunderstorms would not prevent people from coming to the festival. And God heard our prayers…

Yes, He heard, although on Saturday the sky was filled with suspicious clouds all morning, and almost with the first chords of the celebration, rain tried to fall. However, not for long. It had to retreat. Because in its place came a waterfall of songs and dances, emotions and impressions, greetings, sincere words, and warm meetings.

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It was touching to start both festival days with a prayer. It was proud to perform the main national anthems of Ukraine and America together with the soloists under the fluttering national flags held by Ukrainian American veterans. It was pleasant to hear greetings from the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, Kostyantyn Vorona, from a long-time friend of the Ukrainian community, one of the most consistent supporters of our state in the U.S. Congress, Mike Quigley, from the Treasurer of Cook County (Illinois) Maria Pappas, who was especially moved by the meeting with severely wounded (each with lost limbs) Ukrainian soldiers. It was joyful to welcome on stage representatives of the "Selfreliance" credit union and the "Heritage" foundation – the main sponsors of the festival, from whom the parish also received a monetary gift, and each attendee could participate in a free lottery twice – on Saturday and Sunday – with lucky winners donating their $500 prize immediately to charity. It was lovely that the joy of the celebration was shared with participants and guests of the festival by the Most Reverend Bishop Benedict. On Sunday, the bishop led the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha, and throughout both eventful festival days, he found time for everyone: for the military, for the artists near the stage, for the hosts and hostesses serving in the kitchen, and for those who were at the fair. Even the amusing White Bear in a Hutsul vest took a photo with the bishop and the priests.

And the children were delighted – the Bear never refused to join in a photo or a dance. The photo zone was also actively engaged, beautifully and gently decorated with vibrant sunflowers radiating the warmth of the native Ukrainian land. The festival hosts, the holy fathers, and each performer emphasized: we are gathered here not only for entertainment and relaxation; we are here together to celebrate, pray, and raise funds for Ukraine.

And primarily, they were collected for the wounded Ukrainian soldiers who, through the efforts of the charitable foundations PROTEZ FOUNDATION and REVIVED SOLDIERS UKRAINE, are in America for treatment and prosthetics. Their presence at the festival, their testimonies, communication with them, financial and moral support – this is, in a way, a measure of conscience for each of us here in America, under a peaceful sky and on peaceful land, who are alive and healthy and can earn a living. Therefore, let us be those who can hear, see, and understand. Let us be those who share not just money but also our hearts. Does it sound pompous? Maybe. But hardly anyone would want to be in their place...

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I bow my head to them. As well as to everyone who works for the front. Thus, the parish of Saints Volodymyr and Olha receives Thanks from Ukraine at their celebration – from those for whom they pray, whom they help, with whom this help brings the peaceful day closer. And from today's festival, part of the funds will be directed to Ukraine. And those who came to the festival fair with wonderful souvenir products, with embroidered shirts and books, with honey and toys, with items of home use decorated with Ukrainian symbols, and all vendors and business representatives – they also volunteer. Because the time is such now. Because we must remember: the war continues.

And those on stage hold the cultural front. Because through our song, through our customs and rituals, through our amulets and symbols, the world must know: there is such a country – Ukraine, beautiful, strong, unbreakable. It blossomed at the festival in the performances of incredibly talented people – soloists, ensembles, choirs, who sang about the native land and family, about the most precious gift of God – life – and about the most important feeling in this life, love, about their dreams and hopes, about the faith that holds... Children and adults, performers from the parish family and guests of the festival – all wove their creativity into a bright wreath of honor, into a wreath of love for Ukraine.

And the sky above the festival courtyard brightened. And the clouds dispersed. Fortunately, the storm promised by the meteorologists did not visit here. Yes, there was no thunder here, but there was "Hromovytsia." Incredible, fantastic, fiery – that's how we know it, or rather him, this dance ensemble, which has been led for over forty years by the truly unique Roxana Dyka-Pylypchuk (now with her talented assistant, daughter Danuśa). With a good dozen compositions, "Hromovytsia" gave the audience a sea of emotions and gladly shared the stage with other dancers who came to the Ukrainian neighborhood for the festival celebration.

And it was extremely pleasant to observe how not only Ukrainians, who, of course, came to the festival in the largest numbers, were captivated by Ukrainian stage art. However, among the audience were representatives of other nations and ethnicities – their skin color or national attire testified to this. And this is another feature of the festival in the Ukrainian neighborhood – to be a bridge of unity with foreign guests who are convinced again and again that Ukrainians are a peace-loving nation, that we want and know how to go through life with goodness, with love, with a song...

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As for our guests, imagine that the super-interesting dumpling-eating contest held on the festival stage was won... by an American, Frank Wach, outpacing four Ukrainian Cossacks. And I regret that among the crowd, I somehow lost sight of him and didn't ask how Frank ended up at our festival, whether it was his first time, and where his passion for dumplings came from. Maybe he has Ukrainian roots?! In short, the conversation could have been interesting, but it didn't happen. I was just happy for this man. And not just because he received $250 for his victory, but also because he knows good food. Because our dumplings are not just some fast food. They are strength, a subject of pride in Ukrainian national cuisine, a cult symbol of prosperity and health, and therefore they are something more than just food.

In the end, the same could be said about every Ukrainian dish offered to festival guests by generous parish hosts. And people did not hide their delight. And the hot feelings from the delicious treats were no less than from the equally tastefully composed concert program and from the performances of the festival headliners – the famous bands "MAD HEADS," "MAZEPA," and "Patsyky z Franeka."

…Distant stars timidly peeked into the festival courtyard. It was warm, pleasant, cozy. And I once again thought about how much I want such festivals – bright, joyful, musical, without fear that something might fly in, without the danger of losing loved ones – to take place there, on our native Ukrainian land. It turns out that I thought... out loud. And immediately heard someone respond: "They will happen! Definitely! Do you have any doubts?!" – next to me in a wheelchair sat Mykyta, a Ukrainian defender who is being fitted with a prosthetic leg in America, lost in the war. He is incredible – this guy: there is so much light in his eyes, so much optimism in his words, so much special charm in his smile that even just being in the same company with him is like a gift of fate. And next to him is Sashko, a career military man. He is without both legs. And he cannot see. But the guys do not talk about their injuries. For them, it is something that has already happened and with which they are learning to live. Instead, they say: "Do not doubt Ukraine's victory. And continue to help Ukraine, because it will be our common victory. And our enemies will perish, will die. This state has no right to exist. Although, what kind of state is it?! A horde! Wild. From the swamps. Came from there, will return there! And wants to drag others there. But we will stand. Do not doubt. Help. Believe..."

Agree: for the sake of such meetings, for the sake of such words, we come to festivals. To enjoy Ukrainian beauty, to be filled with unbreakable faith, to share sincere love, to feel like a part of a great and beautiful land for which we ask God for its peaceful day.

 

Photos by Petro Kovtun and the newspaper's editorial team