This year marks two milestone anniversaries for Nash Holos.
The 25th anniversary of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio in Vancouver on AM1320 CHMB Vancouver, and the 35th anniversary of the inception of Nash Holos. For the record, not a milestone number but 14 years at CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo.
The show has undergone many changes in those years (decades). Except for one – I’ve been with the show since day one – June 4, 1990 on AM1470 CJVB Vancouver. And it’s been an honour and a privilege.
A Record-breaking Radio Show
One thing I am particularly proud of is that Nash Holos twice broke the record for the longest-running Ukrainian radio program in BC. First in 1996 for the initial run of the show, which I co-hosted with Bohdan Zajcew and Eugene Lupynis from 1990-96 on AM1470CJVB Vancouver. And then again in 2007 after producing and presenting the show solo on AM1320CHMB Vancouver, where it is still airing Saturdays at 6pm PST.
This year I’ll be looking back through those years and sharing some of the highlights of 35 years of Ukrainian programming in BC.
There will of course also be new material as usual.
New Features!
A new feature I am proud, and pleased, to announce is “Values of Life” presented by Ihor Reveha of Parksville, BC and his delightful young daughter Edna. Ihor worked as an academic and motivational speaker in Ukraine prior to coming to Canada a few years ago. He shares his remarkable experience and insights with Nash Holos listeners by discussing life-enhancing values with his daughter.
Stay tuned also for new book reviews, interviews, Ukrainian Jewish Heritage updates, great Ukrainian music!
And I will do my best to keep you updated here with information about new material on the show as well as changes to the website.
To that end, you will see that the static home page is gone from the website, replaced with this list of recent posts. You’ll find all the information in the contact and About Us pages. In this list of posts you’ll find a mix of transcripts of spoken word features, along with my running commentary and show and website updates. I hope you’ll find them helpful, interesting, or at least amusing.
Now, for the changes to the website.
Show Archives and Podcast Feed
Late last year, I was hit with a takedown notice by my podcast hosting platform where I had been archiving the shows for many years. Due to changes to intellectual property laws, I am no longer allowed an RSS feed for the full episodes of the show. There is only one platform, MixCloud, that does allow me to share full episodes of the show. The original RSS feed is still there, with the older episodes (for now) and the spoken-word features. You will see these changes in the menu bar.
So now you can find the most recent shows in their entirety on MixCloud. I’ve organized playlists there, so the Vancouver editions are in one section (playlist) of their own, as are the Nanaimo editions. As well, there are playlists for the various spoken-word features. Please follow me on MixCloud to get email updates whenever a new episode is uploaded.
Those spoken-word features are also available on the original podcast feed, so you can still get them on your favourite podcast app.
You’ll find all the links to the sites where the shows and features in the menu bar above.
Ukrainian Food Flair – the Cookbook
Also last year, I wrapped up a project started almost 20 years ago—a collection of the recipes of Sylvia Molnar, who presented over 200 of them in the series Ukrainian Food Flair. Sylvia passed away in 2015, but last year her sister Leone and I finally published her recipes as a tribute to her memory. Ukrainian Food Flair: Authentic Recipes from Canada’s West Coast is available at Amazon) and other online booksellers.
You’ll find a link to a dedicated page on the website here.
I’ll continue to broadcast Ukrainian Food Flair flashbacks on both editions of the show.
Changing Times and Circumstances
In the past 35 years, how media is done has changed considerably…to understate the obvious. Back in 1990 and even in 2000, there was little access to information on Ukraine and Ukrainian culture. It was my goal with Nash Holos to fill that gap.
Today, with the advent of the internet and social media, there is no more gap to fill. Over the past decade or two, many websites, podcasts, YouTube channels, and other sites emerged that are better funded, and staffed with professionals. There is no longer any lack of information about Ukraine—its history, culture, or politics. It’s all out there.
But at its core, this show has always been just a celebration of Ukrainian Canadian cultural heritage, bridging my personal experience of it with that of others celebrating it, along with the changing times, circumstances, and emerging cultural content available online.
Over the years, I’ve had to “reinvent” myself and the show several times accordingly. Retirement beckons, and it has been beckoning for many years. But since I am still not quite ready to hang up my mic and sail off into the sunset, I’ll continue with the show for this double milestone anniversary year at least.
So stay tuned!
