Toxic terminology and the sinister manipulation of language can lead to murder. A recent conference held in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Lviv in early June underlined the dangers inherent in the misuse of the spoken and written word. “The Seduction of Propaganda: Mass Violence in Ukraine in the 20th and 21st Centuries” featured leading international and Ukrainian academics and public figures in wide-ranging discussions of the lethal impact of propaganda. Their chilling analysis showed how the mechanisms of propaganda used by totalitarian imperial regimes provoked and legitimized violence against three peoples: the Jews in Hitler’s Holocaust, the Ukrainians during Stalin’s Holodomor, or Terror Famine, and the Crimean Tatars in their deportation. The conference also outlined how current academic knowledge can help counteract the politicized and mythologized interpretations of the tragic events of the past. Dr. Wendy Lower, a leading American Holocaust scholar, reminded us that truth is the greatest enemy of the totalitarian state. The Nazis suppressed free speech and alternative sources of information, severely narrowing the means for individual thought. With the Nazi regime in full control of information and propaganda, one can better understand the cynical comment by propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels that if you tell […]
Continue reading
Pawlina in Ukraine May-June 2015
The Ukrainian Jewish Encounter Initiative of Toronto is hosting a seminar in Ukraine entitled: The Seduction of Propaganda and Mass Violence in Ukraine in the 20th and early 21st Centuries. The UJE has kindly sponsored me to travel to Ukraine to attend this seminar and share the highlights with Nash Holos listeners and followers on social media. Please follow Pawlina and/or Nash Holos on Twitter and Facebook for updates. You can also check here. Meanwhile, here is some information about the upcoming conference, which kicks off in Kyiv on Tuesday June 2, 2015:
Continue reading
Щоб волю мати, треба спершу себе об`єднати.
Freedom is built on unity. - Ukrainian proverb
▶ Hutsul Cup Song Instructions
OK then. If you enjoyed the Cherry Band performing the Hutsul Cup song and would like to try your hand at it with some friends, here are the instructions. In Ukrainian, but if you’re Ukrainian-impaired, just watch closely, follow your instincts, and do what they do. You’ll make out just fine. Provided you are sober when you’re learning it. LOL Have fun! ▶ Як грати Cup Song. Інструкція. – YouTube.
Continue readingCherry Band: Hutsul Cup Song
The Cherry Band performed this at the Dzherelo Centre. It’s called the Hutsul Cup song. Shared it with Nash Holos listeners on the Jan 10, 2015 edition. Here’s the link. Instructions to follow. Enjoy! ▶ Різдвяне вітання від Центру “Джерело” та гурту Cherry Band: гуцульський Cup Song “В неділю рано” – YouTube.
Continue readingCTO Plaque unveiling ceremony Nanaimo BC August 22, 2014
On Friday August 22, 2014, 100 plaques commemorating the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the War Measures Act and the start of Canada’s first Internment operations of 1914-1920 were unveiled across Canada. The first was unveiled in Amhurst, Nova Scotia. The last two were unveiled in Nanaimo, BC. One plaque is located on the grounds of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church. The other will be mounted by the City of Nanaimo on an existing cairn, unveiled in 1997 to mark the site of an internment camp that operated in Nanaimo from Sept 1914-Sept. 1915. The Ukrainian community of Nananaimo would like to thank the City of Nanaimo for so graciously participating in and assisting with the ceremony. Here are some photos (courtesy Ivan Biblow):
Continue readingNewest (and best ever) song by Ludwig
My British Ukrainian-Irish friend, Ludwig, released a new song in May 2014 … arguably his best ever. Featuring his lovely daughters on back-up vocals. It’s a very powerful message as well as a beautiful song. So please share if you like it. Condemnation! Condemnation! Doesn’t change the situation Putin – Hitler of today Who knows his final destination? Now they all “express concern” The situation is “unstable” And they say we should return To the negotiation table. Ever heard the terms “Invasion” Occupation, Annexation, Indecision, all resulting in Complete capitulation? Then they’ll all repeat their lies Again to try to justify That for the greater good of all A country’s freedom was denied. So, as was many times before We’ve got to see this to the end To stand together, yet alone Our nations freedom to defend. They say the times have changed But if we’re talking of Ukraine Stalin’s, Hitler’s and now Putin’s Real intentions stay the same. Be sure of this you “leaders” Of the west, you’ll have to see, Your cowardice in history Recalled eternally. Your children and descendants Will disown you and your names, Ashamed that you betrayed A sovereign country called Ukraine. Democracy dependent On dictatorship is here The […]
Continue readingHolubka
Love the blend of contemporary and traditional in this dance! Holubka (which means “dove” or “pigeon” in Ukrainian) performed by Hromovytsia (Громовиця) of Chicago at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin 2013. For information on this year’s lineup, visit www.cnuf.ca Meanwhile, enjoy this clip from last year! http://youtu.be/TtftYqCotUQ
Continue readingUkrainian Jewish Heritage: Passover in Ukraine
The festival of Passover commemorates the Exodus of Jews from Egypt over three thousand years ago. The timeless and universal message of this holiday is that slaves can go free, and that the future can be better than the present. Passover, or Pessach as it is called in Yiddish, begins in the middle of the Hebrew month of Nissan, the first month on the Jewish liturgical calendar. It generally corresponds with late March or early April on the Gregorian calendar. Passover is known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It lasts for seven days in Israel, eight in the diaspora. In 2014 Passover takes place April 14-22. In preparing for Pessach, Jews remove every trace of chametz … or leaven … from their homes and vehicles. This act symbolizes the haste with which the Jews left Egypt; they did not even have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic purification ritual … removing the “puffiness” of arrogance and pride, which separates us from one another, and from our Creator. The eating of Matza, or unleavened bread, is very important to Jews during this time. The scrupulous ritual avoidance of impurity, symbolized by leavening, helps Jews to […]
Continue readingShevchenko’s Zapovit – Redux
Digging around in the audio archives I came across this still-timely piece I recorded back in March of 1996 … during the first incarnation of Nash Holos. My co-hosts then were Bohdan Zajcew and Eugene Lupynis, who put up with me from June 1990- June 96. After we disbanded the show took a 4-year hiatus. It returned to the airwaves in 2000 on a different station and, unfortunately, without them. It aired today on the Nanaimo edition of Nash Holos, featuring my new co-hosts, Romchyk and Tetiana. This piece holds very fond memories for me of that wonderful time. Enjoy! Running time: 4:31. Listen or download: Zapovit by Pawlina – 1996.
Continue reading
