Ukrainian National Federation – Montreal.
The Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) Montreal branch held its annual traditional “Kutia” with members of UNF, their family and guests on Sunday, February 5.
The opening prayer was given together by Rev. Volodymyr Kouchnir of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Rosemont and by Rev. Dr. Ihor Kutash, parish rector of St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church and former UNF-Montreal president.
Welcome remarks were given by Dr. Artem Luhovy, president of UNF-Montreal. Reflecting on the 125th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada, he mentioned the importance to remember the contributions and builders of UNF, one of the oldest Ukrainian organization in Canada. Special guests present were Natalia Shuster, with the Montreal Police Force and with The European Union Centre, who was working as advisor to help reform the patrol police and police force overall in Ukraine, and Canadian Sgt. Matej Ramsey who grew up in Plast-Montreal, served in Afghanistan and recently was also in Ukraine helping to retrain members of Ukraine’s army. Both Natalia and Matej were thanked by the president for their dedication and work.
The annual tradition of “Kutia” at UNF began when early Ukrainian immigrants arrived in Canada decades ago. Seeking a better life and freedom from persecution, invasions and war, newly established organizations became a home away from home where Ukrainian family traditions continued to be shared together.
The “kutia”, attended by over sixty members and friends, was catered by Zytensky Deli founded by master Ukrainian sausage maker in 1922 and still operated by the third generation of family in Rosemount. The Montreal UNF branch was founded in 1933 with Montreal’s “Striletska Hromada” established earlier in 1928 from which evolved UNF.
The “Spilna Kutia” is held Sundays throughout January in numerous Montreal Ukrainian organizations and church parishes. Other branches in Quebec existed in Val d’Or and Rouyn-Noranda founded in 1936, 600 km north of Montreal where children of pioneers still live.
Members of the executive include Evhen Osidacz, Adrian Kowryha, Yaroslav Holowka, Katrusia Smolynec, Petro Zelenko, Anastasia Kyva, and Rostyslav Nyemtsev who helped co-ordinate the event. On March 23rd, the UNF Montreal Literary Circle together with the McGill Ukrainian Students’ Association under the patronage of UCC-Montreal will be holding a book lunch for Dr. Bohdan Kordan at UNF.
For further information regarding upcoming events contact Andriy Hovorun at [email protected].
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