On 22 October 2017 Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij participated in the commemorative banquet at the Ukrainian Youth Centre in Montreal, Canada, which was organized on the 26th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine and 50th anniversary of the UWC by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Montreal Branch.
Greetings were delivered by Ambassador of Ukraine in Canada Andriy Shevchenko, Montreal City Councillor Mark-André Gadoury, Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Paul Grod and Ukrainian Canadian Congress Montreal Branch President Helen Holowka. Greetings were also presented by representatives of the Armenian, Georgian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Crimean-Tatar communities. Master of Ceremonies was well known member of the Ukrainian community Orest Humenny.
In his speech the UWC President highlighted current troubling events in Ukraine and called upon the Ukrainian community to encourage the international community to assist Ukraine in the defence of its territorial integrity in the hybrid war of the Russian Federation, which will ensure peace and stability in the world. With this, Eugene Czolij focused attention on recent positive reforms in Ukraine.
The banquet guests also had an opportunity to view the short docmentary film “50 years of the Ukrainian World Congress,” which presented the primary achievements of the UWC thoughout its half century.
In recognition of his dedication and achievements, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Montreal Branch presented the UWC President with a painting by well-known Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Zabeida.
The commemorative banquet included performances by Yuri and Anna Konevitch, Irena Pawliw and the Rossa ensemble with Natalia Bedik, Dania Kolanitch and Sonia Kulycky.
“The Ukrainian World Congress thanks the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Montreal Branch chaired by Helen Holowka for raising awareness of the UWC with a successful banquet and looks forward to continued cooperation in furthering current Ukrainian issues,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
In the photo from left: Fr. V. Kouchnir, M.-A. Gadoury, P. Grod, A. Shevchenko, E. Czolij, A. Czolij, Fr. I. Oshchipko, E. Holowka and H. Holowka
