Ukrainian Canadian Foundation

FOUNDATION SUPPORTS WORLD PREMIERE
OF KOUZAN’S WORK “THE FINAL MESSAGE”

July 31, 2002

Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (UCFTS) has been pleased to provide a grant in the amount of $10,000 towards the World Premiere of “The Final Message”. This premiere was held on June 8, 2002 and featured the acclaimed baritone Theodore Baerg and the sparkling soprano Svetlana Sech, who with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO), the Ukrainian Dnipro Choir of Edmonton and the Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton.

“This evening was an historic milestone for the Ukrainian community in Canada,” said UCFTS President Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C. “We are honoured that Marian Kouzan, despite personal difficulties, was able to join us for this special evening.”

Hladyshevsky noted that since the completion of the work in 1992, M. Kouzan had suffered two strokes, resulting in a three-year coma. Despite regaining consciousness in October of last year, M. Kouzan could not recognize people or hold a conversation with those closet to him. Upon hearing that his work was being premiered, M. Kouzan began to recover memories that were once lost, and being inspired by these developments recovered sufficiently to travel to Edmonton to experience this World Premiere.

“Through this performance all Canadians will be able to gain an appreciation for the tremendous contribution which Ukrainians have made to the arts – not only in Canada, but throughout the world,” said Hladyshevsky. He expressed his deep appreciation to ESO conductor Grzegorz Nowak and Maria Dytinak for their efforts in making this evening possible

This work is based upon the satirical political poem “The Poslaniye” written by Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861) in 1845, after his emancipation and after graduating from the Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. The basis for the poem rests in the knowledge gained by Shevchenko, after traveling throughout Ukraine of the full extent of its misfortune under Russian rule, namely, the total absence of personal, social and national freedom in this once free, heroic and prosperous nation. Shevchenko reminds the Ukrainian elite that only “in one’s own house” is there “one’s own truth,” and entreats them to embrace their brothers, work to realize their national potential and to stop serving foreign masters, and to become a free, honourable people, worthy of their history and heritage, in their own free land.

Given these powerful words of Shevchenko, the Alberta Ukrainian Commemorative Society commissioned Marian Kouzan to compose The Final Message, a three movement choral and symphonic work that sets music to these inspiring and thought provoking words. This work was completed in 1992.

The UCFTS was incorporated under an Act of Parliament in 1963, and has grown to nearly $7 million. The Foundation supports projects throughout the country that will enhance the Ukrainian Canadian community. Since 1964-65, the Foundation has provided nearly $4.5 million dollars in support for the work of the community.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Lesia Szwaluk
Executive Director
UCFTS
(204) 942-4627
lesia@shevchenkofoundation.ca

2008

MAY 28, 2008 – Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko President Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C. Received the Order of Merit From President of Ukraine

MAY 9, 2008 – Government of Canada Establishes Historic Endowment Fund With the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko

MARCH 7, 2008 – Janice Kulyk Keefer Named Recipient of $25,000 Kobzar Literary Award for 2008

2007

MAY 8, 2007 – Victor Malarek Investigative Journalist Recipient of 2007 Syrnick Journalism Award

2006

MARCH 2, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR LITERARY AWARD 2006 RECIPIENT (PDF)

FEBRUARY 27, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 GALA (PDF)

JANUARY 16, 2006 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT: KOBZAR™ LITERARY AWARD 2006 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT (PDF)

2005

ORANGE REVOLUTION COVERAGE WINS NEW JOURNALISM AWARD

SHEVCHENKO FOUNDATION FINDS NEW HOME

2004