TWO ANNIVERSARIES

September 21 – a day of celebration in Molochansk.  Although it was 68 years ago when the German army withdrew from Molochansk, collective memories are kept alive and fortified year after year.  Last Friday our townfolk celebrated their local Victory Day.  All of Ukraine celebrates May 9 as the National Victory Day.  World War II or, the Great Patriotic War as it is known here, remains a topic of great importance in literature, the arts and in school history lessons. Every town has its monuments. Older people remember that in Molochansk, a town of 7000, only 4 houses remained untouched by the shelling coming from the German army camped on the hills outside of town.  There was mass destruction. 

Parading past the Mennonite Centre

 Friday dawned bright and beautiful.  Mid-morning the parade began and followed the route down our street, past the Mennonite Centre to the park that once was the garden of the grand Willms estate.  We followed the procession not wanting to miss any of the proceedings.  Earlier that day a young man visited the Centre.  

Sergei & Dema before the celebration

Sergei is 19 years old and has spent his life in the orphanage in Prischib, just out of town. He has no memories of his mother.  He was told that she was destitute had six children and didn’t want him.  This young man has an exceptionally fine singing voice and dreams of a musical career.  He was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the ceremony.

A number of dignitaries addressed the crowd, among them the Chief Prosecutor of Ukraine, our local mayor, a veteran and also Dema. 

Molochansk band with donated instruments

We didn’t catch all the symbolic elements but watched as floral tributes were placed on the monument. The band played on instruments we have donated through the years.  

Children danced and sang with appropriate choreography.  These events always involve a cultural demonstra-tion. After the ceremony Dema invited the dignitaries to stop at the Centre for tea and they agreed to come.  We helped the staff to set up a small buffet table in our meeting room.  Our dining room wasn’t available because Friday is also the day our Seniors come for lunch.  We’re always amazed at how quickly our staff can pull something together.  Everything was ready when the gentlemen arrived.  

Artyum Pshonka greeting our seniors

They noticed a group of Seniors still finishing their tea and instead of turning left when they entered the building, they joined the Seniors.  They were welcomed with delight, everyone talking and laughing at once.Their refreshments were completely ignored and after some quick picture taking they made their way to the door.  Artyum Pshonka, the chief prosecutor was presented with Ukrainian copy of Rudy Friesen’s book, Building on the Past.  Their time had run out and it was on to the next part of the day’s agenda. It’s to be remembered that this is election year.  In the greater scheme of things it was much to their advantage to score points with the Seniors than to have lunch. 

Some of the Seniors with the Molochansk mayor and chief prosecutor

All was not lost however.  September 21 also marked eleven years since the Mennonite Centre opened its doors.  We joined the staff in a nice lunch together, reminiscing how times have changed.  In 1944 the Germans were expelled.  Now we are welcomed back.

If you wish to contribute to the work of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine make your Canadian cheques to "Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine" or "FOMCU." Cheques from American donors should be made out to "MFC-FOMCU". All cheques should be mailed to George Dyck, Treasurer, 3675 North Service Rd, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada - L0R 1B1. Check our website at http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/ for information on credit card donations.