Canadian
Institute for Ukrainian Studies:
25th
Anniversary
Speaking
Notes prepared for the Hon.
David Kilgour
Secretary
of State (Asia-Pacific)
University
of Alberta
April
13, 2002
Good evening,
I’d like to thank the
Canadian Institute for Ukrainian
Studies – here at the University
of Alberta – for inviting
me to attend their 25th
anniversary celebrations.
This is truly an important
occasion.
I know that you have
several important individuals
here to honour tonight, including
the Hon. Halvar C. Jonson
who will deliver the keynote
address, so I will be brief.
I thought – given that we
are reflecting on the historical
significance of the Ukrainian
culture in Canada and Alberta
- that I might share some
of my thoughts on the late
Peter Jacyk.
Peter was a visionary
who dedicated himself to the
renewal of Ukrainian ideals
and culture. He promoted a
tremendous commitment to learning
and his passion for Ukrainian
historical research was second
to none.
Jacyk was 17 when the
Russian army forced him from
his hometown. He arrived in
Canada in 1949 with no knowledge
of English. He was always
a staunch advocate for academia,
supporting numerous university
programs including those at
Harvard, Columbia and here
at the University of Alberta.
Jacyk decided that fostering
a better understanding of
the Ukrainian heritage would
make a unique contribution
to Canada’s culture. He created
several programs and scholarly
centres to better inform North
Americans of Ukrainian history
and culture and to demonstrate
and explain the unique relationship
shared by Canada and Ukraine.
It is primarily because of
Canadians like Dr. Jacyck
who dedicate themselves to
this sort of cultural exploration
that Canada enjoys such a
rich and multicultural character.
Of his many accomplishments,
none may be more impressive
than the translation of Mykhailo
Hrushevsky’s 10-volume History
of Ukraine-Rus into English.
When they were complete, the
translations were met with
international acclaim and
recognized as exemplary works
of scholarship by the academic
community around the world.
The Hrushevsky Translation
Project, which took place
at the Peter Jacyk Centre
at the University of Alberta,
was a model of complexity.
However, the undertaking of
Hruschevsky’s opus, elegantly
conveyed by the translators,
acts as a window into the
long, colourful and absorbing
history of Ukraine.
Throughout
his life, Peter maintained
“more education leads to less
confrontation.” By learning
the lessons of the past we
protect ourselves from making
similar mistakes in the future.
Peter devoted himself to the
promotion of cultural understanding
through learning and education
and will be remembered always
as a true visionary who fundamentally
altered the Canadian academic
and cultural landscape.
I’d
like to congratulate the Canadian
Institute of Ukrainian Studies
here at the University of
Alberta, for their commitment
to excellence in education,
research and life-long learning.
Your importance to Albertans
and all Canadians cannot be
overstated.
Thank-you.
