LUC STATEMENT ON THE YEAR OF MAZEPA

«Have Your Pride – Honour Mazepa»

The League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUC) and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women (LUCW), on behalf of their members, supporters and indeed the whole Ukrainian community in Canada, proclaim the year of 2009 to be the year of Hetman Ivan Mazepa.

In 2009, on the 300^th anniversary of his death, the world community comes together to celebrate his life and achievements that captured the imagination of many renown individuals, like Lord Byron, Voltaire and Victor Hugo.

LUC and LUCW are pleased to join the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) in commemorating Mazepa, in its declaration on 30 December 2008.  Therefore, the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women appeal to the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian organizations in Canada and abroad to honour and celebrate his life with collective events and activities.

Hetman Ivan Mazepa had the courage to join forces with Sweden against Peter the Great in order to liberate the Ukrainian nation from imperialist Russia.  He dared to stand up and fight for the rights of his people, and in historic perspective, in defence of Europe.  Mazepa not only initiated Ukraine’s independence movement which came to successful fruition in 1991, but also paved the way for the creation of the world’s first modern democratic constitution, the constitution of Pylyp Orlyk in 1710, which preceded both the American and French constitutions.  Unfortunately, these facts were misconstrued by intellectually dishonest historians, both Czarist Russian and Soviet.

During the Year of Mazepa, let us reflect on Ukraine’s history, and with this anniversary, befin to fully expose the truth about Mazepa.  We in Canada must ensure that the commemoration of this important anniversary, both in Ukraine and its Diaspora, be done on an appropriate level.

As a result, the League of Ukrainian Canadians and League of Ukrainian Canadian Women have initiated a Mazepa-related project under the motto: “Have Your Pride – Honour Mazepa,” which includes an art contest for Ukrainian youth, publication of the best artworks in an album, and the organization of ceremonial gathering across Canada on 20 September, 2009, with the participation of LUC, LUCW and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Please support our Mazepa project, and let us honour Mazepa collectively!