One enchanted evening….that was the general disposition at the first annual “Christmas Tree Festival” (Sviato Yalynky) hosted by Branch 54 of the Ukrainian American Youth Association in Stamford, CT on December 10, 2011.

Over 65 children filed into the auditorium of Saint Basil’s Seminary in Stamford, unsure of what to expect from the evening. After sitting in a dimly-lit auditorium listening to a welcome and opening remark about the legend associated with how the Christmas tree (yalynka) became such an integral part of the holiday season, guests “oohed” and “ahhed” upon seeing the beautifully decorated yalynka in the center of the hall lighted to its full glory.

Sumivtsi presented the audience with a short program of music and a costumed enactment of the songs “U lisi, lisi temnomu” (“In the dark, dark forest”) as well as “Ya lysychka, ya systrychka” (“I’m the fox”). Then, everyone participated in a lively concert performed by well-known vocal artist, Olya Fryz. She entertained the audience with her many energetic tunes, getting the children up and dancing and interweaving a vocal performance with arrangements on her bandura. The concert culminated with the entire audience joining in a group caroling sing-along. Following Ms. Fryz’s program, the children were invited to step up to several arts and crafts tables set up throughout the auditorium where they could create their own designs to take along and decorate their homes for the holidays.

One and all look forward to “Sviato Yalynky” in Stamford becoming an annual tradition for the entire community to enjoy