Lyudmyla Melnyk’s Story
I am Lyudmyla Melnyk, a volunteer of the Newton, IA, sister city organization O.P.E.N. which constantly includes into the promoting friendship and better understanding between the people of Iowa and Cherkasy region (state), Ukraine since 1993
500 words limit allows only the bare facts, between the lines there is true diplomacy, I propose you 4 stories on the project of the 65th anniversary of the WW II "Remember. Honor. Celebrate." Please read four stories on this project
Story 1
Commemoration Program at the Newton Senior High School's Center for Performance. was held On April, 25th, 2010. It was dedicated to the WW II veterans and their families for their services and sacrifices in restoring freedom to America and the world. It started at 3:20 p.m., the time when American and Soviet soldiers met at the broken bridge in April 1945. About 60 WW II veterans participated, the reproduction of the link-up was performed by volunteer re enactors On April, 25, regional TV program, dedicated to this historical event was broadcasting, some rare significant documentary materials from archives and museums were presented for the first time.
"Remember Honor Celebrate" displays were made by the veterans' families and students were exhibited at the event.
Story 2
O.P.E.N. invited a sculptor from Cherkasy to create a commemorative sculpture, devoted to the lasting friendship which was displayed at the Newton sculpture festival, June, 12-13. It is an in-kind gift in 3 ton lime stone to the Newton citizens. It will be installed at the Jasper County Historical Museum.
It represents the historic April 25, 1945 meeting of an American infantry officer and a Russian private at Torgau on a blown bridge girder over the Elbe River for the 2010
The relief on the 3 tone lime stone symbolically shows the shake of hands (in the center), the words on the ark /rainbow above them "Soldiers to Soldiers / "Friends to Friends in 2010. The words on the broken parts of the bridge say "Newton, IA, USA", "Cherkasy, Ukraine" on the upper corners are the banner of America and the flowers of Ukraine. On the river flow the dates "1945-2010", symbolizing the ever lasting friendship Citizen Diplomacy
(Read more: http://www.newtondailynews.com/articles/2010/05/25/r_vpbe0h1rhkiixkes3ie9g/index.xml)
Students, citizens visited the sculptor to watch his art work and communicate. In addition, Vladyslav Dymioa, participating at the sculpture fest demo made a sculpture of Native American Spirit and presented it to the Newton Art and Artist Center as a in -kind donation.
Story 3
TV team form Cherkasy State-Owned TV and Radio Company "ROS" came to Newton and made video documentations of O.P.E.N. members, teachers, past host families( hosted 34 students from Cherkasy region), the nature of Newton and Iowa countryside, business and culture. Five TV programs have already been broadcasted for Cherkasy region.
Story 4
Newton/Smila Student Art Exchange Project "Remember. Honor. Celebrate" was a true manifestation of the young generation's respect and understanding of the values of the WWII victory and particularly their grandparents WW II experiences.
Collages from Cherkasy rural schools are on display in Newton now, and the collages form
Newton students were sent to Cherkasy, they will be displayed in schools and museums.
To summarize: All project activities were conducted without neither government funding and nor personal monetary compensation, Citizen Diplomacy works perfect when the ears are open, when smiles are sincere , when sharing is the natural behavior.
Jane Ann Cotton, O.P.E.N. Chair, John McNeer, O.P.E.N. Vice-Chair, Marvin Campbell, O.P.E.N. Special Project Chair,
Ludnmila Melnik, Newton/ Cherkasy O.P.E.N. volunteer.