Беларускія фэстывалі й выстаўкі ў Нью Джэрзі
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Нью Йорк 2013
"I think when a person knows his heritage and understands his origins, it helps him to be a more complete and self-confident person."
— Asbuiy Park Press. By Barbara Hoagland. 1977 May 22.
$,000 enjoy festival
HOLMDEL — Most Americans expect a sporting event and some other forms of entertainment to begin with the singing of our national anthem.
But many others might be surprised to hear "The Star-Spangled Banner" start a Belarusian heritage festival.
It shouldn't be surprising, however, since Americans of Belarusian ancestry cherish the freedom they have in America to celebrate their heritage. It's a sharp contrast to the conditions which exist in their homeland — a country about the size of Kansas surrounded by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Ukraine and Russia.
"Let us dedicate this program you are about to enjoy," said Yanka Zaprudnik as he announced the beginning of three hours of Belarusian song and dance at the Garden State Arts Center here yesterday, "to the struggle of the Belarusian people in the U.S.S.R. against Russification and for the preservation of their national culture."
Before the show began, Halina Rusak, the festival's program committee chairman, said the purpose of the festival is as much American as it is Belarusian.
"It shows the multicultural content of the United States," Mrs. Rusak said, "and how each culture contributes to the enrichment of others."
— Home News. By Rudy Lirini. 1977 May 22.
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Belarusians show the flags ofold and new homehands
The red and white flag of Belarus flew over Holmdel and most of the program was in Russian18 but the Belarusians celebrated their ardent thirst for liberty by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
America's national anthem opened the Belarusians' afternoon show at the Garden State's Arts Center. And while it was really one of the very few signs of "Americanization" apparent, it underscored the ethnic group's stubborn insistence to have the freedom for the Belarusians.
Vitaut Kipel the day's chairman, and other speakers stressed the group's desire to keep its indigenous character and culture alive, despite the region's absorption into Russia for more than a century. Kipel expressed hope that President Carter's recent stress on international human rights would help groups such as the Belarusians.
— Star-Ledger. By Bette Spero. 1977 May 23.
Governor signs proclamation. NO remembers freedom in Belarus
TRENTON Belarusian Independence Day may be little more than a dim memory in Minsk, where Vitaut Kipel was bom half a century ago, but it is alive in New Jersey where every year the governor honors the state's Belarusian community with a ritual proclamation sign
ing that began 26 years ago.
Yesterday, Gov. Brendan T. Byrne continued that ritual by signing a proclamation recognizing March 25 as Belarusian Independence Day.
Kipel, a Belarusian and chairman of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Ethnicity, was there with a dozen fellow BelarusianAmericans, mostly from Middlesex County, who came to greet Byrne.
— Home News. 1980 March 26.
Vitaut Kipel and Gov. Brendan Byrne.
'Ethnic groups display a richness of heritage
Nearly every nation colorfully exhibited its cultural heritage yesterday as Liberty State Park opened the fourth annual Ethnic Festival against the historic background of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
A relatively unknown country called Belarus, under Russian occupation until gaining its independence 64 years ago, was one of the more exotic nations represented at the gala.
Nadja Kudasow, a native of that country who lives in Somerset, displayed pride in her homeland by demonstrating a primitive method of weaving cloth that was used before the invention of the spinning wheel. Kudasow, a lab technician at Rutgers Medical School in Piscataway, was dressed in a colorful red and white costume made out of the same material she was stringing on a wooden spindle for inquisitive passersby.
"I enjoy these festivals because they give others a chance to learn about my homeland," said Kudasow, who immigrated to this country 32 years ago.
"New Jersey is more than the gateway to the nation itself," said Secretary of State Jane Burgio, standing in the background of Ellis Island, where some 16 million immigrants entered the Unites States in the heyday of immigration at the turn of the century.
"New Jersey, in microcosm, is the United States," she continued. "As the United States is populated and unified by people from all over the world, so is New Jersey."
— Sunday Star-Ledger. Section 1, p. 25. By Donna Leusner. 1982 September 12.
Aihertu Estate 1?ark festival to accent ethnic roots
Witnin view of both the
magnanimous Statue of Liberty and the first U.S. port of call for many immigrants, Ellis Island, 200 new American citizens will be sworn in during the opening ceremonies.
The festival activities will begin with a short parade of nations in the park, with marches bearing the flags of their respective nations and some wearing their native dress.
Belarusian-American group in flag parade at Liberty State Park.
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More than 100 different ethnic groups present in New Jersey will be recognized during the festival. Gov. Thomas Kean's address will officially open the two days of free festivities.
—Star-Ledger (Newark). By Stefan Janis. 1984 September 7.
'£ady“ a star in bad-goers
'proud heritage
Helping in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty was the primary motivation as 500 guests attended the 11th annual Heritage Festival Ball at the Pines Manor in Edison.
Once again, the "Parade of Dress" was presented by the representatives of 34 ethnic groups who displayed the national dress of their country of heritage.
— Sunday Star-Ledger. ACCENT: EVENTS, p. 9. By Janice Phipps. 1986 March 9.
'Heritage fest badpags tribute to 'Kean
Representing
some 32 ethnic communities, 650 guests were treated to the brilliant pageantry of the "Parade of Dress" and dancing by Armenian, Chinese and Philippine folk dancers.
"Gov. Kean has done a great deal to
After flag parade in Liberty State Park.
encourage New Jersey's many ethnic communities to present programs that illustrate and perpetuate our respective cultures and traditions," observed ball chairman and Philippine representative Laureana Abano.
— Star-Ledger. By Janice Phipps. 1987 March 8.
Below is a letter from the White House of President Jimmy Carter to Dr. Vitaut Kipel testifying to the effective cooperation of the Belarusian-American community with American authorities in advancing ethnic issues within the U.S. Government and society in general.
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON November 17, 1980
Dear Vitaut:
When President Carter established the Office of Ethnic Affairs and appointed ne Special Assistant, he restated his conaitment to rake the government more sensitive and responsive to the needs of the ethnic cosaunity. We were charged with a tremendous responsibility: to be the liaison between the ethnic communities and the White House, and to assist the President in Identifying the concerns of the ethnic community.
Besides opening the White House doors to the ethnic community, we involved them in various foreign and domestic policy Issues. We tried to sensitize the various federal agencies to the concerns of ethnlc-Americans and worked on policies relating to discrimination based on national origin. We formed coalitions with other groups on certain issues and were successful in having ethnlc-Americans appointed to top level federal Jobs, commissions, boards and advisory councils.
These impressive accoeplishments would be much more difficult. If not impossible, to achieve without your work, support and friendship. Your talents, dedication to the American ideals, and pride in your cultural heritage made the undertaking easier. You devoted your time and energy, often at personal and financial sacrifice, for the greater good of the ethnic community and for this we are grateful.
For Vicki, Natalie, Laraine and myself, it was a great personal pleasure to have known you and to have worked so closely with you. Instead of looking at this as an ending, we like to think of it as a beginning of new challenges and opportunities, and look forward to a continued working relationship with you in the future.
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
Stephen R. Aiello Special Assistant to the President for F.thnic Affairs
Thank-you letter to Vitaut Kipel summing up close cooperation in ethnic affairs.
FESTIVALS IN LIBEKTY STATE PARK
There could be no better place for ethnic festivals than Liberty State Park that lies in Jersey City next to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty with its symbolic flame of Freedom. The park is an area where, in past times, millions of immigrants started their journey into the continent hoping to realize their American dream. There are still railroad tracks on which that journey started for over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954.
Liberty State Park is visited by an endless flow of tourists, including distant descendants of newcomers to the New World. They are
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captivated by the picturesque surroundings, especially Manhattan's monumental skyline across the Hudson estuary.
Beginning in 1978, annual ethnic festivals have been held in Liberty State Park under the auspices of New Jersey's Ethnic Advisory Council. Belarusian-Americans actively participated in these events
Olga Korbut with her husband. Liavon Bartkevich (behind, left), visiting Belarusian exhibition at Liberty State Park.
from the very beginning, seeing in them an excellent opportunity to advertise the name of their "Old Country" and the cause of its liberation. During festivals. Belarusian stands, with their attendants' bright, attractively designed national costumes and artifacts, enjoyed the unfailing attention of reporters. One such episode was described by Zinaida Stankevich in the November 1979 issue of Bielarus under the heading "A Belarusian Spinner on TV."
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