UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
Growing Up in Halychyna in the 1930's: A Ukrainian Canadian Perspective
Description:
CIUS Seminar Audio Part 1 and 2.
On November 6, 1978, the CIUS seminar heard the unique reminiscences of Stanley Frolick, a well-known leader in Toronto's Ukrainian community. As a young Ukrainian Canadian, Frolick spent nine years, from 11 to 20 (1932-41), living and studying in Halychyna. In sharp contrast to the Alberta mining town where he had been born, Frolick found the Ukrainians of the Carpathians rich in folk culture; this had a profound effect on the young student giving him a sense of belonging and security. Once a decision had been made to stay in Halychyna, Frolick' s uncle, a local priest, ensured that he had private tutoring from one of the many unemployed Ukrainians who were prevented from getting government teaching positions, and from whom Frolick first experienced the intense nationalism of inter-war Halychyna. The nationalism was rooted in three factors: the recent loss of an independent state in the revolutionary period; Polish repression of the population; and the uncompromising struggle of the youthful OUN. As a resident student in a "bursa" of the "gymnasium" in Stanyslaviv, Frolick experienced the rather spartan educational facilities and primitive teaching methods of inter-war Halychyna. The seminar was told of the class distinctions in society, which were expressed socially at the bursa through a formal system of salutation and deference. Classmates could address themselves as "ty"; students two grades above were addressed as "vy" or "vy tovaryshu"; and students of the highest grades were addressed as "vy pane tovaryshu." The seminar concluded with an evaluation of Ukrainian and Canadian educational systems. Education was the privilege of a small Ukrainian elite in inter-war Poland. In comparison to the unpoliticized individualism and egotism of Canadian students, Ukrainian students of the time were imbued with a sense of collectivism and responsibility to serve their people.
A copy of the seminar paper is available in the fugitive file of unpublished papers in the Institute's library, at the University of Alberta.
Found in CIUS Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 1 (Winter 1978)
On November 6, 1978, the CIUS seminar heard the unique reminiscences of Stanley Frolick, a well-known leader in Toronto's Ukrainian community. As a young Ukrainian Canadian, Frolick spent nine years, from 11 to 20 (1932-41), living and studying in Halychyna. In sharp contrast to the Alberta mining town where he had been born, Frolick found the Ukrainians of the Carpathians rich in folk culture; this had a profound effect on the young student giving him a sense of belonging and security. Once a decision had been made to stay in Halychyna, Frolick' s uncle, a local priest, ensured that he had private tutoring from one of the many unemployed Ukrainians who were prevented from getting government teaching positions, and from whom Frolick first experienced the intense nationalism of inter-war Halychyna. The nationalism was rooted in three factors: the recent loss of an independent state in the revolutionary period; Polish repression of the population; and the uncompromising struggle of the youthful OUN. As a resident student in a "bursa" of the "gymnasium" in Stanyslaviv, Frolick experienced the rather spartan educational facilities and primitive teaching methods of inter-war Halychyna. The seminar was told of the class distinctions in society, which were expressed socially at the bursa through a formal system of salutation and deference. Classmates could address themselves as "ty"; students two grades above were addressed as "vy" or "vy tovaryshu"; and students of the highest grades were addressed as "vy pane tovaryshu." The seminar concluded with an evaluation of Ukrainian and Canadian educational systems. Education was the privilege of a small Ukrainian elite in inter-war Poland. In comparison to the unpoliticized individualism and egotism of Canadian students, Ukrainian students of the time were imbued with a sense of collectivism and responsibility to serve their people.
A copy of the seminar paper is available in the fugitive file of unpublished papers in the Institute's library, at the University of Alberta.
Found in CIUS Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 1 (Winter 1978)
Author:
CIUS
Publisher:
CIUS
Date:
November 6, 1978
Contributor:
Stanley Frolick
Language:
English, Ukrainian
Original Format:
Magnetic tape, audio cassette
Files
Collection
Citation
CIUS, “Growing Up in Halychyna in the 1930's: A Ukrainian Canadian Perspective,” CIUS-Archives, accessed April 24, 2024, https://cius-archives.ca/items/show/1975.
