A Ukrainian Celebration: 125th Anniversary

SURREY, British Columbia - Sept. 13, 2016 - PRLog -- When a malcontent Ukrainian Baba (grandma) slings borshch, there's mayhem in the kitchen. Compared to erotic games in the village bath and shoplifting turkeys in your underpants, immigrant life is boring. So Baba is brewing up Old Country customs here in Canada.

In celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, 25 years of Ukrainian Independence and the signing of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, Ukrainian cultural historian Raisa Stone will read from BABA'S KITCHEN: UKRAINIAN SOUL FOOD at City Centre Library, Surrey.

This event is in conjunction with the Library's photographic exhibit of Ukrainian pioneer life, curated by the University of Alberta's Kule Folklore Centre.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is currently featuring BABA'S KITCHEN and Raisa's children's book ROSIE'S RESCUE in their celebrations; the former is part of their Grand Prize.

Date and time: Tuesday, September 27/16 at 7 pm
Address: 10350 University Drive, Surrey, BC
Location: Room 120
Admission: No cost
Registration: Call 604-598-7426 to reserve a seat

The author spent decades collecting outrageous stories from survivors of the Stalinist purges and the Holocaust (including her family), along with their traditional recipes.

Book and author photos available on the website and upon request. Reviews are on the website: http://www.ukrainiansoulfood.ca

Between tales of magical encounters with Nature spirits and steaming bowls of borshch is the true confession of the author's elderly neighbour: she murdered her abusive husband. The deadly story unfolds under the guise of cooking lesson, as unexpectedly as in Roald Dahl's Lamb to the Slaughter. Raisa kept her neighbour's secret until after her death.

Ukrainians: first tamed horses, invented pants (for riding!), pyramids, the bow and arrow, built homes from mammoth bone, and created Europe's first democratic constitution. Evidence of written language has existed for 22,000 years.

Ancient shamanic practices that sparked the original werewolf legend combine with recipes and customs reaching back to the Neolithic era. As just one example, the book outlines a mouth watering Honey Onion Sauce that recalls competing with wild bees and bears.

This combination of memoir, cultural history and cuisine from Ukraine's Indigenous people is a rollicking journey alternately as deep and dark, playful and humorous as the Slavic soul.

The evening will include a Ukrainian folk song or two.

Books and handmade jewelry from Western Ukraine will be available for purchase on a cash basis.

Lower Mainland author Raisa Stone (Stohyn) created a narrator called Baba, a composite of invincible immigrant spirits. Raisa attended classes at Winnipeg's Ukrainian National Home throughout her childhood, and has sung and arranged music with renowned Vancouver Ukrainian group Zeellia. A Banff Centre alumna and CBC singer, she has been a Bravo TV narrator, a member of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and Features writer for The Winnipeg Gazette. She has appeared at the Shadbolt Centre as both a musician and storyteller.

National Ukrainian magazine Nasha Doroha chose Raisa's poetry to commemorate the Chornobyl disaster.

"This book is a lifelong labour of love," says Raisa. "We've lost so much as Eastern Europe's Indigenous people, and I am determined that our stories survive. Pairing them with Slavic cuisine is perfect; Ukrainians usually tell these stories over lovingly prepared meals. In fact, we compete with each other for the best dish, the best story, the best joke.

Ukrainian cuisine feeds your body, your soul and your spirit. It is an integral part of our spirituality and sense of community. For example, each grain of wheat represents a soul. Grain used to make bread, is a symbol of community. We present lovingly home baked bread and salt (for preservation of life) to guests. For someone who is acting in an unacceptable way, we have equally strong messages: "I would not even make borshch with such a person".

I receive an incredible outpouring of love from the community. Letters from across Canada, the US, Australia, the UK, Europe, South America, Asia. My author Facebook page has nearly 10,000 fans, which I think is pretty great for a self published book in a niche market.

Creating a zany narrator is how, I think, I was able to handle the overwhelming sadness and loss related to me by our elders. My paternal Baba died of infection when the Soviets denied her medical care for a leg fracture. They had already burned the bountiful forests where we collected medicinal herbs.

I'm currently compiling a book of Ukrainian Easter photos sent to me by readers, called SACRED BEAUTY. These photos are of astonishing loveliness and spirituality: paska breads that took five risings, exquisitely written pysanky (Easter eggs) with ancient symbols from contributors ages 4 to 80+, elaborate baskets assembled for blessing."

Professional book reviewers may obtain an ebook copy by request.

http://www.ukrainiansoulfood.ca

Youtube videos of Baba in character: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5qzEgmiYaQ


Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabasKitchenUkrainianSoulFoodBook/