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Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv! (continued)

Saturday, April 5, 2025

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Join us as we continue to explore this wonderful story, set in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and find out how Jimi’s music affected the KGB and what they did about it. “Shot through with Kurkov's unique brand of black humour and vodka-fuelled magic realism, Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is an affectionate portrait of one of the world's most intriguing cities. Strange things are afoot in the cosmopolitan city of Lviv, western Ukraine.” Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is available at several branches of Multnomah County Library, at Powell's Books, Inc., on Audible, at Amazon, etc.

Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day with Us!

Thursday, May 15, 2025

6:30 – 8:30pm Location: TBD Vyshyvanka Day is a Ukrainian holiday, dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of creating and wearing vyshyvankas. This observance is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and has gained global prominence. People worldwide now wear vyshyvankas in solidarity with Ukraine. If you have a vyshyvanka, please wear it on this annual Vyshyvanka Day. If you don’t have a vyshyvanka yet, this is your opportunity to see vyshyvankas from different regions and learn their stories. You may even get a tip of where to get your own vyshyvanka for next year’s Vyshyvanka Day. The vyshyvanka is not just fabric and thread; it’s a living connection to the past, a celebration of artistic beauty identity, and a testament to resilience. •Family History: Vyshyvankas were often handmade and passed down as heirlooms within families. Wearing one can connect one to their ancestors and the history of their family. Sometimes specific embroidery patterns or colors held special meanings within families, serving as a way to remember important events or family traditions. •Beauty: The intricate embroidery on the vyshyvanka is a stunning art form. The colors and patterns are visually captivating and represent a celebration of artistic expression. •National Identity: Different regions in Ukraine have their own distinct styles and patterns in their embroidery. Wearing a vyshyvanka can signify where one’s family comes from and connect them to a specific part of Ukraine. •Power & Strength: Traditionally, the embroidery patterns were believed to hold protective powers, warding off evil and misfortune. Wearing a vyshyvanka symbolizes inner strength and a connection to something greater than oneself. Vyshyvanka’s Historical Roots Vyshyvanka has a centuries-old lineage, tracing back to an archaeological find in the village of Martynivka (Cherkasy region) in 1909. Among the artifacts unearthed were two statuettes—men elegantly attired in long, flowing shirts adorned with intricate chest-level embroidery, seemingly caught in the spirited dance of the hopak.

{past event} Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv!

Saturday, March 8, 2025

3:00 – 5:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv! The power of music and “favors” from the KGB. Join us as we explore this wonderful story, set in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and find out how Jimi’s music affected the KGB and what they did about it. “Shot through with Kurkov's unique brand of black humour and vodka-fuelled magic realism, Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is an affectionate portrait of one of the world's most intriguing cities. Strange things are afoot in the cosmopolitan city of Lviv, western Ukraine.” Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is available at several branches of Multnomah County Library, at Powell's Books, Inc., on Audible, at Amazon, etc.

{past event} 3 YEARS OF VALOR

Monday, February 24, 2025

4:00 – 8:00pm Pioneer Courthouse Square Organized by DAWN, Portland-Lviv Friendship City will participate in the 3 Years of Valor community event commemorating three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We invite you to join us and show your support for Ukraine. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience various exhibits that will bring to light the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine as well as highlight the bravery, commitment and valor that every day Ukrainians have exhibited in their fight for a free and sovereign Ukraine. All are encouraged to bring electric/LED candles, as well as pictures of loved that live on in our memories. (Please note that real candles are not allowed.)

{past event} Visit to “Voices of Children” in Lviv

Monday, December 9, 2024

On December 9th our President visited the Lviv office of “Voices of Children”, a Ukrainian non-profit that has been helping children and families affected by Russian invasion since 2015. “Voices of Children” provides psychological support and individual humanitarian assistance to families. Lviv is sheltering many refugee families from other areas of Ukraine. Children come to “Voices of Children” for individual and group therapy as well as play activities where they can have fun and meet new friends in a new to them city. Portland’s coffee shop “Just Bob” has been offering a coffee drink “Lviv Latte” as a fundraiser for “Voices of Children” and other Ukrainian causes since spring 2022. In gratitude for this support children who attend Lviv office programs drew cat pictures as presents for Bob, the owner of “Just Bob”, and were excited to hear that these pictures will travel to Portland, Oregon, US. Staff member of “Voices of Children” signed the book “War through the voices of children” for Bob as appreciation for his contributions enabling them to provide services to children affected by the war. Please, contact us at portlandlviv@portlandlviv.org if your business would like to do a fundraiser for “Voice of Children” and/or Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association.

{past event} Halyna Kruk: Poetry as a Witness to War (In conversation with Kim Stafford)

Saturday, November 2, 2024

4:00pm WorldOregon 1207 SW Broadway, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97205 Free admission; registration required (https://www.worldoregon.org/) Co-presented with WorldOregon These poems of witness may be wrought from a horrendous war, composed in times of turmoil and void of leisure, yet the Ukrainian poet Halyna Kruk’s mastery is evident on every page …Sometimes tender, offering surprising moments of stubbornly persisting beauty, sometimes bitter and hard, Kruk’s poems are also a reminder for the rest of the world to ‘take us in, like unpleasant medicine’. —Judges’ Citation, Griffin Poetry Prize How does a poet in the midst of a tragic war write about both her country’s and her own personal loss and trauma? Is there really any other choice? Acclaimed Ukrainian poet, translator, and scholar Halyna Kruk joins us for a rare Portland appearance to read from her latest collections of poems (including the award-winning Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails and Lost in Living) in English and Ukrainian. She will also be joined in conversation with former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford for a discussion on poetry as a prism for navigating the loss and grief, both personal and collective, that war brings and what roads might be salvaged to return us to our humanness. About the Speakers: Halyna Kruk was born in Lviv, Ukraine. She is the author of five books of poetry (including A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails, which was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Griffin Poetry Prize and Lost in Living, published by Oregon's Lost Horse Press), as well as a collection of short stories and four children’s books. She has garnered multiple awards for her writing, including the Bohdan Ihor Antonych Prize, the Polish Gaude Polonia Fellowship, the Bookforum Best Book Award, and the Kovaliv Foundation Prize for Prose. She has served as vice president of the PEN Ukraine, holds a Ph.D in Ukrainian literature, and is professor of European and Ukrainian baroque literature at the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv. Kim Stafford is Emeritus Professor at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon and the founder of the Northwest Writing Institute. He writes, teaches, and travels to raise the human spirit through poetry. He has taught writing in dozens of schools and community centers, and in Scotland, Italy, Mexico, and Bhutan. In 2018 he was named Oregon’s 9th Poet Laureate for a two-year term. Kim has published a dozen books of poetry and prose, including A Proclamation for Peace, recently translated into 50 languages; As the Sky Begins to Change (Red Hen Press, 2024); and, in 2022, Sunflower Seeds: Poems for Ukraine, which explores testimony, lament, solace, and inquiry into the causes of war and a search for remedies.

{past event} Portland Film Festival:
The Battle for Kyiv

Saturday, October 19, 2024

3:15 – 4:30pm McMenamins Kennedy School Main Theater Join us at the Portland Film Festival for an exclusive screening of “The Battle for Kyiv,” a gripping documentary by the acclaimed British-Lebanese filmmaker Oz Katerji. The Battle for Kyiv is more than just a film; it’s an extraordinary story of resistance that must be remembered and had to be told. Witness the resilience and courage of those who stood their ground in the face of overwhelming odds. This is a narrative that will inspire and remind us of the power of human spirit. Be there to experience a story that the world needs to hear.

{past event} Grand Floral Parade

Saturday, June 8, 2024

The Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association was honored to take part in the Portland Rose Parade, thanks to the gracious invitation extended by Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN for including our members in this memorable event, which allowed us to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating this cherished Portland tradition.

{past event} Rose Festival Reception

Thursday, June 6, 2024

12:00 – 1:30pm Portland City Hall It was a great pleasure to attend the Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception as representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association. This reception is an annual tradition and important part of Rose Festival that celebrates Portland’s international ties. For the second year, the Friendship Signing Ceremony included representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association adding our signature to the Sister City Proclamation.

{past event} International Night!

Friday, May 24, 2024

4:00 – 6:00pm Viking Pavilion at Portland State University Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at International Night 2024 and celebrate diverse cultures from around the world! This event is open to all, don’t miss out! Admission| Free for PSU students/faculty/staff, $5 for general public. (Tickets are required for entry.) https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/international-night-2024/home Culture Booths 4:00-6:00 pm Come and explore our cultural booths featuring a wide array of traditions, customs, and organizations! Our volunteers and student leaders will be on hand to share insights and showcase the diversity of our community. Visit each booth, collect stamps, and exchange them for raffle tickets at the Culture Booth Information Counter. Don't miss the chance to win prizes at our raffle drawings during the stage performances!! International Cuisine Station 4:30-6:00 pm (First come, first served) Embark on a culinary journey with us and taste dishes from around the world! Our menu offers a diverse selection of international flavors for you. Food will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early to enjoy this delicious food. Cultural Performance Stage 5:45-8:00 pm Enjoy stage performances showcasing a fusion of traditional and modern music, dance, and more. The stage kicks off with an opening ceremony and wraps up with a cultural fashion show highlighting the beauty and individuality of various cultures. Join us for an unforgettable showcase of talent and cultural diversity!

{past event} Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day with Us!

Thursday, May 16, 2024

6:30 – 8:30pm Lucky Lab | 1945 NW Quimby ST, Portland, OR 97209 Vyshyvanka Day is a Ukrainian holiday, dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of creating and wearing vyshyvankas. This observance is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and has gained global prominence. People worldwide now wear vyshyvankas in solidarity with Ukraine. Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day with Us! Join us at Lucky Lab in NW Portland for local beer and conversation any time between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. If you have a vyshyvanka, please wear it on this annual Vyshyvanka Day. If you don’t have a vyshyvanka yet, this is your opportunity to see vyshyvankas from different regions and learn their stories. You may even get a tip of where to get your own vyshyvanka for next year’s Vyshyvanka Day. The vyshyvanka is not just fabric and thread; it’s a living connection to the past, a celebration of artistic beauty identity, and a testament to resilience. •Family History: Vyshyvankas were often handmade and passed down as heirlooms within families. Wearing one can connect one to their ancestors and the history of their family. Sometimes specific embroidery patterns or colors held special meanings within families, serving as a way to remember important events or family traditions. •Beauty: The intricate embroidery on the vyshyvanka is a stunning art form. The colors and patterns are visually captivating and represent a celebration of artistic expression. •National Identity: Different regions in Ukraine have their own distinct styles and patterns in their embroidery. Wearing a vyshyvanka can signify where one’s family comes from and connect them to a specific part of Ukraine. •Power & Strength: Traditionally, the embroidery patterns were believed to hold protective powers, warding off evil and misfortune. Wearing a vyshyvanka symbolizes inner strength and a connection to something greater than oneself. Vyshyvanka’s Historical Roots Vyshyvanka has a centuries-old lineage, tracing back to an archaeological find in the village of Martynivka (Cherkasy region) in 1909. Among the artifacts unearthed were two statuettes—men elegantly attired in long, flowing shirts adorned with intricate chest-level embroidery, seemingly caught in the spirited dance of the hopak.

{past event} Believe in Ukraine

Saturday, February 24, 2024

3:00 – 4:30pm Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland-Lviv stood in solidarity with over 100 cities worldwide, commemorating a decade of remarkable resilience, bravery, and hope. During the event, board members Tatiana Terdal and Tad Everhart took the stage. Notably, Tad expressed, “Spiritually, I am Ukrainian-American today—not only grateful for my American identity, but also echoing the sentiment of President John F. Kennedy when he declared, ‘I am a Berliner’ to the free citizens of the Western half of that city. Today, I proudly proclaim, ‘I am Ukrainian.’” This sentiment struck a chord with each of us.

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