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Time – TBD
Location - TBD
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 in Portland at Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
{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
3-4:30pm
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.
{past event} Coffee with Lviv, Ukraine!
Saturday, February 24, 2024
7 to 8:30am
Just Bob Coffee | 2403 NE Alberta, Portland 97211
As we mark the second anniversary of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, come have coffee with Portland's Ukrainian Friendship City, Lviv, a city famous for its coffeehouses. Enjoy Portland's own Lviv Latte and a live web link with the people of Lviv.
Special for the morning--a 12 oz Lviv Latte and a pastry for $10. All proceeds will go to Voices of Children--Ukraine-based organization that helps children process the trauma of war with psychological and psychosocial support.
We will also have information about the important role Lviv has played in bringing coffee to the western world.
If you can't make the event, we encourage you to drop by Just Bob any time you can, order Lviv Latte, and thank Just Bob for their ongoing support of Ukraine and vulnerable Ukrainians.
--Voices of Children
Main page - Голоси дітей (voices.org.ua)
--Coffee with Lviv, Ukraine!
RSVP https://fb.me/e/gXL2SviMM
{past event} Coffee Time at Just Bob
Saturday, December 16, 2023
We gather at Just Bob coffee house to enjoy a Lviv Latte and discuss the year ahead!
{past event} Ambassador Yovanovitch
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Thanks to WorldOregon and Tim DuRoche, members of the Portland-Lviv Friendship Association had the wonderful opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation with Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, former Ambassador to Ukraine, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. It was truly a pleasure to interact with this distinguished career diplomat and fascinating individual.
During our discussion, we had the chance to share about the children's rehabilitation center Dzherelo in Lviv. It was heartening to see Ambassador Yovanovitch recall her visit to Dzherelo in 2017, underscoring her genuine interest and connection to the important work being done there.
{past event} Ukrainian Day!
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Thanks to the invitation by Ukrainian Foundation, we participated in Ukrainian Day PDX—the largest Ukrainian festival in Portland Metro area. It was a very hot day but many people braved the 90+ degree temperatures to come celebrate Ukrainian culture. We shared information about Portland-Lviv Friendship Association, pictures, books, and crafts from Lviv. Thanks to everyone who signed up to hear more about the organization and our upcoming events!
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