2019 Master of Ceremonies

Our 2019 Master of Ceremonies

Anastasia Baczynskyj

As a daughter of Ihor Baczynskyj, Anastasia, grew up backstage. Seeing her father perform routinely gave her first hand exposure not only to incredible acts, but also the ins and outs of good stage performance. As one of the original members of the Lemon Bucket Orkestra and one of the initiating forces behind the group KalynDar. she has shared the stage with international world music stars, but also has guested on recordings with Canadian Ukrainian artists such as DoVira and Ukrainia. She holds a Master’s in Historiography from the University of Toronto (OISE) and focused her thesis on Ukrainian Identity in Toronto. Following in her father’s footsteps, Anastasia has graced many stages as Master of Ceremonies as well. Her performances are always marked with warmth, personality and, of course, a good dose of Ukrainian humour.

Borys Sirskyj

Borys Sirskyj was born in Thunder Bay. He completed his University Education by obtaining a B.A. Degree in Philosophy (1975) (University of Waterloo); Hon. B.A., in Political Science (1976) (University of Waterloo) and an M.A. Degree in Political Science (1978) (McMaster University – Hamilton). Borys began his career with the Federal Government in 1979 when he became Executive Assistant to Senator Paul Yuzyk, remaining with the Senator till 1985. In 1986, he joined the Solicitor General’s Department where he has been till his retirement in 2017. Borys was posted to the Canadian Embassy in Vienna, Austria between 1995-1999. Borys has been active in the Ukrainian community for over 35 years in Plast – Ukrainian Youth Association, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, History teacher -Kursy Ukrayinoznavstva (Ukrainian High School Courses), Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Commission, etc. He has also MC’d many community events, including the Toronto Ukrainian Festival (for 20 years); the Ukrainian Festival in Vegreville, Alta; and the CNUF in Dauphin, Man.

Dayna Konopelny

Dayna Konopelny is a Winnipeg-born, Toronto-based aspiring designer, and currently in her third-year of Industrial Design at OCAD University. She also attended the University of Winnipeg, from which she holds her Bachelors of Arts. During her many years in Winnipeg, Dayna was very involved in the Ukrainian community; dancing with Orlan Ukrainian Folk Ensemble and serving as youth ambassador for the Ukraine-Kyiv pavilion at Folklorama, in addition to involvement with various other organizations. She co-founded the Ukrainian Student's Association at the University of Winnipeg, and has become involved with SUSK, including sitting on the board last year and being the editor of "Student" magazine. In April, she launched her Etsy store, Emilka Kono, where she repurposes Ukrainian textiles into upcycled denim jackets. Dayna loves exploring her Ukrainian culture through the arts, and looks forward to becoming more involved with the Ukrainian community in Toronto in the coming years.

Juliana Haras

Juliana Haras, hailing from Ottawa, grew up in Saskatoon’s vibrant Ukrainian community in a family of anthropologists that instilled in her an appreciation of the values and customs that shape a culture – along with a deep-seated love for her own. Of Bukovynian descent, Juliana speaks 5 languages, has traveled extensively through Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and has had the opportunity to study, work, and volunteer in Ukraine, France, Germany, China, Mexico, El Salvador, and Argentina. A graduate of Queen’s University, Juliana holds degrees in economics and public administration and has spent the opening years of her career as an economist and policy advisor with the federal government. Fond of open-air museums, writing, and the performing arts, Juliana spent much of her formative years on stage – reciting poetry, playing bandura and piano, acting, singing, and dancing. Her passion for heritage festivals grew out of living the energy of Vegreville and Dauphin every summer growing up, as well as volunteering at Saskatoon’s Vesna Festival and Folkfest, Ottawa’s Capital Ukrainian Festival, le Festival Ukrainien de Montréal, and our very own Toronto Ukrainian Festival. Having MC'd many an event over the years, Juliana is delighted to be sharing a dose of that spirit from the TUF stage.

MARTA CZURYLOWICZ

Marta Czurylowicz is an established journalist and a well-known figure in Toronto’s Ukrainian community. She has been the host of Canada’s Ukrainian channel, KONTAKT, for almost a decade. Marta is very involved with her Ukrainian roots. Along with hosting the weekly program, Marta taught traditional dance at Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, where she danced in the ensemble. She had the privilege of playing a role in Ukraine’s history as a Canadian election observer for both the presidential elections in May 2014, and the parliamentary elections in October 2014. Marta has hosted numerous events including Toronto’s Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village; Rock, Reforms and Relief: A Weekend for Ukraine where she co-hosted with Michael Schur, a popular comedian in Ukraine, Soyuzivka’s Cultural Festival, where she co-hosted with Sergiy Fomenko of Mandry and the Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion at Folklorama in Winnipeg. She has worked for a number of Canadian news outlets, including Sun News Network and CTV News in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she worked as a web video journalist and digital content editor. More recently Marta worked at CTV News in Kitchener, where she began as a technical operater and mutlimedia journalist and later became a reporter for the noon, 5 and 6 o'clock news. Today she is a content creator and presenter at The Weather Network.

Nataliya Halych

Nataliya Halych is a positive, dynamic, talkative and charismatic person with experience in MC’ing concerts, trade shows and school events. She was born in Ukraine where she attended the School of Arts and taught English as a second language. She now lives in Toronto and works as a Ukrainian school teacher. She plays piano, sings and dances and loves to promote Ukraine with its extremely rich and beautiful culture and traditions.

Oksana Hrycyna

Oksana Hrycyna, currently teaching at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at York University. Immediately after which Oksana moved to Ukraine and taught English Literature at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine for 3 years. Oksana first began her community involvement as a volunteer and delegate for UCC for Plast Ukrainian Scouting Association Toronto Branch, simultaneously planning many children's camps throughout Canada for nearly 10 years. In 2008, she decided to better apply her experience working with children by attending HUHTC Summer Camp in Ukraine. She has never looked back, for the last 12 years she has tirelessly planned and implemented countless fundraisers, awareness initiatives, as well as maintain her role as Administrator for the winter and summer camps twice a year in Ukraine. She has dedicated her life to the betterment and empowerment of young orphans and displaced children and will continue her work with children for years to come.

Ola Sturik

Ola Sturik-Lishchyna is a Toronto based television host/reporter/actor. She has worked as an entertainment reporter at Global TV as well as a weather presenter at the Weather Network. In addition
to her acting and voice over work her TV hosting credits include 3 seasons of The Canadian Travel Show and the documentary series Stopwatch, as well as the Ukrainian TV shows Svitohliad and Kontakt.
Ola is also a member of the Ukrainian Theater troupe Zahrava and is looking forward to performing in Ukraine next year.

Yuri Dunetz

ZENON CHWALUK

ZENON CHWALUK is an experienced MC having performed with the Kalyna Dance Ensemble a long time ago and MC’ing at the Kyiv Pavilion during the Toronto International Caravan festivities. In more recent times he has MC’ed at the Ukraine Pavilion during Carrassauga, at the St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Yarmarok, at the Mississauga Ukrainian Festival as well as at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.