Diane Twerdun demonstrates the playing of a tsymbaly.

Keeping a piece of Ukrainian culture alive

Passion for sharing music led to crafting 
the tsymbaly, playing it and giving lessons

The tsymbaly has played a big role in the life of Rossburn, Manitoba resident Diane Twerdun and her late husband, Harry. From crafting the instrument, to playing it and giving lessons, the Twerduns kept this piece of Ukrainian culture alive locally, and across the country. Twerdun has been passionate about sharing her enjoyment of music



The Verkhovna Rada building, home to Ukraine’s parliament, in Kiev. (Cia.gov)

Ukraine’s parliament extends ban on farmland sales

Kiev | Reuters — The Ukrainian parliament voted on Thursday to extend a ban on the sale of agricultural land by one year, delaying what financial backers say is a key reform essential to Ukraine’s long-term economic growth. The bill was backed by 236 lawmakers, narrowly over the 226 required to pass. Currently Ukraine’s more


Ukraine farmers examine Canadian agriculture co-ops

A delegation of Ukrainian farmers were visiting agriculture co-ops this week, looking to see if the approach can benefit their grain businesses in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. In Ontario they visited Agris Co-op and Great Lakes Grain in Chatham, Agrico fertilizer storage outside London, an Agromart retail operation in Wellburn, and the Donkers’ dairy goat farm

pork chops

Meat industry excited about Ukraine trade deal

The deal will eliminate most tariffs for goods moving between the two countries

Lost in the hoopla of signing the Canada-Europe Trade Agreement (CETA), legislation has been introduced to implement a free trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine. When it comes into force, it would immediately eliminate duties on 99.9 per cent of goods imported from Ukraine and would likewise affect 86 per cent of Canadian exports to


Motherland Monument, Kiev. (CIA.gov)

Ukrlandfarming owner in talks to sell stake

Kiev | Reuters — Ukrainian businessman Oleh Bakhmatyuk, the major shareholder in agricultural group Ukrlandfarming, is in talks with Chinese and Middle East investors about possibly selling a stake in the company, Interfax news agency said on Monday. Ukrlandfarming’s main businesses are grain and sugar production, livestock farming, the distribution of agricultural products and the