Toronto is a multicultural city in Canada. People of various nationalities and from different countries around the world live comfortably in this metropolis. It’s no secret that it was immigrants who came to Toronto in past centuries and gradually began to develop the city. The Ukrainian diaspora in Toronto is considered one of the largest not only in Canada but in the world. Ukrainians in Toronto have the opportunity to develop their culture, organize various events, and festivals. Ukrainians in Canada also print their own books and publish newspapers. Today, we will talk about the history of the creation and development of one of the first Ukrainian newspapers in Toronto — “Homin Ukrainy.” Read more about it on the toronto-future.com.
History of the Publication’s Founding
After the Second World War, representatives of the third wave of emigration—displaced persons from camps in Europe—began to arrive in Toronto en masse. During this period, many Ukrainians came to our city. They became the foundation of the Ukrainian diaspora and the development of Ukrainian traditions and culture in the metropolis. It is worth noting that Ukrainians had come to Canada even before the war, but they primarily chose the cities of Winnipeg and Saskatoon. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, communities of emigrants from Galicia and Bukovyna were forming in these cities.
In 1948, the weekly newspaper “Homin Ukrainy” began to be published in Toronto, launched by the Ukrainian diaspora. A year later, this newspaper officially came under the auspices of the Ukrainian Liberation League. The publication’s pages featured materials that advocated for Ukraine’s independence.
Readers of “Homin Ukrainy” had the opportunity to read materials about the activities of the UPA, interviews with members of the liberation movement, and analytical articles about the international recognition of Ukraine.
In 1955, a literary and arts supplement could be found in the newspaper’s pages, under the direction of B. Stebelsky. Readers also had the chance to read works by émigré writers, particularly those who maintained their connection to the Ukrainian language and culture.
In 1977, the English-language monthly “Ukrainian Echo” was launched. This publication was aimed at a Canadian audience. This way, Canadians could learn more about Ukraine, its culture, customs, traditions, and history.
Who Led the “Homin Ukrainy” Newspaper
The first editor of the “Homin Ukrainy” newspaper in Toronto was Mykhailo Sosnovsky. It was he who set a steady course for the publication’s development. Since starting something new is extremely difficult, Sosnovsky was not afraid of the challenges and shaped an editorial policy focused on the ideas of an independent Ukraine and highlighting important information for Ukrainian emigrants.
Roman Rakhmanny is considered the newspaper’s second editor. Under his leadership, the publication actively published archival documents of the OUN, including testimonies about the activities of the underground in Western Ukraine.
Vasyl Solonynka is regarded as the most influential editor, as it was he who initiated the literary and arts supplement, where the works of Ulas Samchuk, Ihor Kernytsky, and other émigré writers were published. Also under his leadership, the English-language monthly “Ukrainian Echo” was launched, which Canadians began to read. From 1981 to 2018, the newspaper was headed by Oleh Romanyshyn. During his tenure, the publication began to systematically cover human rights violations in the USSR, and archival materials about the UPA were published.
In the modern era, “Homin Ukrainy” is led by Oleh Sokolyk. The newspaper began to inform its readers about the war in Ukraine and the occupiers’ aggression. Also under Sokolyk’s leadership, the publication transitioned to a digital format.
This is the story of the creation of a famous newspaper for Ukrainian immigrants in Toronto. “Homin Ukrainy” is a breath of fresh air for Ukrainians who have found their home in Canada.
We hope you found our material informative.