the 50th anniversary of the founding of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians / Ukrainian World Congress
to be commemorated with postage stamps,
cancels and cachet covers at November show.
The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society’s Toronto chapter, the Ukrainian Collectibles Society (Toronto), is hosting an international philatelic, numismatic and collectibles exhibition “Ukrainepex 2017” on Friday November 10, and Saturday November 11, 2017 at the Old Mill (21 Old Mill Road, Toronto) - Brule Room.The event is being held in conjunction with the Ukrainian World Congress’ (UWC) conference“UWC at 50 and beyond: The Roadmap.”
The juried show promises to be one of the largest ever featuring outstanding Ukrainian philatelic material, both classic and current As well, there will be exhibits of bank notes, coins, medals, sport cards, ex libris and other Ukrainian-related collectable materials.
This year’s Ukrainepex themes focus on two important anniversaries for the Ukrainian diaspora: In 1917 acting corporal Filip Konowal, a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, showed extraordinary courage and leadership during the Battle of Hill 70 in France which earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the British Commonwealth. The Victoria Cross was established during the Crimean War in 1856. Since then, the medal has been awarded only 1,358 times. Konowal is the only Ukrainian recipient of this award.
In 1967, the World Congress of Free Ukrainians – an assembly coordinating the activities of Ukrainian organizations in diaspora – was established in New York. In 1993 it was renamed the Ukrainian World Congress. One of its initiators and its first president was Reverend Monsignor Dr. Wasyl Kushnir of Canada. He was also the co-founder and first president of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee (1940-53). An outspoken anti-communist, in 1945 he led a delegation to the inaugural meeting of the United Nations at San Francisco to challenge the right of the Ukrainian Soviet to represent Ukrainians.
To commemorate the two anniversaries, two Canada Post “Picture Postage” stamps will be released during the show– one to honour Victoria Cross winner Filip Konowal while the second to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian World Congress. The stamps will be available for purchase and may be affixed to a limited edition cachet envelope and cancelled with a special show Canada Post cancel.
Show hours are from 9am to 4pm both days and there is no admission.
