Sea Winds and Immigrant Songs is a concert produced by Marcia Ostashewski as part of a multifaceted series of critical, creative research, and public outreach events at the culmination of her SSHRC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2010-2012). The series began in January of 2012 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, where it opened a year of centenary celebrations for the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Sydney. The series included academic presentations, public lectures and workshops, the launch of a peer-reviewed book (Strangers in the Land), and museum exhibitions.
The Sea Winds and Immigrant Songs concert features Julian Kytasty, accompanied by Cape Breton fiddler Colin Grant and vocalist Marcia Ostashewski. The songs and music performed honoured the journeys of Ukrainian immigrants to Cape Breton Island – their journeys over land and sea, and their personal journeys. The collaboration between bandurist Julian Kytasty and traditional fiddler Colin Grant celebrates the meeting of Ukrainians with other immigrant groups in Cape Breton. Excerpts from the concert are featured in videos on this page.
“The productive collaboration that characterized this concert led to further research and creative collaboration between Julian and me – including Songs of Truth – collaborations which often include many of our other research and creative colleagues. It has been an honour to work with Julian and with Colin in this and other instances, and it is a pleasure to share these videos with you here.”
~ Marcia Ostashewski, 2015
