An evening with CFCW Ukrainian Hour host:

Steven Chwok

By Brandie Majeau
The musical talents of Brandon Hachowski and his ten-year experience on the accordion
brought the wonderful old-timey music to a folksy evening. As guests arrived for a special
dinner, the upbeat music encouraged toes to tap and hands to clap, lifting spirits and setting
the tone for the occasion. Steven Chwok was invited to an evening at the Gathering Place Co-op
on November 18, inspired by a recognition that Ukraine is still fighting a battle against Russia.
With media attention shifting to other international issues, awareness has shifted away from
the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Bearing this in mind, the evening with Steven Chowk was a
reminder of this area’s continued connection to its Ukrainian heritage and the work required to
maintain a culture and history.
Chowk explained that his interest in connecting with his Ukrainian heritage began at
around the age of 9 or 10. When taken to watch a band playing in Waskatenau, he became
entranced by a performer playing the dulcimer. As his passion grew, Chwok learned the art of
the tsymbaly quickly and his abilities progressed leading him to perform for many years in a
Zabava band. His accomplishments granted him the opportunity to tour Canada on three
occasions performing with symphonies with the Shumka Dancers. Chwok jokingly remarked
that the rest is history, but his personal story was far more engaging than the statement
allowed. While his passion for Ukrainian culture remained central to his life, Steven Chwok
became a police officer, never thinking where life would take him.
A phone call in 2003 from then host of the Ukrainian Zabava Hour, R.J. Tompkins would
change the course of Steven Chwok’s life. In 2007, Chwok became the host of the Zabava
Program, Canada’s longest running Ukrainian program on 840 CFCW. Fond memories had
people reminiscing about the Sunday “Ukrainian Hour” being tuned into while attending barn
chores, a grandmother shushing everyone to be quiet, a rap of knuckles on the head from a
relative for being disruptive during the show. The evening at Gathering Place Co-op was
organized to bring people back to their cultural roots, but it also stirred memories of a Canadian
staple in so many homes. It was a part of routine, a part of family, a program awaited every
Sunday evening.
The event allowed Steven Chwok to engage with a small piece of this audience. While
he talked about ratings and listeners tuning in from around the world, he offered a heartfelt
thank you to those in attendance for the dinner and evening, citing the many guests in
attendances were the reason for the shows success and continued following. He welcomed the
opportunity to mingle with the crowd, sharing stories of his own life and family, himself having

ties and connections to the area, pointing out that his mother grew up in the Darling
(Newbrook) area. Chwok offered an enthusiastic “Diborja!” following a short and humble
speech of how he came to be the voice of culture. This exclamation signaled the beginning of
dinner and a festive evening to follow. The music of Brandon Hachowski began again,
encouraging the heart and soul to stand up and dance.