Laughter in My Soul

The story

This short documentary profiles cartoonist, painter, humorist, publisher, iconographer, and teacher Jacob Maydanyk. Part of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in Canada between 1896-1914, Maydanyk was an imaginative artist who created the beloved comic strip character Shteef Tabachniuk, a hapless and endearing galoot who became a folk hero to Ukrainian immigrants. Laughter in My Soul is a tribute to the dignity and heroism of those early pioneers and to those whose spirit lives on, to those who had laughter in their souls.

Cast & crew

John ColicosNarrator

Myron Oryschuk

Myron OryschukCharacter Voices

Doreen Brownstone

Doreen BrownstoneCharacter Voices

Brian Richardson

Brian RichardsonCharacter Voices

Cecil Semchyshyn

Cecil SemchyshynCharacter Voices

Lukia Skolney

Lukia SkolneyCharacter Voices

Jacob Maydanyk

Jacob MaydanykSelf (uncredited)