While in Ukraine the government is cancelling the 20th anniversary of Independence Day celebrations all over the country over ‘auserity’, the diaspora can still enjoy events happening in North America this season:
July 29-31
Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF)
Dauphin, MB
In the fresh air and sunshine, enjoy the incredible view and watch the world-class grandstand shows from the only 11,000-seat, hillside amphitheatre in Canada. Authentic, rich, uniquely Ukrainian and ultimately… delicious! Excite your senses with our all-day-available traditional cuisine. As we tell our stories through costume, song and dance, you will literally see and feel the past come alive. For one whole weekend, escape to become immersed in a new adventure. Let us put a fiddle in your hands, show you a few steps and teach you some Ukrainian songs. Then celebrate with us at the nightly Zabavas; parties thrown in honour of our guests… you!
July 30 – August 1
Heritage Festival
Edmonton, AB
The 36th anniversary Edmonton Heritage Festival showcasing Canada’s vibrant multicultural heritage will feature 64 pavilions representing over eighty-five cultures from all over the world. The Ukraine Pavilion’s theme is 120 years of Ukrainian Settlement in Alberta. Admission is FREE. Since there is no public parking at Hawrelak Park, a free private shuttle service will be provided from St. Vladimir Parish Church Parking Lot (12726 – 119 Street). Free public transportation by (ETS) is available from 4 designated sites.
August 7-13
Folklorama
Winnipeg, MB
Experience everything Ukraine has to offer. Come and enjoy a variety of music, song and dance from our energetic performing groups while sampling traditional food including varenyky (potato-filled dumplings) and holubtsi (rice-stuffed cabbage). Try a Lvivs’ke pyvo (beer) or a Ukrainian crantini – otherwise known as our Kalyna Malyna.
Visit our cultural display to learn about Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861), an artist and poet whose works have been translated into many languages and whose statue is found in many countries around the world and locally on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
After the show, enjoy a slice of torte or cheesecake while your children have fun creating a cultural craft. Don’t miss our late night party on Friday and Saturday. Doors close at 12:00 midnight but we continue dancing until 1:30am.
http://www.folklorama.ca/index.php?option=com_pavilion&view=pavilion&Itemid=54&id=40
August 7
Ukrainian Day Festival
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta
Every summer thousands of people gather for the annual Ukrainian Day Festival held at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. This event has a 35 year history of bringing together families from all across east-central Alberta along with tourists and the general public for a day celebrating all things Ukrainian. From arts, cultural learning and children’s activities to great food, family reunions, unique pioneer experiences and a showcase of Ukrainian performers, Ukrainian Day has something for everyone
August 18–21
St. Josaphat Ukrainian Festival
Rochester, NY
The St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Festival was established in 1973 as an effort to introduce Ukrainian Arts and Crafts, Ukrainian food, and Ukrainian music and dance to the Rochester community. Since its inception the Festival has offered tradition Ukrainian foods such as Varenyky (or pyrohy or pierogies) a potato and cheese dumpling, Holubets (stuffed cabbage rolls), Kovbasa (Ukrainian sausage), Kapusta (Ukrainian style sauerkraut) and Borsch (beet soup) to the public. The Festival also has a number of vendors who display a variety of Ukrainian Arts and Crafts such as ceramics, embroidery, wood carvings, jewelry and Ukrainian Easter eggs. The Ukrainian Stage offers a variety of entertainment including Tradition Ukrainian Folk Dancers and Singers both from Rochester, New York and Canada.
August 20
Ukrainian Fall Fest
Regina, SK
Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Regina Branch proudly announces its annual outdoor cultural festival! The event aims to celebrate Ukrainian-Canadian culture and recognize its people’s contributions to Canadian society at all levels. UCC Regina Branch coordinates the activities for 19 Ukrainian cultural organizations of very dedicated volunteers in our city and this event! Come and Celebrate with us! Bring a lawnchair for your seating comfort!
August 20
Independence Day Celebration in Toronto
Toronto, ON
All day at Centennial Park in Etobicoke
Official opening at 1:00 pm
Organized by UCC-Toronto
http://www.ucc.ca/2011/07/25/ukrainian-independence-day-celebrations-centennial-park/
August 21
Ukrainian Folk Festival
Horsham, Pa
Sunday, August 21, 2011, 12:00 noon. The 20th Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival, celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day, will be held at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub (www.tryzub.org) , County Line and Lower State Roads, Horsham, PA.
Exciting, spectacular, dazzling, breathtaking, exhilarating, spirited, soulful, enchanting, captivating, and intriguing – modest words which describe but by no means capture the essence of Ukrainian folk art, music, and dance. From the rich color and deep symbolism of the delicate “pysanka†(Ukrainian Easter Egg) to the thunderous, climatic, power, rhythm and strength of “HOPAK†– the world’s most exciting ethnic dance, and every brilliant “Kolomiyka†(polka) and soulful folk song in between, we invite you to experience the TWENTIETH ANNUAL UKRAINIAN FOLK FESTIVAL, celebrating the anniversary of our ancestral homeland’s independence. Enjoy a festival stage show, a public dance, Ukrainian foods and baked goods, BBQ pit, kid’s fun area, and Ukrainian hospitality.
August 28
Independence Day Celebration in Edmonton
Edmonton, AB
20th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence. Celebration will take place at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex at 9615-153 Avenue, Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 2:30 p.ml.
http://www.ucc.ca/2011/07/15/20th-anniversary-celebration-of-ukraines-independence-in-edmonton/
August 28
Friends’ Ukrainian Music Festival
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta
Catch the musical magic at the Friends’ Ukrainian Music Festival featuring an array of the region’s finest Ukrainian folk musicians. This dynamic event encompasses an abundance of entertainment, exhibits, children’s activities, a village market, and delicious foods. Visit the Historic Village where you can enjoy wagon rides and chat with historic settlers as they go about their daily routines.
August 28
Ukrainian Day at Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
Ukrainian Cultural Program for Commemorating of 20th Anniversary of
Independence of UkraineMore info will be soon
E-mail ukrainianheritageclubofnc@yahoo.com
September 9 – 11
Montreal Ukrainian Festival
Montreal, PQ
Quebec’s Ukrainian community is 18,000 strong with active members in the development of Quebec in areas of art, culture, politics and business. In Canada, Ukrainians constitute more than 1,000,000 in population. Ukraine is an independent democratic state in Eastern Europe with more than 50 million people living in an area of 603,700 sq. km, an area larger than France and fifth in size by population in Europe.
Festival Objectives:
- To organize a festival as a venue to introduce Ukrainian culture and heritage to the general population in the province of Quebec
- To showcase the best of the Ukrainian community, traditions, performing arts and cuisine
- To seek out Quebecers of Ukrainian descent who, over the years, have moved away from social and community activities and inspire them to a higher level of involvement within the community
- To give visibility to social, community, educational & cultural organizations as well as professional and business services
- To reactivate participation of young Ukrainians in mainstream community establishments and organizations
- To promote the achievements of Ukrainians living in the province of Quebec by displaying their contributions to Canadian society in culture and business
- To be financially self-sufficient
September 10 – 11
Ukrainian Festival 35th Annual
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Ukrainian Festival Committee works to share the Ukrainian heritage & culture by providing the following:
- Live Entertainment: Traditional Ethnic Dancers, Musicians & Singers
- Serve traditional foods, breads & beverages of Ukraine the bread basket of Europe
- Ukrainian Folk Arts: Paintings, Carved Wood & PSYANKY Egg Demonstrations
- Novelties: Ceramics, Embroidery Clothing, Jewelry, & Religious artifacts
- History of Ukraine – Famine, Chernobyl, Orange Revolution
September 12
Independence Day Celebration in Calgary
Calgary, AB
1pm at UKRAINIAN PIONEER PARK at Seventh Avenue and Sixth Street N. E. across the street from the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Calgary.
Sponsored by the Ukrainian Youth Association “CYM†a member of the Calgary Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress
For more information call Oleksandr (403) 250-5087 or Halya (403) 276-1835
http://www.ucc.ca/2011/07/20/celebration-of-ukraines-20th-year-of-independence-in-calgary/
September 16 – 18
Ukrainian Festival
Toronto, ON
The Festival was born in 1995 as the result of the twinning of Toronto and Kyiv. It then came under the umbrella of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Toronto Branch as one of its projects. While attendance in the first year was estimated at 3,000, within ten years the Festival has grown to attract audiences of 350,000.
The Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Toronto’s diversity. It has established itself as one of the premier Ukrainian festivals in North America. The Festival takes pride in showcasing contemporary professional and amateur artists and performers of Ukrainian heritage who celebrate Ukrainian culture through music, dance and visual arts.
Throughout its thirteen year history, the Festival has hosted Prime Ministers, federal, provincial and municipal politicians. The annual parade has been honoured with Festival Parade Marshals such media celebrities Luba Goy, Ted Woloshyn, actress Mimi Kuzyk, community activist Marika Szkambara, former Ontario Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, former Prime Minister John Turner, Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Mississauga News Publisher Ron Lenyk and Canada’s rock n roll legend Randy Bachman.
How ludicrous is that? Decisions of a myopic and threatened leader!