Ukrainian protesters topple Lenin statue in Kyiv [Video]

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Angry anti-government protesters in Ukraine toppled a statue of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the centre of Kyiv on Sunday and blockaded key government buildings amid huge street protests, raising the stakes in an escalating standoff with President Viktor Yanukovych.

The biggest protest in the former Soviet republic since Ukraine’s pro-democracy Orange Revolution in 2004 led the government to fire back. It announced an investigation of opposition leaders for an alleged attempt to seize power and warned the demonstrators they could face criminal charges.

The West pressed for a peaceful settlement.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians flooded the centre of Kyiv, the capital, to demand Yanukovych’s ouster after he ditched ties with the European Union in favour of Russia and sent police to break up an earlier protest in the nearly three-week standoff.

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Head of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress interviewed on CTV News Channel after just returning from Ukraine (click to play):

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Ukrainian dance at Toronto Christmas Market this Saturday 2013

It’s back! One of my favourite Christmas events that I don’t miss (see previous years photos and video) – the annual Christmas Market in Toronto’s Distillery District. This Saturday the Arkan Dance Company returns along with the Ukrainian Academy of Dance and the Stefura Dance studios:

Inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New, this free annual event captures all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. Family friendly entertainment includes musicians, carolers and children’s choirs, holiday themed stage presentations, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo and of course … Santa and his roaming elves! There is great shopping, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, sweets and treats, and all the great restaurants of The Distillery Historic District. Come and experience the fun and magic of Toronto’s first and only Christmas Market!

The market is open from 10am to 9pm, and here are the times of the performances:

Saturday December 7

11:00am & 1:30pm

Arkan Dance Company, the Ukrainian Academy of Dance and the Stefura Dance Studios – enjoy high energy performances of Ukrainian Dance by this exciting group of dancers..  Presented in association with the Community Folk Arts Council of Toronto   

Also new this year, on Monday Plast will take part in the ‘International Peace Light comes to Canada’ program:

Monday December 9

7:00pm

Peace Light Ceremony – Join us at the main stage, as the 2013 International Peace Light comes to Canada. The continuous flame will be shared with scout groups and communities.  Bring a lantern, share the light! With PLAST Ukrainian Youth Association