Category Archives: event

Banff opens first permanent WWI Internment exhibit Sept 13th

Postponed back in June due to the horrific flooding in Alberta, the opening of the first permanent WWI Internment continues on Friday:

Of the many WW1 Internment sites across Canada, there has yet to be a permanent site where visitors can come and learn about this dark chapter of Canadian history year round. The Castle Mountain Internment Camp, which later moved down to Cave & Basin (home of the original hot springs), was one of the harshest and most abusive camps which helped build Banff National Park, Canada’s most historic national park. On June 20th, this site will open the first permanent exhibit to WW1 Internment. Restored to its condition as a forced labour camp, the site is central to the Canadian parks experience, as well as Canadian and Ukrainian-Canadian history.

Cave & Basin WW1 Internment Exhibit

Date: Sept 13, 2013

Time: 2:00 pm

Where: Cave & Basin National Historic Site
Cave and Basin
Banff National Park,311 Cave Avenue,Banff,AB T0L 0C0
Canada

RSVP to Parks Canada: steve.malins@pc.gc.ca

Also check out the Facebook event page.


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Kontakt was on hand back in June to film the area:

Controversy at WW1 Internment exhibit’s opening in Banff

For those who are planning to check out the new WWI Internment exhibit in Banff on Thursday, The Globe and Mail recently ran a story on the controversy around the exhibit. Parks Canada is white washing the injustices faced by people previously invited to immigrate to this country only to be interned and forced to build the local infrastructure – including part of Banff itself. Anyone attending the exhibit may see a family-friendly tourist destination, rather than a testament to a great injustice. The article noted:

Harsh terms, such as the phrase “concentration camps,” won’t appear. Racism has been played down, while other issues of the day, such as labour and global conflict, are highlighted. And the suffering felt in the camps is muted. A newspaper photograph of an escapee who was shot dead, for instance, will not appear.

In light of the absences of these important points that deserve to be noted, but will not at this exhibit – I decided to dig up information on these points and highlight them here:

Harsh terms, such as the phrase “concentration camps,” won’t appear.

Even the Globe article notes at that the time they were called “concentration camps”. More instances were found in the book ‘In Fear of the Barbed Wire Fence’ available for free at the UCCLA site:

Troubling as it may be for some, the term “concentration camp” was officially and
widely used at the time. See, for example, the Officer Commanding 5th Military Division, Quebec to Major General Otter, 4 January 1915 in the National Archives of Canada (NAC) Record Group 24, Volume 4513, File 2. For another example, see the Charge d’Affaires of Austria-Hungary to the Secretary of State, Washington, dated 24 May 1916:
According to newspaper reports a riot is said to have occurred in the concentration camp of Kapuskasing, Ont.,

Writers who considered the internment operations likewise concluded that they had a
negative impact on the Ukrainian Canadian community. Thus, in her classic study, Men in Sheepskin Coats, Vera Lysenko wrote, pages 115-116:
One repressive measure followed another, directed against the bewildered Ukrainians. Thousands of harmless “Galicians” were rounded up by the police and herded into concentration camps.

For other instances when the term “concentration camp” was used see “Interned
Germans,” Morning Albertan, 5 January 1915, page 1, which reported that 1,800 Germans and Austrians had already been jailed in Canadian concentration camps, and hundreds more registered. The next day the same paper reported, page 4, that 7,300 aliens had been registered at Montreal and 2,500 at Toronto. See also the Victoria Daily Colonist, “Aliens to register,” 1 November 1914, page 3 and “Bear German names,” 26 November 1914, page 2; “Government plans for interning the aliens maturing,” Sault Daily Star, 28 November 1914, page 5; “Aliens in concentration camps refuse to work,” Winnipeg Telegram, 5 January 1915, page 5; "Concentration Camp Practically Ready For The Prisoners," Amherst Daily News, 18 January 1915“30 Austrians arrive at Fort from Petawawa,” Daily British Whig, 5 October 1915, page 1;
“Are being employed along the line of the C.P.R.”, Sault Daily Star, 5 September 1916, page 5 and “No compulsion of the Aliens,” Globe, 17 February 1918, page 14. On 24 June 1915 in “Aliens clear land,” Vernon News, page 5, there is an account of how 2,000 enemy aliens had already “entered in the big concentration camps at Kapuskasing and Spirit Lake” in each of which about 1,000 acres of good land had been cleared, with another 2,000 acres set aside for further improvement.

Clearly many instances of that term have been used.

Racism has been played down

Even prior to WW1, Ukrainians and other foreigners were not being welcomed in their new homeland – recruited en masse by Primer Minister Lauier and others to take on the rough terrain and dangerous labour shunned by their Anglo counterparts in order to build this country:

As for the Galicians I have no met a single person in the whole of the Northwest who is sympathetic towards them. They are from the point of view of civilization ten times lower than the Indians – Alberta Tribune, Feb 4th 1899

The National Film Board even documented the sentiment in a film called ‘Teach me to Dance’, which is available to watch for free.

As WW1 started, these Galicians, Ruthenians and Bukovynians who previously hailed from Austro-Hungary, would be chastised by their newly-adopted homeland as enemy-aliens, and traitors.

the suffering felt in the camps is muted

There are too many accounts to highlight here, but some are available to read in this ‘Affirmation of Witness’ pamphlet, at the UCCLA site.

A newspaper photograph of an escapee who was shot dead, for instance, will not appear

The photograph is of Ivan Hryoryshchuk, who tried to escape the internment camp at Spirit Lake.

This photo captures a sombre moment at the internment camp. Ivan Hryhoryshchuk, lying dead on the rail cart, was killed while attempting to escape from the Spirit Lake, Quebec, internment camp, June 7, 1915. Photo by Sergeant William Buck from the collection "In My Charge."

Ukrainian Festival Summer Guide 2013 (Updated)

It’s that time of year again – to make summer plans! And what plans would be complete without some Ukrainian events near you:


View Ukrainian Festival Summer Guide 2013 in a larger map

Calgary Ukrainian Festival

June 1-2

Calgary, AB

 

To provide to the citizens of Calgary an informative, educational and entertaining festival that celebrates all aspects of our  unique and rich Ukrainian heritage and to raise the profile of Calgary’s Ukrainian Community through a professional and inclusive annual event that showcases Ukrainian arts, cuisine, entertainment and culture while highlighting true Ukrainian hospitality.

http://www.calgaryukrainianfestival.ca/

 

 

XIV National Ukrainian Festival - Sydney, Australia - Official Website

National Ukrainian Festival

June 7-9

Sydney, Australia

We invite all Australian-Ukrainians and everyone in our wider Australian community to join in the unique, exciting and unforgettable festivities.

In one week, hundreds of Australians of Ukrainian background, together with our international guests from Ukraine and Canada, will gather together in Sydney. Over three days the XIV National Ukrainian Festival will present a diverse program which celebrates Ukrainian language, culture and heritage. 

http://sydney-zdvyh.squarespace.com/

 

Folklore in Kingston (Lviv Ukrainian Pavilion) @ Regiopolis Notre Dame Catholic High School | Kingston | Ontario | Canada

Kingston Ukrainian Folklore Festival

June 14-16

Kingston, ON

The Ukrainian Club of Kingston this weekend presents Folklore 2013: the Lviv Pavilion with Ukrainian food, performances and exhibitions.

When: Friday June 14th – 6 – 10pm
Saturday June 15th – Noon  -10pm
Sunday June 16th – Noon – 6pm

Where: Regiopolis Notre Dame Catholic High School, 130 Russell Street, Kingston, ON

Admission: Passport $5 – At the door
(613) 549-5060

 

 

Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival

June 14-16

Yonkers, NY

The 28th Annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival offers you three days of warmth, food, fun, and excitement, and we are certain you will agree this is our best festival to date. There is plenty to do and see, so bring the whole family over. Let your children have some magical moments on the rides, or try to win a gift for that certain someone at one of the games.

http://www.yonkersukrainianfestival.org/

 

image Ukrainian Canadian Music Festival

June 22

Acton, ON

“Zolotyj Klen” (Golden Maple) is an exciting celebration of Ukrainian Music, held each summer at the Ukrainian Youth Association camp grounds “Veselka”. The festival is held yearly for Canada Day. It has a wonderful family atmosphere where festival goers can meet many friends. People are free to relax on their own, or participate in the day long program. The concert starts just after lunch and lasts the entire day culminating with a musical act direct from Ukraine!

http://www.zolotyjklen.com

 

 

FESTIVAL_BANNER_2013

Vegreville Pysanka Festival

July 5-7

Vegrevilla, AB

~Delicious authentic Ukrainian food: some of the best hearty comfort food
~ treat your eyes and ears to 5 amazing grandstand shows
~ smell the aroma of fresh baked outdoor oven bread… and the taste of this bread is like no other!
~ go back in time to see how rope-making and blacksmithing was done by pioneers
~ tap your foot to some upbeat Ukrainian music as you listen to some upbeat Ukrainian music
~ dance the night away at our evening Zabavas–the best Ukrainian parties always have a Kolomeyka!
~ the beautiful colourful display of folk arts cannot be missed… do you have time to learn how to make a Pysanka?
~ visit the Yarmarok marketplace to take home a Ukrainian blouse, Pysanky and many more items

http://www.pysankafestival.com/

 

image Soyuzivka

July 12-14

Kerhonkson, NY

Soyuzivka, also known as Suzi-Q or The Q, is a year-round Ukrainian resort and cultural center located inKerhonkson, New York in the Shawangunk Ridge area south of the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, providing workshops, seminars, concerts, dance recitals and art exhibits for those interested in learning about Ukraine and its rich culture.

Their annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival is happening this weekend at the resort and will feature bands Hrim, Zrada and Haydamaky.

http://www.soyuzivka.com/Cultural_Festival.html

 

North Dakota Ukrainian Festival

July 17-21

Belfield, ND

The North Dakota Ukrainian Festival is an annual festival featuring authentic Ukrainian cuisine, arts, dance, music and history in Western North Dakota. The festival has been going strong for over 25 years and continues to grow and improve with each year. The main events of the festival include performances by the Ukrainian Dancers Stepovi and the students of the Ukrainian Arts and Dance Camp, meals featuring authentic Ukrainian cuisine (pyrohy, holubtsi, beet leaf bread, borscht, etc.), displays of Ukrainian arts, educational presentations on Ukrainian history and culture, as well as a lively evening Zabava with a live Ukrainian band and formal dinner.

http://www.ucitoday.org/Upcoming_Events.html

 

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Canadian National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF)

August 2-4

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!

http://www.cnuf.ca

 

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Heritage Festival

August 3-5

Edmonton, AB

Vitaemo. Welcome to the Ukrainian Pavilion as we celebrate over 120 years of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Come and experience the wondrous sights and sounds of our culture on our large outdoor entertainment stage, learn about our heritage in the Arts & Crafts tent, and savour our culinary favourites in the Food tent.

Here at the Servus Heritage Festival, delight in the beautiful Ukrainian traditional artisan crafts such as pysanky (Easter eggs), embroidery, weaving, jewellery, ceramics, as well as contemporary visual arts. Learn about Ukrainian roots through the genealogical and folklore displays. Watch the lively regional dancing and listen to some of our most talented musicians.

http://www.heritage-festival.com/pavilions/61/

 

imageUkrainian Day Festival

August 11

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Alberta

A celebration of all things Ukrainian past and present, Ukrainian Day recognizes the rich tapestry of Alberta’s Ukrainian community today.

Ukrainian Day starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by divine liturgies, memorial services and recognition of east central Alberta’s centennial pioneer families. An afternoon concert features some of the finest musicians, dancers and performers. The ‘Taste of Ukraine’ food fair, the Ukrainian Community Showcase & Art Sale help enrich this celebration of Ukrainian culture, heritage in Alberta. This signature event is co-hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council.

http://www.history.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillage/specialevents/specialevents.aspx
http://www.uccab.ca/UkrainianDay/

 

image Folklorama

August 11-17

Winnipeg, MB

 

Experience the true spirit of Ukraine! Enjoy our authentic varenyky, holubsi, borshch, kovbasa and kupusta for dinner and don’t forget to save room for a piece of delicious torte or cheesecake. Try our new Obolon premium lager or Khortytsa Honey pepper hot vodka, imported from Ukraine.

Learn about the Bukovyna Region of Ukraine, a historical region on the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains and the adjoining rolling green plains, and take in our explosive show featuring Ukrainian Comedian, Metro, and the Zoloto Ukrainian Dance Ensemble & Company.

After the show feel free to take a spin on the dance floor to the music of BMW.

Children can also have fun learning how to make Ukrainian paper dolls or join in on a mini Ukrainian Dance class.

http://www.folklorama.ca/index.php?option=com_pavilion&view=pavilion&Itemid=54&id=51

 

Ukrainian Folk Festival

August 17-18

Leighton, PA

 

TBA

http://ukrhomestead.com/index.htm

 

 

Windsor Heritage Ukrainian Festival

TBA

Windsor, ON

The festival will be held at St. Vladimir Orthodox Cathedral (2000 Tecumseh Rd, East).

2012 Flyer
http://www.windsorbarvinok.com/wuhf/

 

St. Josaphats Ukrainian Festival

August 15-18

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.

http://www.rochesterukrainianfestival.com/

 

Ukrainian Fall Fest Victoria Park

TBA

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!

http://uccruff.ca/

 

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Babas & Borshch Ukrainian Festival

August 24-25

Andrew, AB

This FREE Festival will honour and celebrate the very best of the Ukrainian culture–food, history, religion, arts and culture—through a fun, hip approach. Not Ukrainian? No problem. We’ll make it happen when you show up at the Passport Office to "assume" your Ukrainian name and identity.

http://www.babasandborshch.ca/

 

 

Ukrainian Festival 2012Ukrainian Folk Festival

August 25

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.

http://www.tryzub.org/ukrainian-festival-2013.php

 

imageFriends’ Ukrainian Music Festival

August 25

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.

http://www.history.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillage/specialevents/docs/2013SpecialEventsbrochure.pdf

 

Ukrainian Day at Golden Gate Park

August 25

San Francisco, CA

Ukrainian Cultural Program for Commemorating of 20th Anniversary of
Independence of Ukraine

http://www.stmichaeluocsf.org/Pages/Calendar.aspx

 

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Ukrainian American Day

August 25

Buffalo, NY

Featuring delicious foods, music, basket raffle, dance performance, venders, cool beverages.

http://www.ukrainiansofbuffalo.com/

 

Ukrainian Food & Fun Festival

August 28-31

McKees Rocks, PA

"A Celebration Of Faith And Community"
Live Entertainment Every Night!
Lamb Roast • Funnel Cakes

http://stmaryuoc.wix.com/events#!schedule/c18qz

Montreal Ukrainian Festival

September 6-8

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

http://www.ukefestmontreal.org

 

Baltimore Ukrainian Festival

TBA

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

http://www.ukrainianfestival.net

 

Toronto Ukrainian Festival

September 13-15

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.

http://www.ukrainianfestival.com

 

Washington DC Ukrainian Festival

September 14-15

Silver Spring, MD

TBA

http://www.standrewuoc.org/festival.html

 

Oakville Ukrainian Festival

September 28

Oakville, ON

TBA

http://www.tserkva.ca/ukrainian-festival.html

 

Barrie Ukrainian Festival

October (TBA)

Barrie, ON

http://www.ukrainianfestival.ca

Sudbury Yarmarok Festival

October (TBA)

Sudbury, ON

http://sudburyyarmarok.webs.com/entertainment.htm

 

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Philadelphia Ukrainian Fest

October 12

Philadelphia, PA

Everyone will have fun at the Philadelphia Ukrainian Festival from children to grandparents. There will be Kids Fun Zones, Live Music, Dance Shows, Folk Displays, Auctions/Raffles, and Vendors. Everyone will have a great time at the Philadelphia Ukrainian Festival. It will be held at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, indoors and outdoors. There will be traditional Ukrainian food such as Pierogies and Kobasa.

http://www.ukifest.com/

Banff opens first permanent WWI Internment exhibit June 20th

Editors Note: Postponed back in June due to the horrific flooding in Alberta, the opening of the first permanent WWI Internment continues on Friday:

Of the many WW1 Internment sites across Canada, there has yet to be a permanent site where visitors can come and learn about this dark chapter of Canadian history year round. The Castle Mountain Internment Camp, which later moved down to Cave & Basin (home of the original hot springs), was one of the harshest and most abusive camps which helped build Banff National Park, Canada’s most historic national park. On June 20th, this site will open the first permanent exhibit to WW1 Internment. Restored to its condition as a forced labour camp, the site is central to the Canadian parks experience, as well as Canadian and Ukrainian-Canadian history.

Cave & Basin WW1 Internment Exhibit

Date: June 20, 2013

Time: 2:00 pm

Where: Cave & Basin National Historic Site
Cave and Basin
Banff National Park,311 Cave Avenue,Banff,AB T0L 0C0
Canada

Also check out the Facebook event page.


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New ‘Holodomor sourcebook’ launches in Toronto Friday – and we’ve got the first chapter

The Holodomor ReaderA new extensive body of works on the Holodomor is being launched in Toronto this Friday, bringing together key documents, eyewitness accounts, survivor testimonies and articles, many in English for the first time – and we’ve got a preview below!

When: Friday, March 8th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation, 2118A Bloor St. West, Toronto


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Dr. Bohdan Klid of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta discusses (in Ukrainian) “The Holodomor Reader Collection: How and Why It Came About” at the Toronto launch of The Holodomor Reader: A Sourcebook on the Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine.

Sponsored by the Shevchenko Scientific Society in Canada, Holodomor Research and Education Consortium (HREC), and Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre. Additional information about the Reader: http://www.ciuspress.com/catalogue/history/324/the-holodomor-reader.

Наукове Товариство ім. Шевченка в Канаді, Науково-Освітний Центр Вивчення Голодомору і Українсько-Канадський Дослідчо-Документаційний Центр запрошують на доповідь (українською мовою) д-ра Богдана Кліда, асистента директора Канадського Інституту Українських Студій при Альбертському Університеті в Едмонтоні на тему “ЗБІРНИК МАТЕРІЯЛІВ ‘THE HOLODOMOR READER’ : ЯК І ЧОМУ ВОНА ПОСТАЛА” і на презентацію недавно виданої книжки The Holodomor Reader: A Sourcebook on the Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine. Додаткова інформація про Reader: http://www.ciuspress.com/catalogue/history/324/the-holodomor-reader.

For those of you who can’t wait to pick up your copy, we have a sneak peek of the first chapter available to download for free!