The 2018 BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 5 at the Heritage Park Cultural and Educational Centre in Mission.
The festival was started 23 years ago by cultural icon Gladys Andreas and her late husband Albert. Gladys, who remains actively involved, has been recognized by both the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Government of Ukraine for her efforts in preserving and enhancing Ukrainian culture in B.C.
This year’s festival will feature an array of booths displaying and offering a wide variety of arts and crafts. Musicians will play in various locations at the venue. There will be a kitchen selling Ukrainian food and, of course, dance troupes decked in costumes from all areas of Ukraine will entertain the attendees.
Their adjudicated performances will take place in the Clarke Theatre, part of the Heritage Park facility.
At last year’s event, Kvitka of Surrey won the coveted “Hopak” Trophy (National Dance of Ukraine) while troupes from Kelowna and the Comox Valley shared the equally coveted “Previt” (Welcome Dance) award. Veselka of Victoria took home the Gord Yakimow “cuteness” Trophy – for the little ones.
“Over the years, some 4,000 young people, ranging in age from beginners to young adults, have performed at the festival,” said new president Darka Morin-Konik. “Last year we had 270 dancers. This year we expect a dozen troupes from all parts of B.C. along with an American contingent from Seattle.”
For more information, visit the festival website at bcucf.ca.