Mission (Sophie Northeast – BCIT Radio Arts and Journalism)- Keeping the Ukrainian Culture Alive on Saturday, May 7, as Mission celebrates 25 years of the BC Ukrainian Cultural Festival.
For over 25 years the British Columbia Ukrainian Culture Festival Takes place annually on the first Saturday of May. Started in 1995 by Gladys Andreas has taken the festival a long way from its originally being held in a church hall parking lot.
In the state of the crisis in Ukraine, it is now more important to celebrate and share culture, and bring people together.
At BCUCF you can experience the Ukraine dance troupes as they compete showing their complex dances and stunning traditional costume designs. These dance troupes have traveled from Alberta and Seattle to Mission to demonstrate their talents and techniques. The competition will be able to view from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Along with performances, there are plenty of activities and vendors to immerse you and your family in.
The festival offers an Activity Center that runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children of all ages. Some activities include learning dance poses and Ukrainian Easter Egg Decoration also known as “pysanky”.
Throughout the festival, you can hear the musical styling of Ukrainian artists such as Emelia Lupynis, Richard and Kurt Tyce from the S-Bahn and The Wheat in the Barley band.
With Music, dance, and activities for children there are plenty of vendors to shop sharing their art, baked goods, and wares. Such vendors include Eve. On. Ah., Kelowna Kozak, Vancouver Vyshyvank, Ukrainian by Design and much more.
The beloved food Truck Hunky Bills who have been making Perogies for over 49 years will be there to serve lunch starting at 11.
Later in the night head over to the Rotary Club of Mission to attend the Dinner for Ukraine. The dinner and benefit is $80 raise money in support for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
Partial funds from the festival and it’s vendors will be donated to various Humanitarian organizations to help those in Ukraine and those starting a new life here in British Columbia.
The British Columbia Ukrainian Cultural Festivals doors open at 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. If you’re interested in learning more and want to check the performance schedule go to: https://bcucf.ca/main/
If you’d like to know more on the Ukraine Crisis and how you can help in your community go to https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/ukraine
