NP-UN Western Bureau.
Over 3,600 including 500 performers and volunteers, attended this year’s Ukrainian Day, held at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village (UCHV), located 50 kilometres east of Edmonton, August 13.
A special feature of this year’s event, organized annually by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council, in coordination with UCHV staff, was the opening of the Galician Settlers Farmstead, which sheds light on what life was like for Ukrainian immigrants between 1915 and 1919 as they settled in Alberta, mainly from the Austro-Hungarian province of Galicia.
It contains a new residence, granary, chicken coop and two barns that permanently join more than 35 other buildings at the living history museum.
“The opening of the Galician Settlers farmstead was made possible through the assistance of a number of community partners,” said UCHV Director David Makowsky.
“Thank you to the Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society, as well as the farmstead’s research informants, artifact and furnishing donors, and the volunteers who clay plastered the structures. We were pleased that many of these stakeholders were present at Ukrainian Day to witness the opening of the Galician Settlers farmstead. Most of the Ukrainian immigrants who settled in east central Alberta between 1892 and 1914 came from Galicia, and the opening of this farmstead on Ukrainian Day 2017 complemented the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. We wish to congratulate the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Alberta Provincial Council and its volunteers for another successful Ukrainian Day,” he added.
The Galician Settlers Farmstead is comprised of original structures that come from the Alberta communities of Innisfree and Amelia-Cookville. Opening of this farmstead coincides with the designation of 2016-17 as the year of Alberta’s Ukrainian Canadian and sets the stage for the inaugural celebration of Alberta’s Ukrainian Canadian Heritage Day on Sept. 7.
Visitors can see first-hand the unique diet, dialects, traditions, building style, furnishings, handicrafts and domestic and farming practices that made Galician-region settlers distinct from other Ukrainian settlers at that time.
“This project honours the legacy of Ukrainian Canadians and their impact on Alberta’s diverse culture and heritage. In addition to commemorating the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, these buildings represent an ongoing commitment to make life better for Albertans by preserving our past and providing affordable access to Alberta’s history. Thanks to the ongoing work at the Village, the stories of our ancestors continue to live on,” said Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism.
This year’s concert had a unique international flavour – in addition to Ukrainian performers there were the Polonez Polish Folk Arts Ensemble, the Balada Romanian Folk Ensemble, and the Prince Charles Fiddlers, a group of young First Nations, Metis and Inuit students from Prince Charles Elementary School, all from Edmonton.
Among the Ukrainian groups were the Korinnya Ukrainian Folk Ensemble from Calgary, the Band Euphoria and headliners Shumka who closed off the afternoon show with a stunning preview of their Ancestors & Elders project – an exciting collaboration with local Aboriginal artists that will premiere in April of 2018.
Master of Ceremonies was Roman Brytan of World FM Radio.
“We are excited that more than 43 years after this event began Ukrainian Canadians from across the province still gather to celebrate our Ukrainian heritage at Ukrainian Day,” said Olesia Luciw Andryjowycz, President of UCC – APC.
“This year, our community celebrates 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, brings to a close our 125 Celebration of Immigration, and celebrate the 26th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence. These milestones are an important occasion to acknowledge our significant accomplishments and to embrace future opportunities,” she added.
Greetings were brought by Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier of Alberta; Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton, and Drayton Valley Councillor Deb Bossert. Earlier at the Centenary Plaque Unveiling, greetings were also brought by Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deron Bilous and federal MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park – Fort Saskatchewan).
This year’s Michael Luchkovich Award was presented to former Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Genia Leskiw and to Midge Clissold, granddaughter of Andrew Shandro, the first Ukrainian MLA in Alberta (see separate story).
Other activities that day included Church services at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, St. Nicholas Russo-Greek Orthodox Church and St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church; musical entertainment at the courtyard; Blessings of the Chornobyl, Legion and Internment monuments; the Feature Exhibit “Where We Came From”; the Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) Art Show and the Ukrainian Village Food Festival.
The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is a provincially owned and operated museum that tells the story of Ukrainian settlement in Alberta from 1892 to 1930. Visitors step back in time with the help of costumed role-players who portray the lives of actual pioneers.
The Village is open daily between the May long weekend and Labour Day, welcoming approximately 44,500 visitors each year, including 15,000 school program participants.
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