Ukrainian Pavilion loses about $33,000 due to closure. Third day of Edmonton’s Heritage Festival cancelled after storm causes extensive damage

Marco Levytsky, NP-UN Western Bureau Chief.

Due to the cancellation of the third day of the Edmonton Heritage Festival (August 5) as a result of the extensive damage caused by a severe storm on the Sunday night, the Ukrainian Pavilion lost an estimated $33,000, says the treasurer of the Friends of the Ukrainian Pavilion Society.

“It was very devastating. This is a pretty heavy-duty loss,” Mark Kopinec told New Pathway-Ukrainian News, noting that the holiday Monday usually brings in the most revenue in terms of food sales.

He stressed that this was only a preliminary estimate and the Society plans to organize a fund-raising drive once the full financial statement is completed.

In addition to the loss of revenue, two of the Pavilion’s smaller tents were damaged.

Kopinec said the Ukrainian Pavilion contributes to an insurance policy run by the Edmonton Heritage Festival Association but doesn’t yet know whether that will be covered.

The Festival, at which organizations representing over 70 ethnic groups participate, runs annually during the August long-weekend.

A popular feature of the Pavilion was the arts exhibit organized by the Ukrainian National Youth Federation, Edmonton Branch.

It combined traditional elements with contemporary ones. Visitors could listen to the latest Ukrainian music on headphones, or enjoy a virtual field trip though selected sites of Ukraine as well as try their hands with traditional Ukrainian embroidery.

There was also a map of Ukraine where visitors could identify places they visited or where they came from; displays of beaded pysanky, paintings, embroidery, kerchiefs and decorations, including one table sponsored by the Alberta Council of Ukrainian Arts (ACUA); interesting facts about Ukraine; a guessing game involving photos of various landmarks and natural wonders they had to identify whether they are from Ukraine or not; displays of various grains grown in Ukraine, traditional wedding apparel and artifacts and more.

The stage show was also quite diverse. It included performances by the dance group Yatran as well as the Dzherelo Ukrainian Children’s Theatre Studio run by the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada, Edmonton Branch. The Berehynia Folk Arts Group under the direction of Myroslava Oksentiuk, put on two half-hour performances – one a traditional Ukrainian wedding and the other Vesnianky, which showcased the ancient rituals of welcoming spring and summer in Ukraine.

Several fashion shows of Ukrainian embroidered costumes were also held.

Other performers on the stage included the Bandurist Kapelia Feyeria, the instrumental orchestra Razom, dance studio “Respond” composer Vasyk Ivanytsky, singers Lilia and Anna-Maria Bundzylo, violinist Lyudmyla Byrlaka, singer Lewis Zapata and dancer Sofia Myc.

Visitors were also invited to participate in a social dance.

The stages shows were expertly MC-ed by a vivacious Veronika Danyleiko.

The Organizing Committee consisted of: Dmytro Petrushchak, Mark Kopinec, Yulianna Voloshyna, Anastasiia Kim, Alyona Danyleiko, Nadia Poterukha, Anastasiya Khoma, Iryna Kravets-Kuzmicz and Inna Ivchenko.

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