Ukrainian pavilion a rich showcase amid adversity

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This article was published 03/02/2024 (792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the Westman Multicultural Festival prepares for a long-awaited comeback after a three-year break due to COVID restrictions, the Ukrainian pavilion at the Ukrainian National Home in Brandon emerges as a touching symbol of resilience.

Set against the backdrop of Ukraine’s existence being under threat due to war, the pavilion aims to bring a vibrant display of Ukrainian culture to the forefront during the festival, scheduled from Thursday, Feb. 8 to Saturday, Feb. 10.

Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance president Curtis Hullick said the event serves as a platform to showcase the tradition and culture of the Ukrainian people.

“The heart of the pavilion lies in the captivating performances by the Brandon Troyanda dance group,” Hullick told the Sun. “The dance is important to the families of our dance group because it is an essential vehicle for preserving Ukrainian traditions.”

For Hullick, the event goes beyond cultural display — it’s also about ensuring the continued recognition of Ukraine and supporting the people there who are fighting for what they believe in.

“Ukrainians are extremely resilient, and you can see that in Ukraine, Canada and the support in Brandon,” he said. “We show the culture and support through the art of dance while Tryzub raises funds to send aid, clothes and military equipment to help Ukraine. Ukrainians are a very respected, giving group of individuals.”

Tryzub is a Brandon-based Ukrainian organization that holds social fundraisers to collect donations for humanitarian aid efforts in the besieged country.

The performances, scheduled across the three days, promise to captivate audiences with their representation of different regions, age groups and dance styles.

Beyond the performances, attendees can indulge in a culinary journey through Ukrainian cuisine. Hullick provided a sneak peek into the menu, featuring delectable offerings such as perogies, cabbage rolls (holubtsi) and kolbasa sausage. The bar will complement the experience with a selection of alcoholic beverages from Ukraine.

To delve deeper into the preparations and significance of the event, the group’s dance instructor, Mikayla Kurchaba, said there have been extensive practices of a diverse repertoire of dances in recent weeks.

As an entertainer and instructor, Kurchaba sees the event as an opportunity to create a sense of home for newcomers and foster an understanding of Ukrainian traditions within the Canadian community.

“People should expect a wide array of dances, representing lots of different regions from Ukraine,” she said. “We have participants ranging in age from four to over 40, showcasing a variety of breaks, cultural costumes, large group dances and solos, featuring a multitude of dance styles.”

Touching on the personal significance of the event, especially considering the challenges faced by Ukraine, Kurchaba said: “It has always been very important to me to share my Ukrainian culture. And it becomes even more important now, with the recent events.” As well, she added, “it’s important to me to share our culture with the newcomers and allow them to have a sense of home and attend events like these to make them feel like they’re more at home.”

In the face of adversity, Hullick said the Ukrainian pavilion at the Westman Multicultural Festival stands tall as a resilient showcase, embodying the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people.

The Brandon Sun is featuring each pavilion in the Westman Multicultural Festival in stories leading up to the Feb. 8-10 event.

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