3 minute read
Extravaganza of Cultural Delights
Extravaganza of Cultural Delights
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The multifarious supply of attractions at the 52nd Annual Pysanka Festival captured the heart and soul of Ukrainian culture on July 4, 5, and 6 at Vegreville Agricultural Grounds and other nearby venues.
The theme this year was ‘Honouring Babas and Didos’ because their strength and traditions are what created the traditions and life spans of generations enjoy today.
Vegreville residents Ivan and Larissa Bombak were the Hospodar and Hospodynia, both first-generation Ukrainian Canadians born to parents who were refugees from Ukraine. Ivan grew up in Edmonton, and Larissa in Toronto. Larissa has been on the Board of Directors for the festival for 41 years.
The first feature was the Open Ceremonies, where the A.L. Horton School-Ukrainian Language and Culture program welcomed the audience with the perfect singing of ‘O Canada’ in both English and Ukrainian at the Vegreville Multi-Plex Centre on July 4. Dance performances by St. Paul and Svitlo Ukrainian Dancers followed this.
One memorable moment was when John Bandura was inducted into the Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Honour for a life devoted to preserving and celebrating our musical heritage. John’s musical tour began on a homestead near Andrew, where he played violin and tsymbaly. At 12 years of age, he received his first accordion and taught himself to be an accomplished accordionist. When he was 15, he was performing with dance bands and soon joined a host of talented groups, including Paul Hrushchek’s band, the Northern Kings, and later the Five Gents. He performed with many other bands. Later, he formed his own group, John Bandura and Friends.
After this, Bill W. Lutyck was inducted into the Posthumour Music Hall of Honour because he was a true steward of community music and Ukrainian heritage, and his legacy is one of talent, endurance, and enduring passion.
At another site was The Yarmarok, which provided shoppers the opportunity to take home a souvenir of Ukrainian folk arts, crafts, and products, a treat, or something unique from another nationality.
At the Old Timer’s Log Cabin, people could trace their roots by locating the village where their ancestors came from or seek advice on how to find this information.
The Ukrainian Folk Art venue was a tapestry of workshops and displays which helped to weave stories of pysanka writing, pysanky, embroidery, beadwork, dough doves, wheat weaving, and more, and how the love and patience from our ancestors doing these crafts helped showcase the pride and beauty of the culture and love for family ties.
The Pioneer Village was a flashback in time that helped attendees to gain appreciation for the skills and hard work of early Ukrainian pioneers and artisans. These were demonstrations which showcased how rope was made using twine, flailing, how wheat was first ground in a stone grinding mill, and the art of bread being baked in an outdoor clay oven.
There was also Zabava Evening Dances, a Petting Zoo, Beer Gardens, Farmer’s Food Market, and Outdoor Market, a Cultural and Band Showcase, a Ukrainian Music Tent, and food trucks.
