4 minute read
A Sea of Cultural Entertainment
A Sea of Cultural Entertainment
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The sights, sounds, tastes, and traditions of the Ukrainian culture felt like being in Ukraine at the Vegreville 51st Annual Pysanka Festival on July 5, 6, and 7 on Vegreville Agricultural Grounds and surrounding venues.
The Hospodar and Hospodynia were Ken Kachmar and Carol Hrenyk
One special moment was when James Yacey, born in Myrnam, Alberta on December 10, 1942, was inducted into the Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame during the Opening Ceremony on July 5. Yacey’s biography reads when James was 15, he began playing a 12 brass accordion. He also learned to play dulcimer and banjo. When he was 16, he began playing with the Alex Rudkowski and The Northern Serenadors, and a bit later, he joined Marshall Pankiw and The Sparkling Tones. James Yacey was one of the founding members of The Cirmarrons Band formed in 1965. He is now the last original member still playing music. He went on to achieve numerous other music achievements.
James expressed, “I am happy! It is a memorable occasion; I have been playing music all these years and now I am being recognized.”
Louis Ludvik Marianych who passed away on January 28, 2020, was inducted into the Posthumous Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame for being a trailbrazer in promoting Ukrainian culture, language, and music his whole life. His biography wrote that he grew up on a family farm near Two Hills. He conducted choirs and orchestras, performed as a vocalist and instrumentalist, organized caroling, and arranged music. Louis’s sister, Donna Sabadash accepted this award for the family.
At other sites, The Yarmarok Marketplace was bustling with shoppers seeking Ukrainian attire, souvenirs, novelty candy treats, and products and articles from other nationalities where many items were handcrafted.
The Artists’ Showcase was a land of beauty and talent for Ukrainian cultural expression.
Liudmyla Zhuravlova was teaching Petrykivka Workshops where people could learn how to create a Petrykivka wooden spatula. Liudmyla admitted this is an old Ukrainian tradition and it takes her 10 minutes to paint one. “A person just learning might take an hour to paint one. You have to learn how to paint the designs first. I like to teach people how to correct their mistakes. “
The Ukrainian Folks Art venue showcased historical exhibits from fashions of another era, cooking and food products, and other items as well as hosting art and interactive workshops, and demonstrations.
Twelve-year-old Sophia Budd was demonstrating weaving with a Table Top 4-Harness Loom. “I am making a poyas which is a belt.”
Ivanna Dyedkova was teaching a Sylyanka Necklace Workshop where participants learned how to weave these traditional necklaces with string and seed beads.
Henriette Chomiak was one of the Directors of the Folk Arts who admitted that it has been a challenge and a wonderful experience to host this production. “This showcases our culture. I like to do handiwork and create things and love traditional folk crafts from Ukraine. In 1984, I was involved with Vegreville School of Ukrainian Dancing and I made four costumes that year.”
At another site, there was a Trace Your Roots in a log cabin where people could learn how to research their family history and find out where their Ukrainian ancestors came from.
This event also had Zabava Evening Dances, a Petting Zoo, Beer Gardens, a Farmers’ Food Market, an Outdoor Market, a Cultural and Band Showcase, a Ukrainian Music Tent, food trucks, and Dance Competitions.
