250,000 attend North America's largest Ukrainian Festival (10/05/03)

250,000 attend North America's largest Ukrainian Festival

by Olya Odynsky Grod

TORONTO - The seventh annual Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival - North America's largest Ukrainian festival - was held in Toronto on Augusut 22-23.

Perhaps it was the incredibly beautiful weather, or perhaps it was Vopli Vidopliassova from Kyiv (known as VV) that attracted a quarter million people.

The festival showcases Ukrainian culture and shows how it has become part of the fabric that is Toronto - over 110 years of contributions have been made by Canadians of Ukrainian heritage to Toronto's economic, social and cultural growth.

Alex Ling, chair of the Bloor West Village BIA, states: "The Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival keeps getting better year after year. It is now recognized as a large celebration and valuable event for the Bloor West Village area, celebrating the prominent Ukrainian influence here. People from all cultures and all parts of the city come to celebrate and enjoy the festivities."

The festival is held with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko, the City of Toronto and many corporate sponsors that have been with the festival from the start.

Festivities began on Friday, August 22, at 6 p.m. with the opening of the beverage gardens and vendor kiosks. The festival stage came to life at 7 p.m as master of ceremonies Ed Evanko introduced Suzie Vinnik, rhythm and blues vocalist from the western Canadian city of Saskatoon. She was joined on stage by fellow Ukrainian Canadian Christina Chernesky (CFRB radio host).

Metelytsia, a Toronto a cappella quartet of lovely young ladies, charmed the audience with their pleasant blend of voices in traditional Ukrainian songs, and Mr. Evanko, who has just recorded a new CD, performed several popular songs.

The large professional stage was able to accommodate the large Barvinok Dance Ensemble that filled it completely with its lively jumps and turns. By the time the troupe finished this part of the program with the Hopak, the thousands in the audience were primed and ready for VV, who appeared at the festival through the sponsorship of Ukrainian Credit Union and were flown in from Kyiv by Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines. VV did not disappoint anyone: they rocked from one song to another, while Oleh Skrypka moved from one instrument to another - from guitar to accordion, to trumpet and back to accordion. After the show, the crowd danced to the music of the Dunai Band under the stars at Bloor and Jane streets.

On Saturday, the festival started at 9 a.m. with a free breakfast for the first 1,000 people courtesy of Buduchnist Credit Union. Next came a colorful parade of over 1,000 participants that was led by Mississauga newspaper publisher and community activist Ron Lenyk - this year's parade marshall. The judges chose Karpaty Export-Import as the best commercial entry and Sadochok Daycare as the best non-commercial entry.

The official ceremonies opened at 12:30 p.m. from the grand stage, with anthems performed by Baturyn Band followed by greetings from Festival Chairman Jurij Klufas, Council General of Ukraine Ihor Lossovsky, City Councilors David Miller, Chris Korwyn-Kuczynzki and Gloria Lindsay Luby.

Special guest Marta Farion, chairman of the Sister Cities International Program, brought greetings from Chicago's Mayor Daley and Kyiv's Mayor Omelchenko. A beautiful statue created by Toronto sculptor Oleh Lesiuk was presented by the City of Toronto to twin city Chicago. This multiple twinning - Toronto-Kyiv, Chicago-Kyiv and Toronto-Chicago - was a unique situation. In recognition of this twinning, an art pavilion sponsored by the city of Toronto showcased the works of artists from all three cities.

The performers of the all-day stage show ranged from Montreal Ukrainian flamenco guitarist Andrey Kutash and the vocal duo of Vera and Oksana. The new Musical Theater Group, supported by St. Vladimir's Institute, entertained with a classical program as did bass-baritone Levko Evasiuk. They were followed by the vocal duo of Oresta Babyuk and Andrijka Wasilewski. The ever-popular dance groups included Toronto's Desna, Ukraina and Vesnianka; Dunai of Niagara Falls and Barvinok of Windsor. Special guests at this year's festival were The Johnson Academy of Irish Dancing. Emmy winner Orest Sushko entertained on tsymbaly, with Ronnie Nykolyshyn on accordion. Back by popular demand was violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk and his band Ablaze.

Giving emcee Evanko a hand as well as a break from the two-day show were Ola Szczuryk, Mr. Malarek, an award-winning journalist, and Zenon Chwaluk. Victor was also on hand signing copies of his book "Gut Instinct" and promoting his upcoming book "The Natasha's."

The 9 p.m. Saturday performance of VV was superb, and as the group quickly headed from Bloor Street to the Palais Royal (site of last year's Rolling Stones Concert) for a midnight show, the huge crowd took the street once again to dance to the tunes of the Dunai Band.

Along with a huge children's midway, the children's pavilion sponsored by Dr. Alexandre Kostirko and Associates provided lots of activities for children, including children's performances on various instruments and several budding vocalists. This is one area of the festival that will be developed in the future, according to organizers, who acknowledged the sponsorship of the government of Canada in providing children's attractions at the festival.

The large crowds participated in the activities at the community pavilions run by St. Joseph's Health Center Hospital, St. Vladimir's Institute, the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Volodymyr, and St. Demetrius (Ukrainian Catholic) Corporation and Care Center.

Guests sampled delicacies at the many food vendors serving traditional Ukrainian and other ethnic fare. This year for the first time the festival featured a craft artist - wheat weaver Irene Topolnitsky from Edmonton. Shoppers also had diverse selections, not only from the local businesses, but also from the over 50 vendor kiosks on the street.

The VIP and Volunteer Pavilion sponsored by So-Use Credit Union was enjoyed by the many sponsors and guests and much appreciated as a place to relax by all the volunteers who contribute time and energy to help organize the massive festival.

Another first for the festival organizing committee was securing The Valhalla Inn as the host hotel with a special rate of $99 for festival attendees.

"Without the many generous sponsors, the festival could not exist," said Raya Shadursky. Being a city of Toronto-designated street festival, there is no admission charge. "It is free," said Ms. Shadursky, "which makes it a real challenge financially."

Jurij Klufas, chair of the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival stated: "We want to share our culture with the world and we look forward to welcoming everyone to next year's eighth annual Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival."

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