TORONTO – The Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch opened its newest exhibit, “Diverse Yet United Part 2,” on September 10 in celebration of Ukrainian Heritage Day.
The exhibit was opened officially by Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament Yvan Baker and was attended by over 70 guests, who also enjoyed Heritage Day festivities and cuisine.
Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario Yvan Baker opens the exhibit.
In 2014, “Diverse Yet United Part 1” featured costumes from the ethnographic regions along Ukraine’s western border, emphasizing the influence of neighboring countries on these regions.
Part 2 of this exhibit of exquisitely crafted “sorochky” (shirts) and richly complex full costumes draws attention to the southern, eastern, central regions of Ukraine and part of western Ukraine: the Black and Azov sea regions, Sloboda region, Central Dnipro region, Podillia and Pokuttia.
Ukraine’s diversity is evident in the exhibition as each area demonstrates regional colors, patterns and styles influenced by topography, flora, fauna and the tastes of its inhabitants.
A Crimean Tatar wedding costume.
Center stage belongs to the Crimean Tatar installation. Crimea is now occupied by the Russian Federation following the illegitimate orchestrated “referendum” that was condemned by the European Union, Canada, the United States, Japan, Georgia, Turkey and others. Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars maintain that this territory was, is and will be part of Ukraine.
Light is also shed on eastern Ukraine, where Russia is waging war, while claiming non-involvement in the conflict, calling it a “civil war.” Citizens of the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts continue to consider themselves Ukrainian and their territories part of Ukraine. Information about notable public figures born in the regions presented in the exhibit forms a part of the display.
The mandate of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch, is to acquire, preserve, research, study, document and display representative artifacts that portray the Ukrainian heritage and its contribution to Canada and to share this knowledge with other Canadians. The museum is a member of both the Canadian Museums Association of Canada and the Ontario Museum Association.
A wedding costume from the Black and Azov sea region.
“Diverse Yet United Part 2,” will be on view until March 12, 2016. The Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch, is located at 620 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario M6S 2H4; telephone, 416-923-3318 ext. 105. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 p.m.; evenings and weekends by appointment. Though there is no admission fee, a donation at the door is appreciated.
For further information readers may visit the museum’s website at www.umcontario.com and its Facebook page.