SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – As 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall declared it the year of Ukrainians in the province. To mark this special milestone year, the Vesna Festival has launched a community project whose goal is to gather the stories of the Ukrainian community’s journey to Canada.
Vesna guests will see these stories displayed either in print or video at the festival, which takes place on May 7. The goal is to collect and retell 125 plus stories as families are encouraged to pay tribute to their grandparents and parents by sharing their unique stories and what it means to them to be Ukrainian Canadian today.
The Vesna Festival will feature a spectacular stage show commemorating 125 years of Ukrainian settlement in Saskatchewan. Serhij Koroliuk has been commissioned to develop the performance piece using dances from local ensembles. This piece will include: musicians, dancers, narrators, special guest cultural performances and more. It promises to be a one-of-a-kind collaboration of the community’s talents while telling the story of the collective Ukrainian Canadian journey.
Meanwhile, excitement around the stories project continues to grow, and community organizations like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Saskatchewan Provincial Council and Saskatoon Branch have added their support. Stories will continue to be collected until the end of 2016, with new elements of the project developing after Vesna Festival. “Stories of our Ukrainian Canadian Journey” will continue to be shared throughout this auspicious year.
Ukrainian Canadian readers may submit their stories to: [email protected]. Every story submission will have an opportunity to win a trip to Ukraine with Cobblestone Freeway’s Tour Ukraine 125.
Tickets to Vesna Festival are now on sale through vesnafestival.com or by calling the ticket provider at 306-653-8353. Tickets for festival include: admission to the festival, “The Ukrainian Canadian Journey Show,” cultural displays, children’s activities and more. Prices are: $45 for adults, $25 for children, free admission for children age 5 and younger. (Service charges will be applied at time of purchase.)
Jannik Plaetner
A little visitor checks out a festival attraction.