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Since
the 1880s, Ukrainian cultural heritage in Canada has
been and continues to be reflected in the performing and
fine arts. By the early 1950’s, approximately 84,000
Ukrainians resided in Ontario. Toronto became the new
“Ukrainian capital”. They made significant marks in
every facet of Ontario life by contributing to the local
communities. The Ukrainian community took the incredible
opportunity that Ontario presented to it – to live, work
and raise families in peace and become part of Ontario’s
societal fabric – and has succeeded. The Toronto
Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of the Canadian
Ukrainian cultural contributions in Toronto.
The
Festival was born in 1995 as the result of the twinning
of Toronto and Kyiv. It then came under the umbrella of
Ukrainian Canadian Congress Toronto Branch as one of its
projects. While attendance in the first year was
estimated at 3,000, within ten years the Festival has
grown to attract audiences of 350,000.
The
Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Toronto’s
diversity. It has established itself as one of the
premier Ukrainian festivals in North America. The
Festival takes pride in showcasing contemporary
professional and amateur artists and performers of
Ukrainian heritage who celebrate Ukrainian culture
through music, dance and visual arts.
Throughout its thirteen year history, the Festival has
hosted Prime Ministers, federal, provincial and
municipal politicians. The annual parade has been
honoured with Festival Parade Marshals such media
celebrities Luba Goy, Ted Woloshyn, actress Mimi Kuzyk,
community activist Marika Szkambara, former Ontario
Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, former Prime Minister
John Turner, Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Mississauga
News Publisher Ron Lenyk and Canada’s rock n roll legend
Randy Bachman.
The
Festival stage has been host to a number of popular
performers, including Rusalana, Vopli Vidopliasova,
Vasyl Popadiuk, Desna Dance Company of Toronto, Pid
Oblachkom, Kubasonics, The Ukrainians, Arkan Dance
Company, Barvinok, and many more.
The Festival provides an opportunity for numerous
organizations to showcase themselves through the parade,
stage or kiosk areas: for example - The Canadian Armed
Forces, university student clubs, Scotiabank Run, The
Ukrainain Collective of Artists, dance groups, choirs,
karate clubs, sports clubs as well as local, municipal
and federal politicians.
The Ukrainian Canadian community in Canada is made up of
over 4 million people who trace their heritage to
Ukraine and have been part of the Canadian mosaic for
over 128 years. The community is well known and
respected. As a result the Festival attracts diverse
audiences with multi generational families not only from
the GTA, but from all parts of Canada, the USA and
abroad. Repeat visitors are a mainstay of the Festival.
We know this from hotel bookings at our host hotel - The
Four Points Sheraton and the Old Mill Inn, letters to
our website, reports from local businesses and street
vendors.
The Festival has a Board of Directors and an Organizing
committee that come from all walks of life thereby
bringing many diverse experiences and ideas to the
table. Some of them participate as volunteers in other
festivals such as Harbourfront and the Toronto Film
Festival increasing the pool of knowledge as well as in
industry meetings, seminars, tourism conferences and
meetings.
The Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a member of Ontario
Tourism, Tourism Toronto, Festival and Events Ontario,
SOCAN and The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto
Branch.
Festival
Objectives:
-
Promote and foster Ukrainian culture and traditions
as integral elements of Canada's multicultural
mosaic;
-
Provide a venue for Canadians of Ukrainian heritage
to reacquaint themselves with their rich roots;
- Introduce Ukrainian culture to the general Canadian
public and tourists thereby encouraging tolerance,
understanding and
goodwill between all segments of
Canadian society;
- Create a free event that's fun for the whole family
and across all age groups and socioeconomic
backgrounds
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