Celebrating and Toasting The Ukrainian Holidays

By Adria Pelensky

This Holiday Season is proving to be an especially exciting time. “Ukrainian Christmas” – Rizdvo on Jan. 7 and New Year’s Eve – Malanka on Jan. 13, follow the Julian calendar. For the first time ever, these holidays are being acknowledged by the world’s largest purchaser of alcohol beverage products, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.  The LCBO collaborates with suppliers to highlight important events for specific communities.  This year, the Ukrainian holidays will be one of the highlighted events.  In particular, it will be the first time ever that the Ukrainian language will be on display inside an LCBO store.

John Vellinga is President of Multiculture Bevco, which imports and markets most of the premium Ukrainian alcoholic beverages sold in Canada.  Vellinga was delighted with the program. “We never participated in anything like this with the LCBO.  We have extensively promoted our brands at Ukrainian-community events, but this is a great way to showcase these world-class products to a broader community that may not be familiar with them.  It also shows how committed the LCBO is to serving diverse communities, which is impressive for such a large retailer.”

From January 5^th through the 18^th, select LCBO stores will host end-aisle displays featuring the company’s array of Ukrainian products.  Slava Ultra Premium and Zirkova vodka, Slavutich and Lvivske beer, as well as Krimsekt White Brut sparkling wine will be showcased in the promotional program. 

The vodkas and beers are available at selected LCBO stores year-round, but Krimsekt is back just for the holidays.  Krimsekt is available in limited quantities and only in a few stores. Early purchase will avoid disappointment.  This special product will not be available again until next Christmas season.

For a simple, fast and easy way to find an LCBO store that sells these fine Ukrainian beverages, visit www.lcbo.com. On the web-page, in the right hand upper corner, type and search the desired product name. Once connected to a product listing page, click on the product name for product information details, and from there, find convenient store locations by clicking on “Find Stores”. Not only can you find LCBO Stores where the product is sold, but even the number of bottles in stock. Also, to see which LCBO Stores are participating in the Ukrainian Holiday End Aisle Display, go to the home page of www.ukiestore.com.