Ukraine the Focus of Folklore Festival

By Katrina Geenevasen,

Kingston This Week

27 May 2012

Very few things in this world compare to the delicious flavour of homemade pierogies.

Good thing plenty of them can be found at the upcoming Lviv, Ukraine Folklore Festival [in Kingston, Ont.]

Held at Regiopolis Notre Dame Catholic High School from June 8 to 10, the Folklore Festival will celebrate the traditions, culture, food and entertainment of Ukraine.

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the popular volunteer-run festival.

“It’s a nice, pleasant and inclusive gathering of people from Kingston who not only come together to celebrate Canadian-Ukrainian culture, but also to just enjoy a very pleasant weekend,” said Lubomyr Luciuk, President of the Ukrainian-Canadian Club of Kingston.

All of the food is homemade onsite, said Luciuk. That means everyone can get a healthy dose of kapusta (sauerkraut), Ukrainian beer and, of course, the pierogies – nearly 6,000 of them, in fact.

“It’s a great way to gain weight,” joked Luciuk.

There will also be exhibits on the political history of Ukrainians in Canada, as well as Ukrainian handicrafts available as souvenirs.

There won’t be a shortage of entertainment, with Ukrainian dancing taking place every hour on the hour.

“I think it enriches the lives of Kingstonians,” said Luciuk of the Festival.

The Folklore Festival used to be much larger. At its peak, there were more than 24 pavilions represented by various cultures, including Dutch, Hungarian, Filipino and Scottish. The Ukrainian group is the only one left to carry on with the annual event.

Luciuk said Ukrainians continue to come to Canada and make many contributions to Canadian society at all levels, including sports, culture, political life, arts and science.

He added that it’s a tradition they would hate to see disappear.

“Our view has always been that we’ll continue to do this for as long as we’re able, as long as there is an interest,” said Luciuk. “Certainly, the interest remains. Our audiences have done nothing but increase.”

The event will begin June 8 and run from 6 to 10 p.m., and begin at noon again the next day.

Passports are available for $5 at the door, or in advance from various downtown merchants.

Seniors and children under 12 can get into the event for free.

“The passport price has not changed in 33 years,” said Luciuk proudly. “It’s not a money-making event. It’s to expose Kingston to the Ukrainian-Canadian experience and give them a nice, family-oriented time for a very inexpensive price.”