Kingston Festival Shows Community Interest in Ukrainian Culture

One of Canada’s longest-running Ukrainian folk festivals, now in its 43rd consecutive year, the “Lviv, Ukraine” pavilion again drew record audiences of Kingstonians and other guests over the weekend of 8, 9, 10 June 2012. The public was delighted to see hourly performances of Ukrainian folk dancing by the Maky and Dorist ensembles, trained by creative director Nadia Luciuk. In The Whig Standard, she spoke of the folklore festival giving communities the opportunity to showcase their own culture in Kingston. Around 40 years ago, “people didn’t understand the [cultural] differences… [now] they don’t feel as shy when expressing their culture” – the Ukrainian Folklore festival has created more stability within each cultural community in Kingston, Ont.

Sponsored by the Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston, Ont., The Lviv, Ukraine Folklore Festival is organized and run by many volunteers for visitors to enjoy traditional Ukrainian cuisine, dancing, embroidery displays and other exhibits. All proceeds from the festival go to providing free dance classes in Kingston, Ont.

Next year’s Folklore Festival will be on 7, 8, 9 June 2013.

PHOTOS

1 - Festival Volunteers at “Lviv, Ukraine” Pavilion

2 - Youth dancers at “Lviv, Ukraine” Folklore Festival