BWV Ukrainian Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Volunteers and sponsors are behind event’s ever-growing success

By Olena Wawryshyn

This year, at the 10th annual Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival, it was evident that the three-day celebration has truly become an established part of Toronto’s cultural fabric. The level of participation and the enthusiasm demonstrated by the festival goers, local shopkeepers, organizers, dignitaries and entertainers seemed to be at an all-time high.

Days before the festival’s start, Bloor Street, from Jane Street to Glendonwynne Road, was festooned with blue-and-yellow streamers and several local businesses displayed Ukrainian flags.

On August 25, the excitement was palpable as large crews set up the concert stages and kiosks. The festivities got underway at 7:00 p.m., despite a heavy downpour, with a concert featuring musicians and dancers, followed by a performance by vocal quartet Pid Oblachkom and a post-show launch of the ensemble’s new self-titled CD.

On Saturday, festival-goers meandered through the street, checking out the booths showcasing various wares, including books, records, jewellery and souvenirs, and visiting booths of Ukrainian businesses and organizations, including the New Pathway. At the eastern end of the grounds, children enjoyed the midway games and the amusement rides.

Pedestrian traffic increased as the day wore on. Long lines formed in front of the food kiosks offering traditional Ukrainian fare all afternoon and into the evening, when the Zirkova and Trembita bars reached a maximum capacity.

Senator Raynell Andreychuk, this year’s parade marshal, led the parade as onlookers waved to the participants of all ages, from the pre-schoolers of the Sonechko Childcare Centre to the Ukrainian war veterans. As in past years, Toronto Mayor David Miller marched with the Baturyn band.

A record number of groups and organizations (52) were eligible for the best parade-entry competition. The judges, Sonia Holiad, Lesia Szwaluk, of the Shevchenko Foundation, and Borys Sirsky, later awarded the Desna Ukrainian Dance Company with a trophy for best non-commercial entry. The Toronto Ukrainian Credit Union won in the commercial category.

At the opening ceremony, after the singing of the Canadian and Ukrainian national anthems, festival chairman Jurij Klufas and vice president Olya Grod introduced the many dignitaries.

Special guest Roger Longfellow of the Mississauga First Nations, whose ancestors lived on the territory of the festival grounds, sang a traditional song of his people and thanked God, the Creator, for the day of celebration.

After a traditional welcome with bread and salt by members of the Vatra Dance Ensemble from Brampton, many of the politicians addressed the audience. With a by-election in the local riding of Parkdale High Park only weeks away, MPP hopefuls, Liberal Sylvia Watson, NDP Cheri DiNovo (flanked by fellow NDP-er Parkdale High Park MP Peggy Nash) and PC David Hutcheon were in campaign mode as was Liberal leadership contender Gerard Kennedy. Wearing a Ukrainian shirt, he made reference to his Ukrainian grandfather in his address.

The most noteworthy address was delivered by Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj, who recently resigned from his position as Associate Critic of Foreign Affairs after his statements relating to the Middle East conflict came under criticism.

“Notwithstanding the criticism, there are politicians who will speak out,” he said. “And I will speak out because I am of proud Ukrainian ancestry and for centuries our people were occupied and subjugated, yet we continued to speak out, and because I am a proud Canadian with a half-century of Pearsonian legacy with a belief in patient diplomacy and negotiations as a method of resolving international crises,” he added.

Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Colle presented an award to Grod and festival executive director Raya Shadursky for their volunteerism and leadership.

A cabaret show emceed by Olya Szczuryk Lishchyna and Victor Malarek was the Saturday night mainstage highlight. A brief rainstorm during the show did not dampen spirits.

 Among this year's performers were many dance groups, including Desna, who have appeared annually since the festival's inaugural year, Edmonton's Dunai as well as the Chornomor Kozaky from Ukraine. Various entertainers graced the youth stage.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, the festival is a not-for-profit venture. According to organizers, the festival cannot charge an entrance fee (being a city of Toronto Festival), unlike some comparable festivals, nor does it generally receive any arts grants from the city or the province, despite its ever-increasing popularity and contribution to generating tourism. Performers, including those who come from out of town, are self-funded or appear courtesy of sponsors.

The many costs—from paying for street cleaners to equipment rentals–of putting on this large-scale event, which has had a huge impact in promoting Ukrainian culture, are enormous.

It is the volunteer efforts of up to 200 individuals and the financial support provided by businesses headed up by Ukrainians, and by Ukrainian-Canadian financial institutions, including all three of the major credit unions, that account for not only the festival’s outstanding success but its very existence.