BONNYVILLE – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elias hosted a Vyshyvanka celebration featuring traditional Ukrainian food, songs and dance, with performances by local Ukrainian dancers.
The event took place on May 15 at the St. Louis Parish Hall, and Emcee Genia Leskiw explained the origins and importance of Vyshyvanka.
“Vyshyvanka Day is an international holiday that aims to preserve the Ukrainian folk tradition of creating and wearing ethnic embroidery clothes called Vyshyvanka . . . and it is one of the best-known symbols of Ukrainian culture,” said Leskiw.
She explained that the celebration began in 2006 when a Ukrainian university student suggested her peers choose a day to wear a Vyshyvanka.
“Initially several dozen students and several faculty members wore their embroidered shirts, but the following year [the celebration grew] and later attracted the Ukrainian diaspora around the world, including support in the Ukraine.
Leskiw explained that the day was intentionally set on a weekday to emphasize that the Vyshyvanka is a “component of life and culture for Ukrainians and not just an ancient artifact.”
Leskiw thanked the municipal leaders who attended the event, and Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau made a speech speaking about the richness of culture that Ukrainian immigrants bring to the community.
“It’s a privilege to be able to come here and learn more about the Ukrainian culture . . . Ukrainian people were many of the settlers in this area, so there are generations of Ukrainian families here. I just want to say thank you for all the work that you did in organizing this event. And, to all the new Ukrainians in our community, it is so beautiful to see our community grow, and I hope we continue to have this day to celebrate the culture,” said Brosseau.
Reverand Father Peter Haugen spoke about the importance of culture and initiated a moment of silence to honour those who have lost their lives in the war in the Ukraine.
“It is an important thing that we remember our motherland and where our ancestors came from. Especially right now, as we have passed the third anniversary of the aggression towards Ukraine by Russia, it is an important thing for us to remember them and keep them in our prayers,” said Haugen.
Oksana Vallee works in the Bonnyville office for Action for Healthy Communities (AHC), which is an organization dedicated to serving and building community connections with “Individuals and families from a wide range of socioeconomic, cultural or linguistic backgrounds,” including immigrants, refugees, permanent residents, and those from ethno-cultural groups and organizations, according to the AHC website.
Vallee helped with the event, and was joined by Lisa De Gara, manager of Small Centres at Action for Healthy Communities, who came from Edmonton to participate in the Vyshyvanka celebration in Bonnyville.
Vallee said Vyshyvanka is a beautiful tradition that unites the Ukrainian population in pride and culture. She commented on the resilience of the Ukrainian immigrants that she works with through AHC.
“As a settlement worker, I have worked with many Ukrainian newcomers. From the very first day they arrive I have witnessed firsthand their determination, hard work, and bravery . . . From finding employment, learning a new language, and continuing your studies, your personal progress is really inspiring, and I am proud of each and every one of you,” said Vallee.
She thanked the community of Bonnyville for the support it has shown to the Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian immigrants.
“Your kindness has made a real difference, and without your support we could not have made our newcomers feel as at home as we did,” said Vallee.
De Gara said it has been a pleasure working with Vallee, and communities in the Lakeland.
“It’s such an honour to work alongside Oksana and members of the community who have so much passion, so much love, and so much care, for making this community a welcoming and joyful place to be,” said De Gara.
Attendees were able to socialize over a meal, then the event was consumed with the colourful whirling, leaping, and infectious smiles of the Ukrainian dancers.
When the performance ended, they formed a Kolomayka, which Haugen said translates to a Ukrainian dance circle. The tradition began when early immigrants were coming over on ships. They would circle up on the deck and dance together.
Guests were invited to join in the Kolomayka and the room filled with clapping, laughter, and carefree dancing as people jumped into the circle with alacrity. Children wiggled and twirled, people were hoisted and spun, and some dashed and jumped across the circle making for an uproarious end to the evening.
