Jennifer Fedun hopes people from all backgrounds come to Smith Street this weekend for a听 celebration of multicultarism and dual identities.
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Fedun is the president at the Yorkton branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. They鈥檙e organizing a festival for Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Old Land Titles building. The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
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The festival is called the Svoboda Celebration. Svoboda translates to 鈥渇reedom.鈥�
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The festival honours Canada鈥檚 150th birthday along with Ukraine鈥檚 independence.
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鈥淲e鈥檙e celebrating the dual identities people hold,鈥� Fedun said.
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Ukraine declared听 independence on August 24, 1991, distancing itself from the crumbling Soviet Union. Canada was one of the first countries to recognize its independence. The date is celebrated by Ukrainians around the world.
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The Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Yorkton decided to celebrate its independence day while honouring their Canadian home. It will be their biggest undertaking yet.
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鈥淭his is the first time we鈥檝e done something on our own,鈥� Fedun said.
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The festival will include face-painting and balloon animals. There will also be food and music.听
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There will be a historic fashion show, which will demonstrate the evolution of Ukrainian clothing in Canada from the 1800s to today.
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Fedun said the event is more than a festival for Ukrainian culture; it鈥檚 a celebration of Canada鈥檚 rich multicultural history.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 not just for Ukrainian people,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e invited many communities.鈥�
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Fedun hopes the festival brings people together from various backgrounds and cultures.
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鈥淲e want to emphasize the importance of community and how community is built by everyone,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be scared of different cultures.鈥�
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Nykole King, a community animator with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Saskatoon, is helping organize the event. She鈥檚 been working around Saskatchewan all summer hosting events celebrating Ukrainian culture. She wants to share Ukraine鈥檚 important past with everyone.
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鈥淚 hope people learn about the long history of Ukrainian-Canadians,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e nation-builders here.鈥�
People searching for further information about the festival can call 306-715-9501 or check out UCCYorkton on Facebook.
