Ukraine–Kyiv Folklorama pavilion stands strong

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This article was published 10/08/2022 (1388 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NORTHWEST WINNIPEG

Winnipeg has been steeped in Ukrainian culture for many decades, and its music and dances have long highlighted the city’s cultural festival, Folklorama. But this year, the Ukraine-Kyiv pavilion was perhaps more emotionally charged than ever.

“After two years of restrictions and weathering COVID and then the last number of months have been extremely tough for our community,” said pavilion spokesperson Mariana Sklepowich, who moved to Canada from Ukraine when she was 11 years old.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine ongoing overseas, the event has garnered a new tint.

“Sometimes it’s really hard to put into words how it feels, but it’s definitely a different feeling this year walking around the pavilion. It’s inspiring but also kind of heartbreaking at times,” Sklepowich said.

Over 1,700 of at least 12 million recently displaced Ukrainians have relocated to Manitoba, and the pavilion has offered a connection to their home country at a crucial time.

“Quite a number of (Ukrainian refugees) are at our pavilion in different capacities,” Sklepowich said.

“Some have come as visitors and guests, others who are volunteering. It’s really just heartwarming to see moms with their little kids who are just thrilled to see all the embroidery and the way that our culture is acknowledged and celebrated here.”

Some newcomers have called from hotels serving as temporary housing for refugees and asked to contribute because they want to give back and contribute to the community that has welcomed them, Sklepowich said.

Newly arrived musicians have come and played their instruments and others have danced, she said.

“It’s an outlet for them to share their passion,” Sklepowich said.

“Music and song and dancing are at the core of our culture, and we use music as a way to hear our souls and to express our sorrow or to express our happiness.”

The pavilion also served up a variety of Ukrainian foods to its guests, including borscht, varenyky (perogies), holubtsi (rice-filled cabbage rolls), kapusta and kovbasa (sauerkraut and garlic sausages), and blueberry varenyky with whipped cream for dessert.

The music, dance and food all served as symbols of Ukrainian culture, and as small shows of defiance against any who would try to destroy it. Sklepowich said after the invasion of Ukraine, pavilion organizers thought long and hard about whether to continue with Folklorama this year.

“We could have pulled out and I think everyone probably would have understood, but it became apparent to us that it was a really crucial time to stand our ground, almost,” she said.

“ Or — I’m trying to find the right phrase — to say that we are here, we exist, and our culture is important and it matters to us … And it’s important that we don’t let anyone take that away from us.”

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress puts on the Ukraine-Kyiv pavilion and will be directing the proceeds from the event toward its humanitarian aid efforts, including helping Ukrainian newcomers settle in Manitoba.

Week 2 of Folklorama will feature a second Ukrainian pavilion called Spirit of Ukraine pavilion, which is organized by the Zoloto Ukrainian Dance Ensemble & Company.

For a complete list of Folklorama pavilions visit www.folklorama.ca