Competition at British Columbia's Ukrainian festival attracts dancers of all ages (06/30/02)

Competition at British Columbia's Ukrainian festival attracts dancers of all ages

by Gladys Andreas

BURNABY, British Columbia - Proclaimed as "Ukrainian Festival Day" in the city of Burnaby by Mayor Douglas P. Drummond, April 27 was the date of the seventh annual British Columbia Ukrainian Cultural Festival, which attracted competitors age 5 to 35 for its Ukrainian folk dance competition.

"Hospodar" and "Hospodynia" (host and hostess) Joe and Sylvia Ostrowercha greeted those entering the display area, which featured Easter baking, paska and poppyseed and prune pampushky by members of the Mission Orthodox Church Auxiliary, Ukrainian embroidery by Nancy Worobets and Ora Babec, Ukrainian cross-stitch patterns, gifts and novelties, as well as offerings of various other local businesses, ranging from Vancouver's only Ukrainian music radio program, hosted by Paulette MacQuarrie to travel agency, funeral home and art dealers.

Also on display were books by Danny Evanishen (Summerland), a British Columbia author of Ukrainian folk tales and funny stories about pioneers; the author was on hand to autograph his books. The Ukrainian Studies Foundation of British Columbia also presented its work to the public, as did the Ukrainian Women's Association of Surrey, the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School of Vancouver and other local groups.

At the festival's main entrance guests were entertained with toe-tapping Ukrainian melodies by members of the Traveling Sounds, fiddler Peter Rubenik and guitarist Bob Bisson. In the foyer contestants and spectators were treated to a spectacular sight: the province's largest Easter egg, made by the Fraser Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society back in 1984.

Master of Ceremonies Gordon Yakimow opened the dance competition in the Main Theater. There were just over 300 competitors in the 69 categories totaling 132 entries. Group competition commenced at 9 a.m. with a grand finale at 6:30 p.m. Bohdan Huzyk, served as master of ceremonies in the Upstairs Theater, where solos, duets, and trios were presented from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ukrainian dancers included the following ensembles from cities throughout British Columbia: Cameron Sopilka (Langley), Kvitka (Surrey), Prominnia (Langley), Sosna (Kamloops), Veselka (Kelowna) and Veselka (Victoria), Volia (Langley), Yalynka (Prince George), Yevshan (Abbotsford), Zirka (Vernon) and Zirka (Vancouver). Also participating was the newest dance group in British Columbia, the Academy of International Dance of Langley; competing for the first time were the Dolyna Dancers from the Comox Valley. Out-of-province performers were the Holy Cross Zorianka Dancers of Edmonton.

The judges - Catherine Hauptman, Halia Hirniak, Andrew Katnick, Tania Mysak, Olga Ruban Manolopoulos and Victoria Ruban-Kilpatrick - noted that they were impressed with the caliber of dance presented by the outstanding dance instructors and dedicated and excited dancers.

New to this year's festival were two trophies. The Peter Arychuk Memorial Trophy, awarded for the highest score in dance from the Bukovynian Region, was presented by his wife, Kay Arychuk, to Melody DeVries, who received a score of 97 for her solo performance of "Bukovynian Maiden."

Mr. Arychuk, who passed away on June 15, 2001, was a long time member and past president of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary in Surrey. He was dedicated to the festival, spending countless hours volunteering as well as supporting it financially and strongly believed that his Ukrainian heritage was important to pass on to others.

The Sam and Martha Lebedovich Trophy for the highest score in dance from the Poltava Region was presented by Sam Lebedovich to Peter Walker (Prominnia) for his solo performance, which received a score of 100.

The Lebedoviches moved to British Columbia from Manitoba and have been devout supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church all their lives. Mrs. Lebedovich, who died on November 21, 2001, was a schoolteacher who taught choirs and created crafts, specializing in Easter egg writing and petit point. Mr. Lebedovich is a retired real estate agent who has served and continues to serve on various church executives, in addition to being active in the cultural and educational fields within the Ukrainian Self Reliance Association. He was a founding member and served on the executive board of the British Columbia Ukrainian Cultural Festival Society.

The executive presented the British Columbia Ukrainian Cultural Festival Trophy for the highest score of 94 in the Pryvit (Welcome Dance) category. The Kvitka and Holy Cross Zorianka Dancers shared this trophy.

Albert and Gladys Andreas, presented the Andreas Founders Award Trophy for the highest score of 93.5 in the Hopak category to Holy Cross Zorianka Dancers for their rendition of the national dance of Ukraine.

The festival's Easter egg Workshop directed by Joan Brander attracted participants of all ages, from children to adults, creating amazing art. Ukrainian music could be heard upon entering the cafeteria, and the aroma of Ukrainian soul food- varenyky, holubtsi, kovbasa and borsch- filled the air.

The executive and directors of the British Columbia Ukrainian Cultural Festival Society extended their gratitude to all the volunteers and competitors, their parents and instructors for their devotion in keeping Ukrainian dance alive, as well as to the public organizations, private businesses and patrons who support the festival year after year.

The eighth annual festival has been slated for Saturday, May 3, 2003, at the Clarke Foundation Theater, located at the Heritage Park Secondary School, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission, British Columbia. For information see the webpage at: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/bcucf.

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