Celebrating Ukrainian Culture and Heritage in Alberta

News Release

Government of Canada provides funding to the Vegreville Cultural Association

July 4, 2014 – Vegreville, Alberta – Department of Canadian Heritage

The Vegreville Cultural Association will celebrate the rich heritage of Alberta’s Ukrainian community at the 41^st annual Ukrainian Pysanka Festival, thanks to an investment of $10,500 from the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.

Festival activities include presentations of Ukrainian music, dance, and folk songs, as well as artisan craft demonstrations, storytelling, and artifact displays.

Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament (Vegreville–Wainwright), made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

This year’s Ukrainian Pysanka Festival takes place from July 4 to 6, 2014.
The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada arrived in the late 1800s and settled largely in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. There are more than 300,000 Canadians of Ukrainian descent living in Alberta today, according to Statistics Canada.
Vegreville is home to the world’s largest pysanka, a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg decorated with folkloric designs. The pysanka statue was constructed in 1974 to commemorate the centennial of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
Canada History Week runs from July 1to 7 each year and is an opportunity for all Canadians from coast to coast to coast to learn about the people and events that have shaped our great nation on the local and national level.

Quotes

“Local festivals bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and contribute to building strong communities. I am proud that our Government has taken decisive steps to strengthen our shared sense of heritage. During Canada History Week, I encourage all Canadians to discover the unique people, places, and events that make Canada the united, strong, and free country we live in today.”

—The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

“The Ukrainian Pysanka Festival increases accessibility to the arts and promotes cultural diversity by showcasing the rich heritage of Alberta’s Ukrainian community. I congratulate and thank the Vegreville Cultural Association for its energy, enthusiasm, and hard work. Thank you for making our lives a little richer.”

—Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament (Vegreville–Wainwright)

“The Vegreville Cultural Association is extremely grateful for the Government of Canada’s support of the Ukrainian Pysanka Festival. This funding helps the Festival meet its objectives to provide a stage for artisans and heritage performers to display and demonstrate their talent and knowledge of Ukrainian heritage and culture through Ukrainian-themed music, song, dance, craft work, folk art, dress, speech, and food.”

—Patricia Shewchuk, Pysanka Festival Coordinator, Vegreville Cultural Association