Ukrainian culture front and centre at weekend festival

Calgary’s Ukrainian community is inviting everyone to come out experience their culture and cuisine this weekend.

This is the 14th year for the Calgary Ukrainian Festival which features performers from across Western Canada bringing you the very best in Ukrainian song, dance and music.

Organizers say with so many Ukrainian newcomers to our city this is the perfect chance to help them settle in.

“I think it's incredibly important for the community to remain connected to our culture. Also, with the influx of newcomers from Ukraine, to me personally and to the board, it feels just so important right now to give a sense of normalcy, that connection to their homeland, and giving a little bit of that relief and some joy throughout a really difficult time,” said festival marketing director Christina Chumak.

The festival also features vendors, artisans, nonstop performances, local talent from Calgary, and some special guests, artists from Ukraine.

“We have three different pavilions and one of them we have vendors and then in another we have local artisans as well,” said Chumak. “So those are more handcrafted goods really unique. You can't find those online. And so it's really great exposure for these vendors and artisans as well to share their craft.”

The event runs until 6 p.m. Sunday at the Acadia Recreation Complex, 240 90 Ave. S.E.

General admission for those aged 13-64 is $10, seniors defined as 65+ and youth aged are both $5, while anyone under 5 is free.