Heartfelt Emotions and Messages at Pysanka Festival Opening Ceremonies

It was a beautiful spectacle of song and dance during the July 1 Grandstand Show at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival. The stands were packed as everyone enjoyed the outstanding performances by some of the world’s best Ukrainian dancers.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Heartfelt Emotions and Messages at Pysanka Festival Opening Ceremonies

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

The ongoing war over in Ukraine was never far from the hearts and minds of dignitaries, performers and audience members during the Opening Ceremonies of the 49th Annual Ukrainian Pysanka Festival on July 1.

Curtis Zorniak, President of the Vegreville Cultural Association, welcomed everyone to the Opening Ceremonies. The event began with the singing of the Canadian and Ukrainian National Anthems by students of A.L. Horton School’s Ukrainian Bilingual Program.

Right Reverend Slawomir Lomaskiewicz of the Vegreville Ukrainian Orthodox Church delivered the Invocation that was followed by greetings from dignitaries and elected officials.

Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk said, “It is my pleasure to join you to celebrate the rich heritage of Alberta’s Ukrainian communities. In Alberta we welcome everyone with open arms.

I, myself was raised in the Ukrainian culture and am proud of that. Today, your ancestors and mine came here to create a new life.” Armstrong-Homeniuk said the Pysanka Festival keeps their spirit alive and thanked all of the volunteers and different organizations for all of their efforts. “With the somber events happening overseas, it’s encouraging to see Albertans standing together to support their neighbours.

Zorniak read a message from MP Shannon Stubbs, who was unable to attend the Opening Ceremonies. Stubbs stated, “The annual Pysanka Festival is an amazing and unique opportunity to showcase the rich, vibrant culture through tradition, dance, song, food, demonstrations and exhibits. Given the current situation in Ukraine it is more crucial than ever to embrace and celebrate Ukraine, and make sure those that do not fully understand the seriousness of the situation have opportunity to learn.”

Emcee Curtis Zorniak.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Roger Konieczny, Reeve of the County of Minburn, said it was sure nice to be able to gather together after a few years of virtual greetings. He welcomed dignitaries and guests, and commended the organizing committee for putting together an amazing three days of entertainment and events.

Konieczny concluded by saying, “Today, my thoughts and prayers do go out those in Ukraine. We hope they continue to stay strong and hold off Russian forces so they can preserve their way of life and their unique culture.”

Town of Vegreville Councillor Taneen Rudyk stated, “I welcome you to Vegreville and encourage you to enjoy your experience fully. Time to reflect on what brought us to Vegreville and why we stayed. We have residents who have come to Vegreville as recently as a week ago, or a month ago, and some who’ve been here for hundreds of years or a millennia. For that, reason too, I want to make sure we continue to welcome you.”

Svitlo Ukrainian Dancers perform during Opening Ceremonies.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton Oleksandr Danyleiko wished everyone a happy Canada Day. “It’s my great pleasure to be here with you and to celebrate the great heritage. Ukrainians who came here 130 years ago contributed a lot to the development of this province and development of the whole country, and they enriched Canadian culture with their culture and our heritage and our history to make Canada and Alberta unique.

But while celebrating this Ukrainian culture and heritage here, do not forget big threat in Ukraine because Russians are trying to obliterate us as a country and obliterate us as a people and eliminate our culture and heritage there…So, please don’t forget about them. I know you will do as much as you can to support Ukraine.”

CFCW Radio Personality Jackie Rae Greening had the honour of inducting Rick Wowk into the Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame on behalf of CFCW and the Vegreville Cultural Association. She said the Ukrainian Program had been on the air for 68 years and thanked the Shevchenko Foundation for being the title sponsor of the program.

krainian Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Musician Rick Wowk.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Rae Greening said, “Growing up Rick would have one foot in Edmonton and one foot on the family farm near Vegreville. And when I asked him how he fell into music, he said his dad loved, loved, loved music; but he didn’t have the time or money to pursuit it; but he made sure his three sons did.

Rick remembers riding with his parents, Angela and Bill Wowk in their 58 Oldsmobile leaving the farm and heading back to the city on Sunday and they would sing over and over again every single song.

Rick would learn to play accordion first and then guitar, and by the time he was 11 he would find the instrument he loved, and that was the saxophone. Playboys formed in 1983. You know what came to my mind when I first heard it, and he said no, no, no not those playboys. How the heck did you get your name? Well, our dad would always say, boys, boys, play boys play.

Players have gone over the years, but Rick and Rick have carried on, and next year the Playboys will be celebrating their 40th anniversary.

The Playboys did perform a couple of numbers. As well, the Svitlo Ukrainian Dancers from Vegreville entertained the crowd with their energetic performances.

The Hospodar and Hospodynia Yuri Andryjowycz and Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz addressed the crowd in both English and Ukrainian. They said, “We are very fortunate to live in a free democratic country like Canada where the Ukrainian culture has lived for over 130 years. Our pioneers choose perseverance, tenacity and resilience as they established themselves here and had our culture and traditions grow.

This year we will welcome Ukrainian families from near and far as new immigrants settle here in Canada. Please take in the sights and the hospitality the Pysanka Festival offers. The Ukraine continues to show its colours here. Enjoy the food, the dance, the drink and the markets and each other.”

July 1 Grandstand Shows at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

July 1 Grandstand Shows at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

July 1 Grandstand Shows at the Vegreville Pysanka Festival.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)