By Vincent Lee
“Bitaemo!” means welcome, and the Ukraine-Kyiv welcomes you to join them with great food, friends, and family at Maples Collegiate.
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The Ukraine-Kyiv Pavilion is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko, known as the “Shakespeare” of Ukraine, and symbol for Ukraine’s passion for freedom from all forms of tyranny. His works of poetry have been translated into many languages including Polish, Czech, Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, German and French. There are over 600 statues of Shevchenko honouring his memory, with one statue on the grounds of the Manitoba legislature. The cultural display at the pavilion showcases all things Shevchenko, filled with sculptures and artistic works bearing his resemblance.
Guests will be treated to a great show, and will want to stick around because each performance of every day is different. If you attended earlier this week, you would have had the chance to see the high energy high-kicking traditional dance performances from both the Selo Ukrainian Dance school, and Zavirukha Ukrainian Dance School. In addition, you would’ve clapped along to the strong vibrant voice of Sofia Bilozor, the 2005 Ukrainian Festival Idol Winner from Dauphins National Ukrainian Festival.
Food items include borshch, berenyky (perogies), holubtsi (rice-filled cabbage rolls), kapusta (sauerkraut) and for dessert, nalysnyky (crepes) or tortes/cheesecake.
The one significant difference that sets this pavilion apart from the rest of the pavilions at Folklorama is the marketplace. Maples Collegiate gymnasium has been transformed into a European marketplace filled with souvenirs, Ukrainian delicacies and desserts, and music. It has an absolutely unbelievable atmosphere, as this is where community spirit thrives. On very good word from one of the coordinators at the pavilion, this is the setting where many have met their future husbands and wives at this exact location. Visitors are encouraged to stay and mingle in the marketplace as tables are set up to enjoy more food, music, and great company. =Who knows? Maybe you too, can meet the love of your life here.
Showtimes are nightly at 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., (late night parties on Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.) An early show runs Saturday at 5 p.m.
View the photo gallery below.
ChrisD.ca video/Vincent Lee
