Solidarity and heritage shown during CultureFest’s Ukraine Night

Yorkton's Downtown CultureFest continued with Ukraine Night on Thursday. (Fruzsina De Cloedt / CTV News)

Yorkton’s Downtown CultureFest continued its weekly event series on Thursday with a taste of Ukrainian culture.

The event was met with strong winds, cool temperatures, and the threat of rain, but that didn’t stop residents from gathering to celebrate.

“Taste of Ukraine” was part of a lineup of themed Thursdays aimed at showcasing different cultures throughout the month, drawing families and visitors to experience music, dance and food from around the world.

Festivities kicked off with a live performance featuring traditional Ukrainian instruments, followed by dance performances.

“We started off with this huge band, and they brought out the Ukrainian instruments, which is very fun to have. They had that cimbalom come out and so they played for about an hour,” said organizer Larissa Van Caeseele.

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The event featured a mix of performers, including local groups and individuals sharing their talents through music and dance. A young boy from Ituna, dressed in Ukrainian folk wear, delivered a particularly popular dance performance.

Beyond entertainment, the event carried deeper meaning for Yorkton’s Ukrainian community, especially in light of ongoing global events.

“I think [the importance of the event is] supporting the Ukrainian community,” Van Caeseele said. “Showing support for the Ukrainian immigrants that we have in Yorkton now because of the war and showing that our culture is still alive and we are supporting our family and ancestors in and from Ukraine.”

Van Caeseele said she knows Yorkton has many immigrants from Ukraine who arrived between 2020 and 2023.

In addition to music and dance performances, food vendors were another highlight of the day, offering a variety of Ukrainian options for visitors to try.

“The Ukrainian booth has the perogies, the sausage, and then we have the mini donuts,” Van Caeseele said.

Despite the chilly conditions, organizers expressed their appreciation for those who came out to support the event, especially considering that CultureFest’s Ukrainian-themed evening had been washed out by rain for the past two years.

“I would like to say thank you for coming out on such a cloudy day. It was a very fabulous day to showcase our Ukrainian traditions and our Ukrainian culture,” Van Caeseele said.

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That spirit of sharing extended beyond performances and food. The event also incorporated a delayed celebration of Vyshyvanka Day, traditionally marked in May, encouraging attendees to wear embroidered Ukrainian shirts and take part in a group photo.

“Vyshyvanka is your embroidered blouse or embroidered shirt,” Van Caeseele explained. “It is a day to wear and be proud of Ukrainian heritage and the Ukrainian shirts that you have.”

The May celebration had been rained out, making Thursday’s CultureFest a fitting opportunity to bring the community together.

There were at least two dozen women, proudly smiling at the camera in their blouses at City Centre Park.

Looking ahead, organizers say they plan to return next year to continue the tradition, albeit with better weather.

“We come every year and we can’t wait to join next year,” Van Caeseele said.

Downtown CultureFest continues each Thursday throughout June, highlighting different cultures and offering residents a chance to experience the diversity that shapes the Yorkton community.

Next week, on June 18, the city will get a taste of the Philippines and India.