By Sarah Stone

Ukrainian dancers boast colours and flare for weekend event

Apr 17, 2015 | 11:31 AM

The annual Barveenok Dance Festival is kicking off this weekend for the 28th year.

Katelyn Lysitza, 16, and her sister Brittany, 13, have been competing in the Ukrainian dance festival in Prince Albert for several years.

“When I was just five my mom went and brought me to a performance and I saw the costumes and just fell in love and the fast intricate footwork and I just knew I wanted to be a part of it and I’ve been in love since I started it,” Katelyn said.

Brittany followed suit in her love of Ukrainian dance. One of the most distinctive parts of the dance is the costumes, which travel thousands of miles to be a part of the festival.

“We get our costumes from the Ukraine and there’s different regions in each one, so it kind of relates how they’re living and what they wear,” Brittany said.

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

16h ago

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

23h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

Apr 23, 2024

“The costumes are just, they’re amazing because there’s ones that just fly 180 degrees up or very tight ones and they’re all hand sewn [with] beading and coins, like it’s just so intricate.  And the movements and the music—everything—is just so vivid,” Katelyn added.

For example, in one region the costume would be dark and made of wool material, whereas in another region the costume would be bright and flowy, she explained.

For Katelyn, her favourite part of the experience is when she first steps on stage.

“Because you’re so nervous backstage and when you get on it, it all goes away. To show everybody what you’ve worked on all year and to show them culture and what we have in Ukraine is the best part for me,” Katelyn said.

There are 22 different clubs coming from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta to compete in dance.

And it’s not just dancing that will be taking place at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre over the weekend. 

“You can even just come for food.  There will be, like, perogies and cabbage rolls and traditional Ukrainian foods,” Brittany said.  There will also be Ukrainian clothing and art for purchase.

The festival runs Friday to Sunday.  For more information click here. 

sstone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @sarahstone84