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Ukrainians celebrate 21 years of independence
By: Kimberly Flanders
Aug 27, 2012
Thousands of Ukrainians from all over gathered in Horsham on Sunday to celebrate at the 21st annual Ukrainian Folk Festival.
The festival, which is a celebration of Ukrainian independence, included folk music, art, dance and plenty of food.
“This is a day that we celebrate our Ukrainian heritage, and we showcase it with dance and song,” said Dan Nysch, president of the Ukrainian American Sport Center.
According to Nysch, who lives in Upper Dublin, people from “as far as Sacramento” came out to celebrate their Ukrainian culture.
“We have a dance performance all the way from Ukraine to perform here,” he added.
Twenty-one years ago on Aug. 24, Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union, and since then people have celebrated the day with a folk festival.
Maria Bavysh from Zoriany, the Ukrainian Dance, Music and Song Ensemble, plays violin at the 21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham Sunday afternoon. Photo by Carl Kosola.
Zoriany, the Ukrainian Dance, Music and Song Ensemble, performs at the 21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham Sunday afternoon. Photo by Carl Kosola.
Desna Ukrainian Dance Company performs at the 21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham Sunday afternoon. Photo by Carl Kosola.
“It’s a very special day for us. Just like St. Patrick’s Day where everyone is Irish — today, everyone is Ukrainian,” Nysch said.
Most of the individuals attending the event spoke their native language, and booths were set up to showcase cultural items such as the pysanka,” a Ukrainian Easter egg.
A stage was set up so viewers could enjoy dances such as the hopak. Performances included the Zoriany Ukrainian Dance, Music and Song Ensemble, the Desna Ukrainian Dance Company from Toronto and Ukrainian violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo.
Basil Tarasko came from New York City to set up his booth at the festival.
“I come here to sell souvenirs. I live in the U.S., and I’m happy to say that all my roots are from Ukraine,” Tarasko.
“I honor this country, but I am proud to be Ukrainian.”
Not everyone at the festival had Ukrainian heritage. Some people came to enjoy the culture, while others, such as Anthony Scriva, came with Ukrainian loved ones.
“I come here every year, my wife is Ukrainian. I love Ukraine, I go there every year. The food, the people — everything,” said Scriva, a Three Bridges, N.J., resident.
The author of this article can be contacted at:
Kimberly Flanders: (215) 345-3119; kflanders@phillyburbs.com, Twitter: @kimmyflanders
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Festival 2010 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7421005@N06/sets/72157624660669439/with/4917823475/
Festival 2009 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7421005@N06/sets/72157622141049328/
Festival 2008 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7421005@N06/sets/72157606951982441/
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