QUICK LINKS
23rd Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival
Sunday, August 24, 2014
12:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Over 2,500 Gathered at the Ukrainian America Sport Center – Tryzubivka on the Occasion of the 23rd Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence
By Eugene Luciw
Sun., Aug. 24, Horsham, PA - The Ukrainian and American flags danced in the high blue skies, brilliant sunshine and mild breezes of a delightful picture perfect summer afternoon at the Ukrainian American Sport Center-Tryzubivka. The intense, varied and complex thoughts, prayers and emotions of the gathering crowd were palpable. Click here to read more »
Crowd turns out for Ukrainian festival in Horsham
The Intelligencer, Sunday, August 24, 2014
By Anne Freedman
More than 1,000 [sic., over 2,300 attended] Ukrainians and “Ukrainians for the day” enjoyed folk music, crafts and dancing on Sunday at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham in celebration of the country’s independence from the Soviet Union 23 years ago. Click here to read more »
CULTURAL CELEBRATION: Ukrainian Folk Festival set for this weekend in Horsham
Ticket, August 21, 2014
By TARA LYNN JOHNSON For 21st Century Media
For more than two decades, the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham has celebrated the heritage of the former Soviet republic, which achieved its independence in 1991, in a folk festival filled with food, culture and fun. This year’s event will also feature solemn moments, particularly during the opening ceremony, as participants and organizers take time to recognize the unrest in that region of the world. Click here to read more »
Photo Gallery - Festival 2014
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7421005@N06/sets/72157646985313002/
Photos Courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
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ENJOY THE FUN, FOOD, MUSIC, DANCING AND ARTS AND CRAFTS
VISIT VENDORS GROVE
Exciting, spectacular, dazzling, breathtaking, exhilarating, spirited, soulful, enchanting, captivating, and intriguing – modest words which describe but by no means capture the essence of Ukrainian folk art, music, and dance. From the rich color and deep symbolism of the delicate “pysanka” (Ukrainian Easter Egg) to the thunderous power, rhythm and strength of “HOPAK” – the world’s most exciting ethnic dance - and every brilliant “Kolomiyka” (polka) and soulful folk song in between, we invite you to experience the 23rd Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival, celebrating the anniversary of our ancestral homeland’s independence. This year’s extravaganza will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2014, beginning at 12:00 Noon at the Ukrainian American Sport Center - Tryzub (www.tryzub.org) located at County Line and Lower State Roads, Horsham, PA.
Sponsors
PROGRAM:
12:00 p.m. – festival begins; vendors; food; kid's fun area
12:00 to 1:30 PM – Karpaty Orchestra: Music & Dancing
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Gala Festival Stage Show
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Public Social Dance (“Zabava”)
Vox Ethnika Orchestra – traditional, modern, ballroom and Polka
FESTIVAL STAGE SHOW FEATURES:
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Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Jenkintown,PA). Voloshky has earned international renown for the vigor and resplendence of its performances. The Voloshky style is bold, powerful, and one of sparkling athleticism. The Ensemble generates a dynamic blend of art and energy characterizing the vitality of the Ukrainian people. Voloshky's artistry and portrayal of Ukrainian dance is testament to a vibrant and enduring culture steeped in rich history. www.voloshky.com.
Voloshky performs Kyivan Hopak
Photo by Christine Syzonenko.
Voloshky performs "Hopak": the most exciting folk dance.
Photo by Christine Syzonenko
Voloshky performs Tsyfrovanyj, a Transcarpathian dance. Photo by Christine
Syzonenko
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The Iskra Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Whippany, NJ) was formed in 2011 by professional dancer, teacher and choreographer Andrij Cybyk. After spending 8 years growing the Iskra Ukrainian Dance Academy in Whippany, NJ, Mr. Cybyk decided it was time to create a semi-professional ensemble to give his students something to strive for. The Iskra Ensemble is comprised of 20 Professional and pre-professional dancers hand-picked by Mr. Cybyk to express his unique style of Ukrainian dance. To date, the Ensemble has amazed audiences at many local New York and New Jersey festivals, as well as the “Wild West Ukie Fest” in Phoenix, Arizona.
Iskra Power. Photo by Christine Syzonenko
Iskra Beauty. Ukrainian Gypsy Dance. Photo by Christine Syzonenko
Iskra Precision. Photo by Christine Syzonenko
- SPIV-Zhyttya (Living.inSONG).The co-leadership of Stephen Szyszka and Oksana Lassowsky formed SPIV-Zhyttya (Living.inSONG) in 2011 in the nation’s capital. With 16 singers, the a cappella group has delighted audiences at concerts, churches and festivals in Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. By invitation, it has sung the Ukrainian and American national anthems at embassy events commemorating Ukrainian independence, and every March, SPIV-Zhyttya convenes at the Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington DC, gathering with the community to pay tribute in song.
Their repertoire includes both the familiar and the new (including premieres of songs by Victor Morozov), and focuses on rarely heard folk, classical and sacred gems of their shared heritage, including selections by Ukrainian composers of note such as Leontovych and Liatoshynksy. Visit and Like SPIV-Zhyttya on Facebook and listen to them on YouTube:
- Violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo (Lviv, Ukraine) starting
at the age of six, Innesa has studied violin with some of Europe’s greatest
masters. She has fused the beauty, power and soul of traditional Ukrainian
folk music with the classical string instrument - the violin. Her fresh,
inventive style has gained critical acclaim from both classical and traditional
music critics. Innesa has toured throughout Europe and North America. www.innesa.com.
- Vox Ethnika BAND (New York City) Its unique compositional approach to music has received wide recognition in the USA, Canada and Europe; its style of transforming East European folk music is influential. Vox Ethnika is the only band that performs all manner of Eastern European Folk and Pop music (Ukrainian, Lemko, Rusyn, Czech, Slovak, and Polish, Rusyn, Ukrainian) set to unique modern arrangements. It also carries a wide, varied and rich repertoire of American and British music – from the twenties to contemporary top hits.
Enjoy Vox Ethnika both on stage and as your band for social dancing at the festival. www.voxethnika.com
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Photos courtesy of Christine Syzonenko
Festival 2013 photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7421005@N06/sets/72157635303356464/
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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