The annual festival took place at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral. For two days, attendees enjoyed Ukrainian cuisine, live music, dancing, and a vibrant concert program. The event was a celebration of culture and a charitable initiative. All proceeds will go toward renovating the cathedral and helping Ukraine.
This was reported by St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
The festival opened with a solemn flag-raising ceremony attended by veterans, the parish priest, Fr. Ivan Lyman, and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, who welcomed the community.
The festival stage featured performances by dozens of artists, including children's and adult groups, and finalists from Ukrainian talent shows. Notable performers included Yuriy Yaremchuk and Taras Melnyk. Festival participants had the opportunity to see colorful dances, hear folk and contemporary songs, and enjoy instrumental music. For the first time in Taste of Ukraine's history, the concert program lasted from morning to evening over the course of two festival days.
A special moment of the festival was the participation of representatives of public organizations. Marta Farion, president of the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, presented Maria Pappas, Cook County's chief treasurer, with an art poster by Ukrainian artist and illustrator Nikita Titov. Pappas won the poster at an auction to benefit Ukrainian veteran students. Titov's work depicts a heart that is beating but standing firm — a symbol of Ukraine's indestructibility.
During the ceremony, Farion, who is also the vice president of the Illinois branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, congratulated the parishioners and the church rector, Ivan Lyman, on the opening of the traditional festival.
"Summer weekends in Chicago are a time for street festivals in every neighborhood. This Sunday marked the start of the Ukrainian community's festival season: Cortez Street hosted this year's "Taste of Ukraine" festival, organized by St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The opening, which began at noon, was filled with a warm atmosphere of families, talented children, guests of honor, and, despite the heat, a sea of energy and smiles," Marta Farion shared.
The festival also featured a tent city with traditional Ukrainian dishes, a children's area, and activities for the whole family. Talented children performed for the audience, singing and dancing despite the heat, and their performances were particularly popular. Visitors had the opportunity to do good deeds while spending the weekend in a friendly atmosphere.
The organizers thank everyone who supported the event and emphasize: "Taste of Ukraine" is not only a holiday but also a cause that unites the community around culture and helping Ukraine.
Photo: Maria Klimchak.
Author: Danylo Pievchev