A large-scale celebration of the 10th anniversary of the “Northwest Ukrainian International Festival” – the largest Ukrainian cultural event on the West Coast of the United States – gathered thousands of guests in Bellevue Downtown Park and became an important event not only for the Ukrainian community, but also for the residents of Washington State in general. Organizers noted that this festival has been a symbol of unity and preservation of Ukrainian traditions in the region since 2016.
This was reported by Pacific Ukrainian Society.
The program included embroidery competitions, a wedding show with a bouquet toss, official greetings from representatives of the United States and Ukraine, as well as a children's zone with attractions, games and workshops. Visitors had the opportunity to taste Ukrainian cuisine and try delicacies from other nations. The fair booths presented products from local businesses, traditional embroidered clothing and Ukrainian souvenirs.
The performances on the main stage attracted special attention. The Glorious pop and symphony orchestra and the united choir under the direction of Andriy Yablotsky created an atmosphere of unity and solemnity. Among the participants were singer Roman Vashchuk, the winner of the show “Voice of the Nation” Anton Kopytin, bandurist Valentyn Lysenko, the Seattle-Svitanok choir, the Kuzomka Band, students of Olha’s Music Academy, the Sensation dance studio, the Washington Ballet Academy, and the rhythmic gymnastics club. The bright guests were Oksana Partyka, Olga Melnyk, Kristina Stepanchenko, Alina Valuyska, Victoria and Sofia Kozlovych.
The festival also gave guests the opportunity to win valuable prizes. As part of the Prize Draw, sponsors raffled off a trip for two to Hawaii, certificates for legal services, fuel cards, embroidered shirts, souvenir maces, gift certificates from the Meest company, and even their own website-business card.
A separate event was the performance of the famous Ukrainian saxophonist, laureate of international competitions Mark Myronchuk, who presented an original program. The Toloka Ukrainian Culture Center organized a craft tent in the "City of Heroes", where they held master classes for children and parents in the style of Samchykiv painting - an element of the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine.
Young members of the Svitanok children's choir also presented their talents, who, wearing embroidered shirts and wreaths, performed various Ukrainian songs, creating a special atmosphere of warmth and sincerity. Among other participants was the HraiMore group, which thanked everyone for supporting the performance and shared songs and dances near the Toloka tent.
Every year, the festival brings together tens of thousands of Ukrainians and connoisseurs of Ukrainian culture in Bellevue Downtown Park. In addition to the cultural program, a fundraiser was organized to support Ukraine and Ukrainian defenders. The organizers were the Pacific Ukrainian Society and the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Seattle Valeriy Holoborodko.
“The Ukrainian Festival has always promoted Ukrainian culture, the Ukrainian language, and Ukrainian cuisine. At the same time, the festival shows our unity and courage in the struggle for independence and democracy,” said Oleh Pynda, director of the Ukrainian Civic Center. He also thanked the organizers and guests, emphasizing: “The United States has given shelter to many Ukrainians… May our prayers for the preservation of our land and the strength of Ukraine never cease. Everything will be Ukraine!”, he added.
The festival was also attended by official delegations. Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Denys Senik thanked the organizers, in particular the Pacific Ukrainian Society and Honorary Consul Valeriy Holoborodko. He especially noted the support of Bellevue Mayor Lynn Robinson, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Senik emphasized that this year's festival also marked the strengthening of relations between Washington State and Kyiv Oblast within the framework of a partnership agreement. An agreement was signed between the cities of Algona and Kostopil in Rivne Oblast as part of the event.
The holiday was also joined by the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco Dmytro Kushneruk, Brigadier General of the US Air National Guard Kenneth Borchers, consuls of various countries and even the sixth-generation great-granddaughter of the Seattle leader Amber Kant. They also expressed gratitude to Bishop Viktor Prokhor and the Council of Ukrainian Christian Churches for their support of the community and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
The organizing committee of the festival emphasized that the main goal of the event is to spread Ukrainian culture, present the Ukrainian community of the Northwest, and strengthen ties between it and the local population.
The tenth anniversary festival in Seattle once again proved that Ukrainian culture and traditions remain alive and unite people in different parts of the world.
Author: Danylo Pievchev