The first annual “Arizona Ukrainian Fest” was held in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The festival combined an art competition, a concert program, a fair, Ukrainian cuisine and charitable initiatives in support of Ukraine. The event was attended by both Ukrainians and representatives of the local American community for a joint celebration of culture, art and traditions.
This was reported by the festival organizers.
The festival began with the Divine Liturgy, after which the main event with concerts, a fair and children's activities began. During the day, folk singer, ethnomusicologist and folklorist Inna Kovtun, bands U3Zub, Vydelka, AriZori, Namysto, Ukrainian Theater of Arizona with a nativity scene, folk singers from San Diego Olenka Kleban and Tetiana Verezhak, as well as bandurist Luke Laschuk Miller, folk orchestra conductor Nicholas Novi together with Roman Fly and Hans-Leo Thuling, and others performed on stage.
A separate element of the program was a prayer for peace in Ukraine, after which the festival part continued with evening performances and raffles.
Festival guests could taste authentic Ukrainian dishes - borscht, varenyky, pelmeni, cheesecakes, sausages, cabbage rolls, as well as Ukrainian beer and wine. Food courts and shops with crafts, including icons and souvenirs, were open.
The event featured 50/50 charity draws and gift baskets, with all proceeds going to support Ukraine during the war.
The festival also featured an “Art Contest” dedicated to the theme “Celebrating the Beauty, Culture, and People of Ukraine.” The contest featured works in various visual genres—painting, photography, sculpture, embroidery, and other art forms.
The organizers noted the high attendance and warm atmosphere of the festival. According to event coordinator Karen Ortho Morrissey, the event was an example of how Ukrainian culture unites people of all backgrounds in support of Ukraine.
“We are so grateful for the large turnout at the Festival—it was incredible! So many Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians came together to celebrate this beautiful heritage! I hope to see everyone next year,” shared Karen Ortho Morrissey.
The first Arizona Ukrainian Fest was an important event for the Ukrainian diaspora in Arizona and, according to the organizers, laid the foundation for holding the festival on an annual basis.
Background
Inna Kovtun is a folk singer, ethnomusicologist and folklorist originally from Kyiv. Inna Kovtun is one of the leading bearers of traditional Ukrainian singing outside of Ukraine. For many years, she has been engaged in field research, recording and preserving authentic folklore, having collected over 1,000 folk songs of Ukrainian, Moldovan, Bulgarian and Crimean Tatar traditions. She is the artistic director of the ensembles "Rozhytsia" and "Kalyna", a laureate of international competitions and a teacher of master classes in Europe, Canada, India, Israel, Hong Kong and the USA. After the outbreak of full-scale war, she lives in the USA, where she continues to act as a cultural ambassador for Ukraine. In 2025, Inna Kovtun received the Taproot Artist Fellow scholarship and recognition from the Oregon Folklife Network.
U3Zub is a rock band from San Diego, formed in 2022 as a reaction to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. The band's goal is to popularize modern Ukrainian music abroad, as well as raise funds and support Ukraine through concert activities. In its performances, U3Zub combines elements of alternative rock with the Ukrainian language and patriotic content.
Vydelka is an ethnopop band from San Diego, which has been actively performing since 2023 at rallies and public events in support of Ukraine, including in Balboa Park. The band's distinctive feature is its family line-up - the three members represent three generations of the same family. Vydelka's repertoire combines folk motifs with a modern sound, which makes their performances accessible to a wide audience.
The Ukrainian Theater of Arizona originated from an idea formulated in 2023 and was implemented in 2025. Its goal is to unite the Ukrainian community through theater, preserve cultural identity, and support Ukraine. The theater works with amateur actors, artists, and volunteers, creating performances that introduce American audiences to Ukrainian culture and history.
Luke Lashchuk Miller is a bandurist and cantor at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in San Diego. He has been a member of the Ukrainian Bandurist Choir since 2003. In addition to his musical activities, Luke Lashchuk Miller is a researcher and author of works on Ukrainian religious history, combining performance with scientific work.
Olenka Kleban and Tetyana Verezhak are Ukrainian folk singers from San Diego. At the festival, they presented the tradition of Rozkolyada - the ceremonial end of the Christmas cycle between Epiphany and the Meeting. The program featured both well-known and rare carols, accompanied by active interaction with the audience.
Photo: Inna Kovtun, Christina Scherer, Olya Sverdlova
Author: Inna Mikhno