The annual Ukrainian Festival was held at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, bringing together parishioners, Ukrainian community members, and guests of all backgrounds. Throughout the day, attendees learned about Ukrainian culture, traditions, and cuisine, listened to live music, participated in family-friendly activities, and supported a community that has been a center of Ukrainian life in the region for decades.
This was reported by St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral..
Guests were treated to a wide variety of traditional Ukrainian dishes, including varenyky, golubtsi, borscht, and other national delicacies. The program also included exhibitions of Ukrainian folk art, dance performances, live music by the Harmony ensemble, tours of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, children’s entertainment, and a charity raffle.
Dozens of volunteers joined the celebration, who helped prepare the festival during the week – preparing traditional dishes, arranging the territory and getting involved in organizational work.
After the festival ended, the rector of the cathedral, Father Mykhailo Hontaruk, thanked everyone who joined in its organization. He noted:
“The celebration of our faith, heritage and unity is a triumph of the Ukrainian spirit at the festival of St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral! With grateful hearts, we thank all the volunteers, participants and everyone who supported us, who made Saturday a bright day of faith, culture, music and joy. May the Lord bless you all generously!”
In turn, the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, which became one of the sponsors of the event, thanked all the festival visitors and organizers. They emphasized that they are proud to have the opportunity to support events that unite the Ukrainian community and popularize Ukrainian culture, faith, music and traditions. Representatives of the union also noted the warm atmosphere of communication with community members and guests of the holiday and expressed gratitude to the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr for organizing the festival.
Background
The Cathedral of St. Volodymyr is one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers of Ukrainians in the state of Ohio. The parish was founded in 1924 by Ukrainian immigrants, and the current church in Parma was consecrated in 1967. Today, the cathedral is home to a Ukrainian school, Sunday school, library, folk dance school, bandura chapel, community organizations, and numerous cultural initiatives.
Photo: Myroslava Voloschak, St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral.
Author: Danylo Pievchev