The Taste of UKRAINE festival took place on the grounds of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village. The event combined a concert program, a marketplace, traditional Ukrainian cuisine, charity fundraising, and prize drawings. During the festival, donations were also collected to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian military.
This was reported by St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
The flags of Ukraine and the United States were raised over the cathedral grounds, followed by the national anthems of both countries. Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Kostiantyn Vorona welcomed attendees, after which the cathedral’s rector, Father Ivan Lymar, led a prayer for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainian families.
A marketplace operated throughout the festival, offering embroidered clothing, souvenirs, books, honey, bedding, handbags, and other goods. Visitors also enjoyed traditional Ukrainian dishes, including varenyky, holubtsi, and deruny.
The concert program lasted for two days. More than 100 performers took part, including singers, musicians, dancers, soloists, duets, and ensembles. The festival was hosted by Nataliia Hladyn and Ivan Sabat.
Among the performers were Yurii Yaremchuk with his daughter Estelle, Halyna Heryavenko, Tetiana Vakhnovska, a brass orchestra, the “Svashky” ensemble, the Malhivski Sisters, Volodymyr and Lidiia Okilko, Honored Artist of Ukraine Liudmyla Kasianenko, and special guest Honored Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Hrytskan. Young performers and students from Ukrainian community arts programs also participated in the concert.
During the festival, Dana Chepil received the “Ambassador of Ukrainian Song” award presented by the organizers of the international “Sing in Your Native Language” festival. Volunteer Liudmyla Shydliukh was also honored with the medal “To a Volunteer – A Person with a Big Heart,” presented by Ukrainian service members.
Festival guests enjoyed a photo area, a cash prize drawing sponsored by Selfreliance Credit Union, and a raffle featuring more than two dozen prizes donated by sponsors. The grand prize was a gift certificate to the “Moya Vyshyvanka” store.
The charitable component was one of the central parts of the event. More than $4,000 was raised for the Protez Foundation during the festival. Organizers also continued collecting donations to purchase a night vision device for a Ukrainian serviceman, the husband of festival host Nataliia.
Photo: Radio UA Chicago / Surma Newspaper, St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
Author: Danylo Pievchev