Ukrainian community celebrates culture with food and performance in Calgary southeast

Calgarians of Ukrainian descent share the sights, sounds of food with their fellow Calgarians.

Calgary’s Ukrainian community is celebrating their culture and sharing it with this city this weekend at the Arcadia Recreation Centre in the southeast.

The festival features two stages -- a Kyiv stage and a Lviv stage -- offering live music, dance and other cultural performances.

There’s plenty of food too, including borscht, varenyky (stuffed dumplings), and sweets.

There’s also a Ukrainian marketplace, a kid zone and a photo zone.

Jordan Biss, the vice-chair of the festival, said the festival was more necessary than ever, given the ongoing horror of the war with Russia.

“(It’s) absolutely crucial,” Biss said, “and it makes me very proud to help support the Ukrainian community especially with the ongoing atrocious war in Ukraine.

“This really provides an opportunity for new Ukrainians to Calgary and to Canada an opportunity to connect and network with community members of like-mindedness and hopefully get them engaged in the community -- but as well, to share our culture and heritage with local Calgarians.”

The festival is at 240 90 Ave. S.E. until 6 p.m.

With files from CTV’s Darren Wright