Shumka Dance Festival showcases Ukrainian culture and strength

Dancers from across Canada are in Edmonton for the inaugural Shumka Dance Competition at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium.

The first Shumka Dance Festival is underway at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton.

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The three-day event is a celebration of Ukrainian dance and culture, culminating Saturday night with a competition show featuring the best dancers.

Event coordinator Josh Pacholok said there will be 30 groups of dancers participating for the first Shumka festival.

“It’s really exciting to have so many young dancers be able to dance on the Jube stage and get to experience the backstage atmosphere. It’s really exciting just to be back there,” he added.

“We’re so lucky to have as much talent as we do gracing the stage this weekend.”

Pacholok said the highest scoring groups will compete on the last night for a prize of $1,000.

Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers has been operating in Edmonton for six decades, and Pacholok said it feels “awesome” to be able to continue to showcase the art and culture.

“Supporting Ukraine and showing the world that Ukraine is strong, and with events like this, that we’re not going anywhere,” he said.

The Saturday performances were sold out on Friday but tickets for the competition show remained available on StubHub.