Impact Stories

Ukrainian New West Street Fest brings the community together to celebrate

When it was just a dream, United Way BC was there

“What is the future?,” asks Father Mykhailo Ozorovych of the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster. He enthusiastically answers, “It’s exciting and promising and it’s very hopeful.”

This attitude set the tone for the Ukrainian New West Street Fest, supported in a variety of ways by United Way British Columbia. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, United Way BC has worked closely with other agencies and organizations, including Father Mykhailo’s church, to help create welcoming communities for displaced Ukrainians that celebrate their traditions and culture.

“A lot of it was thanks to United Way BC,” says Father Mykhailo. A deep sense of gratitude  is evident when he speaks. “When just the dream was there, so was United Way BC. It’s not just the Local Love funds; it’s the whole idea of even considering volunteerism and having a volunteer coordinator position here. It’s the training and the support they provided as well.”

The festival featured breads from different regions in Ukraine

After holding events and meals with the support of United for Ukraine Local Love Funds, Father Mykhailo decided it “was the right time and right place” to explore his dream of a holding a festival. “The idea has always been in my heart,” he says. “It just felt like we don’t have the resources or a good enough reason. But now, to do it here where it seems to be a little Ukrainian village, made sense. We have a Ukrainian bakery across the street. There’s a Ukrainian butcher shop, and a Ukrainian library. And there’s us, the Church, that has continued to play a central role in helping displaced Ukrainians.”

It was a big dream that Father Mykhailo envisioned, and he chuckles when he says, “You know, I have a dream. And then I went to Iryna and asked, ‘make it happen’.” Iryna also smiles as she remembers their conversation.

As the Church’s project coordinator, Iryna is no stranger to planning and implementing events, but nothing before on this scale. “People came to me and asked, ‘maybe I can help you?’. If people want to help me, that would be great!” she says. “And I just realized who can do what. We have a couple people to help. Who has responsibility for the different stages, the pavilions, and who can take care of the regulations. And that was the teamwork I would say.” While the planning could be daunting, Iryna quickly realized she had a lot of support to rely upon, which was the key to a successful event.

The weekend was also the 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. Priests gathered from across the province to celebrate.

While the Ukrainian New West Street Fest was the highlight of the weekend, it wasn’t the only event happening at the Church. The 50th anniversary of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster also took place, which led into the festival. Priests from all over the province came together in unity to celebrate not just the Church, but also hope and the Ukrainian spirit.

The street festival itself was a vibrant celebration. “All its colours and shapes and tastes and smells were there,” recalls Father Mykhailo.

Iryna elaborates, “We wanted to introduce the Canadians to more than what they’re used to. Everyone knows pierogi but we have different varieties. Different regions have different varieties of food. We also wanted to showcase the culture and arts and crafts.”  

Lots of dishes from across Ukraine were available for visitors to taste.

“It was also not just about our past but the future as well,” interjects Father Mykhailo. “What is available in Ukraine now and how can we bring that here. For example, books. We had new books that are in Ukraine selling here as well.”

From vendors selling their wares and pavilions showcasing food, arts, and culture, to concert stages, educational presentations, and kids’ pavilions, the Ukrainian New West Street Fest had something for everyone. The Church and the street in front were a joyous spectacle attracting 5000 people to share, learn, and celebrate.

With pavilions, kiosks, and stages lining the street, it took a community to put together. “We had 120 volunteers during the event,” says Iryna. “We had a post event to thank them, and I counted them all. That was a huge amount of volunteers who wanted to help us, including throughout all the different stages.”

It was important to Father Mykhailo that the festival was not just about their past but the future as well.

“From my perspective, it’s the fruit of a very long labour and partnership with United Way BC,” says Father Mykhailo. “It’s amazing to get funding but more importantly is that the organization believes in us, trusts us, loves us, and cares for us. Managing and doing this was thanks to the kind of capacity-building exercises that United Way BC supported us with. We were learning from them over the last three years.”

Becasue it was such a huge success, the question of the street festival becoming an annual event has been raised. It’s clear from Father Mykhailo’s grin that he has definitely planned for the inquiry, especially as the war continues in Ukraine.

“We’re being called to serve even more,” he says. “People who came are now two to three years in and looking at making their home here and now. Community and Church becomes more important. How to serve those people is a different kind of challenge but with hard work I am optimistic.”