Ukrainian dance festival brings community, culture to North Battleford stage

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“I like to dance because it makes me happy and because it’s a way to spread my culture. I feel it’s a really important time for Ukrainian dance to be recognized with what’s happening with the Ukraine right now,” she added.  

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Svoboda Ukrainian Dance Festival

Ukrainian dance festival brings community, culture to North Battleford stage

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Over the four-day festival, which started Thursday night, over 400 dances will be presented in front of an adjudicator.  

“There are a lot of the kids in our club, and a lot of the other clubs are super excited when dance festival season starts,” said Shannon Rozon, president of the Svoboda Dance Festival Association.  

“There are nerves behind the scene for dancers, but as soon as they get on that stage, I feel like a lot of it goes away and they just kind of shine when they’re on stage. It’s just really cool to see all these kids from all over the place coming together and they cheer each other on.” 

Community members can visit the festival throughout the weekend to cheer on local dancers and visit Ukrainian vendors.  

“This year we have eight vendors and they are selling traditional Ukrainian clothing, Ukrainian snacks, you name it. We also have Warren’s Catering from North Battleford who will be operating the canteen this year. They have Ukrainian plate options; they’ll have pierogies and sausage and cabbage rolls available,” she said. 

Rozon invites the public to take in the festival and enjoy the Ukrainian traditions. 

“The music is so lively and expressive and the dances, you can just feel all the emotion in the dance. There’s lyrical dances, there’s traditional Ukrainian dances from all the different regions of Ukraine. A lot of the time the audience is clapping along with the dancer, and it’s just really fun dancing to watch,” she said. 

Tickets to watch the dance performances can be purchased on the Dekker Centre website or on location at the box office. No ticket is needed to access the festival vendors or cater.  

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com