Even as the Ukraine careens ever closer to an all out civil war, Alberta celebrates the 123rd anniversary of peaceful Ukrainian settlement in Canada.
Held Sunday at the Ukrainian Heritage Village, it is a showcase of concerts, dances, savoury ethnic foods, children’s activities, pioneer recognition and a veterans’ memorial service.
This year, village organizers are also highlighting the accomplishments of the great poet Taras Shevchenko, a writer, artist, political figure and folklorist whose artistic heritage founded modern Ukrainian literature and to some extent the language.
Closer to home, the Michael Luchkovich Award is presented annually to parliamentarians of Ukrainian descent. This year Ken Kowalski, former MLA for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will be the recipient.
In a second celebration of another political family, the unveiling of the future site of the Stelmach Family Homestead Project will take place at a sod turning ceremony at 11 a.m.
The project was announced in 2011 and the following year, the Stelmach settlement home was transported 50 kilometres to its location on the cultural heritage village grounds.
For a complete list of Ukrainian Day activities and times visit www.history.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillage/
St. Albert’s new Dig In! Horticulinary Festival’s big signature event is an unforgettable dinner in the Moonflower Room at the Enjoy Centre on Friday, Oct. 10.
In this interactive dining experience, patrons will enjoy a six-course dinner locally sourced and prepared by top Alberta culinary experts.
The chefs committed to this food-tasting adventure are Steven Furgiuele of Culina Mill Creek, Danielle Job of Holt Renfrew Café, Julia Kundera of The Glasshouse Bistro, Brad Lazarenka of Culina, and Karine Moulin of Hotel Arts Calgary.
Another noted chef participating in the event is Blair Lebsack of RGE RD who has cooked an Alberta-themed dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s acclaimed Spago in Beverly Hills and a gala dinner at Aldourie Castle in Inverness Scotland.
There’s pastry chef Doreen Prei from the Edmonton Petroleum Club, who worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin and as part of the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant team.
And executive chef Jan Hansen from Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village mixes his Danish heritage with classical French cuisine to create a truly Canadian experience.
Early bird tickets for this inaugural event are $110 and will be available until Friday, Aug. 15. Tickets purchased after Aug. 15 are $125.
Visit www.diginstalbert.ca for more information.
