East Coast Ukrainian Festival returns to Halifax [Video]

The East Coast Ukrainian Festival kicked off at Pier 21 in Halifax on Saturday, celebrating Ukrainian culture and traditions.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Honouring our Roots.”

“We represent the elements of traditional Ukrainian culture that unite many generations of Ukrainians. We also want to honour those who risked their wellbeing and sometimes their lives but did not give up their identity,” said Olha Khaperska, President of the East Coast Ukrainian Association.

The event features interactive activities and local vendors.

“We have a lot of interactive activities, dancing, folk singing, pierogi eating contest, and a concert in the evening,” said Khaperska. “We have local businesses and it’s either a Ukrainian business or somebody that sells something traditional.”

The East Coast Ukrainian Festival featured interactive activities and local vendors. (Paul Dewitt/ CTV Atlantic)

Khaperska says this year’s festival features a unique historical exhibit from the Kule Folklore Centre at the University of Alberta.

“The exhibit came from …