The Gimli Ukrainian Barvinok Dance Club celebrated a major milestone this spring, marking 45 years of preserving Ukrainian culture through dance, costume and community connection.
Chaika Ukrainian Dance Club’s rehearsals paid off this April, when dancers stole the show at the Manitoba Ukrainian Dance Festival and at Chaika’s year-end spring tea
The anniversary concert brought together dancers past and present, along with families, alumni and supporters, highlighting the club’s legacy and its continued role in the Interlake.
Master of ceremonies Roman McColl welcomed guests before inviting board members to the stage, including Julia Patrick, who spoke about the club’s history and personal ties to its founding.
“Vitayemo! Good afternoon, everyone,” Patrick said. “It is truly an honour to stand before you today — not only as a proud mom of a current dancer but also as a former dancer myself, and the daughter of one of the club’s original founders — as we celebrate an incredible milestone: 45 years of the Gimli Ukrainian Barvinok Dance Club.”
Patrick reflected on the club’s beginnings more than four decades ago, crediting founders Mike Sucharyna, Orest “Buck” Matiowski and her father, Benjamin Kubrakovich.
“They believed deeply in the importance of preserving their heritage and passing it on to future generations,” she said.
She noted Sucharyna’s work teaching Ukrainian language at Dr. George Johnson School and Kubrakovich’s efforts sharing Ukrainian history and language at Gimli High School, while describing Matiowski as “a true pillar of this community.”
But Patrick emphasized that the club’s longevity has always depended on the wider community.
“Something like this doesn’t grow from just three people — it takes a village,” she said. “This club was built on the dedication of families, volunteers and community members who organized instructors, sewed and embroidered costumes, planned fundraisers and worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”
Over the years, Barvinok has evolved alongside the community, with new generations of dancers stepping onto the stage while alumni continue to return and stay involved.
“Leadership has changed, generations of dancers have come and gone, and alumni have even returned to the stage,” she said. “Yet one thing has remained constant: a deep passion and unwavering commitment to celebrating and preserving Ukrainian culture and heritage.”
That commitment was reflected throughout the performance, which featured a wide range of traditional Ukrainian dance styles representing different regions of the country.
From the high-energy Hutsul dances of the Carpathian Mountains to central Ukrainian Kozachok routines known for their rhythm, partner work and athleticism, each piece highlighted the diversity and storytelling at the heart of Ukrainian dance.
Other performances drew on regional traditions such as Zakarpattia, where influences from neighbouring cultures shape lively footwork and colourful choreography, as well as lyrical dances rooted in folklore that emphasize emotion and storytelling.
Costumes played an equally important role in bringing that history to life. Intricately embroidered blouses, layered skirts, boots and floral headpieces — many handmade or carefully preserved over decades — reflect regional identities and cultural symbolism passed down through generations.
The concert opened with “Pryvit,” a traditional welcome dance blending multiple regional styles and featuring symbolic elements such as bread, wheat and salt — long-standing expressions of hospitality, health and prosperity in Ukrainian culture.
Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson also addressed the crowd, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation and community involvement.
“Today’s Ukrainian dance is more than just a performance,” Johnson said. “It’s a reflection of tradition and heritage, and the dedication of the dancers you see on stage.”
He noted the storytelling woven into every aspect of the performances.
“Each step, each movement and each costume tells a story that has been passed down through generations,” he said. “The time and effort that go into these costumes and performances is truly remarkable.”
Johnson also pointed to the strong sense of community behind the milestone event.
“What makes this event especially meaningful is the sense of community behind it—from performers and instructors to families and volunteers,” he said. “It reflects the strength of cultural traditions being carried forward.”
He encouraged the audience to celebrate the dancers and the work behind the scenes.
“Today is about celebrating youth, culture and the arts. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible.”
As part of the celebration, Johnson presented a commemorative plaque recognizing the club’s 45 years of contributions to the Interlake region and its role in preserving Ukrainian culture, tradition and dance.
Throughout the concert, that legacy was evident — not only in the performances themselves but in the connections between generations of dancers and the community that continues to support them.
For Patrick, the milestone was both a reflection on the past and a look ahead.
“Today, as we watch these dancers perform, we are witnessing that legacy in motion,” she said. “Here’s to the past 45 years and to many more to come.”
