Hundreds gathered for a night of food and dance to ring in the Ukrainian New Year, or Malanka. On Jan.
Hundreds gathered for a night of food and dance to ring in the Ukrainian New Year, or Malanka.
On Jan. 16, over 500 people packed the C2 fieldhouse to watch dozens of dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance, an annual Bonnyville tradition that goes back at least 30 years.
Linda Boser, president of Kryla Ukrainian Dancers, said Malanka is an important cultural event enjoyed by families for many years in the community.
"Malanka is the Ukrainian New Year and it's important to us to keep the tradition; it's always been a big supper, dance and celebration and it's what Kryla wants to keep on doing in our community."
She added, "Bonnyville doesn't have a whole bunch of family events for families to come out and attend so this is something we can do for the community."
After supper, dancers performed traditional Ukrainian dancing to feet-tapping music, as the audience clapped along and cheered on the dancers.
Dancers of all ages began practicing for the performance back in September 2015 under the guidance of Edmonton-based Nathan Fitch, artistic director of Kryla Ukrainian Dancers. This is the fourth year he has instructed the dancers.
"It's amazing getting 80 to a 100 children and people together and having Malanka," said Fitch. "When I came here first we had less than half the numbers than we have now."
While many of the younger performers were new to the dance, some of the adult performers have participated for years.
"This is my first year back in many years," said Ronald Rae, a dancer. "It's a tradition that goes back years and years and generations. To dance Malanka for New Year's, it's just one of those things that we always enjoy doing, putting on a performance."
It was also the first Malanka for Bonnyville - Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, who said it's important to celebrate the various cultures present in the constituency.
"This multiculturalism is what brings us all together, as these events come I believe we should get a better understanding of the different parts of the world and to bring them all together to our little corner of the world is just incredible."
He added, "It's good to see how involved the young are with the dancing here, it's so colourful and I'm looking forward to coming next year and seeing it again."
Boser was grateful for the positive turnout and urges more people to come out for Malanka in the future.
"Kryla will always put on this event and we encourage more people who maybe are not exposed to the Ukrainian culture or Ukrainian dancing to come see what we're all about."
In addition to Malanka, Kryla also hosts an annual spring concert, which also features dancing and a meal.
