Kick up your heels at Ukrainian Zabava on the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario

In the past 126 years, Ukrainian culture has become an integral element of Canada's multicultural mosaic. Toronto alone accounts for over 150, 000 people claiming Ukrainian background. The Toronto Ukrainian Festival (formerly the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival) embraces Ukrainian heritage and builds excitement around its new and old traditions. The largest Ukrainian festival in North America draws up to 400,000 people a year and features traditional food and music, premier folk and modern dance ensembles, contemporary and retrospective films from Ukraine, Canada and USA.

Sponsored by Northland Power Inc., Acuity Funds Ltd., Biovail Corporation, AeroSvit Airlines and Kontakt Ukrainian Television Network, Petro Jacyk Educational Foundation and Shevchenko Foundation, the 11th Toronto Ukrainian Festival will be presented during Labour Day Weekend (August 31 - September 3, 2007) on Toronto’s beautiful waterfront at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West.

"We are delighted to have this year’s event at the Harbourfront Centre, which is located in the heart of the tourist area of downtown Toronto. We are looking forward to another successful Festival, where Torontonians and tourists from afar can learn about the traditions of one of Canada’s settler nations," said Anna Heychuk, Marketing and Program Director of the Festival.

The program has been developed with the Ukrainian wedding theme in mind.

The fun begins on the Concert Stage with a picturesque traditional wedding ceremony, produced by Oleh Skrypka (leader of Ukraine’s legendary VV rock

group) and accompanied by Le Grand Orchestra and Hurtopravtsi. Guests can also enjoy art exhibits and film screenings, as well as dance and cooking classes that will showcase the spirit of Ukrainian Canadian culture.

Visitors of the festival will discover that the Ukrainian wedding is a time of great joy and fun-filled parties, interwoven with ancient symbolic rituals.

"We could not produce this wonderful Festival without the support of our sponsors and amazing volunteers," remarked Jurij Klufas, Chair of the Toronto Ukrainian Festival. "We are truly grateful for the long standing support and dedication of all who contribute to the success of the Festival."