Did you know that Ukrainians have been living in Canada since the late 19th century? During this time, they have made a significant contribution to the development of this country. Initially, many Ukrainians worked on the Canadian prairies; however, in the 20th century, a large wave moved to bigger cities. This movement facilitated the creation of established communities, as well as the development of Ukrainian churches and organizations that still support Ukrainian culture. And the largest Ukrainian festival in Canada, held in the Bloor West Village (BWV) area, has been a centre for honouring Ukrainian culture in Toronto since 1995. More at torontoski.
How did the idea to create a Ukrainian festival come about? Who became its leader?
BWV became a home for Ukrainians, especially during and after the Second World War. In the early 1900s, this area developed actively alongside the construction of Bloor Street. This included the laying of roads such as Runnymede Road and an increase in the number of residential buildings. As the city expanded, the Toronto Railway Company, together with the municipality, built a streetcar line, which was extended to Jane Street within three years. This line was named Bloor West. Interestingly, the street is named after Joseph Bloor, a 19th-century brewer and founder of Yorkville in Toronto. In the article “History of Bloor West Village in Toronto” (2024), written by Anastasia Romanska, you can learn even more about the history of this area.
The festival itself was founded by Yuriy Roman Klufas through the active participation and support of community leaders. As of 2024, Yuriy still heads the festival and is its main inspiration. After attending the Ukrainian festival in Dauphin, Manitoba, as an honoured guest, he was impressed by how vibrantly Ukrainian culture could be promoted and celebrated. That is why he decided this would become his mission. Before the festival, an atmosphere of the upcoming celebration was felt throughout the city. After all, it is an event that the community and many others eagerly await each year. Some even come from other cities to be part of the event. At that time, only small Ukrainian celebrations were held in Toronto, but none of them could compare in scale to the festival in Dauphin. In one interview, Yuriy even recalled attending a Ukrainian Independence Day celebration in Oakville, noting that it didn’t strongly reflect Ukrainian identity or showcase the full beauty of Ukrainian heritage.
With the idea of creating a Ukrainian festival, Yuriy organized the first-ever Ukrainian event in Bloor West. The celebration was small and resembled a gathering of close friends. The event lasted about two hours in a parking lot near the intersection of Jane and Bloor. Thanks to the support of local businesses like Coffee Time, which provided coffee and donuts, Yuriy still hoped the community would join the event. It was planned that there would be approximately 300 attendees, however, their number exceeded 1000. Yuriy was incredibly moved to see hundreds of community members and their families come to the festival. From that moment, he realized he had created something truly special.
About faith in the project and its scale
As the festival developed, the organizing team faced challenges and doubts about its success. However, Yuriy continued to believe in this project. He saw the festival’s potential and continued to work on its expansion. Thanks to the support of community partners, such as the Toronto Police, and financial sponsors, the Ukrainian festival transformed into a large-scale celebration.
As of 2024, the celebration lasts for three days. A huge number of people gather on the street, along with vendors selling food and Ukrainian goods. There are also beer gardens where you can enjoy drinks with friends and family, and stages where traditional dance and music groups perform. In recent years, the main focus of the festival has become providing educational opportunities for a better understanding of the situation in Ukraine and the current war.
The festival has created a space for the community to unite its cultural identity, provide a platform for preserving traditions, and highlight the work of groups and individuals who continue to develop and promote Ukrainian culture through art and national products.