For the past 58 years Dauphin, Manitoba has been home to one of the biggest cultural festivals in western Canada, celebrating the large and vibrant Ukrainian culture of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and beyond.
Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF) saw a rebranding of sorts in 2023 with a new slogan “The Spirit of Ukraine in the Heart of Canada,” which not only provides encouragement for Ukrainian families in this difficult time, but tells the story of what this festival is all about.
Over the past 58 years the festival has found a way to survive thanks to a new generation of families attending, and in many cases, participating, either through performing, volunteering, or both. Dance ensembles from all over Canada converge at the Selo Ukrainian site 10 minutes south of Dauphin for a weekend of dancing, celebrating, fellowship, and of course, delicious food. The festival has grown substantially over the years, even bringing in international performers including Ukrainian singing sensation Ruslana who’s a world music award winner and a Eurovision winner. Next year, the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Minneapolis, Minnesota will make their debut on the Dauphin stage.
“It is a family friendly festival. Bring everybody in the family. Bring Baba, bring Gido, (or) bring somebody that has never been,” smiled Kayla Gillis, President of CNUF.
2024 will mark the 59th anniversary of the festival and plans are well underway for the event August 2nd to 4th. Early bird pricing is currently on and more performers will be announced over the coming weeks and months. Festival goers can lean more by CLICKING HERE.
