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\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nThe Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village east of Edmonton is reopening to the public this weekend, one year after a fire destroyed the site\u2019s visitor centre and thousands of historical artifacts.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re extremely excited and will be back for sure,\u201d said Orysia Boychuk, past president of the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress \u2013 Alberta Provincial Council.<\/p>\n
The April 2025 fire tore through the visitor centre at the heritage site, raising fears that nearby historic buildings could also be lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur immediate concern was the historic buildings on site,\u201d said Gail Fenton, president of Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society.<\/p>\n
The blaze ultimately destroyed the visitor centre, including important artifacts tied to Alberta\u2019s Ukrainian history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve lost a part of history that will never ever get back,\u201d said Fenton.<\/p>\n
Officials say approximately 27,000 artifacts were lost in the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost approximately 27,000 objects. This included furniture items that were original to the historic buildings \u2026 We did lose original research that was associated with our historic buildings,\u201d said David Makowsky, director of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.<\/p>\n
Now, one year later, the village is reopening as part of Alberta\u2019s museum and heritage site season launch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of folks who have anxiously been waiting for the village to open,\u201d said Tanya Fir, Alberta minister of arts, culture and status of women.<\/p>\n
The reopening is being welcomed by Ukrainian-Canadian communities across the province, many of whom see the village as an important link to their heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis official opening is extremely exciting for us, although there\u2019s a lot of work that still needs to be done,\u201d said Boychuk.<\/p>\n
That work includes rebuilding the destroyed visitor centre. Makowsky said Alberta\u2019s infrastructure ministry is overseeing reconstruction plans, while a temporary reception area will operate in the meantime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re grateful to see the alternative Silska Domiwka opening up as the new reception area for this year,\u201d said Boychuk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying our best to get back on track, and like I know it\u2019s going to be a while before things are rebuilt, but it\u2019ll come,\u201d said Fenton.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tUkrainian Cultural Heritage Village on May 15, 2026. (CityNews) <\/p>\n
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