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Festival attendees make their way through Parc Maisonneuve to explore the tents of vendors and artisans who are showcasing Ukrainian dishes and culture. (Corinne Boyer, CityNews)<\/p>\nA sea of blue and yellow is stretching across Parc Maisonneuve as the Montreal Ukrainian Festival returns this year, bringing a month-long celebration of Ukrainian heritage, culture and resilience to the city.<\/p>\n
The festival, organized around the theme \u201cHeritage of Generations,\u201d is inviting Montrealers and visitors to experience Ukrainian food, music, dancing, arts and crafts while learning about traditions being passed from one generation to the next.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday it\u2019s a joyful day. There\u2019s 33,000 more Ukrainians that have been coming to Montreal and I think almost all of them will be here at the festival,\u201d said Gregory Bedik, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Quebec.<\/p>\n
For young Ukrainian Canadians, the festival is also an opportunity to maintain connections to their culture and language.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to connect the traditions, the culture and the language between all the kids and all the young people that are gonna grow up soon and they\u2019re gonna become like known people. So basically you guys can come every Saturday and every Saturday we\u2019re having like lessons about Ukraine,\u201d said Drea Radovenchyk, a member of CYM Canada.<\/p>\n
Festival attendees make their way through Parc Maisonneuve to explore the tents of vendors and artisans who are showcasing Ukrainian dishes and culture. (Corinne Boyer, CityNews)<\/p>\n
The festival\u2019s importance extends beyond the Ukrainian community, with organizers encouraging people of all backgrounds to take part and learn more about Ukrainian culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important for everyone to be sensibilized and to get different information, and to see the culture because maybe they\u2019re gonna like it, maybe they\u2019re gonna like the people and maybe they\u2019re gonna feel more connected with everyone,\u201d said a festival-goer.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s edition also comes as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia\u2019s ongoing invasion.<\/p>\n
For members of Montreal\u2019s Ukrainian community, celebrating their culture has taken on an added significance as the war continues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is truly exceptional for us, because Ukraine is still at war, we\u2019re fighting for our independence. So we\u2019re here showing our support for our country. And we want people to learn about our culture and our food; we\u2019re really proud of Ukrainian culture,\u201d said a festival-goer.<\/p>\n
The festival also marks two milestones this year: 135 years of Ukrainian presence in Canada and 35 years of Ukraine\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n
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A Canada Ukraine flag waving in the wind above festival goers on Saturday August 29, 2026, the first official day of the Montreal Ukrainian Festival. (Corinne Boyer, CityNews)<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s most important is to showcase the resilience of the Ukrainian people. When some people in the world are trying to say that Ukrainian and Ukrainians don\u2019t exist, this is our day to show everybody and showcase Ukrainian culture. We want to do this especially in Montreal, in Quebec, because a lot of the French people have opened their hearts and their homes to Ukrainians, especially since the full invasion of Ukraine by Russia. And so this is our way to pay back, to share and to just be part of the greater community,\u201d said Michael Shwec, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Quebec.<\/p>\n
Shwec says the festival is designed to offer something for visitors of all ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a variety of things that the whole family can enjoy. You have all kinds of vendors here with everything from shirts to arts and crafts to anything that you may want and good food too. And throughout the day we have a continuous live concert on the main stage. So something for everybody,\u201d said Shwec.<\/p>\n
That mix of food, entertainment and cultural programming is part of what keeps families returning year after year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Ukrainian every year. Me, my mom, my sister, we go here. We have fun, we like try different foods, we get new stuff, we make memories!\u201d said a young festival-goer.<\/p>\n
The festival\u2019s outdoor programming will continue throughout the month, culminating Sept. 27.<\/p>\n
For organizers, the celebration is ultimately about ensuring Ukrainian culture remains visible and connected to future generations.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on down to the Montreal Ukrainian Festival. We\u2019re right at Maisonneuve Park, across from Saputo Stadium. Have a great time. Eat everything Ukrainian. Take a look at all the acts and the culture. It lives not only here in Ukraine, it lives in the hearts of every person that\u2019s got freedom,\u201d said Bedik.<\/p>\n
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