History of Kupalo
The St. Basil’s Language Arts Society founded the Kupalo Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in 1982. Twenty-six dancers were selected through an audition process and thus began the journey of this semi-professional senior level dance group.Since that time, we have seen a few variations with the composition of Kupalo.It has been a mixed group, an all girls group and in 1986 a junior level group was created. In 2008, Junior Kupalo was renamed Vesna.
The name for the ensemble came from the Rite of Kupalo which, at its
basic definition, is an agricultural festival celebrating the summer
solstice and the commencement of the harvest in Ukraine.With the introduction of Christianity, the festival of Kupalo
became associated with the feast of St. John the Baptist.
Over the past 27 years, Kupalo has served as a cultural ambassador
for St. Basil’s Parish performing locally, nationally and
internationally.
Performance locations and highlights include: Ireland,California, Ukraine, the Province of Alberta and the City
of Edmonton’s Centennial Celebrations, Canada Day Celebrations in
Banff, Jasper and Charlottetown PEI; Junction City – Oregon, Coeur
d’Alene - Idaho, Springville – Utah, Expo ’86 in Vancouver, the
Papal Visit and Universiade ’83.
Additional participation in festivals include the Junction
City Scandinavian Festival, Aberdeen International Youth Festival,
International Folk Festivals in Drummondville – Quebec, cultural
festivals in Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Isle de la Madeleine, Festival By
the Sea in New Brunswick, Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin Manitoba,
Pysynka Festival in Vegreville, the Edmonton Heritage Festival and
the Kimberly Octoberfest.
A team of three exceptional and accomplished instructors teaches
Kupalo and Vesna.
Shelley Borowski is our Artistic Director and instructor for
both Kupalo and Vesna.
Bryan Pitchko is our instructor for Kupalo and Eric Piasta is our instructor for Vesna.
In the years to come, Kupalo will continue to proudly represent St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish. Through their performances they will continue to showcase their Ukrainian Heritage in all it’s richness.
