Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society returning to Oliver, Penticton

The Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society of Calgary will begin a multi-city 50th anniversary tour in the South Okanagan.

Tryzub in collaboration with the Ukraine Nightingale Project will present performances at 7 p.m. in Penticton at the Cleland Theatre, Thursday, May 23 and in Oliver at the Venables Theatre, Saturday, May 25.

For five decades Tryzub has preserved and promoted Ukrainian culture and more recently aided families displaced by the war.

Organized two years ago, UNP assists families from war-torn Ukraine to relocate in the South Okanagan.

“We are so pleased that the first performances of this 18-city tour in Western Canada will be in our area,” said UNP director Jennifer Martison.

Tryzub and UNP previously collaborated on fund-raising performances in September 2023 on Vancouver Island and in February 2023 in the South Okanagan.

The 2024 performances feature adult dancers, up to the age of 50, some directly from Ukraine.

Last year, audiences were entranced by Tryzub’s youth troupe.

Regardless of age, the dancers give stunning performances thanks to their dedication to excellence.

“Through dance we try to bring Ukrainian folks stories with universal appeal to everyone,” said Tryzub artistic director Shane Gibson.

The 2024 tour performance tells the story of a Ukrainian folk hero, Oleksa Dovbush, who is compared to Robin Hood, through the eyes of his girlfriend, Dzvinka

The elaborate costumes were made secretly in a camouflage factory in Ukraine, driven to nearby countries and flown to Canada.

Composed in Ukraine, the music was recorded by a full orchestra under dangerous conditions.

As a result of the war, more than 14 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, the equivalent of the combined population of British Columbia,

Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba becoming homeless.

Approximately eight million have left Ukraine with about a quarter of a million coming to Canada.

As the war continues, the need for assistance by both government and private organizations, such as Tryzub and UNP increases daily.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis is about to get much worse because of increased Russian military pressure and upcoming expiration dates on visas to Canada retired General Rick Hillier told The National Post.

Hillier is the chair of the federal government’s Strategic Advisory Council.

With this anticipated influx of Ukrainian refugees in the coming days, UNP needs to recruit more volunteers to assist the organization to provide ongoing support to families.

For information, including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, contact Martison at jmartison@shaw.ca or 403-690-7491.

To purchase tickets visit:ukrainenightingaleproject.ca/dzvinka