Ukraine House Welcomes their 2010 Winter Olympics Team

My children have a Ukrainian heritage so when I received an invitation to attend the opening of Ukraine House, I eagerly accepted.  Ukraine House invites people to visit during the 2010 Olympics so they can meet and mingle with Ukrainian athletes and enjoy the music and food while watching sports events on a large screen TV.

The night I went, it was a reception for the athletes.  The large community hall was set up for a traditional banquet with long tables stocked with food.  I had hoped to see some Ukrainian arts and crafts but there was little on display.  Nobody seemed to know the person who had invited me to come and I felt somewhat uncomfortable being there, surrounded with people all speaking Ukrainian.  There were hosts wearing official host tags but nobody greeted me so I simply stood in the back and observed.

Most of the people there seemed to be from the parish of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Besides the Ukrainian athletes who arrived wearing their yellow and blue track suits, there were choir members and other performers dressed in their traditional costumes. 

Some lively polka music sparked the otherwise dour mood I felt.  I looked forward to some dancing and more music, but that wasn’t going to happen until after the banquet which I realized I had not been officially invited to.  So I simply wandered around, took photos, and observed.  The choir sang the Ukrainian National anthem, followed by O Canada, the priest gave a formal blessing and the introductions began including short speeches by some of the athletes. Unless you speak the language, I didn’t feel there was a lot of ‘hospitality’ so I eventually left, disappointed that I did not see more of the Ukrainian culture on display.

There are a number of events planned throughout the 2010 Winter Olympics, so if you are of Ukrainian heritage you might find it interesting to visit and participate.  You’ll be able to listen and dance to music by entertainers from the Ukraine and across Canada;  sample some homemade Ukrainian dishes and taste Ukrainian beer, horika and other drinks. For an elegant evening, dance at the Olympic Ball on February 20. On Sunday February 21 take part in an auction of sports memorabilia and purchase souvenirs.  For tickets see:

Ukraine House is the official home of Ukraine’s Olympic team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. It will be open to the public through to February 28th.

UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CENTRE

3150 Ash Street   (not far from the Canada Line  Cambie Street Station)