Emokhare Paul Anthony
Daily Herald
Prince Albert residents of Ukrainian descent will gather on Saturday to recognize an event they wish had never happened.
Monday Feb. 24 marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, but Prince Albert residents will gather on Saturday to recognize it with a prayer service and a program to follow. Since the invasion started, hundreds of Ukrainians have moved to Prince Albert to escape the violence.
“Right across the province we’ll be recognizing three years of war, the continued uncertainty of war, and also the bravery and courage of the soldiers and the people who have come to Canada and are trying to help their families in the face of this uncertainty,” Veselka Ukrainian Cultural and Heritage Club President Charlene Tebbutt said in an interview.
Tebbutt said events are planned for Saskatoon and Regina. She said it’s important to keep the war in the public consciousness as it continues.
“(It’s) something that we want to make sure Ukrainians and everyone in the community remains aware of—the war and the continued aggression against Ukraine, and the efforts to find peace and offer support,” Tebbutt said.
“We had done something similar last year and we did not plan for another year, right. We want to see this ending.”
Tebbutt said they’ve invited Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky along with local MLAs and MPs. The Veslka Choir will also be on hand to sing songs of hope, and a few Ukrainian poets will give readings of their work.
“It will be a quiet, somber event,” Tebbutt. “Everyone’s welcome.”
Veselka has tried to keep Ukraine in the limelight by having retired history teacher Dennis Ogrodnick deliver a series of educational talks on Ukrainian history. Tebbutt said those talks have been well-received.
“We’re finding people are really wanting to stay aware and interested,” she said. “People really want to follow and learn about what’s happening and make sure that they can help in whatever way they can.
“We find that we have a large number of people from the Ukrainian community, but also the wider community in general attend. It seems like there is a lot of interest in learning more and understanding.”
The prayer service will start at 7 p.m. inside the St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church with the program starting at 7:30 p.m. next door in the hall.
–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald
