08/01/2025
Sad news in Ottawa. I recently found out that the Ottawa Ukrainian festival officially known as the "Capital Ukrainian Festival" has officially ceased its operations.
Its physical assets such as Freezers are being sold, while other items such a tents were given to the Ottawa Valley Ukrainian Festival that operates in Carleton Place.
One of the innovative aspects of the Ottawa festival was the weather proofing that was incorporated into the grounds where both the outdoor stage and many of the audience areas were under protective tent cover.
Many reasons were cited for the decision to cancel the festival such as Covid, the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, reduction of grants for festivals, difficulty getting corporate sponsors (Most want to focus on the nearby Toronto Ukrainian Festival), lack of volunteers, and so on.
I want to express my thanks and gratitude to the Festival Chair Jane Kolbe who always put in so much of her time and professional expertise into making every Capital Ukrainian festival a brilliant success.
Michael Kostiuk
