Archaeologists have documented village settlements over 7,000 years old in the Ukraine. Since then, Ukrainians have heeded the word to ‘go forth and multiply’, such that there is a strong Ukrainian population in every corner of the world.
According to statistics from the 2001 census there were 285,725 people of Ukrainian origin in Alberta, constituting 9.7 per cent of the population.
With such a rich and lasting cultural legacy, it should come as no surprise that Ukrainians know how to party. They have had a lot of time to hone the art.
Ukrainians of Slave Lake have brought their festive traditions here also, and for the last six years have held an annual Malanka celebration.
The Leader sat down with Leslee Tanasiuk, one of the coordinators of the event and a member of the Slave Lake Ukrainian Cultural Society. Tanasiuk has been involved with the Ukrainian community in Alberta for years, and has helped put together the yearly wing-ding.
“This year we are switching up the program a little bit but it’s still definitively a family event,” said Tanasiuk, hinting that the event is still very much kid friendly, but geared a little more toward adult fun this year.
The dinner promises to be a little more formal this year too, but of course traditional.
Also different this is year is the venue. The Widewater Complex was home to the event in years past, and was a great all-around hall, said Tanasiuk.
This year however, the organizers thought an alternative location might encourage folks that don’t want to drive far from town.
“There has been a snow storm every year on the night of the event, and we were concerned that some people may not want to drive out to Widewater, so this year it will be held at Northern Lakes College,” said the organizer.
Past Malanka events have brought upwards of 300 people out to celebrate and the hope is this year will top even those numbers. As a fundraiser for the Slave Lake Ukrainian Cultural Society, it is the only yearly event they hold that helps sustain the club throughout the year. There will be a silent auction, cocktails, live music by The Hammertones and of course lots of dancing likely spurred on by a performance of the Ukrainian Dance Group. Tanasiuk also hinted about a special appearance of an animal. When pressed, she would not divulge any other information, saying it is a closely guarded secret.
Malanka is usually theme-based, Tanasiuk explains. “One past celebration was based on ‘Coming to Canada’ while this year we are ‘Travelling back to the Ukraine.’
There are still plenty of tickets available for the magical event this January 19.
Contact Barb at Nordic Sales, 849-2611, or Leslee at Astrum Fitness, 849-6635 for more information.

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