Canadian «Rushnychok» for Ukraine: How Canada commemorated the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence

Independence Day of Ukraine is mostly celebrated by the whole world. Ukraine captivates the world with courage, strength and incredible beauty. It’s a fantastically talented wonderful country with the same kind of people. Ukrainians are changing the world. The Canadian city of Saskatoon, located where there were prairies, has become a second homeland for many Ukrainians for several generations. The city can definitely be called the guardian of Ukrainian culture. The Newssky correspondent spoke with the artistic director of the Rushnychok dance ensemble, which was one of the highlights of the holiday.

«Oh, the red viburnum has bent down in the meadow» – sings the central park of the city of Saskatoon, which on August 24, 2024 looked like one of the central parks of Ukraine – yellow and blue colors, embroidered flowers, corals, wreaths, hopak. No one expected such elation and delight. Are you a native Ukrainian? No, I’m Ukrainian by wife – answers a Canadian, who is a mix of Scottish and Irish.

The dance group «Rushnychok», which has been popularizing and developing Ukrainian dance for sixty years, impressed the most. This is a non-profit organization managed by parents of young dancers. Traditional and modern Ukrainian dance is taught here, as evidence of the existence of a bright and lively Ukrainian culture.

«Rushnychok» gathers and welcomes our dancers into a family, where the studio is another home, a safe place where we can be ourselves – a place where friendship is as important as our dedication to exceptional technical training» – says the artistic director Shannon Gabrush.

Shannon Gabrush

She is incredibly beautiful, her hair is golden and she loves Ukrainian dance above all else. Shannon, an instructor and artistic director, has been teaching at Rushnychok for 25 years. It feels like you’ve known this golden girl all your life. She actually looks like a brazen girl!

Shannon teaches Ukrainian dance to all age groups. Shannon devoted most of her life to this cause. After graduation, she spent summer at the Institute of Ukrainian Folk Dance in Lviv. Familiarity with ethnography, costumes, music, choreography and ballet of Ukraine strengthened her love for Ukrainian culture. She was fortunate to study from many masters and professional groups during her dance education, attending every possible master class and seminar offered in Canada and Ukraine.

Shannon was a member of the Pavlychenko Folk Ensemble (PFE), where she danced under the artistic direction of Serhiy Koroliuk . She was a long time member of the PFE Board of Directors, one of the founders of PFE Dance Showcase and director during the last concert tour with PFE.

She joined the Ukrainian dance community in every possible way – from setting the stage for Ukrainian Day in the Park and Ukrainian Dance Outreach for UCC. In 2018, she took the dance group «Rushnychok» to Ukraine.

Her teaching career began with the apprenticeship program offered at the «Rushnychok», and over the course of 15 years she has taught at many dance schools in Saskatchewan, guest choreographed for groups across Canada, taught summer workshops, and served as a judge at dance festivals. Shannon is the co-founder of Rodovid Academy of Ukrainian Dance, featuring dance workshops, instructor training, online dance festivals, virtual dance camps, and regional workshops. In 2020, Shannon assumed the position of artistic director of the Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble «Tavria». She is known for creating unique dances that emphasize the individuality and emotions of her dancers of all ages. Many of her dances received choreographic awards and the highest honors.

Канадський Рушничок і Шеннон Габруш

Shannon Gabrush is Ukrainian by husband, a Ukrainian born in Canada.

We bring to your attention an interview with the charming Shannon .

How did the idea of creating the Ukrainian dance ensemble «Rushnychok» come about?

This dance club was formed almost 60 years ago, it was founded in 1967. The founder was the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and at that time there was a dance band under the Orthodox Church, so at first it was primarily a band for the Catholic Church community.

And how was the club managed at all stages of its existence?

Since its inception, management has been carried out on a volunteer basis. The community of parishioners of the church managed the activity. There was a board of directors, which usually includes parents, who are parishioners of the church. Among the parents there are dancers.

Were the members of the band and are mostly Canadian Ukrainians, or probably certain immigrants?

It was a significant evolution. Yes, at first they were Ukrainian Canadians, that is, parishioners of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. And over the years, with evolution, more and more people became interested in Ukrainian dance, Ukrainian culture, including me in particular. I am not of Ukrainian origin. This Ukrainian dance became a part of my life in a small village outside Saskatoon . It was something special for me and my four siblings. And then when we moved to the city, we continued to dance. And my brother and I continued to dance semi-professionally . My mother is a seamstress; she sewed costumes for various dance groups back in the early 80s.

We joined Ukrainian dance as a family, and when we did, we became a part of Ukrainian culture. We are all married to Ukrainians. In particular, my husband is a Canadian Ukrainian.

So Canadian Ukrainians danced at first, but our doors are always open, and many people who are interested and in love with your culture have joined the band, and this has expanded the boundaries, and now the band is not related only to Ukrainians.

In small villages, Ukrainian dances were the only possible entertainment; parents sewed costumes, made embroideries, then moved to cities and continued this business.

How do you choose the repertoire for the band, Shannon ?

Our band was considered an amateur dance band.

Most of our dancers are between the ages of 3 and about 17 or 18, and then they move on from our group to other semi-professional groups, so our season is structured so that we always start in September and finish around May.

Every year we celebrate the Malanka holiday with dances, and then we take part in dance festivals. So, dance competitions are festivals.

In addition, we have a concert at the end of the year, and we can also achieve additional productivity through participation in various city events, perform in homes for the elderly.

We always participate in events related to Ukrainians.

So this is the path we choose for the year — dancing or teaching our children.

First of all, we work on the technique of performing dances, instead, we prefer that they do not only improve technically, but also understand what Ukrainian dances are, know their heritage and culture. For each year, decisions are made based on the circumstances of each year.

Costumes are also important, because we do not have costumes for every region of Ukraine.

Our younger dancers have several different regional costumes, in particular – central Ukraine, Hutsul region, Polissia, and the higher level – Bukovyna, Transcarpathia.

That is, the repertoire depends on the costumes, and we make an important choice to represent a certain region of Ukraine through dance.

A dance can be used to show a certain historical event, in particular the Holodomor. It depends on what we have in our wardrobe, it is always important; we order most of the suits from Ukraine.

Today, who are the members of the dance group Ukrainians, Canadian Ukrainians, immigrants?

Yes, everyone you mentioned, although as we mentioned, in the past it was mostly Canadian Ukrainians, but in the last few years there have been a lot of newcomers.

Our instructors do not speak Ukrainian.

The last few years I have seen an influx. More and more people are coming to our school.

First of all, yes — those who have Ukrainian roots. But there are many who have no roots but have a real interest in this wonderful cause.

Ukrainian dance is not only beautiful, but it’s also about difficulty, and it is also about the soul and other things.

Ukrainian dance is incredible, I have dancers who came to study with me after leaving ballet, step jazz, because they just like Ukrainian culture. Our dance school is like a family.

You know everything. The parents of the older dancers have gone through their grown-up children since childhood, so they give advice and help, support the parents of younger children.

And that’s why our group All Around is volunteering, in addition to our team of teachers. There are committees, people who work in them, they get to know each other, each other and support each other when necessary, so that the group works well and create opportunities for all children to achieve their goals.

It’s such an old car well put together with great parent volunteers who support and teach the new ones and make sure the new ones feel confident and keep going.

Is your work financially supported by the Canadian government or do you do it yourself?

No, we are not a for-profit organization and we do not receive any government assistance – state, municipal, provincial or federal.

What are your plans for the coming years? Do you have plans to tour the world?

Yes, there is one tour that hasn’t been announced yet. The band was invited two years ago to the Ukrainian festival of Canada in the city of Dauphin, in Manitoba. Currently, such an opportunity really exists. Usually 7 professional groups perform there. We’ve been invited to perform again and it’s amazing. This will be the 60th anniversary of the festival

Two years ago, «Rushnychok» was part of a big event. The anniversary festival will take place in the summer of 2025. We have already been officially invited, but no one knows this yet.

To participate in the event, we will gather together, several classes, and make larger projects. Something similar to what we did last year – a Canadian polka on heels. I think that’s what it’s called, and it was really fun.

Now I’m thinking that we can get together and definitely travel. We are working on it right now.

Europe is certainly interesting for people who, I think, are trying to get as close to Ukraine as possible. Is it best to just try to feel as close to the culture as possible?

In my opinion, the biggest priority for us is when we travel.

Our group visited Ukraine in 2018 in Kyiv on Independence Day.

So, of course, they had many opportunities to learn to dance, in particular in Virsky’s ensemble.

It would simply be fantastic if we could come to Ukraine, as it was then.

I sincerely wish you the realization of all your plans and I will perform in Kyiv on the Independence Day of Ukraine.

Maryna Kovalchuk, deputy editor-in-chief (Central Europe and Canada), head of the V5 Media project, spoke.