Dear members of Ukrainian community, distinguished guests!

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival!

First of all, I would like to thank all the organizers, sponsors, volunteers of this important event.

Without your hard work, devotion and tireless efforts it would be impossible to make of this Festival the biggest Ukrainian Festival in the North America.

Dear friends!

I would not make a revelation if I say that Ukraine and Canada have enjoyed close relations over the centuries. Our countries are linked together through vibrant Ukrainian community which is one of the founding nations of multicultural and democratic Canada.

Canada has supported democratic transformations in Ukrainian society ever since, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in the turbulent events of the Revolution of Dignity and Russia’s military aggression.

I would like to thank for all the assistance and support we receive in this difficult times.

For 19 years Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival has contributed to further rapprochement between our two great peoples.

It has also been an important communication bridge between different nations, sharing with all visitors of this joyful event the achievements of rich Ukrainian culture, delicious Ukrainian cuisine and immense Ukrainian hospitality.

I would like to thank the Ukrainian community of Toronto for the love to the land of their ancestors, for preserving Ukrainian traditions and promoting Ukrainian cultural heritage in Canada.

I do hope that the voice of Ukrainian culture will be heard in Canada for many years to come.

Let me wish you all an enjoyable, fruitful and memorable Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival.

Слава Україні!

This year event was also dedicated to the Ukrainians illegaly detained by Russia #FreeSentsov.