Chicago’s Uketoberfest features the best of Ukrainian culture with proceeds to help Ukraine

CHICAGO (WLS) — It has been three years since Chicago’s St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church has been in a position to maintain its annual celebration of all issues Ukrainian.

Dubbed “Uketoberfest,” the two-day pageant brings collectively the perfect of Ukrainian arts and crafts, meals and music.

Up to now, the pageant has served as a fundraiser for the Parish. However not this yr, not with a battle raging in Ukraine.

“It is affecting us on daily basis. There may be at all times somebody who has household, I’d say 95% of the parish have their relations immediately affected by the battle,” mentioned Father Mykola Buryadnyk, with St Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church.

To that finish, all the proceeds gathered on the occasion shall be going to assist the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, with a number of the help directed in direction of wounded troopers.

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Additionally targeted on serving to the battle effort is Assist Heroes of Ukraine, a Carol Stream-based non-profit that sends Ukrainian fighters on a regular basis objects to assist maintain them.

“Bulletproof vests, bulletproof helmets, tourniquets — one thing to save lots of lives,” mentioned David Bovik, a volunteer with Assist Heroes of Ukraine.

It’s an effort that’s appreciated by these right here.

Among the many 10,000 individuals anticipated to attend the pageant this weekend are refugees, like 25-year-old medical scholar Sofeya Beskrovna. She left Ukraine alongside along with her mom final month and is now dwelling briefly with a cousin in Chicago.

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“All throughout the day, all throughout the night time, we hear the alarm, , and we simply ready if bomb is coming or not,” Beskrovna recalled.

The 2-day pageant continues Sunday from 3 pm to 9 pm.