SPRINGFIELD – Folks in Springfield can find something to do every Wednesday morning in July at the City Hall Fountain Plaza thanks to the Springfield Public Library and History Museum.
June 17 marked the kickoff of the 2026 Summer Reading Program with a Tahitian dance and storytelling by Anavai O Te Ora. Last Wednesday, the plaza featured Veselka Ukrainian Dancers from the Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“This has been a tradition – handing down and sharing the culture, language, and traditions of Ukraine for decades in this community,” said Mindy Linder, community engagement specialist.
Father Richard Janowicz introduced senior dancers for a traditional welcome dance with bread and salt, called a Pryvit. He said some of the older dancers have been performing for 12 to 16 years.
Traditional Ukrainian dance music played with energetic rhythms of violins, accordion, bass, flutes, and tambourine, while girls in white linen blouses with intricate red, black, and blue stitching, paired with velvet dresses, layered skirts and red boots, and boys in white long-sleeved shirts with red detailing, along with loose red trousers fitted at the waist and ankles, spun around the dance floor.
Last Wednesday, temperatures crept towards 90 degrees, and the dancers performed on a black platform in the hot sun.
“They said their dance moves are pretty hot, but the stage is way hotter,” Janowicz relayed as dancers went off-stage after a performance.
Traditional dances by the males highlighted the athleticism characteristic of Ukrainian dance. Fast-paced footwork, squatting, jumping, and synchronized hand and arm movements were among the skills they showcased in their Hopak dancing.
Kiddos were invited to participate and learn a few traditional moves. Veselka teacher Alex Piasta showed the littles the Kolomyika and Hopak dances, which include low squatting and strong leg work. He gave pointers like keeping the back straight and heels together, but said it takes a long time to learn not to put pressure on the knees.
After the event, Food for Lane County gave out free lunches to kids under 18. Every weekday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., FFLC is handing out meals outside the library.
The next event in the summer series lineup is #instaballet: Create a Dance! where the audience is the choreographer, and folks will have the chance to see ideas translated into movement with other participants.
“This little preview we’re getting this morning gives you a taste of what you can experience for free at the Ukrainian Day celebration this Saturday,” Linder said ahead of the festival.
Last Saturday, the Veselka dancers had another series of performances while they celebrated Ukrainian Day at 704 Aspen Street, the Nativity of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Ukrainian culture was celebrated with traditional music, dances, and food.
Kowbasa, varenyky, pyrizhky, and sauerkraut were available for purchase along with homemade baked goods.
